Hong Fei was roped into the 'Blackwater Town: Superhero Theme Park' project planning by Dr. Helen Cho. Although this was a clear task, Hong Fei knew full well that Dr. Helen Cho had intentionally arranged it as leisure time for him. Because all he had to do was sign for the image rights of various heroes. Aside from a few individuals, Hong Fei couldn't think of any difficulty involved.
They don't agree?
"Why don't you take a good look at my fists, my blades, and the Ten Rings, and my dragon, and think it over carefully before you speak!"
That afternoon, Matt returned to his room to prepare the agreement documents. Suddenly, his phone pinged. After hearing the content of the text message, his mouth slowly widened until it seemed large enough to fit a fist.
After a long, dazed silence, he moved suddenly, as if he had just reacted, and rushed out of his room to find Hong Fei. Master Hong was riding a big lion with Dr. Cho. One person was riding on the back of a lion. Its limbs, thicker than an average adult's thighs, stepped firmly on the ground.
Carrying a person was light as a feather to them, and sitting on their broad backs was very stable, not to mention the thick lion mane in front—grabbing it felt fluffy, soft, and extremely comfortable. Of course, female lions don't have manes, but this pair of 'husband and wife' in front of them weren't lions in the strict sense, though Hong Fei wasn't willing to call them 'Suanni.' Why? Too weak!
Thus, when Matt arrived at the lawn in front of the castle, Hong Fei and Dr. Helen Cho were galloping back and forth on the big lions, and Dr. Cho's laughter filled the courtyard. Big Head considered himself the number one lackey under Master Hong, so naturally, he was obediently waiting on the side for orders.
Seeing Matt run over, he reached out to stop him and asked coldly without turning his head: "Something up?"
Matt stopped and steadied himself, bowed slightly, and panted for a moment to catch his breath before saying: "Mr. Samuel..."
Big Head frowned: "Are you talking to me?"
Matt was stunned: "Yes, Samuel..."
"I was indeed called Samuel Sterns before, but I haven't used that name for a long time."
Listening to his cold tone, Matt felt it was absurd. You were called Samuel Sterns before; did you change your name now? Big Head stared unblinkingly at Hong Fei. Even though Hong Fei wasn't looking his way, his face seemed branded with a fawning, pleasing smile. Matt had a thought and cautiously probed: "Mr. Big Head?"
Big Head suddenly turned his head and beamed: "Speak, is there anything you need my help with?"
Although Matt couldn't see his expression, he just wanted to shout: This is absurd!
"Uh, Mr. Big Head, I just received the service fee from Mr. Hong."
"Yeah, the boss asked me to transfer it to you. What about it?"
"It's nothing, it's just... it's..."
Big Head dropped his smile and deliberately lowered his voice to scold: "Don't be wishy-washy. A man should act like a man!"
As he spoke, he kept rolling his eyes toward Hong Fei, seemingly afraid of missing anything. Then, he added: "If you have something to say, just say it. If you haven't thought it through, think it through in private before speaking. If you look like this in front of the boss, you'll definitely be scolded again, and maybe even get beaten!"
Matt twitched his lips. Although it had been over two months since the exchange, his understanding of Hong Fei's team was already quite deep, and he had even participated in two large-scale instance tasks with the team: Ta Lo and Wakanda. But even now, he still hadn't adapted.
For these so-called "teammates," Matt had no private complaints. He admired their obedience to orders, but if he changed his perspective, he couldn't help but say: Too sycophantic!
Matt believed this evaluation stemmed entirely from Hong Fei's high-pressure leadership style. The man's commanding presence had a way of unconsciously assimilating everyone around him, gradually molding them into smaller versions of Master Hong. Late at night, Matt would often remind himself: You're Matt Murdock. You're an Avenger. You're nobody's lackey. Without this constant mental reinforcement, he feared he might have seamlessly blended into Hong Fei's team—a terrifying thought.
"Slap!"
Big Head's hand came down hard on Matt's skull.
"What are you spacing out for? If you've got something to say, spit it out. If not, get moving!"
Matt rubbed his head, turning quickly to face him.
"Mr. Big Head, about that service fee—did you transfer the wrong amount?"
Big Head's eyebrow shot up, wrinkling his elongated forehead.
"Do I look like the type to make such a rookie mistake? How much did you get?"
"Two million."
Big Head's forehead smoothed out instantly.
"Then it's not wrong."
"Not wrong?"
"Yeah, that's correct. The boss said two million. What, you think it's too little?"
His tone sharpened, the threat unmistakable.
Matt waved his hands frantically.
"No, no, it's not that! I mean... isn't this a bit too much?"
"Too much?"
"Mr. Big Head, we're talking two million dollars here. Not twenty thousand. Not two hundred thousand."
Matt gave a bitter smile.
"Honestly, based on market rates, the work Mr. Hong assigned me might not even be worth two hundred dollars."
"So?"
"I was wondering if Mr. Hong might have miscalculated. If so, I can transfer the money back right away. I consider myself part of the team now, after all. I wouldn't refuse simple work—it's my duty. Everyone's been so kind to me these past two months."
Big Head paused, his expression unreadable.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
"It's two million dollars. How much do you make in a year? Two hundred thousand?"
"Uh... almost that, yeah."
"Almost what?"
Matt hung his head in embarrassment.
"About that, yeah."
Big Head smirked, already knowing Matt's financial situation inside and out. He and Arthur had thoroughly vetted him. Suddenly, his demeanor softened. He patted Matt's shoulder, his tone almost kind.
"The boss said guests are guests. But you've been living with us as an official member for over two months now. You've participated in operations. You're right—you are part of the team. From the moment you officially joined, in our eyes, you're one of us."
Matt blinked, stunned.
"But... I didn't really do anything."
Big Head's smile tightened.
"If we say you performed, you performed. Not causing trouble or making a scene is performance."
Matt muttered under his breath, "If I wasn't afraid of being beaten to death and buried in some ditch, I would've rebelled long ago."
"Listen," Big Head cut in, his patience thinning.
"You talk too much nonsense. Change that, or you'll get beaten sooner or later. Don't worry about the money—two million is what you deserve. We all get big red envelopes from the boss every year. Two million isn't worth losing sleep over. It's legitimate income—spend it slowly and get out of here!"
Matt still hesitated, shuffling his feet. When Big Head saw him waffling, he gave him a firm shove.
"Go do your damn job! If the boss asks and you're not finished, don't come crying to me!"
That got Matt moving. He spun on his heel and bolted back to his workstation. A moment later, Hong Fei crooked a finger at Big Head from his perch in the sunlight. The man practically vibrated with excitement as he scurried over.
"Boss! What do you need?"
Hong Fei adjusted his seat on the lion's back.
"What was that about earlier?"
"Matt was worried the service fee was too high."
"Too high?" Hong Fei barked a laugh.
"Two million must seem like a fortune to him."
Big Head nodded vigorously.
"Damn right! The guy barely cleared 180K a year before this. His life savings wouldn't cover our coffee budget."
"That pathetic?"
"Well... technically he's upper-middle class. Most folks are drowning in credit card debt just to keep up appearances."
Hong Fei waved a dismissive hand.
"Civilians' money problems aren't my circus. But a superhero living paycheck to paycheck? Didn't S.H.I.E.L.D. pay him?"
Big Head grinned up at him, all teeth.
"Boss, have you seen government salaries?"
One look at that smirk told Hong Fei everything. He shot Big Head an approving glance before tapping his chin.
"Go supervise Matt. Make sure he keeps his mouth shut—no bragging to friends, no drunken confessions. If word gets out, we reclaim the two million plus penalties."
"How much should we fine him?"
"Ten times his net worth."
"Brilliant! On it, boss!"
Big Head scampered off like a kid chasing an ice cream truck. Dr. Helen Cho guided her lion closer, shaking her head.
"You're terrible."
Hong Fei just grinned.
"I haven't even started. Matt's been here three months, right?"
"Mm-hmm."
Light flickered in Hong Fei's eyes, a smile on his face: "The next exchange is coming soon."
"You have something planned?"
"Not a plan—just nudging fate where it needs to go. Your superhero theme park? Consider it done."
"Seriously?"
Helen's eyes lit up. Hong Fei nodded.
"Of course. Those heroes are practically begging for a payday."