Given that Li Congxin and Tony's relationship had yet to fully recover, everyone merely nodded politely when they met, counting that as a greeting, before entering the venue separately and then sitting together.
No one knew whether Hammer had done it intentionally or not, but that was how the invitations had been arranged. Everyone took their assigned seats, naturally ending up together.
Perhaps she was still indignant on Tony's behalf, Little Pepper chose to sit on the other side, leaving Natasha to sit beside Li Congxin and the others.
Li Congxin did not mind. After all, he had protected Tony's father's murderer. How could their relationship possibly thaw so quickly?
With a faint smile, he lowered his voice and asked Natasha, "You finished dealing with things at S.H.I.E.L.D. that quickly? You even had time to come out and take on another mission?"
Natasha kept a stern expression and replied in a strictly businesslike tone, "Sorry, Mr. Clark, but I'm not in a position to answer any of your questions right now, even if they're personal. After all, I've only recently become Miss Potts's personal assistant. I don't want her to suspect that I'm a corporate spy sent by you."
Although Little Pepper had not heard Li Congxin's earlier question clearly, she was quite satisfied with Natasha's answer. She generously gave her a thumbs-up, barely short of saying, "Beautifully retorted."
You're a spy, and the most professional one in the world at that. No contest!
Of course, Li Congxin could only silently gripe about that in his heart. On the surface, he merely shrugged as if his attempt at conversation had failed. Just then, the lights in the venue suddenly dimmed. The head of Hammer Industries, Justin Hammer, then slowly emerged from backstage, dancing to the tune of "The Reforming Spring