Let's Go Swimming and Get Fit

After handing the "Break the Cauldron" weight loss package to Happy, Tony Stark basically forgot about Kraft. It was just a small diversion in his simple, unadorned, and boring rich life, no different from the magazine cover girls he forgot after sleeping with them.

However, after a few weeks, Stark was surprised by the changes in his bodyguard, Happy.

Staring at Happy, whom he hadn't seen in days, Stark asked in surprise, "You actually succeeded in losing weight?"

Stark said this while patting Happy's belly, which was now significantly smaller.

His surprise was completely justified. As Stark's bodyguard, Happy's job was incredibly leisurely. Besides driving him around and blocking reporters, he had no other tasks. And when Stark got inspired and went into his lab, Happy would get extended periods of vacation.

Happy had once been a strapping young man with an eight-pack, but this damned decadent life had changed him.

Happy had also intended to work out properly, but laziness was one of the original sins. Without work pressure, Happy would give up after not being able to stick with it for long.

It wasn't until Stark gave him that weight loss set, making Happy mistakenly believe that Stark was dissatisfied with his work attitude, that he finally resolved to train himself rigorously.

However...

"Which personal trainer is so amazing that they could help you shed that layer of fat? You losing so much weight so suddenly makes me a little unaccustomed to it."

Listen to that, listen to that! Is that something a person would say?!

Happy's lips trembled as he pointed at Stark, too angry to speak, his eyes full of accusation.

Mr. Tony Stark was completely bewildered, not understanding why his bodyguard was so agitated.

"It's all because of your damned gift!"

Happy, who had been holding back for a long time, finally roared. Once he started talking, he began to complain volubly to Stark about how hard he had been working and how miserable his recent life had been.

And you've completely forgotten about it!

Happy's gaze towards Stark grew increasingly furious.

"Oh, alright, I apologize, Happy... I also didn't expect that little kid's strange invention would have such a significant effect, and you misunderstood my intentions..."

Tony Stark raised his hand, gently placating his bodyguard and friend, though his tone was a bit strange, clearly trying to suppress a laugh.

"You're still laughing!"

"Sorry, Happy..."

Not wanting to provoke Happy further, Stark quickly covered his mouth, but the amusement in his eyes couldn't be contained. After enduring it for a while, Tony Stark, who was used to letting loose, couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha! I'm sorry, Happy, this is just too funny... Hahahaha!"

After a bout of wild laughter, Stark finally used his usual and effective "money power" to appease Happy. However, it was precisely because of this incident that Stark's interest in Kraft's inventions was rekindled.

"Jarvis, bring up the channel of that kid who invented the exercise treadmill."

After sending Happy away, Stark, while he still remembered, ordered Jarvis to bring up Kraft's Clever Hands Channel and began browsing his past videos.

Most of the videos Kraft uploaded were knock-offs from Shou Gong Geng. The technical content wasn't very high; it was mainly the quirky and interesting brainwaves that made them fun. So, Stark basically watched them for entertainment.

Until he discovered Kraft's videos about the Mohist mechanical lock.

"Hmm? This Puzzle is quite interesting."

With Tony Stark's intelligence, he immediately recognized the ingenious design core of the mechanical lock displayed in Kraft's video. He quickly closed the video because he didn't want to be spoiled. He felt that dismantling such things himself would be more enjoyable.

"Jarvis, buy all types of... mechanical locks from the Clever Hands Channel, is that the name? Buy them all... Never mind, just get me one of every product!"

Stark waved his hand generously, unleashing his "money power" and began to sweep through Kraft's channel.

Then, the major media outlets in New York suddenly noticed that Tony Stark, the darling of the news, had, at some point, started taking out several strangely shaped small wooden blocks from his pocket to fiddle with in his spare time. Sometimes, he would even ignore beautiful women who approached him to strike up a conversation.

Playboy Tony Stark has changed his ways!

This major discovery drove the media in New York and even across America into a frenzy. Major headlines and television programs began discussing Tony Stark's recent changes and analyzing the reasons behind them. Naturally, some people traced back the origin of the small wooden blocks that made Stark ignore beautiful women.

It's Dr. Kraft, the Clever Hands Doctor, Lee again!

This discovery made the media's celebration even more boisterous. Especially when Tony Stark said in an interview, "These small wooden blocks are quite interesting, much more fun than a Rubik's Cube. That kid Kraft has a lot of ideas. If he successfully graduates from college, Stark Industries' doors will always be open to him." This caused the New York media to flock to Chinatown, digging up everything related to Kraft.

Fortunately, Martin Lee's influence was already considerable, allowing him to cover things up. The media only found out about the public aspects of Kraft's life. Some of their dark history, such as their escape from the Magia Gang and being abducted for human experiments, was concealed by Martin. Very little information was reported, which saved Kraft from a lot of unnecessary trouble.

However, Kraft was still constantly bothered. He couldn't even go to school anymore and had to stay at home and in his workshop to conduct research. Even though he loved making these things, being forced to do them constantly made him tired. Moreover, there were also the numerous orders for mechanical locks that Stark had brought about...

Kraft wished he could stuff all these mechanical locks down Tony Stark's throat!

Just as he was falling into distress, Martin Lee stepped in again.

"Don't look so glum, Kraft."

Martin Lee sat down beside Kraft with a smile, put his arm around his shoulders, and patted him gently.

"Haven't you always said your experiments lacked funding? Now is a great opportunity!"

Seeing Kraft still looking confused, Martin patiently explained.

"Your mechanical locks are different from the previous weight loss sets. They have a deeper mass appeal, and Stark, the media darling, has even given them free advertising. As long as you expand the sales of your mechanical locks, even if they don't replace the Rubik's Cube, at least your funding won't be an issue. And you won't have to spend your energy manufacturing them anymore; you just need to release new designs from time to time, and the factory will handle the rest."

Kraft's eyes lit up at this, but he quickly slumped again. "Where would I get the money to open a factory and expand production..."

"Have you gone stupid from making things!" Martin said with a laugh, tapping Kraft's head. "I'll provide the funding, and we can recruit staff from the shelter. You just need to be responsible for the designs and wait to collect your share of the profits."

"Oh! Martin! I love you to death!"

Kraft jumped up happily, threw his arms around Martin's neck, and shouted.

Before, Martin Lee and Kraft had talked about his business taking off and making a lot of money, but Kraft didn't really have a concept of that then.

What he considered making a lot of money was probably just Martin being able to afford them a place to live in a more upscale residential area in Chinatown, and having extra money to help out the homeless.

After all, Martin drove a regular Ford, not even a sports car, so how much money could he possibly have?

But when Kraft saw Martin make a phone call and have everything related to the mechanical lock company, factories, trademarks, and sales channels quickly sorted out in just a few days, he realized that the "lot of money" his adoptive father talked about was likely a truly significant amount.

Selling those bottles and jars was this profitable?

Actually, Kraft wasn't too clear on what business Martin was currently involved in. He never paid attention to such things. What he did know was that Martin used to sell some bottles and jars, as well as some strangely shaped statues, which were supposedly antiques.

Although surprised by Martin's ability to make money, Kraft quickly became happy after his initial astonishment. At least he didn't have to worry about Martin being bankrupted by that shelter, and once the mechanical lock factory was up and running, he would have enough funds to try out some of the more advanced inventions from his dreams.

As for the Clever Hands Channel, which had caused him so much trouble, Kraft was ready to give up on it.

"Nooooo—!!!"

Fatty Liao lunged forward the moment he heard the news, grabbing Kraft's leg and wailing.

"We agreed on cooperation for mutual benefit, you can't just abandon me like this! Besides, isn't this too much for those fans who support you?"

Kraft was very helpless in the face of Fatty Liao's shamelessness, but since he was a partner who had started up with him in the early days, abandoning him outright wasn't appropriate. Moreover, what he said at the end made sense; he couldn't easily give up on the fans who subscribed to his channel just because of that troublesome guy Stark.

"Alright, alright, I'll still shoot some videos of interesting inventions for you in the future. I won't manage the specifics of how you operate them."

Kraft impatiently kicked his leg.

"Get off me, you're too heavy!"

"I knew you were loyal, Kraft! You're practically Zuo Botao reborn, Guan Erye reincarnated!"

Fatty Liao stood up with a speed uncharacteristic of his build. The previously mournful, chubby face instantly switched to a radiant smile. He happily patted Kraft's back, showering him with praise without any restraint.

"Get lost!"

The literal translation of Puzzle is "intellectual game" and "enigma." In foreign countries, puzzle games and items are generally referred to by this term.

My English is actually quite poor; this is knowledge I gained from watching videos online.

I made a cover, which can barely be considered a preview, or perhaps a spoiler? Of course, Kraft dreamed of more than just these few, but the props for some of the characters inside are quite important.