Chapter 107: Seeking Inspiration

Wang Jing did not bother looking for a hotel this time, heading straight to Tony Stark’s seaside villa instead.

"Why are you here?" Tony asked, looking slightly surprised at Wang Jing’s arrival.

"I’m here to lay low for a while, and I have something for you." Wang Jing tossed the second-generation Arc Reactor, crafted by Vanko and his son, to Tony.

Tony caught the glowing white device in a flurry. "Is... is this a new generation of the Arc Reactor?" he asked, staring at it in disbelief.

"That’s right. It uses a new element. I hope it helps you," Wang Jing said with a nod. He then walked into the luxurious villa and let his team out.

"Wow! This place is truly opulent!" Li Yiyi exclaimed, marveling at the interior design.

Pocketing the reactor, Tony said generously, "Consider this your room and board. If you need anything, just ask Jarvis; he’ll take care of it." With that, Tony turned on his heel and headed straight for his underground laboratory.

"Jarvis, are you there?" Li Yiyi asked curiously as soon as Tony left.

"I am, sir."

"Order us some takeout. I want an Australian lobster!" Li Yiyi said impatiently.

"What would you like, Mr. Wang?" Jarvis asked.

"I’ll have an iced cola and two beef burgers," Wang Jing replied.

"Same for us," Liu Peiqiang and Wang Lei added.

"Jarvis, where is your server interface?" Li Yiyi asked after they had finished eating.

"I can open a local area network for you to connect to," Jarvis replied, generating a Wi-Fi signal linked to the main server.

Once connected, Li Yiyi began his work. It must be said that working with such powerful servers was highly efficient; in no time, he uncovered the full story behind the Abomination incident and obtained all the files related to Hammer Industries.

"Boss, here is the information you asked for," Li Yiyi said, handing a tablet to Wang Jing.

Wang Jing took the tablet and began reading. The situation was much as he had anticipated: unable to locate Bruce Banner, the military had tracked down Samuel Sterns, who had previously been in contact with Banner, and seized all his research data and equipment. However, just as the troops were preparing to move the materials, Emil Blonsky—now the Abomination—forced Sterns to inject him with Hulk’s blood. That was the catalyst for the Abomination riot.

"Truly, people only die when they go looking for it," Wang Jing remarked, before turning his attention to the Hammer Industries files.

"Send all this to Number Two, and prepare to acquire all of Hammer Industries' assets," Wang Jing ordered.

"Understood, Boss."

No sooner had Wang Jing finished his instructions than Tony Stark came running back up, clutching the Arc Reactor. "How exactly is the new element in this synthesized?" he asked excitedly.

"That is something you have to discover for yourself. I can't tell you right now," Wang Jing said, lounging lazily on the living room sofa.

"Why not?"

"It’s a test for you. If you can’t figure it out, then you aren’t ready," Wang Jing replied, looking at Tony with a languid expression.

"Can you at least give me a hint?"

"No. You have to find it yourself; it would be meaningless if I just told you."

Tony stared at the Arc Reactor in his hand and muttered, "Looks like I need to relax and find some inspiration."

"That’s a good suggestion. I’ve heard that people often tap into their hidden potential when they are in danger. You should try that," Wang Jing suggested, baiting him.

"Hmm, I’ve heard that too. I recall there’s an F1 Grand Prix in Monaco the day after tomorrow. Do you want to go together?"

"Certainly."

Two days later, in Monaco, escorted by a police cruiser, Wang Jing, Tony Stark, and Pepper Potts arrived at the Hotel de Paris.

As they entered the lobby, camera flashes erupted incessantly. Fortunately, the reporters were relatively restrained, and since there were other celebrities present besides Wang Jing and Tony, the journalists were content to snap photos without crowding them for questions.

"Have you really thought this through?" Wang Jing asked after grabbing two drinks from the bar and handing one to Tony.

"Uh-huh. I’ve thought it through quite clearly. I’m going to spend a long time focusing on developing new technology. Company matters will have to be left to Pepper—she’s the most suitable person for the job," Tony replied.

"Congratulations, Ms. Potts. You’ve finally made it to the top!"

"Oh no, I’m just helping Tony manage company affairs temporarily," Pepper replied modestly.

"Mr. Wang, why isn't Miss Alice here with you?" Pepper asked curiously, glancing behind Wang Jing.

"Alice has other business to attend to, so she couldn't make it."

Just as the three were chatting, Justin Hammer suddenly approached. "Hey! Tony, is that you? Long time no see. You aren't the only one here driving a fancy car!" He paused, noticing the other man. "Oh, Mr. Wang, I didn't expect to see you here either."

Hammer acted as if he had no idea how badly he had been humiliated just days prior.

"Do you know Christine from *Vanity Fair* magazine? I heard you two are acquainted," Hammer said, introducing a beautiful woman in a green evening gown who was walking toward them.

"Uh-huh! We know each other," Tony said, though in truth, he had no memory of the woman standing before him.

"Yes, they go way back," Pepper added from the side.

"Hello, Ms. Potts. Long time no see," Christine said with a smile, waving.

"You know, these two are the people of the hour," Hammer whispered into Christine’s ear, gesturing toward Tony and Wang Jing. "And this is the new CEO of Stark Industries. Congratulations, Ms. Potts!"

"Ms. Potts, could I get an interview? Please? My editor will kill me if I can't get the most powerful people to talk," Christine pleaded.

"Do you remember who this woman is yet?" Wang Jing asked, looking at Tony.

"I remember, but it's very fuzzy. I can't quite recall the details," Tony whispered back.

"You really are a scoundrel, aren't you? Do you even remember who you slept with the night before you were dragged into that cave?" Wang Jing reminded him.

"Oh! Now that you mention it, I have a faint recollection. But you can't blame me; you know how I was back then—I’d forget the women I slept with by the next day," Tony defended himself.

While Wang Jing and Tony were whispering, Pepper Potts slipped away under the pretense of heading to the restroom.

"Hi! Tony, you look like you're in great spirits. Oh, you too, Mr. Wang, you look quite well yourself!" Once Pepper was gone, Hammer began making small talk again.

"Yes, indeed. I’ve been in a pretty good mood lately," Tony said with a smile.

"Well, honestly, I really want to make an appearance at your exposition," Hammer said, not showing any embarrassment as he made his pitch.

Tony replied breezily, "Sure! As long as you have a new invention, I’ll make sure to save you a spot at the expo."

Just then, Natasha, dressed in red, walked over. Of course, her current identity was Natalie Rushman, Pepper Potts' personal assistant.

"Mr. Stark, your seat is ready."

Seeing a chance to escape, Tony stood up immediately to leave, with Wang Jing following close behind. However, before departing, Wang Jing looked at Hammer and said with a meaningful tone, "Mr. Hammer, I hope we have the opportunity to work together in the future."

Though caught off guard by the sudden invitation, Hammer immediately broke into a wide smile. "I look forward to it!"