Nick Fury was caught off guard by Lin Mei's sudden legal reference. For a moment, he was stunned, but then he realized what had just happened. Lin Mei wasn't simply quoting the law—she was mocking him for trying to recruit a minor. It was clear she was using the law to express her dissatisfaction.
Tony couldn't help but laugh. He hadn't expected Lin Mei to block Fury's argument using the Fair Labor Standards Act.
"Haha, Mr. Lin Mei, I think you've misunderstood," Fury chuckled awkwardly, attempting to smooth over the awkwardness. "Of course, I know the law. S.H.I.E.L.D. never acts illegally. When I mentioned 'joining,' I meant as a consultant or special advisor. After all, your insights into magic and superpowers are invaluable to us."
Lin Mei raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced by Fury's explanation. She didn't press the issue, though, and instead pointed to the still-open portal.
"Instead of worrying about whether I'll join you, why not go over there and take care of the people on the other side?"
Tony and Nick Fury had both noticed the situation on the portal, and now they were waiting for Lin Mei's explanation.
"These people are humans, captured by vampires and used as a source of blood. They're illegally imprisoned, subjected to inhuman torture and bloodletting. Their situation is critical," Lin Mei said, her tone growing serious.
"Director Fury, I'd expect your Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division to handle situations like this," she continued, her voice cold. "You should know that the suffering of these people is far worse than that of blood slaves."
"At least blood slaves get paid, or have the option of becoming vampires themselves. But these people? They're nothing more than food to the vampires!"
Lin Mei's words hit Fury hard, and his expression turned grave. His eyes flicked between the portal scene and Lin Mei, and he took a slow breath before responding.
"Lin Mei, I understand the gravity of the situation. But these vampires are deeply embedded in human society. Some of them hold positions in parliament, even at the highest levels of government. I know S.H.I.E.L.D. has a responsibility to protect humanity, but we have to proceed carefully. If we make a misstep, the consequences could be catastrophic." Fury's tone was laced with reluctance—he was clearly hesitant to take drastic action.
Lin Mei could sense the avoidance in his words. Fury's true concern wasn't the victims—it was the vampires' powerful connections in government. He couldn't afford to make enemies of them.
Tony Stark, now visibly angry, stood up abruptly. "Nick, what are you talking about? Look at these people! They're being tortured, treated like livestock. Just because the vampires are protected by some politicians, we're supposed to stand by and do nothing?"
Lin Mei, coldly observing the exchange, had already anticipated Fury's reluctance. She pulled out her wand, swiftly casting a spell that teleported him to the far end of the portal, directly in front of the imprisoned humans.
Fury staggered, his eyes locking onto the gaunt, terrified faces before him. The sight stirred something deep within him, making his heart tighten.
"Lin Mei, you—" Fury began, but his words were cut off by a sharp gasp from one of the prisoners. A frail man, gasping for breath, his eyes desperate for life, met Fury's gaze.
Tony, furious, stormed toward the console. His fingers flew over the virtual screen, initiating a series of emergency procedures. "If we don't stop the bloodletting, how many more people will die here?" he muttered under his breath.
"Nick, don't tell me you're going to sit back and do nothing now," Tony said, his voice rising in anger. "We're human beings! Human rights come above everything else, do you understand?"
Fury's mouth turned bitter. He had originally planned to manipulate Tony Stark into joining the Avengers program, but Lin Mei's sudden intervention had thrown a wrench into that plan.
It was clear now that if he wanted Tony's cooperation, S.H.I.E.L.D. would have to take action against the vampires. Fury gritted his teeth, realizing there was no way around it.
"Alright," Fury said, his voice tight with resolve. "I promise we won't sit idly by. But in exchange, Tony, you have to help advance the Avengers initiative."
"As for you, Lin Mei!" Nick Fury wasn't about to let him off the hook so easily. If he was going to pull Tony Stark into this, he might as well try his luck with Lin Mei, too.
Lin Mei smirked. "Oh? Director Fury, are you seriously trying to recruit child labor? Do you really want my mother to sue S.H.I.E.L.D. when she finds out?"
Fury felt a headache coming on.
This brat! How could one kid be this insufferable?
He was screaming internally, but on the outside, he forced himself to maintain a professional smile—though it looked more pained than reassuring.
"Lin Mei, you've got it all wrong," he said, struggling to keep his voice even. "I'm not trying to break any laws here. I just believe that with your abilities, if you were to join the Avengers Initiative, we'd be far better equipped to handle global threats—like the vampire crisis we're dealing with now."
He tried his best to sound sincere, hoping to salvage the conversation.
Lin Mei raised an eyebrow, unconvinced but not outright rejecting the offer either.
"Alright, Director Fury. I'll consider joining the Avengers... after we deal with the vampire problem. But for now, our priority is rescuing those hostages and tracking down the organization behind this."
He said it as if he was genuinely weighing the idea, but in reality, Lin Mei had zero intention of joining.
Why? Because toying with Nick Fury was just too much fun.
After all, considering an offer wasn't illegal.
If Fury had the ability to read minds, he'd probably have drawn his gun on the spot.
From the moment Lin Mei saw Fury and Tony together, he had already guessed what was happening. The old spymaster had been pushed into action after Lin Mei interfered in the Iron Monger incident. Now, Fury was desperate to reel Tony into the Avengers program.
But when Lin Mei pointed out the vampire victims, Fury's first instinct should have been to mobilize his agents immediately. That would have at least earned him some respect.
Instead, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.—one of the most powerful intelligence agencies on Earth—was actually trying to stay out of it?
Pathetic.
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