Shen He did not know much about Violet.
After all, the main storyline of the original animation was Violet's story after she grew up, when she possessed captivating beauty and a pure yet deeply moving emotional depth.
As for Violet's childhood, all the information Shen He knew came from Baidu Baike.
It was probably because of her special combat ability and her machine-like, meticulous execution of orders that she was always used as a weapon, but...
"Even if she's a weapon, don't those people know how to take good care of her?" Shen He's voice carried an unsuppressable anger.
Because after taking off the tattered cloth that could not be called clothes, what he saw was a body covered in wounds.
Knife wounds, bruises, and even bullet holes—it seemed almost all the injuries were sustained in battle. The wounds were full of dirty dust and mud, and many places were still seeping blood. If the girl didn't have a strong physique, bacterial infection alone could easily have taken her life.
No. Those people wanted her to die on the battlefield.
They hoped to use her for slaughter, yet they feared her slaughter.
"Can you speak?"
Shen He carefully cleaned her wounds with comfortable warm water and a soft towel, while trying to strike up a conversation.
However, there was no response. Violet just looked at him with her big blue eyes.
"Alright, Violet, that's your name. A very beautiful name. One day, you will grow into a girl as beautiful as this name. Do you know the meaning of having a name? It means you are no longer a weapon, no longer a tool... What am I even saying?"
Shen He gave a helpless, bitter smile.
He really rarely felt so helpless.
Violet's eyes never left Shen He, even when warm water flowed into her eyes, they remained open, without even blinking. She listened to Shen He giving orders she didn't understand. Somehow, some inexplicable things suddenly emerged in her mind, and driven by those things, she slowly opened her mouth: "Master."
Shen He's movements stopped abruptly.
Good heavens, he actually felt like a daughter speaking for the first time.
"What else can you say?"
Shen He's cleaning motions became even gentler.
"Master."
"Only this? What about your own name, Violet?"
"Master."
"No, not that. Repeat after me, Violet."
Shen He never knew he had so much patience, but no matter what he said, Violet just kept repeating the words "Master," as if trying to reinforce her memory in this way.
It wasn't until a full hour of cleaning that Shen He finally looked with satisfaction at Violet, wrapped in a bath towel before him. Her scattered golden hair was as straight and smooth as silk. Although there were still many scars and bruises on her milky white skin, it revealed a dazzling, healthy complexion, coupled with her clear and moving sapphire-like eyes.
She was irresistibly cute!
"You must be hungry."
Shen He ran to the refrigerator, took out a strawberry cake, and handed it to Violet.
Violet's delicate nose twitched like a small animal's. She reached out her small fingers, picked up a small piece, and put it in her mouth. The sudden melting deliciousness made her eyes widen. She glanced at Shen He, and after confirming that this food belonged to her, she buried her entire face in it, swallowing in big gulps.
"Eat slowly."
Shen He stroked the girl's back with both pity and amusement.
Was he raising a daughter, or a pet?
But it was all the same; as long as she was cute, that was enough.
Getting up to cover Shiki-nee on the bed with a sheet, Shen He had Jarvis open a virtual screen to go online, planning to figure out where to get some money.
While low-level summons could yield a good amount of U.S. dollars, it was only enough for daily expenses, not enough to buy a house, let alone to develop his influence.
After searching for a short while, Shen He could only shake his head helplessly.
This was the Marvel World of the movies, more precisely, the Marvel World of the Avengers series. Spider-Man wouldn't appear until after the first Battle of New York. Oscorp Industries didn't exist at all, though Dr. Lizard did, but that was also after Spider-Man appeared, so it was useless for now.
Unless he resorted to violently controlling gangs, but with Qi Mu's personality...
"I have no objections."
"—!"
Startled, Shen He turned around.
He found that not only Saiki Kusuo but also Coulson was in the room.
"When did you two arrive?"
"We've been here for a while. I think you were too engrossed," Coulson said, his gaze on the virtual screen. "Children's educational books, lady etiquette guides, teddy bears... Mr. Shen, is this your daughter?"
"Uh, no."
Shen He somewhat awkwardly closed the shopping website.
After explaining the identities of Violet and Ryougi Shiki, he casually pulled out a napkin, wiping the cake crumbs from Violet's mouth and face, and asked Coulson, "S.H.I.E.L.D. never comes without a reason. Did Fury send you to find out something? But I can't say too much, after all, the future isn't set in stone."
How did this girl get cake on her eyelashes?
"Actually, our Director doesn't really believe in predicting the future. I'm here this time because I have something I'd like to ask Mr. Shen for help with." Coulson looked at the warm scene before him with a smile. "There might be problems within S.H.I.E.L.D., and we are currently severely short of trustworthy personnel. And recently, there's a lead concerning HYDRA that we can't ignore... Of course, we've also prepared a reward."
"A reward?" Shen He became slightly interested. "The reward that can move me won't be cheap, you know."
Coulson took a tablet from his briefcase and handed it to Shen He. On it was a photo of a Chinese elder and some information.
"This is a wealthy Chinese businessman living in Chinatown. He has no children of his own, only an adopted stepson. Recently, he was diagnosed with a terminal illness and doesn't have long to live. Therefore, he wants to leave all his property to his grand-nephew in China. Mr. Shen, this was originally a covert identity S.H.I.E.L.D. reserved for internal personnel, so we need Mr. Shen to have a position within S.H.I.E.L.D."
Coulson's meaning was very clear: as long as Shen He helped, he could take over these assets.
Shen He looked at the information. This was a businessman with some reputation in the Chinese community, with total assets amounting to about three to four hundred million U.S. dollars.
This was truly a pillow when one was sleepy.
Just as he was worrying about not having money to raise his daughter—ah, no, to raise Servants—S.H.I.E.L.D. sent such a generous gift.
"Your Director is truly thoughtful." Shen He handed the tablet back. "Tell me, what kind of matter is it?"