第8章 托尼·斯塔克

The morning streets were desolate everywhere, especially Hell's Kitchen.

When Su Chen walked out of the underground exchange once more, his expression was not very good.

Because—he was out of money.

He had finally found a craftsman who accepted custom throwing knives, and even discussed the materials and quantity, but the cost was fifty thousand dollars.

However extravagant he had been when ruthlessly throwing two million dollars to upgrade his talent, he was just that destitute now.

But would Su Ming be stumped by such a small matter?

Of course not.

Looking at the Mustang sports car by the roadside that originally belonged to Scorpion Baring, a price tag appeared in his eyes:

[Second-hand Mustang sports car → Valued at $100,000]

He calmly looked around and, making sure no one was there, placed his hand on the car's roof:

"Redeem!"

As the Mustang sports car vanished into a stream of data, the account balance jumped to $101,380.

Just as Su Ming was about to return to the exchange, the mission phone rang.

"Mr. Destiny, please rush to Stark Tower within one hour. Someone will contact you."

Without waiting for Su Ming to speak, the phone hung up.

What an impatient fellow!

Looking at the single-function old-fashioned bar phone in his hand, he missed his smartphone a little...

Hurrying back to the exchange to finish customizing the throwing knives, Su Ming boarded a taxi heading to Stark Tower.

Stark Tower loomed into the clouds, its facade dominated by black granite and plated chrome metal, and the sharp spire at the top pierced the sky.

It was Su Ming's first time observing the building up close, which would be full of stories in the future.

He was quite curious about what form JARVIS took at this time.

Stepping into the building, it was filled with busy staff members rushing about.

Tony valued efficiency, so they had no time for idle chatter.

Just as Su Ming was hesitating whether to go to the front desk and ask, a tall, bald man in a suit walked straight toward him, his greying beard signifying that he was no longer young.

"Destiny?"

Obadiah Stane spotted that particular Oriental face in the crowd at a glance. Although he did not know who he was, the only people in the entire lobby without ID badges were himself and that person.

Su Ming nodded slightly without speaking.

The man in front of him had a very strong presence, and the surrounding staff members cast awed gazes toward him. He was clearly some high-up at Stark Industries. Su Ming looked at the old man who had come to greet him in person, and everything was clear in his mind.

"Follow me."

Obadiah Stane did not talk nonsense. After confirming that Su Ming was the person he was looking for, he led him to his office.

As a company shareholder, his office was located quite high up in Stark Tower—though not on the top floor.

Because the top floor was Tony Stark's private territory.

Looking at the sharp, trench-coat-wearing, well-suited Oriental man before him with a trace of mystery, Obadiah felt a flash of surprise in his eyes:

"Mr. Destiny, I didn't expect the one with the courage to take on this mission to be a gentleman like you."

Su Ming caught the implication behind his words; didn't he just want to see him show off his skills~

At the same time, he also remembered matters concerning him.

It's you, this old buddy~

Playing dirty behind Tony's back, wishing every day that Tony would drop dead so he could take his place.

The mission to kill Tony was initiated by this fellow...

While Obadiah Stane was introducing himself, Su Ming remembered this person and inwardly complained.

He slightly raised his arm—

Swish—

A playing card sank into the reinforced concrete wall at a speed almost imperceptible to the naked eye, kicking up a puff of dust.

Obadiah's pupils constricted.

An expert!

A fleeting flash of glee followed:

That's great! I never expected that casually dropping a mission on the black market could attract such a figure!

Tony, what a pity, your time is up...

Heh heh.

Obadiah looked at Su Ming with excited eyes:

"Mr. Destiny, my friend~

You haven't answered me yet. Regarding the second mission, I mean... you know, that matter, how are you considering it?"

Su Ming looked at the bald man in front of him with some amusement.

After all, openly plotting against someone's life right under Tony's nose, feeling a bit guilty was only normal.

"Of course! As a bounty hunter, there's no sense in not making money when it's there.

However, Mr. Employer, you don't mind if I complete the bodyguard mission first before proceeding with the subsequent tasks, do you..."

The bodyguard's one million was his! The killer's three million—was also his!

This was Su Ming's thought at the moment.

Seeing that Su Ming had formally accepted his commission, Obadiah was as happy as a child:

"Good! Good! Mr. Destiny, I only hope that after returning from Afghanistan, you will be able to take action as soon as possible!

The commission has already been wired in advance to the exchange's account. When the mission is completed, the exchange will naturally give you your reward at the first opportunity."

Clapping his hands, Obadiah seemed to be in a good mood:

"Let's go, Mr. Destiny, I'll take you to meet this playboy."

Su Ming nodded in deep agreement. Indeed, this guy Tony had practically slept with every cover girl in Maxim...

When the helicopter landed at the seaside mansion in Malibu, California.

Su Ming marveled once more that Tony truly knew how to enjoy himself. Facing the Pacific Ocean, this seaside mansion dominated by glass curtain walls, metal lines, and a minimalist style possessed a private beach and expansive bay views, surrounded by cliffs and greenery, making it a premier luxury home in California.

Following Obadiah to the living room upstairs, he saw Tony's assistant Pepper Potts dealing with a blonde woman who had spent the previous night sharing a romantic evening with Tony:

"I'll do whatever Mr. Stark asks, which includes occasionally cleaning up the garbage he left over from last night."

The blonde woman's pretty face flushed red and turned white under Pepper's tongue-lashing, snatching the clothes from her hands and bolting out the door.

Obadiah gave Pepper a thumbs-up. Pepper wore a momentary professional fake smile and turned to walk into Tony's workshop.

Throwing a glance at Su Ming, Obadiah followed closely behind...

Inside the workshop.

Tony Stark was intently repairing a car.

It was a classic car, and though it looked full of age, the paint and patterns were still quite vibrant.

Su Ming knew it was this classic car that had given Tony inspiration, and the main color scheme of the Mark armor originated from it.

Obadiah quietly told Su Ming that this was a 1932 Ford Flathead Roadster.

Nodding politely, Su Ming didn't have much interest in this classic car. He was carefully observing Tony Stark—the Iron Man who would save the world in the future.

His slightly fluffy dark brown short hair curled naturally, messy because its owner was focused on mechanical repairs.

His eyes were slender and sharp, with deep brown pupils, and his focused gaze carried a hint of arrogance.

His eyebrows were thick and neatly trimmed, enhancing the angles of his face. His sharply-lined chin was slightly pointed, echoing the rugged jawline.

And that uniquely characteristic goatee...

Finally seeing Tony Stark, Su Ming mentally sighed:

"He really is exactly the same as in the movie!"

Holding a clipboard, Pepper reported the schedule to Tony item by item, making timely notes on every decision Tony made.

After a few brief words of dialogue, Su Ming learned that today happened to be Pepper Potts's birthday.

"Obie? What wind blew you here?"

Just as Tony drained the coffee in his cup and turned around, he finally noticed Obadiah and Su Ming.

Yet he only greeted Obadiah; although he saw Su Ming, he immediately shifted his gaze back to Obadiah a split second later.

He played out the words "condescending and arrogant" to perfection.

Su Ming understood him and didn't show anything, but Obadiah grew anxious:

"Tony~ I heard you're going to Afghanistan, and the terrorists over there are rampant. You need protection! This is someone I specially found for you..."

"No need, Obie...!"

Tony glanced at Su Ming, his brow furrowing slightly:

"The company has a dedicated security department, and there's local military protection. I don't need an extra bodyguard."

With that, he grabbed his jacket and left the room, with assistant Pepper clicking along closely behind in her high heels.

Obadiah looked at Su Ming, a flash of resentment crossing his eyes:

"Mr. Destiny, it seems your first mission is going down the drain..."