Chapter Ten: Return to the Homeland!

The rest needs little explanation. Stark used the Ten Rings to help the base call Rhode, and the US military sent personnel to take over the base, conveniently bringing the three back with them. Before the military arrived, both Tony’s Mark I suit and the micro-robots were collected by Haoyun, thereby unmistakably revealing his spatial backpack. Of course, Haoyun was Tony’s personal assistant, and his backpack was accessible to Tony—he certainly wouldn’t spill the secret, at most just want to study it a little?

“Yinsen, come with me. Once we’re back on my turf, I’ll give you an executive title, make sure you live comfortably.”

As they prepared to leave, Yinsen insisted on staying behind. Tony held onto his shoulder, refusing to let go, determined to convince him to enjoy the good life.

“No, thanks,” Yinsen replied with a smile. “My home is here. Just arrange for me to stay at the US military base. I studied medicine—I'm better suited for the Middle East.”

Unable to sway him, Tony had to let Yinsen remain. Before leaving, he specifically instructed Rhode and the general to look after Yinsen; with military protection, he believed his friend would be safe.

The plane took off, and finally, after a week of life-and-death ordeal, Tony and Haoyun began their journey home.

Eighteen hours passed quickly. Haoyun helped Tony off the plane—greeted by his aunt Pepper and their driver, Happy.

“Hmph, your eyes are red?”

Tony shrugged off Haoyun’s support and strode over to Pepper.

Behind them, Haoyun, Happy, and Rhode gathered, whispering conspiratorially.

“Hey, how long do you think it’ll take Tony to confess to my aunt?”

“Shouldn’t be long, right? Mr. Stark’s got a way with women…”

“No, as his friend, I know Tony’s true nature. When it comes to someone he genuinely likes, he’s shy…”

“What? You’re telling me that playboy Tony gets bashful? Rhode, you’re joking!”

“Kid, don’t call me Rhode—call me Uncle!”

The three chatted away, and only when Tony and Pepper had finished their affectionate reunion did they separate and each climb into their cars.

“Where to, sir?” Happy asked from the driver’s seat. Pepper replied, “The hospital…”

“No,” Tony interrupted her. “Right now I only want to do two things… First, eat an American cheeseburger; second—”

“Don’t even say it.” Pepper’s face showed clear disgust; old habits die hard—Tony was still the same playboy! Haoyun’s talk of change hadn’t even touched the first point!

“No, it’s not what you think,” Tony hurried to explain. “I want to hold a press conference!”

“Why do you want a press conference…?”

“Aunt, listen to the boss. Don’t forget what I told you,” Haoyun cut off Pepper’s doubts, gently reminding her. Pepper looked at Tony, then at Haoyun, still puzzled but not pressing further, letting Happy drive them to the Stark Group’s press conference venue.

Arriving at the conference, the returning Tony was mobbed by fervent reporters as he walked inside. Haoyun deliberately lagged behind with Pepper.

Tony already knew what he wanted to say—he was going to announce the shutdown of the weapons division. He was more concerned about Pepper’s performance over the past two months.

“Aunt, how’s the data you collected?”

“You mean the company’s weapons sales records?” Pepper replied. “Not much luck. Right now, all I have is Obadiah’s list of external arms sales—no decisive evidence.”

“How can that be!” Haoyun exclaimed. If he remembered correctly, in the movie plot, Obadiah Stane’s computer should contain footage of Tony’s kidnapping!

Wait—given Obadiah’s status as a board member, Pepper probably wouldn’t dare hack his computer!

“Have you investigated Obadiah’s computer?”

“What are you thinking?” Pepper looked at him strangely. “Obadiah is a board member—even if I suspect him, I can’t just go snooping in his computer. What if it contains confidential files?”

Well, Haoyun shrugged; his aunt was simply too bound by professional ethics. Without the push of love, Pepper would never break her own code. He’d have to have a private talk with Tony.

“Miss Potts, Mr. Potts, may I have a word with you?”

As the two exchanged information, a gentle man with a receding hairline approached.

Haoyun turned to look—ah, Marvel’s second “village chief” for new recruits, Coulson, had arrived.

“Sorry, the press conference is about to start…”

Pepper instinctively refused; after all, so many FBI and CIA agents had come to question them lately. None seemed trustworthy, and she really didn't want more contact.

“I’m not a reporter. I’m Agent Coulson from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.”

“I…”

“Aunt, let me handle this.” Haoyun stopped Pepper and looked at Coulson. “Agent Coulson, you want to know how Tony Stark escaped the Middle East, right? No problem—if you return Howard Stark’s belongings currently held by your agency to Tony, I think he’d be happy to give you an interview.”

Coulson’s pupils contracted. How did the boy know Howard’s belongings were in their custody? Was there a mole?

“You…”

“No need to ask how I know. Besides, Tony is Howard’s only child. As the organization Howard personally founded, you’re holding his belongings and refusing to give them to his child—don’t you think that’s excessive?”

Pepper picked up on something as well. As Tony’s secretary, she immediately chose to protect her boss’s interests.

“He’s right. Until you return Tony’s father’s belongings, I won’t disclose a single word to you. I guarantee Tony won’t either!”

Their firm resistance left Coulson speechless. Helpless, he had no choice but to leave.

“I’ll speak to the Director. I’m sorry, I’ll take my leave.”

With that, Coulson didn’t linger at the venue, heading straight outside. Once clear, he pressed the earpiece at his right ear. “Director, Mr. Potts has an issue. He’s demanding we hand over Howard’s belongings before he’ll tell us about the Middle East incident.”

“How did he know?” Nick Fury asked, puzzled. Howard was one of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s three founders—that fact was unknown even to Tony, let alone Haoyun Potts.

After a moment of silence, perhaps realizing that since the information was already out, further secrecy would only alienate Tony, Nick decided to relent.

“I’ll have Natasha bring the belongings to you. Remember, you must get Tony to share the details!”

“Yes, Director!”