Wanda hesitated for a moment, finally nodding.
Dragging her weary body, she climbed the stairs, lingered in the second-floor hallway for a moment, and finally chose a guest room closest to Xiao Han's bedroom.
The room was even more luxurious than she had imagined.
The king-size bed was covered with silk sheets, the floor-to-ceiling window offered a view of the private beach, and the jacuzzi in the bathroom was large enough for three people.
Standing in front of the mirror, Wanda barely recognized herself: a gaunt face, deeply sunken eyes, and red hair like a bird's nest.
She filled the tub with hot water and carefully slid into the water.
The moment the warmth enveloped her, tears finally broke free.
Three years of fear, pain, and despair all transformed into silent sobs at this moment.
An hour later
Wanda was drying her wet hair with a towel when she suddenly heard a gentle knock.
She gripped the towel nervously, the red glow of Chaos Magic faintly visible between her fingers.
"Is it a good time to talk?" Xiao Han's voice came through the door.
Wanda took a deep breath and pulled the collar of her pajamas tighter: "Please... please come in."
The door slid open silently, and Xiao Han walked in holding a tray.
Besides hot milk, there were also several pieces of waffle with honey, and the sweet aroma instantly filled the entire room.
He placed the tray on the nightstand, "You need more calories."
Wanda's stomach uncooperatively rumbled, and she lowered her head in embarrassment.
Xiao Han, however, just smiled slightly and sat down in the armchair by the window.
Moonlight spilled onto his outline through the floor-to-ceiling window.
"I can help You." Xiao Han's voice was low.
He raised his right hand, and a golden light suddenly surged in his palm.
Wanda was surprised to see a gem emitting a soft yellow light slowly emerge, suspended three inches above Xiao Han's palm.
Inside the gem, liquid light seemed to flow, and each pulsation caused ripples in the air.
"This is the Mind Stone."
Xiao Han gazed at the gem, the light casting shifting shadows on his chiseled face, "One of the six most powerful Infinity Stones in the Universe."
Wanda unconsciously leaned forward, the energy of Chaos Magic flickering in her eyes in response.
She felt a strange attraction, as if this gem was calling to her power.
"I can feel it..."
She murmured, her fingers unconsciously reaching towards the gem, then abruptly retracting just before touching it.
"It's talking to me..."
Xiao Han nodded: "Your ability is very special, Wanda. Not ordinary Mutant genes, but the materialization of Chaos Magic."
He flipped his wrist, and the gem's light flowed with it, "The Mind Stone can help You control this power, and even... become more powerful."
Wanda's breathing quickened, three years of imprisonment made her instinctively wary of any promises: "Why... why do You want to help me?"
Xiao Han put away the gem, the light instantly disappeared, and the room returned to dimness.
He got up and walked to the window, his back to Wanda: "Because I have seen people who were manipulated, and I have also seen people who manipulate others. Both are equally pathetic."
"What do You mean?" Wanda clutched the sheets.
"The energy within You is Chaos Magic." Xiao Han looked at the night view outside the window.
"Once You fully master it, it will be very simple to rewrite reality by yourself."
Wanda's pupils slightly contracted: "Is that true?"
Xiao Han turned around, the moonlight casting his Shadow long: "I can teach You to control Chaos Magic, You remember...."
His gaze was sharp, "Power is just a tool, not an answer."
Silence fell in the room, only the faint sound of waves lapping the beach was audible.
Wanda gazed at this mysterious man, feeling the spark of hope ignite in her chest for the first time in three years.
"What should I... do?" she finally asked, her voice so quiet it was almost inaudible.
Xiao Han took a small golden necklace from his pocket, which contained a magic seal to stabilize the mind: "Wear it. It will establish a connection with You and help You sort out the chaotic energy."
Wanda trembled as she took the necklace. The moment the metal touched her skin, a warm current surged through her limbs and bones.
She gasped, seeing her hands surrounded by a mixture of scarlet and golden energy. For the first time, Chaos Magic so obediently followed her guidance.
"This... this is amazing..." She watched the energy dance at her fingertips, forming complex patterns.
Xiao Han stood at the edge of light and Shadow, the corner of his mouth slightly raised: "This is just the beginning. Tomorrow I will teach You basic energy control. Now, rest."
He turned to walk towards the door, but was stopped by Wanda.
"Sir..." She rubbed the necklace on her chest, "Thank You. Not just for this... and..."
"I know." Xiao Han did not look back, just gently closed the door.
Wanda lay down in the soft bed, the Mind Stone slightly warm at her collarbone.
She closed her eyes, and for the first time in three years, the nightmare did not arrive as expected.
.....
The next morning, sunlight streamed into the room through the floor-to-ceiling window.
Wanda awoke from a deep sleep, sat up abruptly, and the red light of Chaos Magic instantly condensed in her palms.
"Good morning, Maximoff, Miss."
A gentle mechanical voice came from the ceiling, "Indoor temperature 22 degrees Celsius, humidity 45%, air quality excellent."
Wanda looked around vigilantly: "Who is speaking?"
"I am the Villa's intelligent butler System. Mr. Xiao named me Turing." The AI's voice had a hint of humor.
"Based on your physiological data, it is recommended that You enjoy breakfast before starting training."
Wanda's tense shoulders slowly relaxed: "You are artificial intelligence?"
"Yes, Miss. Would You like me to open the curtains for You?"
As Wanda nodded, the blackout curtains slid open silently, and the azure sea view immediately came into view.
She involuntarily walked to the window, her fingers lightly touching the glass.
"Mr. Xiao went to Washington this morning to attend the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing." Turing continued.
"He has prepared a training plan and breakfast for You."
A holographic projection unfolded by the bed, displaying a detailed schedule.
Wanda curiously touched the projection, and the screen immediately switched to a news live broadcast.
Tony Stark's face suddenly appeared in the projection. He was sitting in the witness stand in the assembly hall, dressed impeccably but with a look of impatience.
Wanda's breathing instantly stopped, her fingers unconsciously digging into her palms.
"... Mr. Stark, You must admit that this armor technology poses a threat to national security..." a senator was speaking.
The image awakened Wanda's deepest memories.
The explosion when she was ten, her parents' last hug, the two days and nights she and Pietro shivered under the rubble.
The broken Stark Industries shell landed less than a meter away from them.
"Maximoff, Miss, your heart rate has abnormally increased." Turing's voice was concerned, "Do You require medical assistance?"
Wanda took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax her clenched fists: "No, I'm fine. Why did Mr. Xiao go there?"
"According to analysis, there is a 99.7% probability that it is to support Mr. Stark." The projection switched to an overhead shot, showing thousands of people gathered outside the Capitol building holding signs that read "Support Superman".
Just then, the live broadcast screen suddenly became chaotic.
Senators stood up one after another, pointing towards the door of the assembly hall.
Wanda narrowed her eyes. A black figure was pushing open the door and walking into the meeting room.
"Sir has arrived." Turing said calmly.
The assembly hall instantly erupted.
Guards fumbled with their weapons, but dared not actually open Fire.
Senator Stern's face was ashen as he pounded the table: "This is an assembly session, and unauthorized personnel are not welcome."
Xiao Han slowly walked to the seat behind Tony and sat down. He was not wearing armor, just a well-tailored black suit, but everyone knew what power was contained beneath the fabric.
"Sorry I'm late."
Xiao Han nodded to Tony, his voice not loud but it instantly silenced the entire assembly hall.
"Solved a few problems on the way."
Tony raised an eyebrow: "Such as?"
"A gang fight in Los Angeles, and a few Terrorists trying to launch an attack." Xiao Han shrugged.
"I sent them safely to the North Pole to help the scientific expedition team dig ice."
"Dig ice?" Tony's expression was a little strange.
Senator Stern stood up abruptly: "Superman! You have no right...."
"Senator."
Xiao Han turned to look at him, a golden light flashing in his eyes, "According to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, I have the right to attend any public hearing.
Or do You want to explain to the public on behalf of the Federal Court why You are speaking up for criminals?"
The scene was dead silent. Stern's lips trembled, and he finally sank back into his chair.
Wanda watched Xiao Han's calm and composed figure in the projection, the knot in her chest unconsciously dissipating a little.
She lightly touched the Mind Stone necklace at her collarbone, feeling the stable energy pulsating within it.
"Turing." She suddenly said, "I want to start training."
"A wise choice, Miss. The gym is ready, also..." The AI paused.
"Mr. Xiao left a message saying that when You are ready, he will personally tell You the truth about the Stark Industries shell."
Wanda looked up sharply: "What truth?"
"My permissions are insufficient to answer that question." Turing said gently.
"But it is recommended that You complete the basic energy control course first. According to Mr. Xiao's assessment, your potential far exceeds that of ordinary Mutants."
Wanda looked at Xiao Han, who was dealing with the senators in the projection, then lowered her head to look at the scarlet energy pulsating in her palm. For the first time, she felt that the steering wheel of destiny was in her own hands.