Though there were four people in both groups, the difference in their setups was quite striking.
First, let's talk about Shi Xiaolei's side.
Summoned only an hour before departure, Bayonetta's arrival didn't add any extra luggage to the trip. At least, at the time of departure, the family's luggage was still the same amount as they had prepared earlier.
There was only one car as well.
Now, let's look at Stark's side.
When preparing for the trip, he had arranged for two cars—he would drive a hardtop convertible with Pepper Potts in the passenger seat. Additionally, there was a 6-meter long medium-sized van, driven by Happy. This van not only served to store camping equipment, but its front half also contained a miniature hangar that could store two Iron Man suits and perform a certain degree of maintenance and repair on them.
Both the top and sides could open, and in case of an emergency, with a single command from Stark, the Iron Man suits could be deployed... As a billionaire, Stark never neglected his security. Since it was inconvenient to bring a large number of bodyguards on this trip, he naturally brought Iron Man suits as a substitute to provide similar security.
And after Rhode temporarily joined, Stark's party gained a third car.
"How about my car, pretty good, right? I specially pulled some strings to borrow it," Rhode said, patting the car body and proudly showing off to Shi Xiaolei. "It used to serve in the Middle East and just retired this year. A colleague of mine thought it was very commemorative, so he specially bought it and made some modifications."
Rhode had brought an armored personnel carrier with its mounted weapons removed.
It was even larger than the van Happy was driving, with thick armor painted in yellow-green camouflage, robust-looking tires, and slightly narrow windows... To be honest, this car looked very tough and wild.
"It's certainly imposing," Shi Xiaolei nodded, a hint of envy on his face.
As a man, and a rather large one often called a tough guy by his neighbors, Shi Xiaolei did have a preference for muscle cars.
Why did he like Stark's modified car? It wasn't just because the car's functions had been upgraded; the main reason was that the car's volume was larger than before the modification, and sitting in the driver's seat with the steering wheel felt more manly.
"Heh heh, let me drive it for a few days to get my fill. Anyway, this trip will last more than ten days, so if you want to try it, there'll be plenty of opportunities later," Rhode was very pleased with Shi Xiaolei's reaction and became even more smug. "Oh, right, I also found a friend in the logistics department and got some military-grade camping equipment... You know, with Stark's personality, what he brings will definitely be more about looks than practicality. For tough guys like us, military equipment is definitely more suitable."
"Hey," Stark couldn't help but interject, rolling his eyes in protest. "Don't forget, Stark Industries has always been a designated supplier for the military. A lot of the equipment you're talking about was provided by me."
"This car isn't equipped with Jericho missiles," Rhode retorted without hesitation. "Did you forget? You yourself said you weren't interested in 'low-tech toys.'"
"I can confirm, boss, you did say that," Happy chimed in.
..."Shut up, you just lost this month's bonus."
"Say whatever you want," Happy smiled indifferently. "Anyway, Ms. Pepper is the current CEO, and she's the one who pays me."
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
Just as the four men were chatting animatedly, Pepper walked over, arm in arm with Bayonetta.
"Hey, boys, had enough chatting? Is it about time to leave?" Pepper smiled, interrupting the men's casual talk, and then gave Shi Xiaolei a reproachful look that said, 'You're so careless.' She then explained the reason for her urgency: "Bayonetta came empty-handed, she didn't bring any luggage.
I think we need to leave a bit earlier and try to get to today's campsite as soon as possible... Do you understand what I mean? I mean, if we can arrive early, while you guys are setting up camp, us girls plan to go into town for a bit."
"Uh, I was going to call the VIP service specialist at the bank on the way and ask her to help prepare some things," Shi Xiaolei scratched his head.
"What others pick is never as satisfying as what you pick yourself."
Although she wasn't short, it depended on who she was compared to. Standing next to Bayonetta, who was 1.8 meters tall and wearing 10-centimeter heels, Pepper lost some of her strong businesswoman assertiveness and gained a touch of cuteness that was usually hard to notice.
Coupled with her current more casual tone... Stark immediately agreed: "Pepper's right, we should leave."
"Alright."
"Then what are we waiting for, let's get in the car."
Rhode directly opened the door and got into his car, and Happy scampered off to the van parked at the very back.
"Are you leading or am I leading?" Stark asked Shi Xiaolei casually as he walked towards his hardtop convertible.
"You go first," Shi Xiaolei said with a smile, not because he was less familiar with the road conditions or because his car's navigation wasn't as precise as Jarvis. "Your car is too low. If I go first, wouldn't you feel cramped not being able to see the road?"
"Alright, then I'll go first. Pepper, get in the car."
"Bayonetta," Pepper said, letting go of Bayonetta's arm and waving with a smile. "See you in a bit."
"Okay, see you in a bit," Bayonetta replied, pulling out two lollipops and handing them to Pepper. "If you get bored on the way, feel free to try them. Witch-brand special lollipops, they're very refreshing."
Pepper didn't think much of it, assuming 'Witch' was the brand of the lollipop. Stark, however, had a flicker of thought in his eyes.
'So this one is a Witch?'
"Tony? Tony~."
"Uh, sorry, I zoned out." Called twice by Pepper, Stark finally snapped back to attention and started the engine.
Following closely behind Stark's hardtop convertible, Shi Xiaolei also gently pressed the accelerator.
The difference was that the atmosphere in this car was noticeably livelier than in Stark's car.
Tall with long legs, Bayonetta felt a bit cramped in the back, so she took the initiative and occupied the front passenger seat. She leaned back comfortably, crossed her legs, and waved the lollipop in her hand: "Let's go~!"
"Oh oh~!" The little girl, Conna, who always sat in the back, also cheered excitedly.
Filled with anticipation, she couldn't help but lean forward, pushing against the restraint of her seatbelt, and grabbed the back of the driver's seat with her small hands: "Xiaolei, Xiaolei, hurry, hurry~! Stark's gone, quickly follow him~!"
"Conna, Conna~!" To control the restless little girl, 2B had to raise her voice: "Be careful, don't fall. Quickly, sit properly."
"Heh heh. Be good, Conna." Shi Xiaolei glanced in the rearview mirror, turned the steering wheel, and kept close behind Stark's car. "If you're not good, I won't take you next time we go out."
"Uh, oh, okay then."
"Here, little one, this is a reward for good children," Bayonetta said, cooperating with Shi Xiaolei and promptly offering Conna a lollipop.
The next second, the somewhat disappointed little girl smiled again: "Conna is the best behaved~!"