The laboratory fell into a brief silence.
Tony's gaze shifted between the test tube and Xiao Han, finally settling on the other's calm face.
"Why?" he asked softly, "This has already far exceeded the scope of our deal."
Xiao Han placed the test tube into a portable cooler, pushing it towards Tony: "Because, it's very interesting."
Xiao Han casually found an excuse; this was something he had decided while Tony was unconscious.
He suddenly wanted to see what kind of impact a Tony Stark with physical capabilities far surpassing ordinary people would have in the Marvel Universe.
Of course, most importantly, as Superman, he would definitely obtain the Silver Superman template from the System in the future.
Therefore, traveling through various Worlds was his goal.
As the base of operations, the Marvel Universe would definitely need a strong ally to watch over it for him.
And now, Tony was the best choice.
"Interesting?" Tony frowned, "What's interesting?"
"That suit of armor," Xiao Han said, picking a random excuse.
"Or rather, you could have used all resources to research countermeasures. But you chose trust."
Tony opened his mouth, momentarily speechless. He lowered his head to look at the cooler, then suddenly laughed: "So this is your return gift? Turning me into Captain America 2.0?"
"3.0," Xiao Han corrected, "And you can choose not to use it. This is just a safeguard. Also, this is one of the surprises."
Tony picked up the cooler, feeling its cold touch: "Will I become overly righteous like Roger after injection?"
"No," Xiao Han shook his head, "It will only enhance your physical fitness. Willpower, personality, moral values, these are all decided by yourself."
Tony placed the cooler into the safe under the workbench; the fingerprint lock emitted a confirming beep.
As he turned around, the same cynical smile returned to his face: "So, now we are true partners?"
"If you're willing," Xiao Han walked towards the floor-to-ceiling window, the morning light of New York beginning to paint the skyline red.
"But I suggest you get a full physical examination before injecting it. Although I have eliminated side effects, everyone's physique is different."
"Got it, got it, you talk as much as my dad..." Tony waved his hand, then suddenly remembered something.
"Wait, you said this is one of the surprises? Are there other gifts?"
A mysterious smile played on Xiao Han's lips: "That can only be revealed after you've used the serum."
Tony narrowed his eyes: "I want to know now."
"Patience is a virtue, Mr. Stark," Xiao Han began to levitate and fly out the window.
"Remember to complete the injection within 72 hours, otherwise the active ingredients will degrade."
"Hey! Wait!" Tony reached out to grab, but Xiao Han had already flown away.
Xiao Han's final message echoed in the laboratory:
"See you in three days. Hope to see an upgraded You by then."
Tony stood still for a long moment before shouting into the empty laboratory: "Jarvis! Prepare for analysis."
"Yes, sir," Jarvis paused for a moment, "Should I contact the medical department now to prepare for the physical examination?"
Tony looked at the safe, his fingers unconsciously tapping the workbench.
Finally, he took a deep breath: "First, contact Pepper... no, wait.
First, pull up all data on the Super Soldier Serum, especially Dr. Erskine's original research notes from 1943."
A holographic screen unfolded before him, but Tony's gaze couldn't help but drift towards that safe.
A long-lost, almost childlike curiosity and anticipation pulsed in his chest.
He hadn't experienced this feeling for a long time since his father passed away.
Outside the window, sunlight pierced through the clouds, coating Stark Tower in gold.
Tony was still lost in thought by the floor-to-ceiling window when Jarvis's voice suddenly broke the silence of the laboratory.
"Sir, unauthorized landing detected on the rooftop helipad."
Tony raised an eyebrow: "Media helicopter? Tell them this is private airspace."
"Not media, sir," Jarvis's tone was unusually alert, "Identification signal shows a custom S.H.I.E.L.D. Quinjet."
Tony's expression instantly turned cold.
He turned and walked towards the workbench, quickly pushing the cooler into a hidden compartment; the holographic display of the serum's molecular structure disappeared with it.
"Initiate defense protocols, lock down all research data on Xiao," he ordered in a low voice, while straightening his wrinkled shirt.
"Let our one-eyed guest in."
The moment the elevator doors opened, Nick Fury strode into the laboratory, his black leather coat billowing behind him, his single eye scanning the surroundings.
Behind him were two fully armed Agents, standing guard vigilantly by the elevator entrance.
"Stark," Fury's voice was low and direct, "We need to talk about your new friend."
Tony leaned against the console, casually picking up a glass of whiskey, deliberately acting nonchalant: "Nick, coming here in person so late, are you interested in investing in my clean energy project?"
Fury ignored his taunt and walked directly to the central holographic projection area.
With a flick of his wrist, a miniature projector landed on the desk, immediately displaying surveillance footage from a Queens bank from a few hours ago.
The entire process of Xiao Han in black armor effortlessly subduing the mutant.
"Explain, Stark. Who is this person wearing armor designed by You, possessing supernatural abilities? Don't tell me He's Superman," Fury's single eye fixed on Tony.
"He's not in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s database."
Tony took a sip of his drink, his gaze lingering on the screen for a moment: "You guessed it, He is Superman."
After a pause, Tony looked at the still-serious Fury, "Alright, this is a business secret, Nick. Stark Industries' new security consultant, nothing more."
"Security consultant?" Fury sneered, sliding his finger across the projection, switching the screen to a set of energy readings.
"The power from a casual strike by this consultant in combat is enough to destroy Stark Tower; what would happen if He went all out?"
Tony put down his glass, the cynical expression on his face gradually fading: "So You are monitoring me?"
"We monitor all potential threats," Fury took a step forward, the distance between them suddenly shrinking.
"Especially when a certain billionaire suddenly starts collaborating with unknown super-powered individuals."
The atmosphere in the laboratory instantly became tense.
Tony could feel the pressure emanating from Fury, but he didn't back down in the slightest.
"Listen, Fury," Tony's voice turned cold, "Xiao is my partner; the source of his abilities and the purpose of his actions are my private matters. S.H.I.E.L.D. has no jurisdiction."
Fury's single eye narrowed slightly: "Any supernatural phenomenon is within S.H.I.E.L.D.'s jurisdiction, Stark. Especially when it could threaten national security."
"National security?" Tony scoffed.
"You are the biggest security threat. I've seen S.H.I.E.L.D.'s security measures, treating the Tesseract as a toy to study, although I don't know what this toy can do."
"But as far as I know, HYDRA used the Tesseract to do evil."
Fury's expression changed slightly: "How do You know?"
"I know a lot more than You think, Director Fury," Tony interrupted him, walking towards another holographic terminal.
"Like your 24-hour surveillance on the big green guy."
Fury was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly changed tactics: "Stark, I'm not here to oppose You."
His tone softened, "Actually, I'm here to invite You to join the Avengers Initiative."
Tony turned around, his eyebrows raised high: "Avengers? Sounds like some second-rate band."
"A special operations team," Fury took out an encrypted file from his inner pocket.
"Composed of the World's most outstanding super-powered individuals and scientists, to deal with threats that ordinary armies cannot handle."