Tony's final remarks caused a huge uproar. Discussions of all kinds flew around. In Hong Fei's eyes, this was a clear sign that Tony's wings had hardened. According to his speculation, Tony should not only have built the Mark III, but even subsequent models were already taking shape. Rage gave him motivation, the armor gave him confidence, and the fact that S.H.I.E.L.D. helped him devise a strategy to maintain his Hidden Identity further stimulated the pride within his heart.
After his rationality was instantly defeated, he confessed everything and proudly, yet angrily, declared war on his enemies. Hong Fei didn't think he was the one who should be having a headache right now. Tony was always in the open, while he remained in the dark, maintaining the initiative. At worst, he could just change his equipment and mask, as no one stipulated what he had to wear. Now, it was S.H.I.E.L.D., the Military, and the police who should be worried.
They didn't know if Hong Fei would be enraged by Tony's declaration of war, nor did they know what methods Hong Fei had or when he would appear. The looming, unreleased tension was more threatening to them. As for the content of the declaration of war, Hong Fei just laughed it off. After today, not only Tony, but also those around him, as well as the entire Stark Tower, would be firmly watched by S.H.I.E.L.D., the Military, and the police, who were eager to find the perpetrator of the shelling, would not give up their surveillance either.
He would have to be a fool to angrily seek revenge on Tony. Petty squabbles were not worth mentioning. Putting this arrogant guy aside for the moment, a day later, Hong Fei welcomed the first guest to his new home. As the last trace of the sunset disappeared on the horizon, a woman wearing a long dress and with a beautiful appearance stepped out of the car in front of Hong Fei.
"Dr. Cho, welcome!" Hong Fei appeared very happy, as if her arrival truly made his home shine. Dr. Helen Cho hid the surprise in her eyes and smiled, saying, "Mr. Hong, thank you for your invitation."
"Haha, you're welcome. Come inside, let's sit down and chat slowly." Arriving in the living room, No. 1 changed into a butler's attire to guide the two to their seats, served tea and refreshments, and then quietly left. The spacious, bright, and luxurious living room was silent, but Dr. Helen Cho didn't show any signs of timidity, maintaining a polite smile on her face the whole time. Hong Fei took the initiative to speak: "Dr. Cho, are you Korean?" "Yes. Mr. Hong, are you Chinese?" Hong Fei switched to Korean and said, "That's right.
"I heard of you when I was in Korea, and now we've finally met." Dr. Helen Cho's eyes lit up. She said in Chinese, "I didn't expect Mr. Hong to actually speak Korean. Which places in Korea have you been to?"
Knowing a few phrases of Korean wasn't strange, and he had actually been to quite a few places in Korea. He'd visited basically every place with a large Taekwondo gym, though he'd mostly fought his way in. However, quite a few Koreans truly lacked martial ethics. If they couldn't beat him during the day, they'd pick up guns at night, trying to silence him.
Therefore, in that place, what Hong Fei grew fastest in wasn't kung fu, but marksmanship. "Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, and so on. I've been to many places. Dr. Cho, your Chinese is also very good."
"I've also been to China. There's a lot of food there that I like to eat, and also very beautiful scenery..." Subsequently, the two had a casual chat, and their relationship grew much closer. After No. 1 refilled their tea several times, Dr. Helen Cho looked at the sky, her smile fading slightly. "Mr. Hong, you established a private biological laboratory. I wonder which aspect you want to step into for research?"
Upon hearing this, Hong Fei laughed freely. "Dr. Cho, you should know that Gonggong Laboratory was just established not long ago, and it was the day before I sent you the invitation, so my idea is very obvious." Hong Fei leaned forward, meeting Dr. Helen Cho's eyes. "The direction you are capable of researching is the field I want to step into." This was indeed his heartfelt words. He needed a Doctor-type character. Dr. Helen Cho combined technology and medicine very well. In the future, researching other biological fields wouldn't exceed her capabilities. Helping to look at the Arc Reactor wasn't impossible, either—it wasn't like he was asking her to change careers. Dr. Helen Cho's comprehensive ability truly met his needs. But Hong Fei's words seemed to have caused some ambiguity in her heart. Seeing her smile completely fade, she sat up straight and said solemnly, "Mr. Hong, biotechnology research is a major field. It has very high requirements for both equipment and talent.
Private laboratories are not non-existent, but they are all carried out in cooperation with many enterprises or even governments. If you're just holding a playful mindset, I advise you not to waste your funds." Hong Fei was stunned. "I don't have a playful mindset. I am very serious."
"Then what do you know about the current development of biotechnology in the World?"
"Do you know who the most well-known biological scientists in the World are right now?"
"What about the top biotechnology companies?"
"What are the most cutting-edge research directions at the moment?"
Hong Fei blinked, his brow furrowing.
Dr. Helen Cho watched his expression and shook her head slightly. "Mr. Hong, as an investor and business owner, you don't understand the direction and prospects of this industry at all. That's why I feel there's no need for you to waste funds."
"But I'm really not joking."
"Mr. Hong!" Dr. Helen Cho's voice rose, her delicate brows furrowing. "I'm also not joking. If that's all you wanted to say, then I think tonight's meeting can end here."
Hong Fei raised an eyebrow. Seeing Dr. Helen Cho pick up her bag and start to rise, Hong Fei said again, "My purpose in establishing Gonggong Laboratory is to solve some medical problems."
Um, to solve the medical problems that Frank and I will encounter.
Dr. Helen Cho's body stiffened, and she looked back at Hong Fei. "I really don't understand biotechnology, but I know that people will get sick or injured, and they will need medical treatment. I've heard of those so-called cutting-edge research directions, but I have no interest in them. I have only one purpose: to cure diseases and save lives! This doesn't deviate from your actual research. I only care about the actual ability you demonstrate, nothing else. Finally, I have prepared 500 million U.S. dollars. If that's not enough, we can add more."
Five hundred million was Hong Fei's limit.
After the Afghanistan operation ended, Hong Fei had harvested a total of 800 million. One hundred million was given to Frank and the five numbered people as rewards; thirty million was left to No. 4 and No. 5 in Sokovia as funds. Repaying loans, buying the manor, and so on cost about another 100 million, so he now had 570 million left.
Throwing the bulk of it into the laboratory was enough to prove how much he valued Gonggong Laboratory and Dr. Helen Cho.
Dr. Helen Cho sat back down, her brow smoothing slightly. "Mr. Hong, can you talk about your thoughts?"
Upon hearing this, Hong Fei sighed again. He spread his hands and said, "To tell the truth, I haven't really considered it too much. I think these things should be planned by a professional. I don't want much—just to cure diseases and save lives."
More importantly, in the future, Hong Fei would definitely bring back many strange things. If there was no one to research them then, wouldn't it be a waste? Curing diseases and saving lives was correct. If there were achievements and they were promoted, then this was undoubtedly a good thing. Since he knew she would have the Regeneration Cradle in the future, even if he had to pay out of pocket now, Hong Fei was determined to do it.
However, these words were difficult to tell Dr. Helen Cho directly for now, otherwise the other party would still think that Hong Fei just wanted to spend money to hit on her. Spending so much money to pick up girls? Hong Fei wasn't that stupid.