Chapter 17: Only 3-Year-Olds Read Comics

It was noon, and the blazing sun hanging in the sky was like a fiery ball roasting the earth.

On the street corner of Brooklyn Street in New York City, there was a newsstand.

A rather overweight young white man, who seemed to have just returned from lunch, was there.

Closing the door, he placed a stack of newspapers from the latest issue of The Daily Bugle, which he had just received a short while ago, in the most conspicuous spot in the newsstand.

"Even though they were delivered late, who can compete with their popularity," he muttered.

Just this simple work was still making him sweat profusely.

He casually wiped his face with his arm.

The young man couldn't wait to heavily throw himself into the chair.

As if suddenly remembering something, the young man struggled to take out a pack of cheap cigarettes from the side pocket of his big pants.

Puff.

Without the slightest regard for the fact that his behavior at this moment might bury him in the fire, he lit the cigarette.

"Ah...that feels good!"

Half-closed eyes, slowly exhaling a smoke ring, this moment felt like the happiest time for him.

"Young man, please help grab a newspaper for me, thanks."

A white-haired old man with a hunched back, don't know when, appeared outside the newsstand.

"Nah, it's all there, pick one yourself, 5 cents each, remember to pay."

He raised his hand and pointed to where the newspapers were placed, while still half-closed eyes exhaling another smoke ring, making the entire newsstand filled with the smell of cheap second-hand smoke.

The old man struggled to stand up straight, grabbed a copy of The Daily Bugle, and slowly took out a 5 cent coin from his pocket and gently placed it on the table.

"Young people nowadays..." sighing, the old man sat on a roadside chair and slowly read the newspaper in his hand.

"Superman in New York? Haha, what an interesting world..."

Reading the newspaper in his hand, an interesting smile appeared on the old man's face.

Swish!

In the hot air, a breeze blew by, making people feel exceptionally refreshed.

"Give me a newspaper, thanks."

"Here, over there, grab one yourself, remember to pay 5 cents after taking it."

Still the same process.

However, the young man who was still half-closed eyes enjoying the ample pleasant feeling the nicotine in the cigarette gave him, suddenly felt an icy cold breath brushing past his face.

Even in the hot noon, the unshaved stubble on his face instantly condensed into icy stiff hair.

The piercing coldness couldn't help but make him shiver and open his eyes in a panic.

In the next moment, the cigarette that had been frozen out in the corner of his mouth fell to the ground.

His entire body instantly jumped up like Tom that had been burned in the ass by hot soup, with his body fat jiggling.

"Hehe, hello Superman, here's the newspaper you wanted."

"Superman, you don't need to pay, consider it my gift to you."

"Young people, remember to always improve yourself in what you do!"

The old man by the roadside had somehow already gotten up at some point, only leaving behind these words and a hunched silhouette.

Swish!

Looking enviously at the figure that instantly disappeared into the sky, the young man wiped the non-existent cold sweat from his head.

His eyes then turned to the five cent coin deeply embedded into the stainless steel tabletop, speechless.

...

"The Greatest Superhero in the History of Mankind - Superman, has made a surprise appearance in New York City, which is a blessing for New York and for all of mankind!"

At Stark Industries, Obadiah Stane's Office

"The editor of The Daily Bugle is getting better and better at coming up with eye-catching headlines."

Casually throw the just-read issue of The Daily Bugle with the captivating headline onto the desk.

Obadiah Stane walked to his desk.

Then he opened an encrypted file on his personal computer.

"The Jericho missile, heh, Tony Stark, you really are a genius that can match your old man."

"Unfortunately, just like your old man, stubborn and inflexible."

Casually sending this file representing Stark Industries' top secret information (weapon specs only) as well as a long-drafted letter to an unknown IP address.

Obadiah Stane closed his computer and strode to the window, overlooking almost the entirety of New York City from his high vantage point.

"Superman? Tony Stark? Power? A genius mind?"

"Heh heh, in the end, this world is still ruled by capital, whoever has the most money gets to truly dominate this world!"

Seemingly thinking of something, Obadiah turned to his desk and picked up the phone.

"Hello, General Ross..."

"That's right, on behalf of Stark Industries I accept your order for those special weapons."

"Hold on, don't hang up yet, I can offer your military an additional deal..."

"Haha, well then, pleasure doing business!"

After hanging up the phone, a sinister smile flashed across Obadiah's face.

The next moment, his smile instantly became kind and amiable as he slowly opened his mouth looking at the beautiful blonde woman knocking on his office door, Pepper Potts.

"Come in quick, Ms. Potts, your timing is perfect. We just received two large orders from the military worth a whopping $5 billion. I hope you can notify Tony as soon as possible."

"Mr. Stane, with orders like these, won't Stark Industries be..."

As the CEO's secretary, Pepper Potts, after briefly understanding the orders they accepted, still felt they might not be able to fulfill such orders.

"Don't worry Ms. Potts, don't you understand Tony by now? He's the most genius weapons engineer alive today. No difficulties can stump him."

"Alright, Mr. Stane, I will pass it to Mr. Stark."

As a secretary, Pepper's power was limited. Being able to voice doubts was already her best effort.

...

Night time, in a luxury villa on Malibu Beach, Los Angeles.

Tony Stark, having just returned from some party with two beautiful blonde ladies to his villa, finally ended his firearm-roaring lifestyle.

Unable to sleep, he removed his hand from the supple body of a curvaceous beauty and left the bedroom filled with strange smells. He went to the underground lab of the villa.

"Hey Jarvis, see if we have any new projects to work on recently."

Holding a glass of expensive red wine from '92, Tony shouted into the air.

"Sir, two new orders were just received from your company. There is some information in them for you to review."

Accompanied by a magnetic voice, a virtual projection instantly appeared on the lab table surface before Tony.

"Hmm, this is..."

Looking at the two documents on the visualized tabletop, Tony's expression was still quite casual.

Casually throwing the highly valued red wine into the trash can. Then he used his finger to tap open the content of one of the documents in midair.

"Recreate the super soldier serum experiment? Gamma radiation mutation? Hulk..."

Looking at this information in front of him, the expression on Tony's face grew more and more serious.

"These foolish military goons only know how to make trouble."

After briefly understanding the document, Tony felt this order seemed a bit challenging. Then he opened the second order.

"What joke is this? How can there be a Superman in this world!"

The moment he opened the second order, Tony was filled with doubt over its authenticity.

"Sir, this is the media's latest report on Superman today, along with the original video from the press conference, and many photos claimed to be taken by passersby of Superman in flight."

With Jarvis' words, many videos and blurry photos of Superman appeared in the virtual projection in front of him.

"Could Superman have really jumped out from the comics?"

Tony still couldn't believe it.

"Mr. Stark, do you need to see the Superman comics? There are detailed introductions of this character, it may help you fulfill the order."

"You must be joking, only 3-year-old kids read comics."

Tony seemed to deeply despise people who read comics.

"Warning, there is..."

Jarvis' warning had just started ringing when Tony's figure already disappeared from the basement.

"..."

Even the most powerful AI Jarvis was stunned for a few seconds.

"Activating emergency plan, contacting Ms. Pepper Potts..."

...

(End of Chapter)

To be continued...