Ready to Join the Super Seven?

Sage Grove Center. The roaring rumbles overhead had been unusually frequent today. Lamplighter glanced at the surveillance monitors. Bronze was strolling in through the main entrance, carrying Sam Riordan in hand. *Pretty efficient, but where's Inubaku?* Though the thought crossed Lamplighter's mind, he didn't care in the slightest, promptly returning to watching *Translucent Infiltrates Queen Maeve*. *Thud!* Once Sam was locked back into the cell custom-built for him, Joseph, the supervisor nearby, voiced the exact same question: "Bronze, where's Inubaku?" Qi Li let out a deep sigh, putting on a look of utter grief. "Inubaku... he fell in the line of duty." "What?!" Joseph instinctively glanced at the bruised and battered Sam inside the cell, then back at Qi Li. Indeed, he had grown suspicious of Qi Li. Not that he had uncovered Qi Li's greatest secret. Rather, given his profound understanding of superhumans, Qi Li's deeply heartfelt mourning for a temporary teammate was simply too unnatural. Sneering and viciously cursing Inubaku for bringing death upon himself would have perfectly matched Joseph's stereotype of superhumans. Whenever things were out of the ordinary, there was bound to be something rotten underneath! Fortunately, Qi Li realized at that moment that he wasn't facing media cameras. With an effortless shift in expression, he shrugged. "Fine, calling it a heroic sacrifice gives him too much credit. That idiot! He didn't know his own limits and tried to steal the glory. In the end, Sam went completely ballistic, punched a hole clean through his chest, and stomped his head into mush with his other foot. A downright cheap death!" Hearing this, Joseph breathed a sigh of relief. *Now that's more like it.* "By the way," Qi Li said, pulling out a blue pill and handing it to Joseph, "since this is a psychiatric hospital, could you analyze the ingredients of this pill for me?" The blue pill had been taken from Kate. By chance, Qi Li had discovered that Kate was taking this medication long-term. According to her, it was an inhibitor specially prescribed for her by Shetty to suppress her depression and keep her superpowers from spinning out of control. It was thanks to this drug that she had been able to leave the home where she had been confined for years, successfully integrate into society, and avoid any disastrous incidents caused by her powers. To Qi Li, the idea of a superhuman taking inhibitors carried the unmistakable scent of a movie-grade conspiracy theory. He had suggested to Kate that she stop taking it. As for the risk of her powers going haywire—the students at Godkin University were thick-skinned and durable anyway; even if something went wrong, they could handle it. Kate had never been able to bring herself to do so. In this regard, she still listened obediently to Shetty. It just so happened that Qi Li's current assignment brought him to a psychiatric facility. Reasoning that specialists knew best, he had brought the blue pill along to have the doctors here test its composition and see whether it posed any harm. Could Shetty really be harboring some unspeakable, sinister secret regarding Kate? Joseph took the pill and nodded casually. "No problem. I'll have someone run tests on it right away and get back to you before the end of the day." To him, this was merely a trivial favor. Qi Li exchanged contact information with Joseph and, without lingering any longer, turned and departed. Just as he took to the skies, an unfamiliar phone call came in. "Hello, Bronze. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Stan Edgar..." *** New York, Manhattan. After flying all the way back, Qi Li did not return to Godkin University. Instead, he touched down outside an upscale, prestigious restaurant in Manhattan. A doorman had already been waiting for a long time. With an air of deep respect, he ushered him inside and into a private elevator. With a soft chime, he soon arrived at the top floor. This floor was a sky garden. Normally bustling with distinguished guests at this hour, it was now completely deserted, save for a single patron seated at the dining table right in the center. Evidently, the entire floor had been booked out. Generally speaking, even wealthy individuals would find it difficult to make an establishment so renowned among high society do such a thing. Yet if it was the CEO of Vought International, Stan Edgar, it all seemed completely natural. When Qi Li arrived, the suited bodyguards around the perimeter, their waistbands conspicuously bulging, merely glanced at him before letting him pass without stopping him for a search. In his previous life, facing such an extravagant display of capitalist power would inevitably have left Qi Li feeling uneasy. Now, having seen more than enough of the world, he strode inside with utter composure, heading straight toward the occupied table. Before he even reached it, hearing the footsteps, Stan Edgar closed the document in his hands, rose at an unhurried pace, and offered his hand to Qi Li with a faint smile: "Bronze. This should be our first time meeting, I believe." Qi Li sized him up privately. This was an elderly Black man with an immensely commanding presence, even more profound and restrained in person than he appeared on television. He bore absolutely no resemblance to conventional stereotypes. His mind raced, but outwardly, Qi Li grasped the man's hand with ease, smiling faintly. "If you don't count the frequent news reports about 'Vought CEO Warms to Friendly Gathering with Superheroes,' this is indeed the first time." The smile on Edgar's face broadened slightly. "As you know, the news is always a mixture of fact and fiction. Please, have a seat." He gestured toward the chair opposite him. Qi Li didn't bother with formalities. He pulled out the chair, sat down, and cut straight to the chase: "Mr. Edgar, taking time out of your busy schedule to summon me here... is there something important?" Edgar's expression remained unchanged. Looking up at Qi Li, he spoke slowly, "Originally, I intended to set the mood with a meal meticulously prepared by a master chef before moving to the main topic. However, since you're so forthright, Bronze, then..." Pausing briefly, his expression turned solemn and earnest. "First, on behalf of Vought International, I extend my sincere gratitude to you, Bronze, for stepping in and promptly capturing the severely mentally ill superhuman, Sam Riordan, sparing the company a major public relations crisis." Qi Li sighed softly, sounding deeply remorseful. "Unfortunately, Inubaku was still lost. And those unreasonable small-town racists—I warned them multiple times beforehand, yet they still... Sigh!" Edgar said with a straight face, "Vought has always adhered to a policy of diversity, equality, and inclusion. When it comes to racists, the company has never tolerated them. As for the aftermath, Vought's PR department has already intervened, so there is no need for you to worry, Bronze. As for Inubaku... as we often say, it is inevitable for superheroes to make sacrifices, isn't it?" Qi Li nodded silently, appearing as though he were still immersed in grief and self-reproach. Edgar watched him, a sharp glint flickering behind his lenses, and remained silent for a moment as well. Two foxes, one old and one young, spent a moment mourning the casualties caused by the incident with "heartfelt" sorrow. After a while, Qi Li looked back at Edgar. Sharing the tacit understanding, Edgar continued with an appreciative expression, "Second, as CEO of Vought, I felt compelled to take time out of my busy schedule to meet the red-hot rising star of Vought—and, in passing, announce a matter of great importance to the company. "Bronze, are you ready to join the Super Seven?"