Skincare Products, or...

Although the restorative potion Oaks concocted did indeed have beautifying, skin-nourishing, and scar-removing effects, this stuff could save lives when used correctly.

Now Tony was saying he wanted to use it as a skincare product?

Well, that wasn't a big deal either; after all, it hadn't yet demonstrated its heaven-defying restorative effects.

Come to think of it, the first person to buy this stuff back then also seemed to be a beauty who wanted to use it to remove a scar?

Could Tony have found a trial report somewhere?

Oaks shook his head. Even if one existed, it wasn't on the small forum where he had originally posted the news. Or perhaps it hadn't been used yet?

"No problem. The restorative potion is five thousand dollars a bottle, clearly priced. As for the effects, they crush any skincare products currently on the market."

"So confident?"

Tony put on a "keep blowing your own horn" expression:

"You know, I'm the type who likes to see things for myself. There are plenty of beauties on magazine covers who don't live up to their reputation, so I always like to have them come over to my place for a closer look."

"Easy enough."

Oaks stood up, grabbed a bottle of the restorative potion, and nodded at Tony:

"Mind if I borrow your driver for a second?"

"Happy, cooperate."

"Yes, sir."

Happy stepped forward, but then looked troubled:

"Uh, sir, I do have scars, but they're in a rather awkward location."

"..."

Tony cast a subtle glance at Happy's backside. The latter felt his sphincter tighten and hurriedly waved his hands:

"No, no, no, it's not hemorrhoids..."

"It doesn't matter, just hold out your hand."

Oaks extended a finger and made a swipe across the back of the right hand Happy held out:

"Pardon the intrusion."

"Ow!"

Happy winced as he saw Oaks's neatly trimmed finger slice a small cut into the back of his hand, drawing blood.

"Do you have a scalpel hidden under your fingernail?"

He had to admit, this kind of business spirit—creating a wound just to demonstrate when there wasn't one—was truly admirable.

It would be even more admirable if it weren't his hand being used for the demonstration.

"Tony, a wound of this size would take several days to heal completely without leaving a trace. So now..."

Oaks dripped a drop of the restorative potion onto Happy's wound.

"Whoa..."

Tony couldn't help but open his mouth in surprise.

Right before his eyes, the moment Happy's wound touched that drop of potion, it began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye. A few dozen seconds later, Happy rubbed the spot with his finger, and it was as if the skin had never been cut at all!

"That's incredible, sir!"

Happy rubbed his eyes and repeatedly rubbed his right hand:

"I felt a very cool sensation on the wound... It healed before it even had a chance to itch!"

"Oaks, are you sure you won't reconsider taking the position of environmental consultant for Stark Industries?"

Tony had already stood up:

"How about my personal health consultant? Five million dollars a year, and you won't have to deal with any of the other shareholders!"

"We'll talk about that later. So, do you understand the effects of the potion now?"

Oaks had to admit he was a bit tempted, but he could have a partnership with Stark Industries—or rather, with Tony Stark—but not in this way.

"If you're willing to invest in New York's environmental development, perhaps I'll accept your health consulting offer."

Oaks screwed the cap back on and tossed the bottle to Happy, who caught it in a panic:

"Hey! This is worth thousands of dollars!"

"New York's environment? Doing charity work?"

Seeing that Oaks hadn't tossed the potion directly to him, Tony curled the corner of his mouth. Although he still tried to maintain his air of superiority, it was clear that the way he looked at Oaks had changed:

"Do you have any idea what I'll do once this potion is in my hands?"

"You'll completely forget about using it for your beautiful assistant's skincare, then you'll analyze it to see if you can replicate it."

Oaks sat back on the sofa, pulled Goose into his lap, and scratched behind her ears, completely unfazed by Tony's competitive gaze:

"Or are you going to buy two bottles? In that case, I have to say, your assistant is quite highly regarded by you."

"Oaks, you really are a delightful bastard."

Tony pinched his mustache and crooked his mouth:

"If I can't analyze your recovery potion within a week, I'll consider investing in New York's environmental protection. Although I'm not a biochemist, I'm top-tier when it comes to analytical instruments."

"I'll wait for your good news."

"Also, give me another bottle."

Oaks raised an eyebrow and placed two bottles on the table:

"The last one was a test, that one's on the house. These two are ten thousand dollars, cash or credit."

Signaling Happy to pay, Tony picked up a bottle of the recovery potion, peering inquisitively at the beautiful, emerald-like liquid inside, and suddenly asked:

"What happens if you drink this stuff?"

"..."

Oaks took the credit card Happy handed over and swiped it through the POS machine, glancing at Tony with a mischievous grin:

"You can try it, but you'd better call and book some beauties in advance—one might not be enough."

The reason the recovery potion had such potent restorative effects was that Oaks had infused it with pure life force.

And what does life force nourish the most?

Naturally, it's anything related to...

Life itself!

"Oh, oh, oh!"

Tony tossed aside the sunglasses he had just pulled out, his eyes gleaming. The way he looked at Oaks now was completely different:

"Perfect!"

Tony snatched up the other bottle, carefully tucked both into his suit breast pocket, walked lightly over to Oaks' side, stared at him very seriously, and lowered his voice:

"From today on, we're friends."

"..."

"Since you don't want to be my private consultant, you should at least be reliable when it comes to friend stuff, right?"

He looked solemn:

"This concerns a friend's physical health and... his reputation."

"Use it with confidence, it's fine."

Oaks gave Happy a strange look. The latter curled his lips and shrugged, then suddenly thought of something, his face turning horrified as he frantically shook his head and waved his hands.

"..."

Oaks coughed lightly, giving up on suggesting he find someone to test it on:

"Alright Tony, don't drink it all at once. A single drop of this stuff is enough to power you through a half-marathon."

"Snap!"

Tony snapped his fingers, the corners of his mouth curling up.

"Happy, pack up all the green plants in the shop and have the airline air-freight them to the Malibu villa! Also, book all the cover models from last week's top ten national entertainment magazines; there's a grand party tonight!"

Watching Tony, who couldn't wait any longer, Oaks silently swiped Happy's credit card again and pulled a jar from under the counter:

"The coffee beans from earlier—a gift for purchasing the recovery potions."

Watching Tony, who had already rushed out the door in his impatience, Oaks curled his lips at the bitter-looking Happy:

"Keep that bottle of yours safe. If he can't get up tomorrow, it might just save his life."

"I'm wondering how to explain this to Miss Pepper."

"I'll save you one of the best plants; you can send it to her in Tony's name."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Oaks!"

"Don't mention it, just enter your PIN."

"..."