"But I still don't quite understand why you want me to bring my combat gear?" Natasha remarked, holding Kurohane's hand, her joyful expression unconcealed. She liked Kurohane's sour face at the moment, it looked quite cute amidst the formality of the event. "This is just a Stark Industries exhibition, will there be a fight?"
Kurohane pursed his lips, squinting at the innocent Natasha. "Once upon a time, Tony had just sold missiles and ended up being captured by the Ten Rings," he paused, recalling that bitter past. "Forcing me to eat sand in the desert for three months. You must know about this."
"Last time, Tony stayed at home, researching and developing the Iron Man suit, and his Arc Reactor was stolen," Kurohane continued, his tone a little more serious. "Then his good uncle, Obadiah Stane, appeared and controlled the Iron Monger, which almost made my heart explode again. I was hooked up to medical equipment in the hospital for days. You know about this too." Kurohane sighed, his gestures convincing. "And now, Tony has created such a big event. If you say nothing will happen, I don't believe it!"
Natasha looked thoughtful. "Although it sounds a bit metaphysical, Kurohane, what you're saying makes quite a bit of sense. At least you're good at statistics!" There was a slight smile on her lips, indicating that she was starting to understand Kurohane's anxiety.
"Do you still have that Space Ring? Can you give me one? Or better yet, just give me whatever you have. As a sorcerer, you're not short on places to put things." Natasha had already seen Kurohane's Space Ring. Both their clothes and weapons were inside. It was impossible not to be tempted by such a good item, after all, it was a magical artifact! The status of a sorcerer in the Western world was like the status of an Immortal Sword in Chinese legends – truly cool!
Kurohane grabbed Natasha's arm and walked into the event venue, saying casually, "In what situation would a man give a ring to a woman?"
"Proposing?" Natasha guessed, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Or perhaps at a jewelry store, after the female customer pays enough dollars?" Kurohane retorted, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Saying that is so unromantic! I've already asked, you have to put the ring on my hand!" Natasha pouted, feigning annoyance.
"Although I don't think you can afford it, I still have to tell you now, the price has gone up again!" Natasha's big beautiful eyes blinked again, saying nothing, but her meaning was clear, she wouldn't pay a single cent!
Kurohane sighed. This woman is no good! After tricking me into giving me clothes, she still wants to trick me into giving me a Space Ring?! Kurohane's gaze gradually became 'nuclear-friendly', his killing intent almost solidified! And Natasha just added another judgment about Kurohane: a stingy person who loved money!
After entering the venue, Kurohane and Natasha sat next to Pepper Potts, who was swamped with work. Ever since Tony decided to become a hands-off boss, Pepper had become the new CEO of Stark Industries. Kurohane also took Natasha, his assistant, away, so Pepper had been practically drowning in a sea of work for the past two days.
"Oh my god, Kurohane finally came! Can you give me back my assistant?" Pepper pleaded, her face showing exhaustion.
"No, she's my personal assistant now, and I've even paid her salary in advance!" Kurohane flatly refused. "She has to work for me until the end of her life! Even if she dies, she has to crawl out of her grave!"
Pepper looked at Kurohane's vexed face, as if someone had spent millions of his dollars. Then she carefully observed the clothes they were wearing and instantly understood where the problem lay. She wasn't like Tony, who didn't know the price of clothes. Their outfits were truly worth millions. And they were unique, handcrafted items by famous designers, by no means cheap!
"Although the clothes are expensive, at least you are a director of Stark Industries," Pepper tried to appease, "This much money means nothing to you, don't be so stingy!"
"But my credit card has reached its limit! I don't even have money to buy groceries at the supermarket now!" It would have been better if Pepper hadn't said this. As soon as she did, Kurohane felt like crying. That kind of extravagant woman was dangerous! Dating expenses were too high! Being single was better!
Ring ring ring~~~
Pepper's phone rang, interrupting Kurohane and Pepper's conversation. Tony's somewhat anxious voice could be heard from the receiver. Even Kurohane, sitting nearby, could hear it.
"Hello, is that Potts? Are you at the exhibition?"
"Yes, I'm with Kurohane. You're the CEO of Stark Industries, you should be here!"
"Get out of there quickly! And give the phone to Kurohane, there's something I want to tell him!"
Pepper didn't understand Tony's meaning and handed the phone to Kurohane with a strange look.
"Kurohane! Quickly take Pepper and leave the exhibition! That crazy scientist is going to hurt her!"
"There are too many crazy scientists in the world, which one are you talking about?" Kurohane feigned ignorance of what Tony was saying, but he had already started moving. He looked at Natasha, then left his seat and walked towards the backstage area of the exhibition.
Natasha was quick-witted. She grabbed Pepper's hand and followed Kurohane's steps. It seemed Kurohane's conclusion was right. Every time Tony caused something to happen, an accident would occur. Just by seeing Kurohane's hurried walking pace, she knew this matter wouldn't be small!
"It's Ivan Vanko, the one who attacked me at the racetrack. He seems to be from Hammer Industries..."
"That's not important. What's important is whether your Arc Reactor upgrade is complete?" Kurohane kept interrupting. He had already heard the whoosh of wind around Tony. He guessed Tony was already flying towards them in his suit, but it might take longer.
"My father, Howard Stark, gave me a lesson even after being dead for over ten years. Perhaps compared to him, I'm not so genius," Tony sounded proud. "This new element he discovered can replace palladium. Now I don't have to worry about dying from poisoning anymore!"
The moment Tony knew Kurohane was there, he no longer worried about Pepper's safety. He excitedly began talking to Kurohane about the new Arc Reactor. With the discovery of this new element alone, he could stand on the podium for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry!
However, Kurohane's single sentence poured a basin of cold water over Tony's enthusiasm, almost making him fall! "Are you ready to accept the award in your father's name?"
"Why should I accept the award in my father's name? I am the one who synthesized the new element!"
"But your father discovered this new element more than ten years ago, Tony. You should be more honest!" Kurohane admonished. "You know, little kids who like to lie will have long noses!"
Tony felt annoyed. "So are all overly honest people sharp-tongued? Why say something so discouraging when the moment is so joyful?! Let's reduce contact with each other in the future. Talking to you makes my heart ache!"
"Your heart aches because there's a bomb fragment in your heart, and that bomb was also produced by your company," Kurohane retorted casually.
"What does that have to do with me?" Tony asked, his voice flat.
"You're the CEO of Stark Industries. That bomb came out of the production line you yourself led."