Intent to Cooperate

"This is the Arc Reactor, the technology Stark Industries is proudest of."

After a morning of touring, even with a mobility scooter, Obadiah felt somewhat exhausted. He regretted coming personally to handle this. Wouldn't it have been enough to simply order one of his subordinates to do it? Instead, he had worn himself out.

"So, do you want to touch it?"

After spending the morning together, Obadiah had noticed one of Chen Mu's "quirks." Whenever Chen Mu saw something good, he wanted to touch it. He might not necessarily pick it up for a closer look, but he absolutely had to touch it, like some kind of illness!

Thus, Obadiah asked with a measure of speechlessness.

Obadiah even felt a little depressed. Had he found a flawed spokesperson? If he had known, he could have picked someone else to promote Jarvis in China. Why had it ended up being Chen Mu?

Of course, the choice of Chen Mu had mostly been a coincidence. Obadiah had just come up with this plan when Chen Mu happened to approach him. Moreover, Chen Mu had shut down their competitor Justin Hammer the day before, putting Obadiah in a good mood. Chen Mu also had enough of a background to take on the task, which was why Obadiah chose him.

"Of course!"

Looking at the enormous Arc Reactor, Chen Mu's eyes filled with excitement.

Now this was the real deal!

This thing was practically a nuclear reactor. It was the same kind of thing as the reactor in Iron Man's chest, capable of generating enormous energy. At the same time, it was an essential power source for the Iron Armor.

Of course, the reactor before him was a large-scale Arc Reactor, far too huge to be used in Iron Armor. It had to be miniaturized before it could power the Iron Armor.

Still, this was immensely valuable to Chen Mu. Compared with the Arc Reactor in Iron Man's chest, a large-scale Arc Reactor could provide far more energy. This thing was practically a nuclear reactor. Mastering this technology alone would be enough for Chen Mu to carve out a place in the energy industry!

"Go ahead..."

Obadiah was utterly speechless, but he still waved a hand, his heart full of helplessness. Chen Mu was such a country bumpkin—it was unbelievable!

Analysis: 98%, 99%, 100%!

As the analysis progress rose, Chen Mu became even more excited. To Obadiah, it looked as though Chen Mu had become possessed after touching the reactor.

There was seriously something wrong with him!

Was China's technology really so backward that seeing advanced technology could make someone this uncontrollably excited?

How embarrassing!

Naturally, Obadiah did not know that Chen Mu was so excited because Obadiah had enabled him to obtain the advanced technology of the Arc Reactor. Anyone in this world would have worn the same expression after acquiring such technology—perhaps even more exaggeratedly so!

"All right, you've seen most of the projects. I just received word that Tony has returned to the United States. He just got off the plane and will be back at the industrial park soon, so I need to pick him up."

Obadiah checked his watch and said to Chen Mu beside him, "Mr. Chen Mu, come with me as well. You can discuss the next part of the plan with Tony."

At that moment, Obadiah did not know that the first thing Tony would do upon returning was shut down the weapons manufacturing division, Stark Industries' largest source of income!

"I'd be delighted!"

Chen Mu nodded and came back to his senses. Having obtained the complete technology for the Arc Reactor, he was no longer particularly interested in the physical reactor itself.

"Mr. Tony has always been my idol. He is also a very famous figure in China."

"Haha, is that so?"

Obadiah laughed three times, though there was displeasure in his eyes.

That rebellious Tony had caused him no end of trouble. This time, he had arranged for the Ten Rings to kill Tony, yet Tony had somehow escaped!

Those useless fools who could accomplish nothing and ruin everything had made him extremely unhappy!

Now, hearing Chen Mu "flatter" Tony made him feel even worse.

"Let's go. For some reason, Tony said on the way here that he wanted to hold a press conference. A whole crowd of reporters who smelled blood are already waiting at the entrance to the industrial park."

As he said this, Obadiah appeared even more displeased. No matter where he was, Tony always seemed to want to be the center of attention!

After narrowly escaping death, shouldn't he just go back and quietly lick his wounds? Why hold a press conference?

Was he sick?

"Perhaps Mr. Tony has something important to announce?"

Chen Mu shrugged as he spoke.

Naturally, he knew very well that Tony had discovered the terrorists who kidnapped him were using weapons made by his own company. After learning that they had used his weapons to slaughter innocent civilians, Tony felt ashamed and decided to shut down the weapons division.

That was precisely why he was holding the press conference.

"Perhaps."

Obadiah nodded expressionlessly, then drove off on his mobility scooter. Chen Mu followed closely behind. He also wanted to see this world's undisputed "protagonist," Iron Man—Tony Stark!

The mobility scooters were not slow. Before long, Chen Mu and Obadiah arrived at the entrance of Stark Industries. By then, many reporters who had received the news had gathered there. At the sight of Obadiah, countless camera flashes began to flicker.

"Mr. Obadiah, was Tony kidnapped during this period?"

"Mr. Obadiah, how did Tony escape? Was he rescued by the military, or was he ransomed by Stark Industries?"

"Mr. Obadiah, who is the gentleman behind you? Is he Stark's newest partner?"

As Obadiah appeared, the reporters rushed to ask questions, leaving Chen Mu behind him feeling somewhat awkward.

If reporters chased him around like this in the future, it would definitely be a headache, wouldn't it?

"Everyone, I'm glad that you're all so concerned about Tony. He will be back shortly. If you have any questions, you can ask him then. As for his kidnapping several days ago, I do not know much about it myself."

Though he said that, Chen Mu behind him knew very well: wasn't Tony's kidnapping planned by Obadiah himself?

"As for this gentleman, he is Chen from China..."

"He's here! Tony is back!"

Obadiah was in the middle of introducing him when someone interrupted. Several cars were approaching from the distance. Clearly, Tony had returned.

Every reporter immediately shifted targets. No one paid Obadiah any further attention as they rushed toward Tony, leaving Obadiah's face dark.

At that moment, Chen Mu somewhat understood why Obadiah wanted to kill Tony. Tony was simply too dazzling, eclipsing everyone else. At a moment like this, Obadiah had been directly ignored!

Anyone would find that hard to accept. Proud and arrogant as Obadiah was, he could endure it even less. No wonder he wanted Tony dead. It was infuriating!