Chapter 195: Nineteen-Year-Old Skye, Don't Be Greedy
Noon.
The weather was clear, the sun bright.
On the road heading toward New York City—
The black, rugged muscle car cruised at a steady speed through the Washington district.
In the driver's seat, Agent Skye kept her eyes on the road, looking as if she were completely focused.
But in truth—
Ever since she picked him up, her attention kept drifting to the passenger seat beside her.
She noticed that after boarding the car with his little orange cat, Xi Nian seemed calm and composed, almost lazily so. He looked like someone who hadn't had enough sleep and was ready to nap again in the car.
Sunlight spilled across his body through the window, carrying with it an aura of youth and leisure.
No matter how Skye looked at him—
He seemed like nothing more than an ordinary high school student, the type who studied hard, obeyed rules, and stayed out of trouble.
But a boy who had ties with Director Nick Fury, and was being escorted to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters… could he really be that simple?
Could it be that Fury hadn't given her his files on purpose? Was he testing her, forcing her to rely on her own instincts instead of preloaded intel?
As Skye pondered this—
Suddenly—
Xi Nian, who was absentmindedly stroking Xiao Huang, seemed to remember something. He reached for his backpack…
Skye instantly tensed. Her slender eyes narrowed, her grip on the steering wheel tightening.
Then—
Xi Nian pulled out… a half-opened bag of potato chips with a crinkle.
Skye: "…"
Xi Nian began happily munching, shaking the bag so it made a crisp, tempting sound.
Noticing her glances, he asked politely, "Skye, want some? Original flavor."
"No."
Skye pursed her lips, as cold and terse as ever.
"Alright then."
Xi Nian casually held a chip to his lap. Xiao Huang immediately snatched it up, crunching with her tiny teeth.
"Xiao Huang, don't lick—ah, that tickles!" Xi Nian exclaimed.
The little orange cat had stretched out her tongue, carefully licking the crumbs from his fingers until his pale, slender hand gleamed faintly.
Watching this, Skye pressed her lips tighter.
Why… did she suddenly want to be fed like that too?
…
"Skye, how old are you?"
"Nineteen."
"Nineteen, and already an agent? You're only two years older than me—that's impressive."
"Mm."
"So… what do your parents do?"
"My father is a scientist…"
Skye froze mid-sentence, realizing too late that she had been tricked into answering naturally, even truthfully!
"You're probing me? What's your real aim?"
Her voice turned cold as she turned to glare at him—
But Xi Nian's head was tilted to the side, eyes shut, breathing softly and evenly.
…Asleep?
Skye stared at his clean, youthful face glowing faintly under the sunlight. Silence stretched.
Looking at his unguarded, trusting posture and his lazy, natural sleep, she found her usual agent's defenses crumbling.
Had it been too long since she last let herself rest properly?
Exhaling softly, Skye wet her lips and glanced back at him.
With one hand on the wheel, she unbuckled her belt with the other and reached across toward the bag of chips in his lap…
Just as her fingers neared the bag—
A tiny paw pressed onto her hand.
Startled, she looked down into the sleepy, green eyes of the orange cat lying on Xi Nian's lap.
Those glowing eyes sent a chill crawling down her spine, her skin erupting with goosebumps.
Danger.
Smack—
Xi Nian suddenly stirred, slapping his hand over both Skye's hand and the paw.
"Don't be greedy!" he scolded.
Xiao Huang blinked pitifully, retracting her paw and burying her head against his legs.
Skye, flustered, yanked her hand back quickly and stammered, "I just… I thought the chips might fall while you were sleeping, so I was only trying to—"
"Thanks, Skye," Xi Nian smiled lightly. "But the chips are already finished."
Skye fastened her seatbelt again, but her face still felt hot.
"You…"
She was about to speak when Xi Nian suddenly frowned.
"Careful, left side," he warned.
"What…?"
Confused, Skye instinctively glanced to the left window—
A police car was speeding straight toward them!
Bang!!
The cruiser slammed into the side of the muscle car without braking, shoving the vehicle sideways across the road.
"And more incoming…" Xi Nian muttered, clutching Xiao Huang as their bodies jolted.
Almost immediately, two more unmarked police cars rammed the front and rear of their car, boxing them in. A fourth smashed into the right side, completing the trap.
In barely three seconds—
Four police vehicles had struck from every angle, pinning the muscle car in place. The reinforced frame shuddered violently, groaning under the coordinated assault.
"Xi Nian, are you okay?"
Skye clutched her head, dizzy from the impact. She glanced at the passenger seat to find Xi Nian holding Xiao Huang calmly, steadier than she was.
"I'm fine. But things are about to get troublesome." He patted Xiao Huang reassuringly, then gestured outside.
Beyond the windows—
Several black SUVs screeched to a stop, surrounding them. Armed men in tactical gear poured out, weapons raised.
"This was clearly planned… Are they after you?" Skye demanded.
"Me? I'm just a high schooler," Xi Nian replied, though his eyes narrowed in thought.
In his daily life, he had no enemies who would go this far. Unless… his hidden identity had been exposed. Or perhaps enemies had followed his aunt's trail.
No. That didn't add up.
They were still within Washington territory. If the attackers knew about his other powers or Wanda's enemies, they'd have waited until he left the city limits.
Which meant—
This ambush was probably aimed at Skye herself.
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