Helen Zhao

Tony's final remarks caused an uproar, sparking endless discussion.

In Hong Fei's eyes, this was clearly a case of someone whose wings had grown strong.

By his estimation, Tony had not only finished Mark III, but had likely already developed prototypes for later models as well.

Anger had given him motivation, the armor had given him confidence, and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s assistance in devising a plan to conceal his Hidden Identity had further stirred the pride in his heart.

The moment reason was defeated, he admitted everything and proudly, angrily declared war on his enemies.

Hong Fei did not think he was the one who should be worried now. Tony had always been in the open, while he remained in the shadows and held the initiative. At worst, he could change his gear and put on a different mask. No one had ever said what he had to wear.

The ones who should be troubled now were S.H.I.E.L.D., the military, and the police.

They did not know whether Tony's declaration of war would provoke Hong Fei, nor did they know what methods Hong Fei possessed or when he might appear.

A situation poised to erupt but not yet unleashed felt even more threatening to them.

As for the declaration itself, Hong Fei merely laughed it off.

After today, not only Tony, but everyone around him and the entirety of Stark Tower would be kept under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s close watch. The military and police, eager to find the culprit behind the shelling, would not give up their surveillance either.

He would have to be an idiot to march up to Tony's door in anger and seek revenge.

A contest of pride was not worth mentioning.

Putting that arrogant fellow aside for the moment, another day passed, and Hong Fei welcomed the first guest to his new home.

As the last sliver of sunset vanished beyond the horizon, a beautiful woman in a long dress stepped out of the car before him.

"Dr. Zhao, welcome!"

Hong Fei appeared exceedingly delighted, as though her arrival had truly brought honor to his humble home.

Helen Zhao hid the surprise in her eyes and smiled. "Mr. Hong, thank you for your invitation."

"Haha, no need to be so polite. Come inside first. We can sit down and talk."

When they reached the living room, Number One, dressed as a butler, guided them to their seats, served tea and refreshments, then quietly departed.

The spacious, bright, luxurious living room was silent, but Helen Zhao showed no timidity. A polite smile remained on her face throughout.

Hong Fei took the initiative. "Dr. Zhao, are you of Korean descent?"

"Yes. Mr. Hong, are you of Chinese descent?"

Hong Fei switched to Korean. "That's right. I heard of you when I visited Korea before. Now we've finally met."

Helen Zhao's eyes lit up. She replied in Chinese, "I didn't expect Mr. Hong to speak Korean too. What places in Korea have you visited?"

Knowing a few Korean phrases was nothing unusual, and he had indeed visited quite a few places in Korea. He had been to practically every place with a large taekwondo gym, though he had mostly fought his way inside.

Quite a few Koreans truly had no sense of martial honor. If they could not beat him in the daytime, they would pick up guns at night and try to silence him.

So in that place, what Hong Fei improved the fastest was not his Kung Fu, but his marksmanship.

"Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, and so on. I've been to many places. Dr. Zhao, your Chinese is excellent as well."

"I've been to China too. There are so many foods there that I love, as well as beautiful scenery..."

After that, the two chatted casually for a while, and their relationship grew noticeably closer.

After Number One refilled their tea several times, Helen Zhao glanced at the sky. Her smile faded slightly. "Mr. Hong, you established a private biological laboratory. Which field of research are you hoping to enter?"

At that, Hong Fei laughed freely. "Dr. Zhao, you should know that Gonggong Laboratory was only established recently—just the day before I sent you the invitation. So my intentions are very clear." Hong Fei leaned forward and met Helen Zhao's eyes. "Whatever fields you can research are the fields I want to enter."

That was indeed what he truly thought. He needed someone in the role of a doctor. Helen Zhao was extremely skilled at combining technology and medicine, and researching other biological fields in the future would not be beyond her capabilities. Going a step further and having her take a look at the Arc Reactor would not be impossible either; it was not as though he was asking her to change careers.

Helen Zhao's overall abilities truly suited his needs.

However, Hong Fei's words seemed to have given her the wrong idea.

Her smile vanished completely. She sat upright and said solemnly, "Mr. Hong, biotechnology research is a vast field. The demands on equipment and personnel are both extremely high. Private laboratories do exist, but they can only operate through cooperation with numerous companies and even governments. If you are merely treating this as a game, I advise you not to waste your money."

Hong Fei froze. "I'm not treating it like a game. I'm very serious."

"Then what do you know about the current state of biotechnology development around the world?"

"Do you know who the most renowned bioscientists in the world are?"

"What about the top biotechnology companies?"

"And what are the most cutting-edge research directions at present?"

Hong Fei blinked blankly, and his brow gradually furrowed.

Helen Zhao looked at his expression and shook her head slightly. "Mr. Hong, as an investor and business owner, you do not understand this industry's direction or prospects at all. That is why I think there is no need for you to waste your money."

"But I really am not joking."

"Mr. Hong!" Helen Zhao raised her voice, her brows tightly drawn together. "I am not joking either. If this is all you wanted to say, then I think tonight's meeting can end here."

Hong Fei raised an eyebrow slightly.

Just as Helen Zhao picked up her bag and prepared to stand, Hong Fei spoke again. "I established Gonggong Laboratory to solve certain problems in the medical field."

Well, to solve the medical problems Frank and I might encounter.

Helen Zhao stiffened and looked at Hong Fei again.

"I truly do not understand biotechnology, but I know that people get sick and injured, and they need medical treatment. I've heard of those so-called cutting-edge research directions, but I'm not interested in them. I have only one goal: heal the sick and save lives!

This does not depart from your actual research. The only thing I care about is the practical ability you have demonstrated, not anything else.

Finally, I have prepared five hundred million dollars. If that is not enough, I can add more."

Five hundred million was Hong Fei's limit.

After the Afghanistan operation ended, Hong Fei had gained a total of eight hundred million.

Of that, one hundred million had gone to Frank and the five numbered individuals as rewards; thirty million had been left with Number Four and Number Five in Sokovia as operating funds; repaying loans, buying the estate, and other expenses had cost around another hundred million. That left him with five hundred seventy million.

Throwing almost all of it into the laboratory was enough to prove how highly he regarded Gonggong Laboratory and Helen Zhao.

Helen Zhao sat down again, and the tension between her brows eased. "Mr. Hong, could you tell me about your ideas?"

Hong Fei sighed again. Spreading his hands, he said, "To be honest, I really have not thought too much about it. I believe these things should be planned by a professional. I do not ask for much—heal the sick and save lives."

More importantly, Hong Fei would definitely bring back plenty of strange things in the future. Would it not be a waste if no one could research them then?

Healing the sick and saving lives was true enough. If they achieved something and promoted it widely, it would undoubtedly be a good thing.

Since he knew that she would produce results like the Regeneration Cradle in the future, Hong Fei was determined to do this even if he had to pay out of pocket.

However, he could not say such things to Helen Zhao yet. Otherwise, she would still think Hong Fei merely wanted to spend money to pursue her.

Spending that much money to chase a woman? Hong Fei's head had not been caught in a door.