"My name is Natasha Romanoff, an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D!"
Su's Cafe, the next morning.
Sitting across from Su Che.
Holding her coffee with both hands, Natasha Romanoff introduced herself to Su Che with a smile.
That's right. Although Natasha knew Su Che had recognized her the first day they met, and as the holder of the Black Gold Diary, she knew he knew, she still had to pretend she didn't know he knew she was an agent! This logic wasn't messy—at least, Natasha believed Su Che didn't know about her being the diary holder.
Therefore, some introductions were necessary.
"Your expression is very calm. You don't even have any flicker in your eyes."
Holding his coffee, Su Che showed no surprise after her introduction.
Natasha laughed: "While dropping off Wanda and Pietro at school this morning, I was thinking about how I would introduce myself to you."
"Then I wondered what your reaction would be. I imagined all sorts of expressions—surprise, doubt, or anger."
"But now it seems you're so calm, as if you knew in advance."
This was a normal conversation, fitting for a "first reveal." At least, it fit Natasha's intention to hide her diary holder status and pretend she didn't know Su Che knew her identity.
Last night, Nick Fury had texted her, instructing her to reveal her identity to Su Che today. The purpose was to legitimately help Su Che scout jewelry stores all over New York. After all, Su Che wrote about that in his diary entry yesterday, and Tony Stark had helped him with similar things before.
So, in Nick Fury's view, since Tony Stark hadn't yet become the so-called superhero, monitoring the entire city should fall to S.H.I.E.L.D. Helping a future superhero was what S.H.I.E.L.D. should do. If you want someone to work for you, you have to offer something first. That's just how things are done!
"No surprise there either," Su Che said indifferently, looking at Natasha. "Do you remember when you took me to the shooting range half a month ago?"
"Of course. Was that when you figured out my identity?"
"Pretty much. After all, it's not just anyone who can put thirteen bullets through the same hole."
Putting down his black coffee, Su Che looked at Natasha, who had just blown her cover, and asked, "Did you come to my coffee shop to spy on me, or is it part of a mission?"
"Neither," Natasha replied, having already prepared her reason. Leaning back in her seat, she smiled. "Every time I finish a mission, I like to change identities and experience a different life."
"On one hand, it helps eliminate the stress and negative emotions from missions. On the other, it makes me feel like a real person, not just a mission machine."
"That's the reason I came to your Taohualin Cafe. It was just a coincidence."
"I just didn't expect you to be... not ordinary."
Holding her coffee cup, Natasha's bright red lips took a slight sip. Ugh, I still can't get used to black coffee without sugar. She regretted ordering the same drink as Su Che just for the sake of "identity psychology."
"There was a fight in your apartment's parking lot yesterday."
"To be precise, it was a one-sided suppression. You turned a living person into a mummy in seconds."
"Tsk, do you know how frightened our S.H.I.E.L.D. inspectors were when they got the test results?"
"So, you're here to arrest me?" Su Che asked, his indifferent smile unchanged. A flicker of interest even appeared in his previously melancholic eyes, as if he were deliberately teasing her.
Noted that look, Natasha thought silently. She shrugged. "Definitely not here to arrest you. In fact, you don't even seem to care about being arrested by S.H.I.E.L.D."
"The real reason I came today is to find out what happened yesterday afternoon."
"Su, although we've only known each other for a short month, I think we're friends. As a friend, I believe you're definitely not the kind of villain who abuses superpowers."
"I've seen all kinds of criminals. I've seen killers, even cannibals. But no matter the reason, you're different from them."
"I want to understand what happened yesterday afternoon. I want to help you."
"So, can you tell me what exactly happened yesterday afternoon?"
"Trust me, I mean it!"
Hesitating for a moment, she added softly, "If I can't figure out what happened yesterday afternoon..."
"...then you, as the person involved, might really end up on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s wanted list."
"Maybe you don't know what S.H.I.E.L.D. represents, but I'm sure you don't want to face the consequences of defying them."
Though her words sounded like a threat, her tone held not a hint of menace, only a sincere desire to help.
Su Che picked up his coffee and smiled. "Thank you. But there are some things you can't handle, or even accept."
"And to correct you, the thing that turned into a mummy yesterday afternoon wasn't human."
"To be precise, it was a humanoid monster."
"Secondly, I don't trust your so-called S.H.I.E.L.D. And I don't need help. I can handle my own affairs."
"If the S.H.I.E.L.D. behind you has the ability to catch me, then let them try."
"Just as well, I haven't stretched my muscles in a while."
Good, he thought. I wrote in the diary I don't trust S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick Fury and Natasha think I don't know the diary's secret, so I have to maintain the personality I wrote.
"So, are we good?" Natasha asked, frowning slightly as she held her coffee cup with both hands.
"We're good."
"Then... can I keep working at your cafe?"
Blinking, her serious expression vanished instantly.
Like a master of facial changes, Natasha immediately put on a pitiful, "please don't fire me" look.
Facing the switch from her previous serious demeanor—warning him about S.H.I.E.L.D.'s power and the consequences of opposing them—to this cute and pitiful act, Su Che was inwardly amused.
We've already 'talked it out,' but you still want to 'work' here?
And how are you pulling off acting cute and pitiful in front of a man five years your junior?
Tsk, guess that's what makes you a trained professional agent. Even your expressions are so professional!
But still, the Widow, at the peak of her beauty, acting cute and pitiful...
...was really quite captivating!