Chapter Three: Natasha Comes to Bathe

S.H.I.E.L.D. operated with remarkable efficiency; a single phone call resolved Yang Xin’s identification and housing issues. Escorted by two S.H.I.E.L.D. Chevrolet pickups, Coulson brought Yang Xin to a high-class villa in Manhattan’s Central Park, specially prepared for him.

On the way, the Treasure Distribution System prompted the appearance of its second item: the Flower Key.

The Flower Key was the magical artifact from "The Flower Fairy," possessed by the girl Xiao Bei, heir to the flower fairy bloodline. With a simple shine of the Flower Key upon any flower, one could conjure any outfit at will.

"Task requirement: Within twenty-four hours, find a suitable user for the Flower Key. User requirements: A female warrior who embodies truth, goodness, and beauty."

"This is a pretty narrow scope—a female warrior, first she must be female, then a warrior, and finally, she must possess truth, goodness, and beauty..." Yang Xin pondered in his mind, carefully recalling the plot of "The Flower Fairy."

The passage of time and the fact that the show was a girl’s cartoon meant Yang Xin couldn’t recall much—just a hazy memory of shining the Flower Key into sunlight, reflecting it onto a flower, reciting the spell, "Hula hula, transform!"—and then, clothes would appear.

Yes, clothes. Yang Xin couldn’t fathom how clothes could aid in battle; perhaps camouflage uniforms might be useful, but other outfits? Was this a fashion show?

No—Yang Xin abruptly dismissed that notion. The Treasure Distribution System never acted without purpose; judging by its predecessor, the Treasure Cliff, most so-called treasures were meant to enhance combat ability.

"Flower Key... transforms clothes..." Yang Xin mused repeatedly. Just as they approached the villa, a realization dawned. "The combat suits in ‘Gantz’ count as clothes, don’t they? And the sacred armor in ‘Saint Seiya’ should count too."

His eyes shone brighter with each thought, recalling vaguely that in "The Flower Fairy," the protagonist Xiao Gu used the Flower Key to transform into female knight’s armor for a tournament. If knight’s armor qualifies as clothing, why not sacred armor?

Pushing the idea further, perhaps even Iron Man’s suit could be considered clothing...

Lost in contemplation, Yang Xin moved into the S.H.I.E.L.D. villa with Coulson. After familiarizing Yang Xin with the place, Coulson prepared to leave, but Yang Xin dared not let him go.

S.H.I.E.L.D. could be domineering at times but generally acted with principle. Hydra, on the other hand, would stop at nothing. Since S.H.I.E.L.D. knew about Coulson becoming the era warrior Kexei, it meant Hydra knew as well. Who could predict the lengths Hydra would go to seize the Dino Super Kexei?

Keeping Coulson close meant protection—even if it meant transforming him into Kexei and launching him away.

Coulson was quite happy to stay. After all, the one-eyed Director had ordered him to remain by Yang Xin’s side, and Nick Fury had made it clear that, after the Stark matter was settled, he would come immediately. So Coulson waited with Yang Xin for Fury’s arrival.

Instead of Fury, however, a stunning woman appeared. Clad in a bathrobe, hair tousled, her chest exposed, she looked as though she had been interrupted halfway through her bath.

"Hello, gentlemen, I live next door. My showerhead is broken—could I use yours?"

"I’d be glad to help, but you should ask the owner of the house," Coulson replied with a smile.

Yang Xin was speechless. Was this young lady binge-watching TikTok, or simply overconfident in her looks? Her excuse for visiting was so perfunctory—if she wanted to gather intelligence, she should have put more effort into her pretext. Look at Sharon Carter: she surveilled Captain America for ages as a neighbor just for a chance encounter. Compared to her, this was sloppy.

Utterly careless!

Yang Xin knew Nick Fury had made his move, employing a honey trap. The woman before him was clearly Natasha Romanoff, the legendary Black Widow. Yang Xin admired Coulson as well—he was indeed a level seven agent. Without any script, he handled Natasha’s unexpected entrance without so much as a flicker in his gaze.

Coulson transitioned seamlessly, proving the reputation of a level seven agent was well-earned.

"A gentleman can hardly refuse a beautiful lady’s request. Please, make yourself at home," Yang Xin said, seeing Natasha’s eyes light up as he gestured for her to bathe.

It wasn’t that Yang Xin was seduced by Natasha’s beauty; he suddenly realized his task had found its candidate. True, Natasha had her flaws—no one is perfect—but she leapt from the cliffs of Vormir to save humanity, trading her life for the Soul Stone. That alone proved she was a female warrior worthy of respect.

In that leap, her humanity—truth, goodness, and beauty—was perfectly realized.

All these traits made her an ideal candidate for the Flower Key.

"Wow, you certainly attract the ladies..." Coulson said, exaggerating.

"Isn't it obvious this isn’t a real romance?" Yang Xin retorted, rolling his eyes.

Coulson paused, then replied awkwardly, "You noticed?"

"Anyone with a functioning brain could see something’s off. I’d barely entered the villa—hadn’t even warmed the seat or made coffee—when a beautiful woman shows up, supposedly needing a shower. People who live here are wealthy; it’s impossible there’s only one bathroom in such a big villa."

"Ah, I didn’t know the Director would arrange it this way—maybe it’s to keep you calm," Coulson admitted, growing increasingly embarrassed.

"Just call me Yang Xin."

"Alright, Mr. Xin, I’ll call her out," Coulson said, standing to summon Natasha.

Yang Xin waved him off, smiling, "Isn’t watching a beautiful woman perform rather entertaining?"

"Ha ha, I didn’t expect you’d have such mischievous tastes," Coulson chuckled, his smile returning. In his mind, he now categorized Yang Xin as someone friendly and cooperative.

Soon, Natasha finished bathing. Wearing little more than a towel, she walked in gracefully. As a top agent, Natasha knew how to maximize her physical allure—a freshly bathed beauty is sure to send any man’s hormones soaring.

"My bathrobe is wet, so I had to borrow your towel. Would you mind if I borrowed some clothes?" she asked with a charming laugh, her every gesture radiating lethal temptation.

"I don’t have any clothes, and this isn’t my house," Coulson shrugged.

"Though this is my home, I don’t have women’s clothing either. However, I know magic—perhaps I can conjure something beautiful for this lovely lady," Yang Xin smiled.

"Does the lady believe me?"

"Magic, or is it a trick? That sounds fascinating..." Natasha replied flirtatiously. It must be noted—American culture is open; had Yang Xin tried such elementary flirting in China, he’d have been ridiculed by every young woman.

Coulson, however, was grave. He knew Yang Xin’s abilities were genuine. Despite Yang Xin’s mysterious origins, all signs pointed to him being an ally. Anyone who could transform an old Volkswagen into a human cannon warranted careful consideration.

Yang Xin handed the Flower Key to Natasha, instructing her to aim it at the sunlight, then reflect the light onto a flower...

"Repeat after me: Hula~ hula~ transform~. Then, deep in your heart, imagine the outfit you desire," Yang Xin guided her hand-in-hand.

"Like this? Hula~ hula~ transform!" Natasha, internally unimpressed, cooperated smoothly for the sake of her mission, using the Flower Key to shine the reflected sunlight onto the flower.

Then, Natasha’s eyes widened in astonishment.