Let’s Change Jobs!

The lowest-level room.

"What’s your annual salary?"

Old Wang looked at Fitz and Simmons, seeming genuinely curious. "I don’t know much about the pay scale at government agencies. I’ve recently hired quite a few employees myself, including several scientists, and I’m not sure how much I should pay them. Tell me, give me something to go by."

That was actually true.

Skye was family, so there was no need to pay her. She handled all the money anyway and could spend it as she pleased. Paying her a salary would be less reliable than paying himself one.

There was no need to mention Stick. He had brought the entire True Pure Ones Society—all two of them—to join him. He was old, had no children or wife, and Matt would take care of him in his old age.

Elektra had no parents, but she had a car, a house, and plenty of money. She did not care about that.

But Matt, Robbie, Gabe, and the others still needed salaries. That went without saying.

Scientists like Lucy and Eli had families to support. At some point, he would have S.H.I.E.L.D. help settle their identities, and they would need wages to support their households and raise children. Old Wang really did not know what an appropriate salary would be.

He only knew that their previous salaries had not been low.

Eli had joined the Power New Energy Laboratory later to work on engineering, and his salary had been the lowest among them. Even so, he could afford a Dodge Charger. Private companies really were more generous than government agencies.

Simmons and Fitz exchanged a look.

This man looked quite young, yet he had several scientists working under him. Could he be the heir to some major corporation? No wonder he was so pale and plump.

As for annual salary—

After looking around and confirming there were no cameras or listening devices in the small room, Simmons named a figure that was not small for an ordinary person.

"So little? I was planning to pay those scientists ten times what you just said, and I thought that was still too little!"

Old Wang was instantly shocked. That figure was indeed much lower than Eli’s previous salary, yet Eli was not even worthy of carrying Fitz’s shoes. "What about field agents? I heard S.H.I.E.L.D. has an Operations Division and a Technology Division. Which one pays more?"

Fitz swallowed.

Ten times?

Simmons clearly knew a great deal about this. Without even needing to think, she answered, "S.H.I.E.L.D.’s base pay follows government salary standards, so the two divisions are roughly the same overall. But field agents receive additional allowances every time they carry out a mission… Well, the allowances are generally higher than their salaries."

That last sentence seemed to carry a hint of resentment. Old Wang nodded in agreement. "It still feels too low. However poor we are, we cannot shortchange science; however hard life is, we cannot shortchange experts. At those wages, when will you ever buy a house or a car…? Do you have a house or car?"

"No." Fitz shook his head.

"Salary isn’t important," Simmons said. "I joined S.H.I.E.L.D. because I hoped to find answers to countless scientific questions. I’ve had many questions since I was little. Elementary school, middle school, university, master’s, doctorate… My teachers could not give me the answers. Then the head of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Technology Division found me and told me I could find answers here, so I came."

Fitz hurriedly nodded. "Me too, more or less."

Two pure scientists, scientists untouched by reality… Old Wang made his assessment inwardly.

Fitz seemed somewhat tempted, but Simmons showed no reaction at all. Was it because her family was too well-off, or because she had given her whole heart to science?

Plan A clearly would not work, so Old Wang switched to Plan B. "Then did you find them?"

"Some of them. Not all of them."

Simmons frowned, looking troubled. "Fitz and I studied at S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy for a year. Actually, about three months ago, we realized no one could answer our questions anymore. Not even the best teachers. So we applied to graduate and enter the Technology Division, where there are better scientists, first-rate scientists."

I don’t have that problem—the troubles of top students and geniuses… Old Wang did not know whether he should be happy or mock himself. Then he asked, "Can the scientists in the Technology Division answer your questions?"

"Some can, and some can’t."

After thinking about it, Simmons said regretfully, "The Technology Division does not actually have the very best scientists. The best scientists are hired by private companies or start companies of their own, like Mr. Tony Stark and Pym-Hank."

Fitz cut in, "But S.H.I.E.L.D. has more scientists and more opportunities to work on different projects. In that respect, it’s better than Stark Industries or Pym Technologies. For example, we’re currently researching something called Azer—"

"Fitz!"

Simmons suddenly cut him off. "That’s classified!"

Fitz immediately covered his mouth.

"Azeroth Signature Essence Wine?" Old Wang’s eyes lit up. "You’re in charge of researching Essence Wine?"

"We call it ‘Azeroth Essence.’"

Fitz and Simmons exchanged looks once more and spoke in unison. "How do you know that? It’s classified! Only a very small number of people in the entire Technology Division know!"

Old Wang reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the Well of Eternity Bottle. He waved it in front of them and blinked. "Because I’m the one who gave this thing to S.H.I.E.L.D.!"

Ten minutes later.

The training ground.

Black Widow panted heavily as she watched Elektra climb to her feet, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

She had not disgraced S.H.I.E.L.D.

She had won!

Originally, she had wanted to take on five opponents in a row to boost the agents’ morale. But first, most of the agents were unconscious and could not watch anyway. Second, fighting just Elektra had already been this difficult, and there were still four more waiting. If she lost in the end, would their morale not sink even lower?

Better forget it.

Just as she was looking for a way to step down gracefully, she suddenly heard a round of applause.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Old Wang walked over from nearby, making no effort to hide his praise. "Amazing! Beautiful!"

Two women fighting, both masters of combat. One had just cultivated "qi," while the other had undergone physical enhancement. Black Widow was slightly stronger, but Elektra was not far behind. It was truly a feast for the eyes.

Fitz and Simmons followed behind him, each carrying a case like his little brother and sister.

"Master Wang."

Black Widow secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She glanced at Fitz and Simmons, then looked at Old Wang. "Are you satisfied with the weapons?"

"Very satisfied. Fitz and Simmons are remarkable."

Old Wang gave them a thumbs-up in praise, then added, "Training is not something that can be done in a day or two. They’ll be staying here for a while to help your agents train their combat skills. I hope you can also help them get familiar with high-tech equipment."

"Mm." Black Widow nodded.

"There’s still business at the shop, so I’ll be leaving first." Feeling somewhat guilty, Old Wang casually waved his sleeve, took the cases from Fitz and Simmons, then turned and left.

Why does this guy look like he’s done something bad…? Black Widow thought.

Naturally, someone outside would see Master Wang off, so she did not concern herself with it.

Over the coming period, she would also undergo training to prepare for the battles ahead, whether against The Hand or Hydra.

Fitz and Simmons were taken away in a dedicated car.

The two remained silent the entire way.

Only after returning to their residence did Simmons finally ask, "Fitz, Mr. Wang said that if I go to his laboratory, I can have as much Azeroth Essence as I want for research. Do you think that’s true?"

Fitz seemed distracted, as though he were thinking about something else. "He also said that his laboratory is conducting the most advanced, sophisticated quantum mechanics research in the world—Quantum Communication, Quantum Computers, even Quantum Brains…"

Simmons said, "Mr. Wang also said that if I go, he would even let me study his body. A kung fu master’s body must differ from an ordinary person’s. Different motor system, different respiratory system, different immune system, different reproductive system. Maybe there isn’t even reproductive isolation…"

Fitz said, "His laboratory also researches cutting-edge virtual technology. With Quantum Computers, it can put billions of people online at once and perfectly simulate the real world. They’re even planning to develop virtual games—World of Warcraft or StarCraft, I think…"

The two went back and forth for quite some time. Then they suddenly met each other’s eyes and spoke in unison:

"Fitz—Simmons, let’s change jobs!"