Nearly two million black people live in the metropolis of New York.
Of average height and ordinary looks, Daniel Drumm, dressed in regular clothes instead of his mage robe, was not much different from any other black man.
As an Asian, it's easy to be a bit face-blind when looking at white or black people. So, why did Shi Xiaolei find Daniel Drumm somewhat familiar?
"Boss Locke." Daniel Drumm also looked surprised. "I never expected to see you here."
"...You've eaten at my shop?" Hearing how the other person addressed him, memories in Shi Xiaolei's mind gradually became clearer.
"Yes, and more than once." Daniel said with a smile, "From the first time I discovered your shop to the most recent visit, I've eaten at your place at least seven or eight times."
The Ancient One was still alive, and Kamar-Taj's financial situation wasn't as dire as it was in "Avengers 3."
But to say it was good wouldn't be accurate either. After all, Kamar-Taj had always been isolated from the world, and its channels for earning money from the modern world were few. Moreover, mages had adapted to a life of asceticism during their apprenticeship, so even after becoming full-fledged mages, they still didn't have much attachment to money.
Their income level was roughly equivalent to that of an ordinary office worker.
Although he didn't have the pressure of a housing mortgage and didn't need to drive or pay for gas, Daniel Drumm's financial situation was quite poor because he often couldn't help but offer money to those in distress.
Limited by his economic conditions, some choices in his daily life naturally changed. For Daniel Drumm, a small restaurant that was cheap, filling, and quite delicious was the best fit for his personal situation.
Because of this, he became a regular customer at Shi Xiaolei's shop.
"Hey, why is your shop closed? I've been there three times since the Saturday before last, and it's always been under renovation… Hiss, you didn't sell the shop, did you?"
"No, no, I'm planning to upgrade the shop and make the space bigger."
"That's good. I thought someone else had taken over the storefront and wasn't planning to do catering, which is why it was being redecorated. Oh, right, you said upgrading the shop? Will eating there still be as affordable as before? You won't suddenly raise prices significantly, will you?"
"Definitely not. We Chinese are very honest in business; what it should be, it will be. Let me put it this way: whether the prices on the menu go up depends entirely on whether the prices of groceries in the market go up. Unless the cost of buying ingredients becomes so high that I can't continue, I will never raise prices."
"I knew you were an honest person. Hey, when is your shop reopening? No flattery, I really love your Chinese food."
"I took a trip while the shop was being renovated. Now that I'm back, it won't be long until we reopen."
"That's good. Leave me your number, and send me a message when it's time?"
"Alright."
Behind them, Shi Xiaolei and Daniel Drumm were huddled together, whispering.
The Ancient One and Bayonetta walked ahead, also conversing softly.
Well, rather than conversing, it was more like the Ancient One unilaterally introducing things to Bayonetta. As they walked, she was like a museum guide, explaining a few words whenever Bayonetta's attention lingered on a display case and she showed curiosity or interest in a magical artifact.
From boots that could generate force out of thin air, allowing the wearer to perform double jumps, to binding straps like reins that could be used to tame magical creatures; from a bone staff that could summon the souls of the deceased, to a crystal ball that could only monitor movements within five hundred meters, effectively acting as an ordinary surveillance device... There were both powerful artifacts and those with no practical use. Coupled with their strange or unique designs, it was indeed quite interesting to tour them.
Among these magical artifacts, the one Shi Xiaolei found most familiar was, of course, the red cloak with a will of its own.
Superman's cape was added to help him steer when he was still unfamiliar with fast flight, and later it only served a symbolic purpose. Batman's cape, on the other hand, could be bulletproof and provide gliding ability, which was somewhat useful. But ultimately, they were just inanimate objects.
And what about this one, the red cloak that Doctor Strange would later acquire?
It could not only provide its host with the ability to fly but also help with serving tea and water, and when its host was down, it would even act silly to cheer them up.
It was very practical, and coupled with its obedience, like an extension of one's arm, honestly, among all the capes worn by superheroes, it was definitely the most charming one.
"...It looks a bit off." Standing in front of the display case, watching the red cloak pressing against the glass and rubbing up and down, Bayonetta's eyes showed a hint of disgust.
She knew the thing was trying to show affection, but its movements looked exactly like a horny teddy bear. As a woman, Bayonetta naturally felt no fondness for it.
The cabinet could prevent touch but not sound.
The cloak inside the cabinet heard Bayonetta's comment, drooped dejectedly, curled into a ball in the corner, and, like a child sulking, used a corner of its hem to draw circles on the bottom of the cabinet.
'It's best if she doesn't like it.' Seeing this scene, the Ancient One's lips curved slightly, and she let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
This cloak was meant for Strange. If Bayonetta were to snatch it midway… "I remember there are several other magical artifacts with a will of their own, just like it." Without a change in expression, the Ancient One moved on again, leading the way away from the display case holding the cloak. "You might find something you like."
"By the sound of it, if I like it…"
"As long as we confirm you can control it." The Ancient One nodded. "Yes, I mean, we can consider giving it to you."
"Wow, then I'll have to pick carefully."
She said she would pick carefully, but she wasn't really that invested. After all, Bayonetta was a proud witch, and with her personality, she wouldn't lower herself so much for a magical artifact she didn't even know if she'd use.
It was better to have it, but it didn't matter if she didn't. With this relaxed and casual attitude, Bayonetta casually looked at one magical artifact after another.
About fifteen minutes later, at a corner on the second floor, Bayonetta showed a different expression for the first time.
"What is this?" Standing in front of a glass display case resembling a table, she unconsciously rested a hand on the glass, then turned her head, her eyes filled with curiosity, and asked the Ancient One with an expectant tone, "I feel a… emmm, a kind of eagerness from it. Ancient One, does it also have a will of its own, like that cloak earlier?"
It was completely unexpected that Bayonetta would be interested in this magical artifact.
To be honest, the Ancient One was indeed a bit hesitant.
But recalling the strength she had observed during their earlier sparring, the Ancient One finally spoke, "Yes, it is also a rather special magical artifact. I call it…"