Investing in Stark Industries

After saying goodbye to Vivien Leigh, Zhang Xuan teleported back to the venue with the still-excited Little Monroe in his arms. Stark was speaking eloquently at the center of the stage, while the audience below, once full of displeasure, had quieted down and listened attentively.

"Howard Stark really did have some ability!" Zhang Xuan glanced at Howard Stark, and that thought surfaced in his mind again. Perhaps I really can give it a try. With that in mind, Zhang Xuan vanished from where he stood once more.

Looking at the familiar surroundings, Little Monroe, nestled in Zhang Xuan's arms, raised her head and asked him with a puzzled expression, "Big brother, why are we back here again?"

The place where they had reappeared was the backstage area they had left only minutes ago. The backstage was in chaos at the moment. Showgirls preparing to go onstage hurried past Zhang Xuan, and no one noticed the sudden appearance of him and Little Monroe.

"Little Monroe, big brother needs to talk to someone about something." Zhang Xuan explained with a smile as his eyes continuously swept the area. He quickly found his target.

Howard Hughes, dressed in a light blue suit, had just stepped out from behind the curtain. He wore a smug smile and occasionally gave instructions to a middle-aged man beside him.

"Mr. Stark, hello." When Zhang Xuan spotted Howard Stark, he hesitated briefly before stepping forward.

"Hello. And you are?" Howard Stark looked up at Zhang Xuan, his face showing a trace of confusion. However, his attention was quickly drawn to Little Monroe in Zhang Xuan's arms, and his eyes fixed on her.

It really is hereditary! Seeing Howard Stark's gaze, Zhang Xuan grumbled inwardly. He subtly shifted his body, shielding Little Monroe at his side before saying, "Mr. Stark, hello. I'm Alex Zhang. There are some matters I'd like to discuss with you privately."

Howard Stark looked at Zhang Xuan in surprise. Seeing how calm Zhang Xuan appeared, Howard Stark, who had initially intended to refuse, suddenly had a change of heart. He raised his wrist, checked the time, and replied, "Fine, but I'll only give you five minutes!"

Inside Howard Stark's office, Howard Stark grabbed Zhang Xuan by the shoulders and shouted excitedly, "Alex, is what you said true?"

Zhang Xuan shrugged and said casually, "I have no reason to lie to you, Mr. Stark."

Howard Stark stared at Zhang Xuan for a long moment, as if considering something. A moment later, Howard suddenly sat down and said lazily, "Tell me. What do you want?"

"Shares in Stark Industries." What Zhang Xuan valued in seeking out Howard Stark was Stark Industries' future.

At those words, Howard Stark abruptly rose to his feet and opened his mouth to refuse. Unfortunately, before he could speak, Zhang Xuan spoke first.

"Mr. Stark, I still have a lot of technology in my hands, just like the technology I showed you earlier." Zhang Xuan sat leisurely on the sofa, teasing Little Monroe beside him as he said blandly, "I'll invest in the company with these technologies. I don't want much—just thirty percent, but it must be original founder's shares."

Howard Stark's expression turned cold. He snorted and slowly sat back down on the sofa. "Alex, that's not how business is done."

Zhang Xuan was unconcerned. He glanced at Howard Stark and casually listed several terms: "Magnetic levitation, atomic nuclear fission, supersonic aircraft, controllable nuclear fusion..."

Howard Stark stood up again, staring at Zhang Xuan with disbelief written all over his face.

"Mr. Stark, are these technologies worth thirty percent of Stark Industries' founder's shares?" Zhang Xuan knew Howard Stark had taken the bait, and a smug smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of his mouth. In his previous life, Zhang Xuan had not only been a Teleporter, but also a hacker. The technologies he had mentioned were all secrets he had stolen in his previous life. Although he could not understand many of them, he had memorized them all. Thanks to his powerful Psionic Power, Zhang Xuan's memory was extraordinarily strong. Never forgetting anything he had seen was nothing difficult for him.

"They are! Of course they are!" Howard Stark was incomparably excited. Though he had only heard a few names, he believed these technologies would absolutely propel Stark Industries to entirely new heights. As a businessman, profit was what mattered most.

"Then, Mr. Stark, when will we sign the contract?"

"Right now. We'll sign it right now!"

Afraid of delaying anything, Howard Stark immediately called and instructed his lawyer to draft the contract. That very night, the two signed it. Zhang Xuan also contributed all the advanced future technology stored in his mind. In return, Zhang Xuan received thirty percent of Stark Industries' original founder's shares.

"Big brother, you traded so many good things for just thirty percent of the founder's shares. Isn't that a little..." Though Little Monroe was only fourteen years old, she was far from inexperienced. Just from hearing Zhang Xuan talk about those technologies, she knew they were extremely valuable. The young girl felt that exchanging them for thirty percent of Stark Industries' founder's shares was not quite worth it.

"Little Monroe, you'll understand in the future." Of course Zhang Xuan knew how much the technology he had contributed was worth, but he also knew it would be wasted sitting in his mind. He did not have the ability to develop such things himself. Besides, Stark Industries would become the largest conglomerate in the world in the future. Thirty percent of the founder's shares was no small amount.

"Hey, Alex, where did you go? We've been looking for you for two hours!" Bucky's dissatisfied voice came from behind him, followed by Steve's. "Alex, nothing unexpected happened, right?"

Only upon hearing their voices did Zhang Xuan come back to his senses. He felt somewhat embarrassed; he had completely forgotten about his two best friends.

"Nothing. I was just wandering around." Meeting Vivien Leigh and investing in Stark Industries were both too unbelievable. Even if he told them, no one would likely believe him, so Zhang Xuan decided not to mention them.

Steve and Bucky had been worried about Zhang Xuan, and seeing that he was fine, they relaxed. Only then did they notice Little Monroe, whose hand Zhang Xuan was holding. Steve was merely stunned for a moment before recovering. He raised his head and looked at Zhang Xuan in surprise, as if asking who she was.

Bucky, however, looked at Zhang Xuan with a strange grin and said in a mocking tone, "Alex, I didn't expect you to be this capable. It's only been how long? And she's even a little girl. Aren't you afraid..."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" The moment Zhang Xuan saw Bucky's wicked grin, he knew what Bucky was thinking. He smacked Bucky hard on the shoulder and said solemnly, "This is Marilyn Monroe. She's an orphan. From now on, I'm her big brother!"

"An orphan?" Steve and Bucky exchanged a glance. Looking at the cheerful Marilyn Monroe, a trace of pity flashed through their eyes. "She's your little sister, which makes her our little sister too. We'll take care of her."

Little Monroe was quite clever herself. Hearing them, she immediately stepped forward, gave them a sweet smile, and called out, "Hello, big brothers!"

Hearing that "big brothers," Steve and Bucky could not help laughing, both of them immensely happy.

The group of four walked along the Brooklyn Bridge. On an early summer night, a cool breeze blew across the river, making them feel refreshed and invigorated. Yet two among them were in somewhat heavy moods.

Bucky deliberately slowed a few steps and pulled Steve back as well. He asked quietly, "Steve, how much money do you have left?"

"After helping Alex pay his medical bills last time, I don't have much left." Steve looked at Alex and Little Monroe ahead, laughing and chatting happily. He nodded and said with a smile, "But I can paint. I should be able to earn some money."

"I can work at a factory." Bucky nodded as well. "Since Monroe is our little sister, we can't let her suffer even a little. We need to earn more money and dress her up beautifully."

"Yeah. She's our little sister. We have to give her a good life." Steve clenched his fist, his face full of determination.

Zhang Xuan and Little Monroe, walking ahead, had no idea what the two behind them were discussing. If Zhang Xuan had known, he would probably have not known whether to laugh or cry. With thirty percent of Stark Industries' founder's shares, would Zhang Xuan still need to worry about money? Besides, there was also "Ghost"!