Chapter 73: The Passive Ability of the Master of Affection
The first period was chemistry class.
Xi Nian and his classmates gathered in the school's independent laboratory, watching Dr. Curt Connors demonstrate an experiment at the podium. Xi Nian calmly picked up his own set of equipment and worked alongside the others.
At the window stood Natasha, the alluring new assistant instructor. Her teacher's uniform outlined graceful curves as she leaned against the frame, taking notes while observing the students.
Sunlight poured in, and a gentle breeze stirred her dark red hair, giving it a dazzling, almost intoxicating glow.
Some students were so distracted that glass beakers slipped from their hands, clattering loudly against the tables.
Xi Nian, however, betrayed no reaction. Like the other boys, he occasionally pretended to sneak a glance at Natasha's chest or her long legs in black stockings, before quickly turning away to continue his experiment.
Until he understood why Natasha—the Avenger known as Black Widow—was suddenly posing as a school instructor, the best approach was to treat her as nothing more than what she appeared to be: a new teacher.
Natasha scanned the room with her sharp eyes, though her gaze always returned, 'casually,' to the black-haired boy seated in the back corner.
Before taking on this cover identity, she had already reviewed his photo countless times.
Xi Nian.
His public record described him as quiet, steady, reluctant to socialize with strangers, but diligent in study, respectful to teachers and friends, and a model student. Perhaps due to his Asian heritage, while his looks were refined and pleasant, he wasn't especially popular. Much of the attention he received was because of his childhood friend, Gwen Stacy.
And Gwen's father happened to be a well-respected local police officer.
But behind the scenes—
Xi Nian's guardian was none other than Diana, Wonder Woman, a newly active member of the Justice League and possibly a divine being herself.
Considering how frequently Wonder Woman had been appearing in public lately, it was unlikely that the boy living in her household knew nothing.
That was one of the main reasons Director Nick Fury had assigned Natasha to this mission.
Was Xi Nian really just an ordinary high school student raised by a god?
While outwardly observing the entire class, Natasha was in truth focused only on him, applying her top-tier spy instincts to judge and analyze.
Her first impression—
Goodwill.
Xi Nian's appearance was clean and handsome, his outfit simple but stylish, his presence full of a sunny freshness…
Wait.
Natasha froze for a moment, sensing something off.
Was she… judging someone by their looks?
She had grown up in the Red Room, trained as a spy and assassin since childhood, her body and mind broken down and reforged through brutal conditioning. She had been injected with drugs that pushed her to the edge of death, killed countless enemies and even fellow operatives, and rose to become the infamous Black Widow. For her, beauty and the body were weapons, nothing more—tools to achieve her ends.
Never once had she felt genuine goodwill toward someone upon first sight.
And yet, looking at Xi Nian…
A subtle warmth had bloomed in her chest. If she hadn't been acutely aware of her own instincts, she wouldn't have even noticed it.
This was wrong.
"Let's assume," Natasha thought grimly, "that Xi Nian is my target. Not just to observe—but to assassinate."
She shut her eyes briefly, giving herself a hypnotic cue, slipping into her professional killer's state of mind.
When her eyes opened again, they were flat and calm, like still water. It was the mask she always wore on missions.
But the moment she looked back at Xi Nian, her icy composure shattered. A flicker of hesitation—almost pity—crossed her gaze.
She couldn't summon killing intent.
Natasha was stunned. She was not a righteous or merciful person.
But even after conditioning herself to treat him as her target, she found herself unable to feel hostility toward him.
No matter what, she couldn't move against Xi Nian. In fact, if he were in danger, she realized with a start, she might even step in to protect him.
"What is wrong with me?" Natasha thought in disbelief. Was she losing her edge? Or was there something about him?
The truth was—
Even Xi Nian himself didn't realize it.
The Master of Affection didn't only have the active ability to gain powers through physical contact with the opposite sex. It also came with a hidden passive ability—
It made extraordinary women naturally feel a base level of goodwill toward him.
This goodwill wasn't overwhelming—it wouldn't make anyone instantly fall in love. But unless Xi Nian himself did something unforgivable, those under its influence would never truly become his enemy.
…
Meanwhile, in the Dean's office.
The new dean of discipline draped her leopard-print coat across the chair and sat down, crossing her long legs. Her tight brown sweater traced every toned line of her body like that of a predator.
Barbara Minerva—Cheetah—smiled with wicked delight, licking her crimson lips unconsciously.
"Diana… you really hid something this good? Raised him so well, and didn't think to share with an old friend?"
Her emerald eyes glowed with predatory hunger as her scarlet tongue slid across the back of her hand.
"I can't wait to see your face… after I've devoured him completely."
…
After class ended, students filed out of the laboratory.
The professor left, the students left, even Natasha was called away by Instructor Rott.
Xi Nian was among the last still cleaning up, his eyes following Natasha's swaying hips as she walked out in her uniform skirt.
"Hmph."
Noticing, Gwen pouted slightly, hugging her books and preparing to leave. But Xi Nian quickly pulled her back.
"What are you doing?" Gwen protested, puffing her cheeks. "In a few years, I'll develop like that too…"
"No time to explain."
Xi Nian tugged her back into the now-empty lab. Glancing up at the camera in the corner, he pulled Gwen with him under the podium desk.
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