Chapter 101: The Agony of Being Surrounded by Fans

The next day, just as Wang Jing had anticipated, he received an electronic invitation from Tony Stark to the Stark Expo.

“What are you planning to wear tomorrow?” Wang Jing glanced over at Alice and asked.

“Something comfortable for moving around. How about a tight-fitting sports outfit?”

Wang Jing was taken aback. “Who wears tight sportswear in the evening? Besides, you’re going to be my date. Whether you look good or not reflects on me.”

“Then what do you suggest? I haven’t worn a dress in almost ten years. The last time was when we were on a mission together in the Transformers dimension,” Alice complained.

Wang Jing thought for a moment but couldn’t come up with a better idea. “How about getting someone to custom-make one for you?”

Alice’s eyes lit up at the suggestion and she eagerly agreed.

So, amidst the envious glances of three other men, the two returned to the prime dimension.

As soon as Wang Jing returned, Song Guohua told him, “The second-generation Ark reactor has been installed on your armor, but the laser weapons and high-powered ion thrusters will take some time. They should be ready before you attend the expo.”

Wang Jing nodded and asked, “Can the high-powered ion thrusters fire arc pulse cannons?”

“Not yet. For now, they only serve as flight stabilizers, but the newly installed laser emitters will make up for ammunition shortages.”

Song Guohua added earnestly, “And you won’t be engaging in intense frontline battles. Your mission is to explore alternate dimensions and collect data. Large-scale fights will be handled by the dimensional expedition force.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I just want a little more protection,” Wang Jing said like a frustrated middle schooler being nagged by his mother.

“Don’t take it lightly. I’m not just responsible for you—I’m responsible for all humanity. You should know the United Government is under immense pressure to allow you to travel to other dimensions,” Song Guohua said earnestly.

Wang Jing waved dismissively, clearly uninterested.

Seeing this, Song Guohua sighed helplessly, like a father worried sick about his rebellious son, watching Wang Jing and Alice walk away.

At that moment, Song’s secretary, Cheng Peng, came over, patted Song on the shoulder, and teased, “Feeling like you have a rebellious teenager again?”

“Go do your work. I invited you to help, not to mock me!” Song Guohua snapped.

“Don’t worry so much. Things aren’t as bad as you think.” Cheng Peng handed over a stack of reports. “The United Government has planned to deploy the first batch of robots in high-risk industries. Plus, a global alert system is in place. If Wang Jing faces danger, an alarm will sound to prepare everyone.”

“To prepare for the worst, countries worldwide are expanding medical pod production, aiming for one pod per hundred people globally to minimize the impact of mass casualties,” Cheng Peng explained.

Meanwhile, Wang Jing and Alice climbed into Bumblebee and headed to the nearest shopping mall.

Thanks to Bumblebee’s expert driving, they arrived at Z City’s largest shopping center within minutes.

Parking underground, they took the elevator to the second floor’s clothing section. Alice, looking at the endless rows of stores, asked in surprise, “I thought you wanted to get something custom-made? Why are we at the mall?”

“Because there’s a store here that offers private tailoring, and they do a good job,” Wang Jing answered casually.

Noticing a hint of melancholy in Wang Jing’s eyes, Alice curiously asked, “Don’t guys usually avoid big malls for clothes shopping? How do you even know about this place?”

Wang Jing twitched his lips, cursing himself silently for revealing too much, then said gruffly, “That’s because you’re thinking like someone who’s broke. When I was in college, I was already making over ten thousand a month.”

“Oh! That’s impressive! How did you do it?” Alice’s curiosity grew.

“That’s a business secret!” Wang Jing dodged the question.

Alice gave him a look of strong dissatisfaction—after all, what woman can resist the allure of gossip?

As they talked, more and more people began to stare, some even stopping to look directly at them.

Only then did Wang Jing realize he hadn’t taken any protective measures. Starting now would be too late. Recalling the last time he was surrounded by fans asking for autographs while shopping, a chill ran down his spine.

Noticing his unease, Alice asked, “What’s wrong? Why are you so nervous?”

Lowering his voice, Wang Jing said, “Everyone around here knows me. If they all swarm over, you must protect me.”

Alice laughed, “Isn’t being a big star great? Some people would love the chance.”

“Wait and see,” Wang Jing warned.

Just then, he collided head-on with a girl walking towards him. She gasped and nearly fell.

Wang Jing was startled. The girl had been some distance away—how did she crash into him?

Though puzzled, he swiftly reached out to steady her.

Their surprised eyes met—Wang Jing’s confusion and the girl’s shock intertwined in a posture reminiscent of a cinematic scene where a thug holds a knife to a mute girl’s throat.

Wang Jing gently pulled her upright, but to his surprise, the girl seized the moment to dive into his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist and shouting, “Wang Jing, I like you! I want to have your babies!”

Her outburst immediately drew a crowd. Sensing trouble, Wang Jing tried to pry her hands off him but worried about hurting her.

Unexpectedly, the girl’s grip was incredibly strong, refusing to let go. As the crowd closed in, Wang Jing desperately looked to Alice for help.

Alice understood immediately. She unleashed a force of telekinesis, holding back the approaching crowd, then carefully pried the girl’s fingers apart one by one.

Wrapped in the invisible force, the girl’s face registered astonishment—her arm felt as if being forcibly bent, no matter how hard she struggled.

Seizing the chance, Wang Jing slipped free from her embrace.

“Clear a path. We’re leaving!” he said, pulling Alice forward.

Alice pushed through the crowd with her telekinetic power, carving a path for them to escape.