Some students began to applaud. Although the choice Zhou Yi offered them was challenging, at least a new, viable path had appeared before them. This path might be rugged, but it was a way that could lead them to the Peak.
However, not everyone accepted Zhou Yi's perspective. As he finished his lecture and stepped off the stage, Ororo already had hold of him. She immediately began complaining in a voice full of grievance.
"Yi, how could you teach these Children like that? What you're proposing could lead them straight into an incredibly dangerous profession."
"Ororo, there's nothing absolutely safe in this World. Can simply protecting these Children within the Academy truly secure their future? For them, this place is nothing more than a larger, more comfortable prison. They need to experience the outside World, and more importantly, they need to be accepted by it."
From a personal perspective, Zhou Yi genuinely hoped Mutants could transition into a positive, constructive role, rather than remaining embarrassed, discriminated-against outcasts. This wasn't just for Charisse, but also for Ororo and the others. They needed an identity that could walk in the sunlight, an identity the World would accept.
"But do you know what they'll Face if they follow your advice?" Ororo was not easily mollified. "The Superhero you mentioned doesn't just fight street criminals; he tackles terrifying monsters. Don't you watch the news? Do you honestly think these Children can handle that level of danger?"
"Ororo, you're worrying a bit too much," Zhou Yi said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's not as difficult as you imagine. I can arrange for them to start with simple, low-risk attempts. You know, I have some influence with the City Police department and the Fire Center. Some of your students are perfectly capable of assisting them. With a little effort and my connections, a successful launch won't be difficult."
"That sounds like a genuinely good idea, Ororo. I think we should explore it." Jean Grey, grasping the full implications of Zhou Yi's backing, decisively chose to support him. She saw the clarity: with the strong financial and political support of a true tycoon, it would be easy for the Mutants to gain positive initial traction.
With Zhou Yi's continued guidance, the endeavor was highly promising. Simply put, this plan offered only benefits for the Mutants, with no actual downsides. There was no reason to shelve such an opportunity due to minor anxieties.
"Although I can't stand this bastard, what he said actually makes some sense," Logan said, biting down on his cigar, offering his timely opinion.
"You folks are too insular, and that's crippling you." He didn't like Zhou Yi, but that wouldn't cloud his judgment on serious matters. His long and turbulent life had taught him that Zhou Yi's proposal was indeed a viable path to improving the Mutants' status.
"Alright, alright. If we're truly going to pursue this, can we at least start with a detailed plan?" Ororo seemed hesitant. She loved her Mutant family too much—to the point where she couldn't bear the thought of anyone getting hurt. Asking her to make a firm decision on this was deeply stressful.
Zhou Yi embraced her from behind, kissing her earlobe as he whispered comforting words to soothe her inner turmoil.
"It will be okay, Ororo. I will personally help you. Haven't you always hoped that you and your students could live genuinely normal, accepted lives?"
"I pray everything turns out exactly as you say! That would be wonderful!"
Sighing deeply, Ororo reluctantly let go of her anxieties. She wrapped her arm around Zhou Yi's, as if seeking reassurance. Zhou Yi tightened his embrace slightly, conveying his firm determination through the strength of his chest. Ororo patted his arm and turned, giving him a genuinely grateful smile.
"I've already spoken with the Professor. I agree to this trip. But to ease our minds, there must be a teacher accompanying you."
"As long as I don't see Scott, everything is fine," Zhou Yi stated clearly. Everyone knew Scott and he had issues, so he naturally wanted to avoid having such an antagonist nearby.
Rolling her eyes playfully, Ororo replied grumpily, "I still don't understand why you and Scott clash so much. Don't worry, we've already decided. Jean and I will go with you, and Logan will also be joining us."
"You are both very welcome to our Christmas party. But..." Zhou Yi paused, looking over at the grumpy Wolverine Logan. "Pal, are you looking for a free ride home?"
"Hmph!" Logan expressed his attitude in the most dismissive way. "I'm just worried about Rogue and the others traveling with a despicable pal like you."
"Alright, Mr. Bodyguard. Just so you know, I won't be paying you any salary or benefits."
Logan responded this time with a direct, forceful snort. Ororo and Jean Grey were already accustomed to Zhou Yi's infuriating manner. His gentle side only emerged when dealing with women and minors; when facing most men, he was invariably this flippant and teasing.
With Ororo and Jean's agreement, Charisse quickly finalized the other logistics. Zhou Yi had just lit a cigarette and hadn't even taken a proper drag when she appeared before him. She carried bags of various sizes, dragging her two close friends. She arrived with a signature, loud "bing" sound.
"Bro, you are seriously amazing! I didn't know you had this much sway. If you ask me, you shouldn't be an arms dealer; you should totally run for President!" Charisse immediately launched into non-stop chatter. Clearly, Zhou Yi's powerful performance had made her incredibly proud. This was the true meaning of having a Divine Rank older brother—instant bragging rights.
"You're overthinking it, Charisse. If I ran for President, I guarantee you wouldn't get as much pocket money."
"Then forget it, what we have is perfectly fine!" The famously fickle sister easily abandoned her political ambition for the sake of her finances. She called out to her brother while signaling her friends to load their luggage into the car.
"Hey! Bro, what are you waiting for? We're ready. I can't wait to fly to France. This is the furthest I've ever traveled!"
"No rush. You and your friends can play some games in the car first." Taking a deliberate puff of his cigarette, Zhou Yi exhaled the smoke elegantly, then flashed a mischievous grin. "It's not just you three coming along this time."
"You're not dating Ororo, are you?" Charisse asked cautiously. A trip with Ororo involved was not her preference; Ororo's meticulousness was a nightmare for her chaotic younger sister.
"More than that!" Zhou Yi said, opening the car door as he saw Ororo and the others carrying their luggage.
"I never imagined I'd be going to France for Christmas with all of you. This is one of the few Christmases I haven't spent at the Academy in years," Ororo said wistfully as Zhou Yi took her luggage.
"Don't worry, you won't be the most surprised person!" Smiling, Zhou Yi also took Jean's luggage and voiced a thought that had clearly been on his mind. "I guarantee my mother will be the most surprised. She doesn't even know about our relationship yet!"
Hearing this, Jean Grey's expression flickered unnaturally, and Ororo gasped in surprise.
"You're not planning to drop this bombshell on Ms. Zhou Lan right now, are you? Oh my God, I am not prepared for that!"
"You still have time to prepare! Don't say I didn't warn you!" After stowing the luggage, Zhou Yi turned and walked toward Wolverine and another little girl.
"I remember you, the girl who asked me a question. Can you tell me your name?" Completely ignoring Logan's warning glare, Zhou Yi deliberately bypassed him and addressed the heavily bundled little girl behind him.
"My name is Mary, sir," the Mutant named Mary said softly, cautiously avoiding any physical contact with Zhou Yi. "You can call me Rogue."
"Alright, Rogue. You can stay with my sister, your teachers, and your classmates. Although Charisse is a mischievous little monster, trust me, she's not hard to get along with." Patting her head, Zhou Yi genuinely felt the effect of the absorption ability the Professor had mentioned, but he just maintained a confident smile. "Professor has already told me about your ability, don't worry. This is a solvable problem. And it won't take too long."
Having finished, Zhou Yi immediately changed his demeanor and spoke to Logan.
"As for you, pal. Come sit in the front with me. I don't trust my sister to be stuck in the back with you."
Once everything was ready, and even Logan had begrudgingly settled into the passenger seat, this strange team finally set off in the extended custom Bentley.
The car had excellent sound insulation, which became obvious when Charisse and the others closed the window separating the back compartment from the driver's cabin. Where they had heard the girls' noisy voices before, now only the heavy breathing of a burly man lingered in their ears. This was compounded by the man's exhalation of cheap cigar smoke.
Unable to tolerate the smell of the low-quality cigar, Zhou Yi opened the glove compartment, pulled out a small box, and tossed it to Logan.
"Stop polluting the air, pal. That garbage you're smoking is toxic."
Logan was about to erupt in anger, but he sniffed the air several times, then reluctantly opened the box. Inside were beautifully packaged cigars.
"Cohiba 40th Anniversary Edition cigars. Trust me, even a pal like me who generally dislikes cigars will appreciate the taste of these."
Logan took one out and sniffed it deeply. He immediately stubbed out the cheap one he was smoking on his own palm and solemnly placed the new, rich cigar in his mouth. Soon, he was exhaling beautiful, thick smoke. Forcing a cigar enthusiast to refuse such a legendary item was harder than taking his life.
Watching Logan take two long puffs, then reluctantly pinch out the butt and carefully pocket the remainder, Zhou Yi sighed helplessly.
"Forget it, pal. Don't be so stingy; the whole box is yours. But that's all I have; I only bought this one box and left it in the car."
"That's because you don't understand the sanctity of cigars," Logan grumbled. It wasn't easy to make him be nice to Zhou Yi, but for the sake of the tobacco, he conceded. "This legendary fine product is worth exchanging all one's wealth for. Not many people will live to see the next anniversary edition. Damn it, one of these costs hundreds of dollars—only rich pal like you can afford this indulgence."
Perhaps it was the subtle power of the cigars, but the awkward tension between the two men eased slightly. Although Logan still maintained a sour expression, he started communicating with Zhou Yi of his own volition.
"You said you can fix Rogue's problem—is that actually true?"
"If you mean completely eliminating her ability and making her an ordinary person, I'm sorry, I cannot do that. But if you mean enabling her to touch others without harm, that is not difficult for me."