As Christmas approached, every household hung colorful lights on their houses and in their yards, displaying various festive decorations, and piling up all sorts of strange snowmen.
At night, snowflakes danced, and the glittering residential area seemed to transform into a fairytale town.
At this moment, Hawking and Wanda's family were sitting on the sofa in the living room, sipping hot soup brewed by Elena and chatting about everyday life while watching TV.
"Ding-dong!"
Just as the family was laughing heartily at a sitcom on TV, the doorbell suddenly rang.
"I'll get it!"
Pietro used his ability, and with a flash, in less than a second, he had gone from the sofa to the door and opened it.
Appearing before him was a bald, one-eyed black man wearing a black leather coat and an eye patch, a stranger.
"Who are you?"
"Excuse me, I'm looking for Hawking. Is he here?"
"What a rare guest!"
Hearing the voice, Hawking got up and went to the door. Seeing that the visitor was Nick Fury, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
He had just met Magneto last night, and today Nick Fury came looking for him. Could it be that he was here with ill intentions?
It shouldn't be. He didn't sense anyone else nearby. If he were coming to cause trouble, Nick Fury wouldn't come alone.
"Hawking, is he your friend? It's so cold and snowing outside, please invite him in for some hot soup and sit down to chat!"
Realizing that the visitor might know Hawking, Oleg and Elena quickly got up, ready to greet him.
They didn't know that Hawking was the CEO of Hero Alliance International Company, but they had heard from Wanda and Pietro that Hawking, due to his outstanding abilities, often helped the Professors at the school with matters concerning Mutants.
So when Magneto and Mystique came to see Hawking that day, after they learned they were Mutants, they didn't ask anything further.
Nick Fury also raised his foot, preparing to enter the house, but Hawking extended a hand to stop him. He didn't want his family to have too much contact with Nick Fury.
Turning his head, he smiled gently at Oleg and Elina:
"My friend doesn't like soup and is quite reclusive, preferring not to be around many people. He's also very resistant to cold. We can just chat outside. You all go back to watching TV."
After saying that, he winked at Nick Fury and then walked out.
Nick Fury shrugged and followed him.
"Then let's talk in my car!"
"I heard Professor say that Director Fury is busy with important matters every day. What brings him to a small Mutant student like me?"
Sitting in Nick Fury's black van, Hawking spoke first, probing.
Actually, the last time he and Nick Fury met was during the great war a few years ago. Some matters concerning Hero Alliance International were also handled by Professor and Nick Fury.
"Mr. Hawking is joking. You are not just a student at the Mutant School, but also the founder of the now famous Hero Alliance International Company, known as a Superhero comparable to Superman in comics."
Nick Fury also smiled.
Hawking quickly waved his hand, looking modest:
"It's just gathering some like-minded friends to do some good deeds. It can't compare to S.H.I.E.L.D., which maintains World peace."
He wasn't surprised that Nick Fury knew this. After all, Professor X had asked Nick Fury for help with many company matters, also to let Nick Fury understand that the company belonged to Hawking, not the Mutant School.
Nick Fury looked at Hawking, paused, and then said:
"Alright, I won't beat around the bush with you."
"My purpose in coming to you is simple: I need you to do me a favor tomorrow."
"And as compensation, I will fully resolve all future government-related troubles for your company."
He had never stopped paying attention to Hawking, and had secretly sent trusted people to investigate and collect relevant intelligence, making detailed and professional assessments from various aspects.
First, it can be confirmed that Hawking possesses a kind heart, otherwise he wouldn't have consistently fought crime and led others to do so.
But at the same time, he is not pedantic, knowing that earning money through this allows him to better do what he wants to do and resolve concerns for everyone.
Secondly, despite his young age, he is very seasoned and meticulous in his actions, making him difficult to deal with. Over the years, anyone who tried to cause trouble for his company was resolved by him using various methods.
Finally, he is not an entirely righteous person, having spilled a fair amount of blood.
Therefore, for someone like Hawking, playing tricks doesn't work and could lead to a breakdown in talks. Moral blackmail, like with Professor X, also doesn't work.
The best approach is to be straightforward, use an open strategy, and conduct transactions based on tangible benefits.
Indeed, hearing Nick Fury's words, Hawking became somewhat interested.
"First, tell me what kind of favor. My small body can help with small favors, but I can't help with anything too big."
Although the company now cooperates with the government, making many things more convenient, it is still subject to many checks and balances.
For example, their activities are limited to New York; once they leave New York, they are not allowed to use their abilities to fight criminals at will.
There are also many detailed restrictions in various aspects.
Nick Fury couldn't truly allow Hero Alliance Company, which clearly had a strong connection to the Mutant School, to develop so smoothly. He couldn't easily refuse Professor X's requests, but he wouldn't give his full effort either.
If Nick Fury were willing to fully assist in the future, the company's development speed would undoubtedly accelerate significantly.
So, if the favor wasn't too difficult, he wouldn't mind helping.
In this World, there are no eternal friends, no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.
He personally agreed with this statement.
Even if it were a deep-seated blood feud of genocide, if the enemy could help you revive your entire clan, you could temporarily become friends for that purpose.
Moreover, he and Nick Fury didn't have any major animosity; they were more like half-allies.
Nick Fury smiled:
"For you, it's nothing. Someone might try to assassinate me tomorrow, and I need you to protect my safety in the dark."
"And the strength of those people, for you, should be negligible."
"Director Fury, you're not joking, are you?"
Hearing Nick Fury's words, Hawking narrowed his eyes.
The dignified Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. actually wanted him, someone he had only met once, to protect him. This was too ridiculous.
Not to mention Captain Marvel, who could blast Kree warships, even top Agents like Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Mei were not people that ordinary individuals could deal with.
Stepping back further, he could also ask Professor X and the frequently collaborating X-Men for help. How could it possibly be his turn?
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