Talking with Hawkeye

"Now are you willing to have a proper talk?"

Zhang Ye looked at Old Barton, who was completely bound, and spoke slowly.

Although he had anticipated this situation when he decided to seek out Hawkeye, Zhang Ye still felt somewhat helpless when Barton attacked him without a word.

"I’m serious, Barton. You really should get your temper under control. Do you think I’d still be talking nicely to you if I wanted to do something to you? It’s normal that you don’t trust me, but believe me, I really don’t want to lay a hand on you in front of your family."

This miserable world had nearly driven the elderly man mad.

Over the years, Old Hawkeye had kept too much bottled up inside. Yet he had never confided in anyone, silently burying all that negativity deep within his heart.

He never told his ex-wife or daughter. He had not even told Logan, his only friend now.

He tried hard to act like a good father in front of his daughter, but deep down, he felt he did not deserve to be one. That was also what led to the way he raised and spoiled Ashley until she became what she was now.

He also pretended to be carefree around Wolverine Logan, repeatedly trying to help Logan move on from the grief of those years.

But he knew that his true goal was not to make Logan live a better life. It was to make Logan extend his claws again and take revenge on those criminals from back then.

Although he later opened up to his successor, Kate Bishop, and told her the truth about that day, it was already too late. This old man, who had clung to life for revenge, could no longer turn back.

"Nice work, kid. I haven’t seen a move like that in years. Remind me again—who are you?"

Old Barton tried to resist, but failed. Zhang Ye’s magic had turned the arrows into soft ropes, but their material had not changed. How could Barton’s mortal body possibly break free from alloy?

"I haven’t introduced myself yet."

Zhang Ye rubbed his temples.

"Forget it. Ms. Tonia, Ultron, could you let me speak with Barton alone?"

"Sure. Business hasn’t been very good lately anyway."

Tonia readily agreed. Then she shut the garage’s heavy iron door. As she passed Barton, she shot him a vicious glare, seemingly blaming him for starting a fight here.

Tonia and Ultron then left one after the other, leaving the entire garage hall to Zhang Ye and Old Barton. They knew the two had serious business to discuss, and judging by Zhang Ye’s abilities, it was definitely not the kind of "serious business" they wanted to get involved in.

"Alright, it’s just the two of us now, kid. Untie me already."

The moment Tonia left, Old Barton’s expression changed completely.

"Not yet."

"Why not? I already believe you."

Old Barton was somewhat furious. His skills had never declined over all these years, yet this was the first time in the wasteland that someone had rendered him incapable of resistance in a single exchange.

"Some things are better discussed like this. You may trust me, but I don’t trust you." Zhang Ye dragged over a chair, placed it in front of Hawkeye, and slowly sat down.

"Why don’t you trust me? I used to be a superhero!" Barton argued reasonably.

"You were also a supervillain."

Zhang Ye’s single sentence left Old Barton speechless.

"Fine, fine. Sharp-tongued kid, you win. What do you want to know?"

"No rush." Zhang Ye did not immediately begin the conversation. Instead, he slowly shifted his gaze toward the space behind Hawkeye and spoke unhappily. "I said I wanted to speak with Barton alone."

"What?" Hawkeye froze for a moment, then immediately understood Zhang Ye’s meaning. Those words had not been directed at him. Someone else was hiding behind him and eavesdropping. "Who’s there!?"

Hawkeye, who had only just calmed down a little, instantly became agitated. This was his ex-wife’s shop. If one of his enemies was listening in, Tonia and Ashley might be in danger.

That was not an outcome Hawkeye wanted to see, so he struggled with all his strength, trying to see who was behind him.

The entire garage hall was silent. Other than Hawkeye struggling, there was no movement at all. Zhang Ye’s words had vanished like a stone sinking into the sea, causing not the slightest ripple.

And that left Zhang Ye somewhat displeased.

He raised his hand and snapped his fingers. The next second—

Clang! Crash!

Something suddenly fell from a blind spot near the ceiling and slammed straight into the auto parts below, producing a burst of metallic clattering.

"I told you before, little girl. I have no patience left for you."

The eavesdropper was none other than Hawkeye’s precious daughter, Ashley.

Zhang Ye had noticed the girl the moment she had sneakily come down from the second floor and crawled across the ceiling. He just had not expected her to be this bold.

"Ashley? My little princess, is that you?"

The moment he heard Zhang Ye’s words, Old Barton understood who was behind him. His struggles became even more violent.

"Don’t misunderstand, Ashley. This is Dad’s friend. We’re… uh, discussing some adult matters. You little brat, hurry up and put me down!"

Ashley, meanwhile, limped out from the pile of auto parts.

That fall had not been light. Even her extraordinary physique had taken a hit, but she did not make a sound. Her eyes remained fixed firmly on Zhang Ye.

"What, want to try again?" Zhang Ye asked calmly.

"Put me down—Ashley, you should go upstairs. Let Dad talk to him, okay? Be good, sweetheart. We have something very important to discuss. Go back upstairs!"

Ashley turned a deaf ear to Hawkeye’s constant words.

Or rather, she simply did not care about anything her father said to her. She had completely ignored Hawkeye. At that moment, Zhang Ye was the only thing in her eyes.

Zhang Ye saw the look in her eyes—part admiration, part killing intent—and remained expressionless. Only after a long while did he slowly speak.

"You heard what your father said. Go upstairs. I won’t repeat myself."

After those words, Ashley paused. Then she turned around and limped toward the stairs.

Seeing that, Hawkeye finally stopped struggling.

The atmosphere abruptly fell silent. Only Ashley’s footsteps, one step at a time on the stairs, remained. At last, the sound stopped at the second-floor corner, ending with the faint sound of a door closing.

After staring blankly for a moment, Hawkeye turned his gaze back to Zhang Ye.

".That girl has never been so obedient before. You’re pretty good with kids."

Zhang Ye rolled his eyes speechlessly.

"Your parenting is the problem!"