Who exactly are you? And why are you approaching me?"
When Tony asked this question, his expression was uncharacteristically serious. Victor had only seen this look once before, when Father Chen learned he had chosen to major in directing.
It was a kind of steadfastness that meant he would never compromise unless you gave him a convincing reason.
Victor didn't answer immediately, and Tony was in no hurry, sitting there, waiting for Victor to think slowly.
This sudden confrontation did not come as a surprise to Victor.
Tony was proud, arrogant, sharp-tongued, and possessed the "thirst for knowledge"—or rather, the desire for control—of all Geniuses. He wanted all things to be under his control.
This is also why science and Xuanhuan are often at odds: because of the unknown, there is fear.
After this battle side-by-side, Tony had already approved of Victor.
But.
The matter with Obadiah had also built up Tony's mental walls. He worried that Victor's appearance was merely a ploy to gain some benefit from him—such as the complete technology for the Iron Man Suit.
Coupled with Victor's untraceable origins, this made Tony even more uneasy.
He was not one to hide things.
Since he couldn't find anything, and he felt that Victor was someone he could associate with, he would directly ask.
He gave the decision-making power to Victor.
Victor's answer would determine how Tony would face Victor in the future.
The scene was silent for several minutes.
Victor re-brewed a pot of good tea and filled Tony's cup.
Then, in a calm, narrative tone, he began to speak.
"Just like Norman, you were originally my first target for investment," Victor said in a relaxed tone, "But later, I discovered the Obadiah situation and felt you weren't suitable for investment, so I settled for Norman."
At this point, Victor paused.
Tony didn't ask, he just gestured for Victor to continue.
Victor took a sip of tea and continued.
"Regarding my identity, I don't want to deceive you. I can only selectively disclose some things that can be said. I hope you won't tell this information to a third person, including Pepper."
Tony still didn't speak. He nodded slightly in agreement, continuing to wait for what came next.
Next.
Victor repeated the same explanation he had given Norman, popularizing the concept of the Universe, to Tony.
Tony's expression was quite something as he listened.
Three parts doubt, three parts surprise, three parts realization, and one part solemnity.
Had the technology of the Universe already become so advanced?
Earth now didn't even have the ability to send people out of the Solar System, yet people in the Universe were already capable of interstellar travel?
Tony was deep in thought, and Victor silently drank his tea.
The scene was silent again for several minutes.
Tony finally posed his first question: "So, you were chosen by some commercial system in the Universe to become an Agent for Earth? Like a regional Agent for Amazon?"
"That analogy isn't quite right; we don't get a salary," Victor corrected. "I only have a Platform, and I must first collect valuable goods to profit from them."
"Hey! You're showing off!" Tony exclaimed dramatically. "An inventory of goods from the Universe! Damn it! Ask them if they accept funding!"
"Impossible, and there's only one person per galaxy," Victor shrugged.
"So your abilities, potions, and gravity devices are all exchanged through this Platform?" Tony asked again.
"Yes."
"Then..."
"I've said enough. Any more questions will cost you intelligence fees, whether by check or technology," Victor said, cutting him off.
Tony took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions.
He fully understood what Victor meant by "check" and "technology."
Moreover.
To tell him this much was already a sign of great sincerity.
"I'm quite interested in the Universe you speak of." Tony straightened his tie, stood up, and extended his right hand to Victor. "Tony Stark, it's a pleasure to meet you, a merchant of the Universe."
Victor stood up, shook Tony's hand, and smiled, "Victor Chen, it's also a pleasure to establish a friendship with you."
"Is that really your name?"
"I am also from Earth."
"Tsk, we'll know once we test you."
"Whatever, but you'd better prepare a tougher needle."
"Titanium alloy?"
"You can try, but I doubt it'll work."
"You must have thick skin."
"...I'll take that as a compliment."
"Of course, if that makes you happy."
Once the conversation opened up, the atmosphere between them returned to how it was before, with playful jabs in every line.
About half an hour later.
Tony, having received his answers, returned to his villa to continue his work.
Both of them tacitly avoided mentioning the "Iron Man Suit."
Tony might not have fully trusted Victor's one-sided story, and Victor also didn't plan to pass off the current low-end armor as anything significant.
Victor returned to his bedroom, pouring the remaining Chinese materials into his mind, continuing to digest and learn.
Early the next morning.
Pietro returned to the coffee shop to continue working after breakfast, while Wanda stayed behind.
Today was the press conference for league of legends, and also Tony's press conference.
As the sole shareholder of the company, Victor naturally had to participate in his own product launch, so he sent Felicia to represent him.
He, meanwhile, took Wanda to Tony's press conference—originally, he had planned for Wanda and Felicia to go together, but Wanda strongly insisted on coming here.
The press conference hadn't started yet, and Rhode was currently giving some military statements.
"According to military investigations, the 'Iron Man' who appeared yesterday was merely Tony Stark's bodyguard, like a shadow in ancient China or an acting double, and not Tony Stark himself..."
Anyway, the whole speech was an effort to distance Iron Man from Tony Stark.
The reporters seated below wore expressions that clearly said, "Do you take me for a fool?"
So many videos and photos, and you give us this clumsy excuse? Do you think we'll believe it?
However.
This was not their most pressing concern.
Reporters below eagerly raised their hands, trying to get a chance to ask questions, but Rhode ignored them all.
"This is a statement press conference; there is no Q&A session. Please sit quietly and don't make it awkward for everyone," Rhode warned subtly.
But judging by the reporters' disdainful faces, it clearly wasn't working.
Victor found it boring, but Wanda was eagerly looking around, as it was her first time at a press conference.
Just as he was considering whether to sneak backstage for a bit.
A man in a suit with a slightly receding hairline walked over, and after approaching, first handed over a business card.
Victor pretended to glance at the card, though in reality, he naturally recognized the middle-aged man—Phil Coulson, a Level 8 Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., the standard template for American Agents, and one of Nick Fury's most capable subordinates.
Coulson spoke in a polite yet firm tone: "Phil Coulson, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. I scheduled an appointment with you yesterday. I wonder if you could spare a few minutes after the press conference?"
"Of course, no problem, it was arranged," Victor shrugged. "After the press conference, if you still have time, I can cooperate."
Coulson wore a polite, unawkward, gentle smile: "Then I'll be bothering you. I'll go attend to my duties first; please wait a moment after the meeting."
Coulson came and went quickly.
This incident had caused a big stir, and he was fully in charge of handling it, so he was very busy.
Just then.
Tony also walked onto the stage. He first scanned the press hall, nodding at Victor, who was standing at the very back, his expression casual.
"The last press conference was a long time ago, so I'll just read from the script."
Tony pulled out a card.
"Some people believe that I, as 'Iron Man,' participated in yesterday's events at Stark Industries and the plaza..."
From his opening, it was clear he intended to play official politics.
A female reporter in a gray business suit, seated at the front of the press table, spoke loudly with impatience: "Excuse me! Interrupting you, Mr. Stark, do you think we'll buy that? A bodyguard exactly like you? Honestly, from my interactions with you, that person was you!"
Although it was just a back view, Victor could tell that this female reporter named Christine was clearly the one who had slept with Tony.
Banking on their "zero-distance" encounter, her rebuttal carried weight.
Next.
Events unfolded just as in the plot. Tony, angered by Christine's questioning of his "lack of superhero potential" and her statement that "we care more about who Superman is," had his proud little heart provoked. He began to express his own views, deviating from the agreed-upon script.
Rhode, sensing trouble, quickly whispered to Tony to stick to the script.
Tony also realized, adjusted his mindset, and looked down at the script: "The actual situation is..."
He paused.
At this moment, no one knew what Tony was thinking.
He shifted his gaze from the script, meeting Victor's eyes at the back of the press hall, a determined look flashing deep within his eyes.
In this moment, Tony made a significant decision.
He said very casually, "I am Iron Man."
One sentence stirred up a thousand waves.
The reporters present all excitedly stood up, flashlights, shutter sounds, and a barrage of questions drowning Tony.
Rhode, beside Tony, covered his forehead, an expression of "I knew this would happen" on his face.
Pepper, at the back of the press conference, showed a hint of doting smile, looking at Tony's back, her eyes gleaming with an unusual light; at this moment, he possessed a unique charm!
Coulson, who thought he was about to be relieved, couldn't help but show a trace of bitterness on his calm and friendly face. It was over; he would definitely have to work overtime tonight, and his date with his girlfriend would probably be canceled.
Only four people in the room remained unmoving.
Tony, as the instigator, was naturally well-prepared. Years of experience dealing with reporters made him very accustomed to, and even enjoyed, this moment of being in the spotlight.
Victor, as someone familiar with the plot, was naturally not surprised by this classic scene, though he felt a bit emotional, knowing that this scene was not originally in the script but an impromptu performance by the actor.
Then there was the challenger, Christine, who didn't feel good about being publicly contradicted and sat in her chair, quite embarrassed.
The last person was... Wanda, looking utterly bewildered.
What exactly happened?
Tony being Iron Man—hadn't that already been published in yesterday's newspapers? Now he admitted it, and everyone was this excited?
Watching the reporters, each with a fierce look, pushing forward, Wanda felt a little scared for some reason.
She subconsciously leaned closer to Victor, almost nestling against his arm, then secretly glanced at Victor's profile. After confirming he hadn't noticed, she felt both disappointed and a little relieved.
But no matter what.
As long as he was by her side, she wouldn't be afraid anymore.