A Surprise

Oaks had only been talking big.

These magical green plants had no ability to reproduce on their own. Their extremely efficient photosynthesis merely sustained normal growth while meeting their equally extraordinary purification efficiency.

So every potted plant had been personally cultivated by Oaks using Nature Magic. If he had to supply the needs of two Stark Industries factories...

Even if it was only their offices, it would exhaust him.

Besides, industrial demand on that scale was never his current goal—these were merely early products, meant to build a reputation.

Making money would begin when he could mass-produce seeds.

When that time came... heh heh, could Stark Industries possibly compare to him, someone who grew dollars from the soil?

Obviously not!

Who the hell said Druids could only sell Silver Scale Chestplates?

With beautiful dreams in his heart, Oaks tossed the newspaper aside and packed the remaining four potted plants with Zhang.

"I'll help you carry them to the car!"

After the blonde beauty swiped her card with flair, Zhang's movements visibly became faster. Oaks nodded in satisfaction. That showed the kid was beginning to feel a sense of belonging to the shop.

"Ah, but I rode here on a motorcycle."

The blonde beauty blinked, looking slightly troubled.

"Don't you deliver?"

"Uh, of course we can. You can head back first. It shouldn't take too long... probably?"

Zhang coughed twice and turned to Oaks.

"So, boss, we do offer delivery, right?"

"Do you have a driver's license?"

Oaks pulled out a set of car keys.

"I do have a car, but I need to prepare more stock. I don't have time to deliver."

"Yes, I've already exchanged it for a New York driver's license."

Zhang patted his chest confidently.

"I'm a seasoned driver with a whole year of experience!"

"...You just got past the probationary period! Still, I'm counting on you. Here."

"But I haven't seen a car around these past few days. Mr. Oaks, where did you park it?"

Two minutes later, the three of them stood in front of a tiny car.

"What kind of car is this?!"

Zhang took a deep breath, pushed up his glasses, and stared in disbelief.

"I've never seen one before!"

"I know this one."

The blonde beauty covered her mouth and chuckled.

"A Smart, a new model Mercedes-Benz released this January. It's been selling in Europe for years, though. It's a two-seater.

It looks like a toy, but it really is a car, and it isn't any cheaper than ordinary models.

Most importantly..."

She pointed at where it was parked: a narrow rectangular space wedged between two flowerbeds. The little car was hidden by flowers and grass, no wonder Zhang had missed it.

"It can park pretty much anywhere."

"Exactly. This house doesn't even have a garage."

Oaks showed no embarrassment at all as he stepped forward and opened the trunk.

"Ah... looks like the trunk can only fit two pots. These ones are rather large."

"I should just take a taxi for the delivery."

Zhang pushed up his glasses. After bragging, he was starting to lose confidence.

"I think I need some dedicated time to get used to... this little guy."

The smallest car he had ever seen was probably a Chery QQ, around three and a half meters long. This little car was only two and a half meters long!

"Taxi fare isn't reimbursable."

"...To err is human. Sir, you're merely stingy."

"Dear Zhang, shall we discuss the matter of an advance on your salary?"

"Ha, ha, ha, Mr. Oaks, you're being too formal. Isn't it just taking a taxi? I'll deliver the goods right away and guarantee the customer's satisfaction!"

Brooklyn, an old two-story building.

Unlike many noisy, trendy neighborhoods, this place was very quiet. Perhaps it was because most of its residents were elderly.

The government seemed to pay this old neighborhood a bit of attention. It was visibly rather clean and tidy, and the spending on public sanitation was probably as much as that of ten other neighborhoods combined.

After all, New York's largest Captain America Memorial Museum was here.

Screech—!

With the sharp sound of brakes, a cool Harley-Davidson Motorcycle stopped beside the building.

The female rider took off her helmet, tossed her beautiful blonde hair, and curled her lips at the latest Audi R8 convertible parked nearby.

New York traffic was simply too terrible. That was why she rode a motorcycle.

After shutting off the engine, she took out her keys. She had barely reached the door when her brows rose again—

Before even opening the door, she could hear an incessant voice inside.

"Narcissist."

Muttering helplessly, she opened the door and entered. The voice became clearer.

"Aunt Peggy, I told you long ago that this old house could use some of the latest technology from our company.

For example, holographic projections, smart displays, an immersive home theater, even mechanical arms that can fetch your medicine bottles—definitely more advanced than Dummy."

"And the air purification system we recently developed may be for industrial use, but the civilian version we're about to release won't be any less efficient.

There isn't much formaldehyde here, but you know what New York's overall air quality is like."

"Hehe... Little Tony, thank you for your concern, but I prefer to keep things as they are."

Peggy Carter, her hair completely white, leaned against the sofa. Holding a cane, she smiled at the white man seated on the sofa across from her, who was chattering away without pause.

He had curly hair, a flamboyantly styled little mustache, and an arrogant, high-spirited expression.

"Well, what a shame. Aunt Peggy, your tastes are the exact opposite of mine. One of my greatest virtues is getting tired of the old and embracing the new."

"Oh? Sharon, you're back?"

Seeing the blonde beauty enter, Peggy Carter quickly changed the subject.

"Little Tony has already helped me settle my luggage."

"Oh, look who's back. Our beautiful lady."

Tony stroked his chin, stood up, and tilted his head at Sharon Carter, who had just entered.

"You rushed out so eagerly. Did you find some kind of surprise?"

"Of course. A rather big surprise."

Sharon Carter spread her hands.

"But first, I have to thank you for taking care of Aunt Peggy for the time being... Honestly, it's hard for me to imagine you personally driving to Washington to pick her up."

"After all, the great Tony Stark is such a busy man that people can only see him in the news."

"I prefer it when you say people can only see me in the tabloids."

Tony shrugged, striking an irresistibly charming pose. He narrowed his eyes slightly, and a faint electrical hum seemed to sound in the air.

"Didn't you notice that I only drove personally because you came back after graduating this year?"

"Oh, Little Tony, that really hurts my feelings."

Peggy Carter chuckled, making Tony shudder.

"Back then, Howard at least wouldn't dare flirt with female subordinates in front of me. Sharon is my niece."

"Ah, what I meant was, remembering how you used to beat up my bastard father is why I came over to chat and reminisce with you."

Tony seriously tugged at his collar, sat back down on the sofa, and raised a brow.

"Anyway, beautiful, what's the surprise?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

Sharon walked over and poured Aunt Peggy a cup of tea, ignoring Tony.

"Aunt Peggy, Mrs. Brown next door was right after all. The green plants from that shop are truly amazing. You'll definitely be satisfied."

Glancing at Tony's utterly unconcerned expression, Sharon gave him a provocative smile.

"They're far more reliable than the air purification system developed by our genius."

Tony: "Huh?"