Everyone present was furious.
"You've got to be kidding me, Tony Stark! Are you trying to insult our intelligence?"
"This guy isn't a good person. Who does he think he is?"
"Fuck! This Tony Stark really talks out of his ass. You can't believe a single word from a playboy like him!"
"God, please take this guy away. I report him for showing off!"
"Tony, you said that young man was older than you, and we reluctantly accepted it. But now you're saying he's your cousin? Do you think we're blind?"
"Hah! One white guy, one Asian guy, and you expect us to believe they're cousins? Are you kidding me?"
Tony just shrugged at their outrage.
"If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. The whole world needs the great Tony Stark's certification!"
"But I don't need your certification. Bye-bye!"
After dropping that line, Tony signaled his bodyguards to clear the way. He pushed through the crowd and left. Everyone was used to his arrogant attitude.
That was his style — he didn't care to maintain some squeaky-clean image of being great, diligent, or humble.
Tony Stark lived life the way he wanted. No pretenses. No masks.
A villa in New York.
Not his famous Malibu mansion, but still high-end.
A convoy of luxury cars rolled into the quiet, upscale neighborhood.
"Oh, the environment here is nice," Leo said casually as he stepped out of the car. "Buy me a building here and deduct it from my money."
Tony's brow twitched. "Are you treating me like your subordinate?"
"Hey, big shot, are you kidding me? Do you have an ID card? How can I help you buy anything without one?" Tony shot back.
Leo tilted his head at him. "I don't have an identity? I'm your cousin! You'll get me one tomorrow. If you can't even handle such a small matter… you might as well die."
"Fuck! I'm so unlucky," Tony muttered under his breath, resisting the urge to throw something. What did he do to deserve this guy? Did God specifically send Leo to torment him?
Nearby, Pepper Potts covered her mouth and tried not to laugh. Finally—finally—someone who could handle Tony Stark.
She was absolutely gloating. This guy had met his match. Her workload might actually decrease from now on.
She even threw Leo a quick wink, a silent thank you.
Leo blinked.
Goodness… is this woman falling for me? Should I take advantage or not?
Although she's attractive… nope. Not my type.
Tony saw the wink too — and nearly lost it.
Fuck you, Leo! You menace. If I keep you around, how the hell am I supposed to pick up girls later?
She's only known him for a few minutes, and she's already giving him that look. If a few more days pass, what's next — wedding bells and confetti?
Tony straightened up and stepped between them, coughing loudly.
"It's just a villa, right? I'll buy it tomorrow. Small matter."
He turned to Yinsen. "By the way, I'll buy one for you too. You can stay at Stark Industries from now on. With your skills, you can easily be one of our senior engineers."
Yinsen hesitated. "Tony…"
Tony frowned. "What's wrong, Yinsen?"
Yinsen sighed softly. "I still want to go back and help my hometown. They're too poor. They need me."
Yinsen's heart was never in the bustling city. He studied hard not to escape poverty but to change it.
Tony exhaled. "Alright. I'll support you with a hundred million. You can build your hometown the way you want."
Yinsen's eyes lit up instantly. "Thank you, Tony. You're a real friend."
Tony waved him off. "It's nothing. It just sucks that it might be hard to see each other again."
Yinsen smiled. "I'll definitely come visit when I have time."
Tony grinned. "Deal. Don't go back on your word."
"Never!"
Yinsen had once saved Tony's life. If it weren't for him, Iron Man — one of the Avengers' Big Three — would've been long gone.
Tony couldn't repay that kind of debt with words. Funding Yinsen's dream was his way of showing it.
"Alright, big guys, let's stop getting sentimental," Leo suddenly said. "I'm starving. Let's get barbecue!"
Tony immediately protested. "No way. I want a cheeseburger, Coke, and fried chicken!"
Pepper smiled and stepped in before another argument could start. "Alright, alright. We'll have everything. We're not short on money."
Corrupted by Tony's casual lifestyle, Pepper sounded almost too natural saying that.
And sure enough, the plan got unanimous agreement.
Within the hour, Pepper had arranged everything — the food, the drinks, and even a couple of barbecue chefs brought to the villa.
Leo stared at the feast, stunned. The wealth of rich people was truly beyond imagination.
Kobe beef, king crabs, Boston lobsters, bluefin tuna, pearl abalone — the works.
He dug in with no shame, enjoying every bite. For someone fresh out of university, this was heaven compared to his usual cheap meals.
Seeing him eat with such enthusiasm, Tony couldn't resist joining in. After months of hell, this was the first time he could actually enjoy a proper meal.
"Mmm… I've never felt this stuff was so good," Tony muttered, devouring everything.
One big lunch later, everyone was full and happy.
Half the afternoon passed just like that.