"So, when are you leaving?"
On the other end of the phone, Nick Fury's heart began pounding when he heard that Tony Stark was heading to the Middle East to purchase weapons. A bad feeling rose within him.
"Director, we're just waiting for your approval."
Under Catalina's incredulous gaze, Yu Xian asked Nick Fury for operational funding. "What about the expenses for this trip?"
The Middle East!
It was a wonderful place, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold and the entertainment industry thrived.
It had not been easy to get a chance to go out this time. If he did not turn this business trip into a little vacation, how could he live up to Tony's assist?
For lodging, they had to stay at the best hotel. A presidential suite was the bare minimum.
For food, they had to eat the most authentic local specialties: whole roasted lamb, camel meat—they had to try them all.
And then there was the most, most important thing: Middle Eastern nightlife.
He had heard that the nightclubs there were all dazzlingly luxurious, with beautiful women everywhere.
Shouldn't he broaden his horizons?
He had never gotten the chance in his previous life. He could not miss it this time.
Nick Fury: Did I hear that right? Why do I feel like this guy isn't calling to report on work, but to ask me for money?
Nick Fury: (눈‸●)
"Phew, we finally made it!"
The plane slowly touched down on Middle Eastern soil.
Whoa~ So this was the Middle East?
It did not seem bad at all!
Yu Xian took off his sunglasses and breathed in the dry foreign air, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
Catalina dragged her suitcase with a solemn expression, vigilantly scanning their surroundings. "Captain, we're here to carry out a mission, not take a vacation!"
"Shh~ Keep it down!" Yu Xian raised a finger to his lips.
"Do you want everyone to know what we're here for?"
"Relax. Just treat this mission like a vacation!"
"I guarantee nothing will go wrong."
"Young people should enjoy life properly."
"If you don't enjoy yourself while you're young, are you going to wait until you're old and can barely walk before you start experiencing life?"
Catalina rolled her eyes. She had developed a tiny bit of resistance to Yu Xian's daily brainwashing.
"Captain, Tony's weapons deal has already started, right?"
"You're really that unconcerned?"
She truly could not understand why her captain could be so relaxed and composed about everything.
Did this guy not know fear at all?
Yu Xian seemed to understand the look in the young woman's eyes and chuckled.
If you had transmigrated like me and knew the world's plot,
you'd be as carefree as I am too.
"Don't worry about it. Just listen to me!"
"Let's go!!! Our destination: a five-star hotel!"
The two took a luxury sedan to the finest hotel in the Middle East—the Golden Oasis.
"As expected of the best in the Middle East. A thousand words can be summed up in two: fucking awesome!"
Yu Xian looked around at the dazzlingly opulent lobby and the courteous staff.
Not far away, the buffet restaurant was filled with an astonishing variety of food.
"Captain, shouldn't we take a look at the mission first?"
Catalina looked around. Once she confirmed there was no one nearby, she immediately spoke to Yu Xian in a low voice.
"The mission? No rush. Let's fill our stomachs first."
Yu Xian headed straight for the buffet and began selecting all kinds of food.
Catalina watched Yu Xian acting like a complete foodie and was utterly speechless.
Whole roasted lamb, pilaf, naan-pit roasted meat...
Yu Xian's plate was quickly piled high.
He found a seat by the window and sat down, enjoying the exotic scenery outside while wolfing down his food.
[Detected that the host is enjoying delicious food and feeling pleased. Pleasure Points +50]
Just as Yu Xian was stuffing himself.
BOOM!
Tony's Happy Horse vehicle was blasted into the air by an incoming bomb.
He himself was struck by shrapnel from the explosion and fell completely unconscious.
The Ten Rings took him away for emergency treatment.
None of those present noticed that an eagle was circling overhead.
Its sharp gaze remained fixed on the injured and unconscious Tony.
"Is it finally beginning?"
Yu Xian, who had been eating heartily, suddenly stopped moving as he received information from afar.
"Hm? What's beginning? Are they bringing out more food?"
Catalina, who had been eating with great enthusiasm beside him, looked utterly confused when she heard Yu Xian muttering to himself.
"Heh, it's nothing. There are desserts over there. Want some?"
"Yes, I do! The food here is way too delicious!"
"What? Tony Stark was kidnapped?"
Catalina cried out, and the fork in her hand clattered onto her plate with a crisp sound.
She stared at the television screen in disbelief.
The news was continuously reporting Tony Stark's disappearance. The accompanying footage showed the site where his Happy Horse had exploded, with wreckage scattered everywhere.
"That's impossible... Captain, you clearly said there wouldn't be any problems!!!"
Catalina's voice trembled slightly as she turned to Yu Xian, hoping to get an answer from him.
Yu Xian leisurely cut off a piece of roasted meat, put it into his mouth, and chewed it carefully, as though the news on television had nothing to do with him.
"Stay calm, Catalina."
Yu Xian swallowed his food and wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin. "Wasn't this within our expectations?"
Nick Fury should have received the news by now, right?
"Within expectations?"
Catalina's eyes widened. "Captain, you knew about this all along?"
"Ring ring ring~"
A burst of urgent ringing interrupted Catalina.
Yu Xian's phone rang at just the right moment, with the words "Nick Fury" flashing across the screen.
"Hello, Director Nick."
Yu Xian waited a moment before answering the call.
"Yu Xian, how far has your Y Squad progressed regarding Tony Stark?"
Nick Fury's voice carried anxiety and suspicion. He had never expected something to happen even after assigning people to watch Tony.
"Don't worry, Director Nick. The situation is still under control. Nothing will happen to Tony."
Yu Xian's lips curled upward slightly. "I believe you'll see the results soon enough."
"It had better be."
Nick Fury's voice was low and hoarse. "Tony Stark is no ordinary person. His disappearance will inevitably cause a huge uproar. I hope you understand the severity of the matter. The Middle East is in your hands."
"This time, stop holding back!"
"Understood, Director."
Yu Xian hung up the phone, the smile on his face growing wider.
Next, I just need to wait for Tony and the other guy to finish making the Mark I Armor.
Then it'll be time for me to close the net.
Hopefully, those two take their time building that armor.
That way, I can slack off for a while longer.
[Detected that the host is feeling pleased at delaying the mission. Pleasure Points +500]
Catalina looked at Yu Xian's mysterious smile, her heart filled with confusion and unease.
She truly did not understand.
Why could her captain remain so calm, as though everything was under his control?
Was this guy hiding something else from me again?
Before you continue