Chapter 4: S.H.I.E.L.D. Arrives
Diagonally across from Ling's Pharmacy, a man and a woman were sitting in a car, observing the movements inside the Pharmacy with binoculars. Both were dressed in black, with serious expressions, clearly government agents who had undergone rigorous training.
Seeing Gan Jing pull down the aluminum alloy rolling door of the Pharmacy, the white man in a black suit couldn't help but ask the Asian woman in the passenger seat, "Melinda, what exactly happened inside? Why are they suddenly closing? Have we been discovered?"
Melinda turned to look at her companion, saying irritably, "If we were discovered, it's because of you. My tracking skills aren't that bad!"
As she spoke, Melinda retrieved a silver case from the back seat of the car. Engraved in the center of the silver case was a black circular emblem, within which was a black eagle. Around the circle, there was a ring of English letters: Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.
Opening the silver case, Melinda took out a saucer-shaped silver disk. With a slight twist underneath the disk, its entire base suddenly became completely transparent.
Melinda held the disk, aiming it at the Pharmacy across the street. The next moment, three figures appeared on the disk. They were currently walking up to the second floor, then sitting on the sofa there. One person extended their left hand, while another pressed their right hand against the former's pulse.
After observing for a while, Melinda put down the disk and turned to her companion, saying, "Alright, Coulson, you don't need to worry. That's the Pharmacy's doctor taking Bruce Banner's pulse. There are no signs of escape, let alone us being discovered!"
Bruce Banner, full name Robert Bruce Banner, also known as Hulk or the Green Giant. After causing a ruckus in New York City, Bruce Banner was originally going to leave the United States, but for some unknown reason, he changed his original route and came to this clinic outside Los Angeles on the West Coast.
Coulson and Melinda were both Level 7 agents under the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, or S.H.I.E.L.D. Phil Coulson was one of Director Nick Fury's most capable and trusted subordinates, possessing strong organizational and operational abilities. Melinda May was an experienced soldier, spy, combatant, and pilot, a Chinese American. At the age of seven, she was noticed by Peggy Carter and recruited into S.H.I.E.L.D., earning the nickname "The Cavalry."
Bald Director Nick Fury sent them to "escort" Bruce Banner out of the United States, following him all the way from New York to Los Angeles. But they never expected Bruce Banner's destination to be such an ordinary traditional Chinese medicine clinic.
"By the way, why did the Director ask you to find me this time? You know, I haven't been on an outdoor mission in years!" Melinda suddenly turned to Coulson, asking with piercing eyes.
Coulson's gaze suddenly flickered as he explained, "You know, the Hulk situation is too big. The military and intelligence agencies are all fully tracking Banner's whereabouts. If they anger the Hulk again, it will inevitably lead to another fierce battle, possibly even taking out half a city. So, for secrecy, I was told to find you. And right now, Natasha and Barton both have their own missions, and Hill needs to guard headquarters, so I was ordered to bring you out!"
"Oh, really?" For some reason, Melinda felt that Coulson's words were not entirely truthful.
"By the way, May, how have you been feeling lately?" Coulson suddenly changed the subject.
Melinda rolled her eyes at Coulson, saying in a low voice, "I'm fine. Living alone is quite good."
"May, I know that incident had a big impact on you, but I hope you can cheer up. Sometimes I really feel overwhelmed working alone." Coulson's expression suddenly became somewhat wistful. Recently, he had noticed that something was wrong. The agency had been making more and more mistakes on some missions. This included not only the missions he was responsible for but also those of partners like Garrett, who had all experienced problems to varying degrees. Although not serious, it gave Coulson a vague sense of crisis.
During the Bahrain incident, for the safety of the agents in the entire building and her own life, Melinda shot and killed the girl, single-handedly rescuing everyone. Although she was hailed as a hero and a legend at the time, the act of shooting a child made May feel extremely guilty after her recovery and return home. This mission left her with a significant psychological trauma.
Soon after, Melinda divorced her husband and voluntarily left the ranks of field agents, beginning to handle paperwork. This was her first return to field agent duties in several years, though it was temporary.
"I think you're better off now." Melinda looked at Coulson, saying meaningfully, "When we were partners, although we were Level 7 agents, we did more field missions. It's not like now, where you've become the Director's confidant! Even Natasha and Barton sometimes have to follow your orders."
"Ahem, what are you talking about!" Coulson's expression suddenly became flustered. To be honest, Nick Fury valued Coulson quite a lot. Sometimes, he would even assist Maria Hill, and help Natasha and Barton.
Of course, it was called assistance, but sometimes, Coulson would also make his own small moves, and all of this, of course, couldn't escape the notice of Melinda May, who knew him best.
If Natasha and Barton found out about these things, Coulson would inevitably be in for a beating.
Of course, this was just a harmless joke from Melinda. May was quite proud of hitting Coulson's weak spot so easily.
Just then, Coulson's phone rang three times, conveniently relieving the awkward atmosphere. After checking his phone, Coulson frowned and said to Melinda, "The Los Angeles branch sent over the information on Ling's Pharmacy. It's quite interesting."
"Oh!" Melinda looked at Coulson with some surprise. This was just an ordinary Pharmacy; what secrets could it hold?
"The main issue with this Pharmacy centers on its owner, a Chinese American named Ling Xiao." Although Coulson couldn't be said to have a photographic memory, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s special training made his memory quite remarkable. He continued, "Ling Xiao, born in October 1986 at St. Mary's Hospital in Los Angeles. When he was three, his parents died in a Chinese Gang conflict, and he was subsequently sent to an orphanage. The interesting part is here, May, do you know who sponsored this orphanage?"
"Who?" Melinda suddenly had a premonition that the name Coulson was about to say must be related to her.
"It was Ms. Peggy Carter!" Coulson sighed, speaking the name.
"So that's it!" Melinda nodded lightly. As a founder of S.H.I.E.L.D., Peggy Carter became passionate about philanthropy in her later years. Coupled with Los Angeles being where she once served, it was perfectly normal for her to sponsor an orphanage there. She even selected some talented individuals from it to enter S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy for further studies. Both Melinda and her brother had worked under Ms. Carter back then, and their bond was very deep.
"You continue. The fact that the Hulk is here now indicates that this Ling Xiao's abilities are quite extraordinary." Melinda took a deep breath, signaling for Coulson to continue.
"When Ling Xiao was eighteen, he received a scholarship to California State University, Los Angeles, and moved out of the Chinese Gang-infested area where he had lived since leaving the orphanage. He inexplicably accepted the transfer of ownership from the original owner of this place, and while attending school, he also managed and maintained this Pharmacy!" A strange smile appeared in Coulson's eyes.