Stark Industries headquarters building.
Life Sciences Division.
Twelfth floor.
This entire floor belongs to Luca.
Unlike the other floors, this place features white walls and transparent partitions everywhere.
Each room is equipped with electronic access control, combining card swiping and iris recognition, making its security level even higher than that of the weapons research and development department.
This is one of the world's top research institutions in the pharmaceutical industry.
The equipment and technology inside are unmatched by many in the world.
"This way, Yinsen. I'll show you what a real laboratory is like."
Tony swaggered ahead, followed by Yinsen, Pepper, and Happy.
Yinsen changed into a clean white lab coat and wore round-framed glasses.
He is now a completely different person from the disheveled and dirty man he was in the Afghanistan cave.
However, he was still somewhat reserved at this moment.
After all, he was able to stand in the core area of Stark Industries.
This still feels somewhat unreal to a veteran doctor who has spent most of his life practicing medicine in the Middle East.
" Yinsen, do you see that room on the left?"
Tony stopped and pointed to a laboratory on the left side of the corridor.
The room was filled with various instruments, and several researchers in sterile gowns were busy at work.
"That's Luca's gene sequencing center. There are only three fourth-generation gene sequencers in the entire United States, and we have two here."
As they were talking, Tony raised an eyebrow at Yinsen.
"The other one is at Harvard University. But theirs was donated by Luca last year; it was kind of a handout."
Yinsen adjusted his glasses and couldn't resist walking up to the glass to take a closer look.
Keep in mind, he is a legitimate medical doctor.
Although he has been engaged in humanitarian aid work in the Middle East in recent years, his passion for medical research has never been extinguished.
"These devices are so advanced."
Yinsen was genuinely impressed.
"To be honest, when I was in Afghanistan, the best tools I used were a scalpel and a nearly worn-out surgical light."
"The machines here are things I never even dared to dream of before."
Pepper, walking beside him, smiled slightly and interjected.
"These are just a small part. If you go downstairs and see Luca's private laboratory, you'll be even more surprised."
Pepper looked down at her tablet and pulled up a personnel file.
"However, only Luca and Tony have access to that lab; even I don't have that privilege."
Tony shook his head smugly.
"Of course. Some things are too important to be seen by just anyone."
"But don't worry, Yinsen. I've already had JARVIS grant you access to this floor. You can freely enter and exit the labs, the archives, and the equipment rooms."
Tony turned to face Yinsen and patted him on the shoulder.
"You saved my life. This isn't something a lab can repay, but it's at least a beginning."
"Go for it here. Just tell Pepper what equipment or funding you need."
"If Pepper thinks it's too expensive, just say it was approved by me. If she still thinks it's too expensive, say it was Luca who approved it. Luca never hesitates to spend money."
Pepper rolled her eyes.
"All you ever do is spend money. The reagents Luca ordered last month—the bill was like a novel! My hand was sore from signing it all."
Yinsen was amused by them, and his tense emotions relaxed considerably.
He adjusted his glasses and nodded seriously.
"Thank you, Tony. And please Luca for me. Without you both, I'd probably still be bandaging wounds in the desert."
At this point, Yinsen looked around and asked a question with some curiosity.
"By the way, why didn't Luca come to the company today? I thought I'd run into him. After all, this is his territory."
Tony shrugged and casually made a sarcastic remark.
"That guy? You expect him to show up at the office this morning?"
"He threw a party last night. I bet he's still in bed right now, with probably two half-finished glasses of champagne on his pillow."
"If you call him now, the person who answers might not be him, but a woman who doesn't want to give her name."
Yinsen's lips twitched; he was unsure how to respond.
I'd only ever heard that the Stark brothers were Playboy, but I never imagined they'd be so adventurous!
Pepper quickly smoothed things over.
"Okay, Tony. Don't scare them away."
She smiled slightly at Yinsen.
" Luca may be a bit unconventional in his personal life, but he's very reliable at work. He just has a rather... unique schedule."
Tony chuckled.
"Unique? You mean a night owl and someone who has trouble getting up?"
Pepper selectively ignored him.
The three of them then walked together towards the elevator.
Tony turned back and looked at Yinsen one last time before leaving.
"Don't worry about work, buddy. Call me if anything comes up."
"If I don't answer, call Pepper. If Pepper doesn't answer either... then just wait, we'll get back to you eventually."
Yinsen stood there and watched the three leave.
He only let out a long sigh of relief after the elevator doors closed.
Looking back at the busy researchers, Yinsen sighed silently.
The Stark Family.
What truly saved him was nothing other than the deep-seated passion for science and life that flowed in his veins.
Although they all seem more frivolous than the last on the surface.
But they are the people who are truly changing the world in their own way.
First floor lobby.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened.
Tony, Pepper, and Happy came out one after another.
The lobby on the first floor is as spacious and bright as ever.
The security personnel on duty immediately stood up straight when they saw Tony.
Tony raised his hand in greeting.
" Potts, have you planned your afternoon activities?"
"It's all arranged. You have an online meeting with Los Angeles City Hall at 2 PM this afternoon to discuss the site selection for the Arc Reactor demonstration power plant."
Pepper flipped through her tablet as she walked.
"There's a board meeting at 5 PM. Also, CNN is pressing you about your show schedule..."
"I won't be selected. Tell them I'm too busy."
Tony casually interrupted Pepper.
To be honest, he really didn't want to face the camera anymore.
The morning press conference was already enough of a headache for him.
If it weren't for the company, he would rather stay in the lab researching armor.
"I bet Luca is still fast asleep at home right now."
Tony suddenly blurted out a sentence, his tone full of disdain.
Happy, who was leading the way, turned around upon hearing this and interjected.
"Isn't Mr. Luca always like this? Last time he threw parties at home for days on end, only going out on the fifth day, and the first thing he did was ask me to buy him a hamburger."
Pepper laughed too, then shook her head helplessly.
"Our young master is always like this, isn't he?"
After saying that, she and Tony exchanged a glance.
Both of their expressions were somewhat subtle.
Tony looked away first, then casually pushed open the door.
The sunlight outside was blinding.
Happy walked quickly to an Audi A8 and opened the back door.
"Please, boss."
Tony bent down and crawled into the back seat.
Pepper got into the car from the other side and sat next to Tony.
Happy closed the car door, walked around to the driver's seat, stepped on the gas, and the car smoothly drove away from the parking lot.
The carriage was quiet.
The air conditioner was blowing cool air gently.
Pepper kept her head down and continued working, her fingers swiping rapidly across the tablet.
Tony leaned back in his seat, watching the street scene rushing past the window.
After a few seconds of silence, he suddenly spoke.
" Potts."
"Hmm?"
"I'll bet you."
Pepper looked up at him with some wariness.
Every time Tony mentions a bet, it's followed by either a silly prank or something that sends her blood pressure soaring.
What is """?
"I bet Luca hasn't even gotten up yet."
Tony raised his left hand and glanced at his watch.
"It's 1:20 PM now. Given his sleep schedule, he'll likely sleep until at least 2:30 PM."
What are the stakes?
"If I win, you have to cover for me during this afternoon's board conference call."
Pepper rolled her eyes at him and refused without hesitation.
"I won't gamble. Because you're already guaranteed to win."
"Besides, even if I were willing to bet, you wouldn't admit defeat if you lost. When have you ever admitted defeat?"
Tony's little scheme was exposed, but he still refused to admit defeat.
"I'm a very trustworthy person, Potts. I just've never lost."
Pepper ignored his boasting.
He lowered his head and continued scrolling through work emails on his tablet.
The car drove along the coastal highway towards Malibu.
Outside the window, there was a deep blue sea and white waves.