Iron Man looked somewhat surprised. "Oh? I thought Easterners were rather reserved when it came to relationships. I'd like to see how you pick up women."
Watching Apocalypse slowly walk toward her, Black Widow grew increasingly flustered.
Apocalypse pressed close to Black Widow, and they could both feel the warmth of each other's breath. He reached out with one large hand and wrapped it around her waist.
"Natasha, is it? It really is a good name, and it suits you perfectly. Meeting is fate. I bought a house in New York; that's my home. How about we go there, open a bottle of red wine, talk about life, and untangle a few knots in our hearts?"
As he spoke, he lowered his head and gave her a long, wet French kiss. Black Widow immediately melted, as if she had returned to her wedding night, nearly collapsing into Apocalypse's arms.
This outrageous move left Iron Man, Pepper Potts, and Happy utterly dumbfounded.
You could pick up women like that?
No buildup at all—he just kissed her?
A million wild thoughts stampeded through Iron Man's mind.
Even though he was famous and endlessly charming, he would never dare try something like that. He would get slapped across the face in seconds.
But judging by Natasha's reaction, she had clearly accepted it. She had fallen for him. Hmm... should he try this technique sometime?
After the long kiss, Black Widow tried to break free. But with Apocalypse's strength, how could she possibly escape if he refused to let go? She punched his chest hard several times.
Yet to the others nearby, it looked more like playful flirting.
Black Widow happened to feel guilty. She had infiltrated this place and did not dare make their relationship public, so she could only whisper, "Let go of me. They're watching."
"Haha, they're all my friends. What's wrong with letting them watch? This is the key to our home. Keep it safe. You're welcome to move in anytime."
As he spoke, he stuffed a key into Black Widow's hand.
Black Widow did not know what she was feeling as she accepted the key. Was this her home now? She had never expected it to happen so suddenly.
Starting a family with a man like this would not be so bad. At the very least, she would never have to worry about enemies coming to her door. Whoever came looking for trouble would be the unlucky one!
She imagined her enemies painstakingly tracking down her home address and planning to use her family to threaten her, only to run into the monster that was her "husband." Wouldn't that be hilarious?
At that thought, the corners of her lips curled into a smile.
Her breathtaking beauty, coupled with that lowered-head smile, was utterly intoxicating.
Iron Man and Happy stared in shock. She had accepted it just like that? Fallen in love?
Had Tang used some kind of charm spell just now? I didn't see it clearly.
Apocalypse released the flustered Black Widow. He knew that was enough for today; pushing her too hard might have the opposite effect. He only needed to give her time to process it and slowly accept it.
Iron Man did not even know what he had signed. He casually scribbled a few strokes across the documents.
Black Widow fled with the legal papers as though she were running for her life.
Happy came over, with none of his earlier defiance left. "Brother Tang, Brother Tang, you moved too fast just now. I didn't learn anything. Let's go to a bar tonight—I'll pay for whatever we drink. Teach your brother a couple of tricks."
Iron Man said, "I have a racing event in Europe next week. Tang, come with me. I can never quite handle European women. Maybe my reputation over there just isn't big enough."
Apocalypse laughed but did not expose them, letting them imagine whatever they wanted.
Still, Iron Man going to Europe for a racing event meant that the plot of Iron Man 2 had already begun.
Three days later, at a grand racing banquet in a small European country.
Pepper Potts arrived with Black Widow. Seemingly to keep an eye on Iron Man, she intentionally or unintentionally nudged Black Widow toward Apocalypse.
Naturally, Apocalypse was happy to see that happen, and he walked shoulder to shoulder with Black Widow.
It was daytime. The banquet was packed with influential figures, while Iron Man and Pepper Potts busied themselves greeting people and building connections.
Only poor Happy, the single man, had his fill of watching two couples show off their affection. He could only gorge himself on the banquet's food and drinks.
"Hey! Tony, the legendary Iron Man. I thought a busy important man like you wouldn't have time to attend this banquet."
A voice called from afar. It was Justin Hammer, president of Hammer Industries.
Hammer Industries and Stark Industries were competitors, constantly fighting over weapons contracts from the Department of Defense.
However, Hammer Industries' weapons were always slightly inferior in quality, and Stark Industries repeatedly crushed them. Hammer had long held a grudge over it.
On top of that, Hammer had previously joined forces with a fat pig of a politician to try to force Iron Man to hand over his armor technology. Their feud had been established long ago.
Now, he was hypocritically greeting Iron Man. With so many influential people present, Iron Man had no choice but to return a perfunctory greeting.
"Yeah, I wasn't planning to come. But I heard you were here. If I didn't show up, wouldn't you lose your spot as number two?"
Hammer gritted his teeth in hatred. Just as he was about to trade a few barbs with Tony, he spotted Black Widow beside Apocalypse, and his eyes lit up.
"Tony, and who is this lady?" Hammer asked.
"She's an employee of my company. She came here with her boyfriend."
Hammer deliberately looked surprised. "Her boyfriend? Don't tell me it's this Eastern man? How could such a beautiful lady choose an Eastern man?"
Hammer continued, "There are very few Easterners attending a banquet like this. May I ask how to address this gentleman?"
"My surname is Tang," Apocalypse said coldly.
"What industry is Mr. Tang in?"
Apocalypse said, "I don't have a job at the moment. I rely entirely on Mr. Tony to look after me."
The moment he said that, strange smiles appeared on Iron Man, Pepper Potts, and Black Widow's faces. Apocalypse had saved Iron Man's life several times already. It was hard to say who was looking after whom.
Hammer immediately felt disdain. Coupled with the racism buried deep in his bones, his courage swelled at once.
He said to Black Widow, "Beautiful lady, this is your first time attending a banquet of this caliber too, isn't it? How about I show you around? One of Hammer Industries' race cars will be competing later. This time, it will definitely take first place."
Black Widow stole a glance at Apocalypse, afraid that he might be displeased. "Thank you, but I came with friends, so I won't trouble you."
"Haha, your friends are trailing behind Tony. They can't even get into the VIP area, so it won't be convenient for them to see anything. I just happen to be lacking a female companion. Why not come with me and meet some important people? After the race is over, I'll take you for a ride in a race car."
If Apocalypse had merely been an ordinary friend, Iron Man would have stepped in long ago to stop Hammer's rude behavior. After all, someone trying to steal his friend's woman was also a slap in his face.
But Hammer was provoking Apocalypse. Iron Man exchanged a glance with Pepper Potts, unable to hide the amusement in their eyes as they waited to see how Hammer would meet his misfortune.
Hammer surely thought that Apocalypse was just an Easterner. Even if he had some influence, the emperor was far away; once he came to the West, he was on their turf.
Apocalypse stepped forward. "Mr. Hammer wants to take away the woman beside me. I wonder if he has asked me first?"
Two burly men in suits immediately stepped out beside Hammer and confronted Apocalypse.
Tony and Pepper Potts wore expressions of eager amusement and did not say a word to stop them.
In Hammer's eyes, this naturally meant that Apocalypse and Iron Man were not particularly close, not close enough for Iron Man to fall out with him over Apocalypse. This made Hammer even bolder.
"Is Mr. Hammer preparing to use force?" Apocalypse asked with a smile.
Given Apocalypse's strength, even if every weapon designed by Hammer Industries came at him together, they would not be able to harm him in the slightest, much less these two ordinary bodyguards.
"No, no, no. We're in Europe now, where the nobility still preserves ancient traditions. If we have disagreements, we can settle them through a duel. Mr. Tang may pick any one of my men."
"Oh? What are the stakes?"
Hammer said, "Since this is a racing event, I'll put up a race car worth eight million dollars. If you win, you take it. If I win, the lady beside you accompanies me today. How about it?"
When the powerful figures at the banquet saw the famous Hammer arguing with one of Iron Man's people, they immediately gathered around to watch the spectacle, waiting to see how this Easterner would respond.
There was a small trap hidden in this. Apocalypse might not understand it, but the image-conscious nobles around them understood it perfectly.
If Apocalypse accepted the challenge, he would already be at a disadvantage.
Hammer was wagering a car against a person. If Apocalypse accepted, in this era that valued human rights, he would surely be looked down upon. It would be difficult for him to integrate into this circle in the future.
If he refused, he would have to wager something of equal value.
Even if he could produce it, Apocalypse would not be fighting Hammer himself, but one of Hammer's bodyguards. In terms of bearing and status, he would be subtly reduced by a level.
However, Hammer had miscalculated. Before absolute power, every petty scheme would be crushed.
Before you continue