Chapter 115: You Shouldn't Offend Him, He's in Charge of the Public Relations Department Now
"The yellow-skinned monkey actually has quite a temper." Seeing Xia Shang turn and leave, Stormfront said disdainfully.
"You shouldn't offend him, he's in charge of the Public Relations Department now." Stan Edgar's expression was gloomy. He had long known that Stormfront had serious racial discrimination, but he hadn't expected Stormfront to mock Xia Shang regardless of the occasion. "You should know how to restrain yourself. He is Vought's Vice President and also my assistant."
"Alright, it's my fault, but I still find it hard to imagine that you would let an uncivilized monkey into Vought International." As an Aryan, Stormfront was deeply influenced by Nazi ideology, and therefore, as long as they weren't Aryan, she treated them with a discriminatory attitude.
"Don't forget, you are now a Superhero under Vought. I can let you in, and I can kick you out of Vought anytime." Stan Edgar didn't even indulge Homelander, let alone Stormfront.
"Is that so? Too bad Vought needs me right now." Stormfront smiled dismissively.
...
On the other side, Xia Shang returned to his Office with a cold face. He wasn't truly angry; it was more of a disguise.
In his opinion, letting Stormfront join The Seven was definitely the result of Stan Edgar's careful consideration. Due to Madelyn Stillwell's sudden death, Homelander would become difficult to control. In addition, Homelander strongly recommended Ashley Barrett's return to Vought, clearly wanting to possess greater authority.
Even Xia Shang could see Homelander's intentions, let alone Vought President Stan Edgar.
Therefore, Stormfront's role was to counterbalance Homelander.
Besides this, Stan Edgar likely had deeper calculations. Due to the appearance of those Super Criminals, the public became extremely eager for national security. And at this time, the only ones they could rely on were the Superheroes under Vought International.
If Xia Shang wasn't mistaken, Vought's next development policy was to continuously strengthen the fans' dependence on the Superhero.
Thus binding Vought together with the United States, forming an entire community of interest.
"So how can we deepen the public's dependence on Vought..." Xia Shang's lips slowly curved upwards. He opened his computer, looking at the enormous swastika on the TV screen. "Of course, it's brainwashing. Simple fans are probably no longer enough to satisfy Stan Edgar. What he wants should be solid followers."
Knock, knock, knock... A light knocking sound suddenly rang out from outside the door.
"Please come in," Xia Shang said after closing the webpage.
"Mr. Jervis, I've come to visit you. I'm very happy to be your assistant." Ashley Barrett, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, was still the same. She liked to hold her document folder against her chest.
Seeing her former subordinate now become her current superior, she was still a bit awkward.
Xia Shang, however, naturally stood up and shook her hand. "I'm also very happy to see you return to the company. How is work now? Are you adapting? Feel free to tell me if you have any difficulties."
"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Jervis. I feel everything is going well. After going out this time, I found that Vought is still more suitable for me." Ashley Barrett's attitude was clearly much more respectful. She couldn't help it; she had to humble herself when dependent on someone else. After all, Xia Shang was her direct leader, and if she wasn't tactful, it would only make her days more difficult.
Ashley Barrett, as a seasoned workplace veteran, wouldn't fail to understand this simple and obvious truth.
"Did you come to see me for something this time?" Xia Shang asked.
After hearing this, Ashley Barrett quickly handed the document in her hand to Xia Shang. "I heard Vought is preparing to select new Superhero. I happen to have a Hero who is very suitable. He should be the perfect candidate to replace Translucent."
"Blindspot, proficient in martial arts, skilled in mid-to-long-range weapon projection. Although his eyes are blind, he possesses super hearing. He looks good. In your opinion, what is his selling point?" After Xia Shang finished reading the document in his hand, he looked up at Ashley Barrett.
Ashley Barrett said without hesitation, "He is disabled, and he is very resilient. The people of the United States are looking forward to such a Superhero."
"Good, take me to see him."
Afterwards, the two came to Blindspot's Training Ground. Homelander happened to be there as well.
"The current trend is inclusivity. They hope for the appearance of some special Superheroes. I think if we can find a minority or a minority woman, we'll be invincible," Ashley Barrett said to the two of them.
To put it bluntly, it's political correctness.
"To lose one's sight yet still move freely, it's truly astonishing." Homelander, with his hands behind his back, watched Blindspot's training.
At this moment, Blindspot, whose training had ended, upon hearing Homelander's praise, excitedly walked up to Homelander. "Oh, Mr. Homelander, I am very honored..."
"Wait, you actually know it's me?" Homelander showed an exaggerated smile. "That's amazing!"
"With super ears, you don't need..." Blindspot's words weren't finished when he was interrupted by Xia Shang. "Don't need what? Don't need help from others? Oh, young man, I really hope Vought can help you."
This guy's super hearing is good. Xia Shang didn't want his ability to be ruined by Homelander.
"Mr. Jervis, interrupting others casually is not polite behavior." A hint of gloom flashed in Homelander's eyes. But immediately after, he smiled and said to Blindspot, "Don't need what?" At this moment, Blindspot realized that what he had just said wasn't very appropriate. "Just as this gentleman said, with super ears, you don't need help from others."
"Hahaha." The smile on Homelander's face became even brighter. He reached out and pressed on Blindspot's shoulder. "Your ability is amazing, and you, my friend, you are the real hero."
"This isn't because of your work, but because of the difficulties you've overcome."
"Thank you, your praise means a great deal to me." Blindspot was extremely excited. You know, he was a loyal fan of Homelander.
"However..."
Homelander's fingers clenched tightly. Under Blindspot's wails, he threw him aside. "However, your strength is too weak, you're not qualified to enter The Seven."
Homelander's face changed extremely quickly. He turned around, looking at the two with indifference. "From now on, everything concerning me will be decided by me. My sales strategies will be approved by me. My talking points will be written by me. You two, don't try any clever tricks with me. Especially you, Mr. Jervis."
You'd better put away those few eyes inside you. Don't look around everywhere. Otherwise, Stan Edgar won't be able to protect you, I'm telling you."
Ashley Barrett, standing nearby, was too scared to speak. It was obvious Homelander wanted to treat them as his puppets. From now on, everything within the group could only be decided by him.
"Is that so? I don't think you're qualified to say that to me. Just now, Mr. Stan Edgar just approved a Superhero named Stormfront to join The Seven. It seems this matter didn't go through your approval." Xia Shang wasn't intimidated in the least. He walked up to Homelander and met Homelander's eyes.
Just then, Homelander's eyes glowed red, and he sneered, "Very good, let me see what your ability is?"
"Guess?" At the same time, Xia Shang's pupils also turned blue.
Unexpectedly, Homelander suddenly burst into laughter and patted Xia Shang's arms. "Oh, old buddy, I was just kidding with you. Without your public relations, I really don't know what I'd do?"
"In my heart, you have always been the Captain of The Seven. I think you will be in the future too." A sunlight smile, identical to Homelander's, also appeared on Xia Shang's face.
"Of course, our cooperation will continue."
Homelander nodded and walked out of the Training Ground with a smile. The moment he walked out of the Training Ground, his expression returned to calm, but it hid anger. He knew his real obstacle was Stan Edgar, not Xia Shang.
He walked into the elevator and pressed the button for the eighty-seventh floor.
Looking at his departing back, Xia Shang glanced indifferently at Blindspot nearby. "Take him down for treatment. Let him and Shockwave become reserve members. After all, Vought doesn't only have The Seven. Other heroes can also be developed."
"Okay." Ashley Barrett, who had just recovered her senses, quickly nodded.
In fact, the so-called reserve team was Xia Shang's ability vault he prepared for himself. Currently, A-Train's superspeed, under the activation of Compound V, has reached 51% progress. Xia Shang had tested it; compared to before, his speed had increased by at least four times.
At the same time, Homelander had arrived at Stan Edgar's Office.
At this moment, on the TV screen inside the Office, a female congresswoman was being interviewed.
"I am also worried about terrorists. But this doesn't mean Vought can use our fear to control us."
Stan Edgar's gaze remained on the congresswoman's face. It seemed the two knew each other.
"Morning, Homelander. I'm quite surprised to see you at this time," Stan Edgar greeted Homelander.
"Don't be surprised. Let's talk about Stormfront."
Homelander didn't waste much time. He immediately brought up the topic of Stormfront.
"What? You want me to ask for your opinion before recruiting Stormfront?"
"Why not? All previous members were approved by me." Homelander believed Stan Edgar was challenging his authority. "Don't forget, I am the Captain of The Seven."
"I respect your identity as Captain," Stan Edgar smiled slightly.
Homelander suppressed his anger, looking at Stan Edgar. "I don't feel your respect for me. You should know, even Madelyn Stillwell didn't dare to pull this on me."
Under Homelander's incessant questioning, Stan Edgar gradually put away his smile. He took off his glasses and came before Homelander, telling him that the people from the FDA already knew about Compound V. Unless Homelander was willing to lose everything he had now, otherwise, he shouldn't talk nonsense with him.
"Whether I make you preen on the Golden Globes stage or make you run around everywhere wearing a cape, I don't need to ask for your opinion." Stan Edgar's lips curved slightly. The sense of oppression he generated was enough to make Homelander dare not speak.
(end of chapter )
translter :
If you love that novel, you should definitely check out my other one: American Comics: Tales of a Cultivator. It's much darker, and the main character is extremely smart. If you trust my taste, I promise it's really good.
However, it has two main problems:
The author has a philosophy: "If I hate everyone equally, I'm not racist." That mindset is reflected in the core of the novel. Every race, color, nationality (even China gets humiliated), animals, and even aliens get mocked. So be prepared for a very raw and unfiltered world.
The pacing. Every time you feel disappointed or bored, know that the peak is coming soon. Each arc starts slowly, almost as if the author is testing the reader's patience, but when it hits, it peaks hard. I've dropped the novel six times out of frustration, but each time I came back, it blew me away. Even the sixth time, I swore I wouldn't return — but I did, and I regretted ever leaving.