Was It Him?

The noise of the crowd roared all around them. Though this was a partially civilian military base, it still couldn't keep out the media, who had come in search of a story.

Tony Stark, a top billionaire, had been missing in the desert for a month and a half. Now he had suddenly reappeared, and it was hard to imagine a better news story. In this age of lightning-fast communication, it was no surprise that the reporters had made it to the base.

The media were packed behind the cordon, desperate to get a first-hand account and a closer look at the playboy. Their cameras flashed wildly, burning through countless rolls of film.

Fang Bie and Yinsen got off the plane with Tony, through the cargo hatch at the rear. Unlike the narrow passenger stairs nearby, this exit could accommodate more people at once.

Tony had long since changed out of the leather jacket he'd worn for who knew how long, which had even begun to rot and stink. He'd put on one of his flashy suit jackets instead and stepped off the plane looking full of life.

Colonel Rhodes followed at his side, with Fang Bie close behind. Under the soldiers' watchful eyes, the three of them slowly disembarked, skirted the crowd of reporters, and found the car waiting for them.

Fang Bie had some idea of what to expect and wasn't particularly bothered by the situation, but the conspicuously large, chubby man had made a deep impression on him.

Even in these circumstances, the chubby man beamed at them all. He even opened the car door and welcomed his boss as if this were an ordinary outing, rather than Tony's return from the brink of death.

If everyone didn't already know that this was just the way he was—and if Fang Bie hadn't known how devoted the driver was—it would have been hard to connect him with the role of bodyguard and chauffeur to such an important person.

Standing in front of the car was a beautiful woman, presumably Tony Stark's confidante and future wife, Pepper Potts.

Tony still wore his usual carefree, slightly flirtatious expression as he looked at his secretary, though he seemed a little nervous. "What's wrong? Your eyes are all red. Were you upset about your boss going missing?"

Pepper's eyes were red as she replied, "I'm happy. I'm happy I don't have to look for another job."

Tony gave her a surprised look, then nodded. "Right. We should get back to work!"

Behind them, Yinsen and Fang Bie whispered to each other. "Everyone says Tony's a playboy, but it feels like he's already fallen for her."

Fang Bie stared in surprise at the bald man beside him. The medical doctor from Denmark seemed to know a thing or two about romance; otherwise, he wouldn't have made such an astute observation out of nowhere.

"You're good at guessing. My God, I was thinking the same thing!" Fang Bie whispered back.

But just as the two of them thought their voices wouldn't carry to the people up front, Tony suddenly turned around.

"Hey! Yinsen, Fang Bie, stop talking behind my back. Get in the car. We're heading back!"

The two of them shrugged in perfect unison, exchanged a glance, and followed him into the car.

The media, resourceful enough to track them all the way to a military base, still couldn't get so much as a glimpse of the playboy. Instead, they were left far behind as the sturdy, spacious stretch Rolls-Royce slowly drove out of the airport.

"Happy, get us moving. Let's grab a cheeseburger first..." Tony gave the driver his instructions, then turned to face the two passengers in the car.

Pepper wasn't riding with them. She was in the bodyguard car behind them, which was another sign of how much Tony valued the two men.

"I think you'll love these burgers. I've always liked them."

"No, no, Tony. I think that's just you. I hate the taste of cheese!" Yinsen sounded as if he truly couldn't stand it and quickly refused.

"Same here. I don't think I could stomach cheese either. I'd be grateful if you got me a KFC burger," Fang Bie added.

"Oh, you're missing out on a delicacy, but that's no problem." Tony snapped his fingers, and another voice suddenly sounded in the car.

"Welcome back, sir. How may I assist you?" The voice was clear, but carried a faint mechanical buzz. There was no doubt about it: this was Jarvis, the most prominent male character in the Iron Man series.

"Oh!" Tony responded, pointing at the two men beside him. "My friends would like lunch tailored to their individual tastes. Arrange something for them."

"Of course, sir." Jarvis quickly withdrew from the conversation, leaving Tony grinning. He seemed to think having a mechanical butler was something worth bragging about in front of the two of them.

"That way, we can have lunch while holding the press conference I want with those annoying reporters," Tony said with a smile. "Fang Bie, Yinsen, you two stay in the car. Once I'm done with the press conference, I'll arrange rooms for you."

"Okay, okay!" As a true loner, Fang Bie had no objections. Yinsen felt the same.

In fact, they knew only Tony in this vast country. They weren't worried he would betray them, so they accepted the arrangement without a second thought.

Everything felt completely new to Fang Bie, as though the world of a movie had suddenly become reality. Only the block he held tightly in his hand gave him any sense of security. With the abilities it granted him, he had the means to make his way in this world.

The car soon pulled up at a press conference surrounded by reporters. They had gotten the news astonishingly fast.

Tony and Fang Bie were munching on their burgers, while Dr. Yinsen behind them was eating with gusto. The venue was already packed with all kinds of journalists.

Fang Bie quietly placed something in Tony's hand: a small golden apple. Then he whispered to him:

"Be careful. Anyone around you could be the one who sent you into the desert. This Golden Apple can protect you from danger to your life. Eat it if you ever need to."

Of course, Fang Bie couldn't tell him outright that his uncle was behind it all. Even if Tony trusted him, he would probably have doubts if he heard something like that.

So Fang Bie quietly hinted at the danger instead. He said no more, returned to his seat to eat his burger, and watched Tony and Pepper walk into the venue.

His keen eyes caught sight of a suited man with a troublingly receding hairline, smiling as he followed the two of them inside.

"Was it him?" Fang Bie realized. He truly didn't remember this detail.