Chen Mo, holding a wine glass, circled around Tony.
The streamlined, red-gold armor clung tightly to the body, with no gaps between the plates. The Arc Reactor on the chest continuously emitted golden energy, which flowed slowly along the armor's patterns.
I have to say, he really is quite handsome.
Especially when Tony stands there without saying a word, the sense of technology is off the charts.
"How about it?"
Tony spread his arms and deliberately spun halfway around. "Have you finally realized that no matter how fast primitive life evolved, it still needed some aesthetic support from advanced technology?"
Chen Mo nodded seriously.
"To be honest, it's really good."
Tony paused.
He had prepared more than a dozen retorts, and even had JARVIS record the jealousy on Chen Mo's face in advance.
And this guy actually admitted it outright?
Tony's visor rose, revealing his face with dark circles under his eyes.
"Hmm? Say it again."
"I said your color scheme is pretty cool."
Chen Mo reached out and tapped the chest of the armor. "When are you going to send me a set too? I don't have high expectations, just something similar to yours will do."
That's exactly what Tony was waiting for.
He couldn't help but smile, put his hands behind his back, and took two steps around Chen Mo.
"It's not that you can't have it if you want it."
State your conditions.
"First of all, that wasn't a gift; it was more of an external test."
Tony held up one finger and emphasized solemnly, "Secondly, you can't wear it and do anything that might damage the Stark brand image."
Chen Mo thought for a moment.
" Stark's brand image? For example?"
"For example, robbing a bank, crashing into a building, attacking a military base, or tearing the enemy to pieces."
"The first few were fine, but the last one was a bit difficult."
"Then let's not let the reporters take pictures."
Tony's answer was quite straightforward.
Chen Mo raised an eyebrow.
"Your bottom line is quite flexible."
"I learned it from you, and besides, I didn't expect you to become a superhero in six months."
Tony raised his hand, and a holographic projection immediately appeared on the armor's surface. "Come and take a look. I can make you a custom version, adding biometrics, spatial positioning, and an independent energy core. The shape can also be customized. Do you prefer black or red?"
How about pink?
The lab was silent for two seconds.
Tony slowly lowered his hand.
"I take back what I just said. You should evolve your own armor."
"What's the rush? I was just kidding."
Chen Mo took a sip of his drink. "Black and red, I guess. And something sturdy. Otherwise, the armor might shatter into pieces the moment the opponent raises their hand; that would ruin the show."
Tony frowned.
"Speaking of which, with your physical strength, what would you need armor for?"
This is what he can't understand the most.
Chen Mo himself is a humanoid catastrophe capable of self-repair and devouring evolution. Ordinary armor worn on him provides roughly the same level of protection as a raincoat.
Was it for flying?
But this guy can fly.
Tony looked at Chen Mo, a sudden sense of unease creeping into his heart.
Is this bastard eyeing the armor technology, planning to take it back and mass-produce it?
"Of course, it's for teasing others."
Chen Mo leaned against the bar and said matter-of-factly, "Think about it, they went through so much trouble to finally break through my armor."
Tony's brow furrowed deeper and deeper.
"Then what?"
"Then he discovered that I was faster, stronger, and more ferocious inside the armor."
Chen Mo spread his hands. "His hope had just risen, and then it vanished in a flash. Isn't that funny?"
Tony was silent for a moment.
"No, this isn't fun at all."
"This is going to be so much fun! Just thinking about those expressions makes me excited!"
"I mean, armor isn't a gift box. You can't let the enemy go through the trouble of opening it only to have an even bigger shock jump out of it."
Tony raised his hand to his forehead.
He should have thought of that sooner.
Chen Mo's thought process is utterly bizarre.
So, are we going to do it or not?
"Do."
Tony scoffed, "But I want to install a complete recording system. I want to see with my own eyes which unlucky guy will shatter his armor and then have to face your face."
"Wow, remember to add a close-up playback feature."
"Don't worry, I'll do a facial analysis to capture his despair."
Tony snapped his the Snap.
The crimson-gold armor covering his entire body rapidly disintegrated, and countless metal particles retracted into his chest. A few seconds later, he was standing in the same spot again, wearing those coffee-stained pajama pants.
The tech giant that was just moments ago swaggering around has vanished.
Now all that's left here is a man with dark circles under his eyes who hasn't slept for forty-eight hours.
Chen Mo glanced at him.
"You look quite different before and after your transformation."
"Shut up."
Tony picked up his coffee again and leaned against the other side of the bar. "So, tell me, where have you been all this time?"
"I went out for a buffet."
"What kind of buffet takes this long to eat at?"
"Time flows differently over there."
Chen Mo swirled his wine glass. "When I left, some guy who called himself 'New God' insisted on treating me. I had no choice but to reluctantly bring him and the restaurant back with me."
Tony stared at him for a few seconds.
He didn't understand the specifics of what happened.
But based on his understanding of Chen Mo, that so-called new god was probably gone, and the restaurant's fate was probably not much better.
"Every time you disappear, you come back more dangerous than before."
"Every time you stay up late, your hairline will become more receding."
Tony instinctively touched his forehead.
Only after he touched her did he realize he had been tricked.
Hey! My hair is very healthy.
"Yes, it will be easier to observe the scalp if we wait two more days."
" JARVIS, change his signature armor to pink and black!"
"Yes, sir."
"Etc."
Chen Mo immediately raised his hand, "Personal grudges shouldn't affect production quality."
Tony finally felt better.
The two leaned against the bar, chatting idly.
Tony quickly began to recount recent events.
During Chen Mo's absence, Nick Fury barely slept a wink. S.H.I.E.L.D.. had just cleaned up Hydra within its ranks and discovered several secret outposts in Europe, South America, and Asia.
The two sides have already clashed several times.
Hydra suffered significant losses, and S.H.I.E.L.D.. also lost many members.
" Nick Fury has been extremely busy lately."
Tony took a sip of his coffee. "He contacted me several times, hoping I could provide technical support. I refused twice, and the third time I gave him a quote."
"He paid?"
"No, he hung up the phone."
"That person is so rude."
I think so too.
Tony glanced at Chen Mo, the smugness in his eyes fading slightly.
He brought this up not just for casual conversation.
Nick Fury has been looking for Chen Mo.
The remaining Hydra strongholds are home to a large number of unidentified modified individuals, making them difficult for ordinary agents to handle and almost impossible to interrogate. Nick hopes that Chen Mo can step in again, using that less-than-civilized but highly efficient method to directly read their memories.
However, Tony did not speak up for Nick.
He wanted to see if Chen Mo would ask him on his own initiative.
"Did Hydra pull out any Nazi black technology this time?"
Chen Mo's interest was piqued. "For example, a time machine, a lunar base, or some old man who's been frozen for decades?"
Tony's expression was strange.
"Huh? Why do you think Hydra has those things?"
Aren't they professionals who specialize in cutting-edge technology?
"Dude, this is the real world."
Tony pointed to his feet. "No technology appears out of thin air. If they truly possessed groundbreaking technology, they would have stolen it from Stark Industries."
Chen Mo looked at his chest.
"That armor you're wearing that can automatically regenerate is pretty realistic, isn't it?"
"Certainly."
Tony said earnestly, "Because I invented it. If your genius is high enough, reality will lower its standards to suit you."
Your explanation is very scientific.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. I suggest you don't repeat that too often, or you might get beaten up."
Just as Tony was about to retort, the laboratory door suddenly opened.
Pepper Potts walked in, wearing high heels.
She first noticed Chen Mo, a hint of surprise on her face. Then, her gaze fell on Tony's dark circles and the coffee cup.
The surprise on his face vanished instantly.
" Tony, how long has it been since you slept!"
"Oh, Pepper, you have to let me explain."
Go to sleep.
"I have just completed a technology that could change the world."
Go to sleep.
"But I'm in good spirits right now."
Tony put down his coffee, widening his eyes. "Look," he said, "I can even complete a complex suit of armor testing."
Pepper Potts reached out and took his cup.
"You just spilled coffee on your pants."
Tony glanced down.
"That's because I was scared by this guy!"
Go to sleep.
The serious atmosphere lasted for half a day, until finally only three words remained.
Chen Mo tactfully put down his wine glass.
"Okay, you guys keep chatting, I'm leaving now."
"Etc."
Tony called him back, swiping his hand across the virtual screen a few times. "I've arranged a place for you. Rest here tonight, and we'll talk about the armor tomorrow."
Chen Mo's communicator vibrated slightly.
A hotel address appeared on the screen.
He glanced at the address, then looked up at Tony.
"So polite? You even booked me a hotel room?"
"Don't overthink it, I just don't want you sleeping in the lab. If you rummage through the wine cabinet in the middle of the night, all my remaining rare bottles will be ruined."
After Tony finished speaking, he turned and followed Pepper Potts toward the door.
Just as Chen Mo was about to leave, JARVIS's calm voice rang out from beside him.
"Mr. Chen Mo, the top floor of this hotel has been registered under your name, and the check-in date was three months ago."