Guarantee

Early the next morning, Zhang Xuan was urged by Steve and Bucky to head to the police station. Adopting Little Monroe required proper documentation, after all.

"Sorry, but you don't meet the adoption requirements." Hearing the middle-aged female officer's words, Zhang Xuan was dumbfounded. He had thought it would just be a matter of getting a certificate at the station, but this was the answer he got.

"Why? Is it because I'm Asian?!" Zhang Xuan stared at the officer's indifferent expression, a flicker of anger rising in his chest as he demanded loudly.

The officer blinked in surprise and quickly explained, "Sorry, sir, I think you misunderstand. It's because your age doesn't meet the adoption criteria, so you're not eligible."

"Huh?" Zhang Xuan's face flushed with embarrassment. He scratched his head and apologized, "Sorry, I misunderstood you!"

Then he pointed at Little Monroe beside him and asked anxiously, "But her current foster parents treat her badly. She just ran away from home. If I don't adopt her, what will happen to her?"

The officer's heart softened at the sight of Little Monroe's sorrowful face. She reached out and gently touched the girl's cheek, saying warmly, "Her foster parents will face legal consequences, and we'll find her a good family."

Steve and Bucky, hearing this for the first time, were filled with righteous fury, itching to find Little Monroe's foster parents and teach them a lesson. When they heard the officer's words, they refused outright, "No, we don't trust anyone else!"

"Isn't there another way? If we want to adopt her?" Zhang Xuan knew there were good people in the world, but like Steve and Bucky, he couldn't bear to hand Little Monroe over to strangers.

The officer shook her head, looking apologetic.

"Wait here. I'm going to find someone." Leaving those words behind, Zhang Xuan dashed out of the police station like a shot, ducked into an empty alley, and vanished in an instant with Teleportation.

Minutes later, Zhang Xuan arrived at Stark Industries and went straight to Howard Stark. As a major arms supplier for the U.S. military, Howard Stark held a uniquely influential position in America. He should be able to solve this problem.

Zhang Xuan found Howard Stark in a hidden underground lab, where he was studying the stack of documents Zhang Xuan had contributed the day before.

"Hey, Alex, what brings you here?" Howard spotted Zhang Xuan and hurried over, his face brimming with excitement.

Zhang Xuan cut straight to the chase and explained his situation. But to his surprise, Howard didn't agree on the spot. "Howard, what's wrong?"

"Alex, child protection laws in the U.S. are very strict. I can't help you with this." Howard looked at Zhang Xuan, guilt written on his face. "If I did, the media would tear me apart. Then..."

Zhang Xuan felt a pang of disappointment. He hadn't expected even Howard to be unable to help.

"Although I can't directly help, I can act as your guarantor." Seeing Zhang Xuan's crestfallen expression, Howard paused in thought before speaking. "If you can find two more guarantors, the three of us vouching for you will make adopting Little Monroe no problem."

"Guarantors?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback but felt a surge of hope. "Can my friends do it?"

"Of course not!" Howard glanced at Zhang Xuan and continued, "The guarantors must be people with immense prestige and recognition in the United States."

Zhang Xuan paused, then a name suddenly came to mind. "Can Vivien Leigh do it?"

"Of course!" Howard replied without hesitation, then looked at Zhang Xuan in surprise. "You know Vivien Leigh?" Though he had invited her to the Stark Expo, their relationship was shallow—she hadn't even given him a second glance.

"I met her just last night." Zhang Xuan answered casually, then pressed on, "Mr. Stark, can you help me get in touch with Miss Leigh?"

"Miss Leigh hasn't left New York yet. I can find her for you." Howard blinked, then nodded in agreement. He was curious about the connection between Zhang Xuan and Vivien Leigh—met last night, and now asking her to be a guarantor? Wasn't that a bit too casual?

"Miss Leigh, we meet again!" Zhang Xuan soon found Vivien Leigh at a hotel.

"Mr. Alex, I was just looking for you too!" Seeing Zhang Xuan, Vivien Leigh's face lit up. "Last night, I told Victor your story. He can't wait to meet you—he's on a plane to New York right now."

"Huh? There's no need to rush."

"Victor is eager to bring your story to the big screen." Vivien Leigh covered her mouth with a light laugh at Zhang Xuan's stunned expression.

"Actually, Miss Leigh, I came to ask for your help." Zhang Xuan gave an awkward smile, remembering his real purpose. He quickly explained Little Monroe's situation and Howard's suggestion.

"I can be your guarantor, but..."

"Whatever it is, Miss Leigh, just say it. I'll agree!" Zhang Xuan saw her hesitate and thumped his chest.

"I want to be Monroe's guardian." Vivien Leigh chuckled again, and when she saw Zhang Xuan's expression shift, she explained, "I took a liking to her last night. You wouldn't object to me being her guardian, would you?"

"Of course not!" Zhang Xuan knew full well that he would soon enlist with Steve, leaving Monroe alone in America. Having Vivien Leigh as her guardian suited him perfectly—why would he object?

"But we need three guarantors. With you and Howard, that's only two. We're still one short."

"Alex, you forgot—Victor will be in New York soon. I'm sure he'll be happy to vouch for you."

That afternoon, Zhang Xuan met a travel-worn Victor Fleming. After a brief chat, Victor agreed on the spot.

The next day, Zhang Xuan brought Little Monroe, along with Steve and Bucky, back to the police station.

"Alex, did you figure something out?" Steve's gaunt face was pale and sickly. His health was already poor, and staying up all night drawing for days had taken its toll.

Zhang Xuan noticed Steve's pallor and asked with concern, "Steve, are you okay? Don't worry about Little Monroe—it'll be settled today."

"I'm fine!" Steve waved away Zhang Xuan's outstretched hand, looking at Little Monroe with a full smile.

"What's going on?" Bucky suddenly pointed ahead. Following his finger, they saw the police station entrance packed with reporters, buzzing with excitement.

Seeing this, Zhang Xuan suddenly remembered—he had forgotten to tell them to keep a low profile yesterday...

As expected, as they got closer, they could hear people shouting at the top of their lungs, "Vivien Leigh, I love you!" and "Howard Stark, marry me!"

"Vivien Leigh? Howard Stark? What are they doing here?" Steve frowned slightly, not as excited as Bucky, looking puzzled.

Zhang Xuan knew exactly why they were there, but he couldn't say it now. He could only drag the three of them through the crowd and into the station.

"Hey, Alex, you're finally here!" Howard spotted Zhang Xuan, immediately ditched the reporters, and walked over. As Howard moved, Vivien Leigh followed, while Victor was already waiting inside. The reporters who tried to tail them were all blocked by the police.

Seeing Howard—who stood out wherever he went—Zhang Xuan complained, "Couldn't you have disguised yourselves?"

"We didn't expect to draw this much attention." Vivien Leigh's cheeks flushed slightly. Causing such a commotion was a bit embarrassing for her.

"Forget it, let's just get the paperwork done." Since it had already happened, Zhang Xuan had no choice. Luckily, no one had noticed them when they came in.

Steve and Bucky stood to the side, stunned. They never imagined their friend knew Howard Stark and Vivien Leigh—and seemed to be on good terms with them.

"I'll explain in detail when we get back." Seeing the look on Steve and Bucky's faces, Zhang Xuan knew what they were thinking. He gently patted both their shoulders and explained in a low voice, "Right now, we need to get Little Monroe's situation settled."

With Howard Stark and Vivien Leigh acting as guarantors—Victor was just there to fill out the numbers—the paperwork was quickly completed. Little Monroe became Zhang Xuan's sister, while Vivien Leigh became Monroe's guardian. Victor also joined in for fun, becoming Monroe's godfather. Howard wanted to get a piece of the action too, but Zhang Xuan stopped him.

"You're a playboy. Stay far away from Little Monroe!" Zhang Xuan's reasoning was razor-sharp.

Hearing that, Howard could only wipe away his tears in secret.

P.S.: Adoption guarantors don't actually exist in the US. Scorpion made this up for the sake of the plot, so don't mind it.