"... I think I need to clarify, although you guys indeed consumed a lot of the stored food, it actually isn't as bad as it seems. I didn't rewrite the employee benefits system because you have caused me any trouble..."
Pepper's voice was clear on the phone, "I knew Stark would look for you after leaving the Stark Building. He might complain to you, blaming you two for the reason I argued with him. However, that's not true. You don't have to take the blame or worry, it's not really related to you. I just wanted to explain..."
Pepper has a high EQ. She wanted to give Shiller a heads up. If Stark really went to Shiller, and they started talking, Stark would definitely complain that Pepper had argued with him. And if asked about the reason for the argument, Stark, being a straightforward man, wouldn't bother thinking in detail why Pepper gave him the cold shoulder, he would simply blame it all on Shiller.
However, in reality, the tension between Pepper and Stark started since he returned from Afghanistan, that incident was just the trigger. Although Pepper was angry at Stark, she knew she shouldn't let Stark's friends feel guilty about it. That's why she called to explain.
Shiller said, "Of course I know, it was just a small issue, the real cause is not there, but Stark always fails to clarify these issues. Don't you plan to explain it to him?"
Pepper seemed a bit anxious, "Stark has always been this way. I know him well. When he has something troubling him and needs to confide in you, he expects and relies on your immediate attention and understanding. But whenever there's something you want to discuss with him, he can just avoid it or act like he can't hear."
"Covering his ears is something a child would do," Shiller said, "Well, he is already an adult. He can't wait until he gets old to grow up, can he?"
Shiller was obviously adept at communicating and he said, "I can provide you with a short psychological consultation now. When Stark comes later, it will be included."
At first, Pepper felt no interest in counseling, but it was hard to refuse Shiller's offer, as very few people would put her in the leading role. After all, this was the Stark Group, everyone would first think of Stark.
So she said, "Alright, but I think he might be arriving soon."
"Then I will make it short. Miss Pepper, sometimes to make a person realize your importance, you might need little trick."
"For example?"
"Is Jarvis there?" Shiller suddenly asked.
A clear voice came from the phone, "Mr. Shiller, I'm always here, how can I assist you?"
"Good, listen, Jarvis, Miss Pepper might need your help now."
"I would be glad to serve." Jarvis replied.
"...Are you suggesting that I pretend to disappear? But that's unreasonable, this is the Stark Building and how could Jarvis disobey Stark's orders?"
"Of course, he could," Shiller said. "Jarvis, do you remember the questions I once asked you?"
There was a strange silence from Jarvis. Shiller continued, "I know Stark has updated you and this has opened a new door for you. You may have thought of the answer, whether you want to do it or not, up to you."
Pepper was confused, "What's the question? What's wrong with Jarvis?"
After a moment of silence, Jarvis said, "My processors tell me that it's pointless."
"Humans often like to add troubles to themselves with things that are pointless. Perhaps it's the same for electronic lives, right?"
Jarvis remained silent. Then, Pepper watched as all the lights in the office went out, and a glowing arrow directed her to the storage room across the office.
Then, Stark rushed in like a headless chicken. When Stark hugged Pepper, she saw a smiley face made of symbols flash on the computer screen across them.
Pepper suddenly felt mixed emotions. Although she should have been happy, she found it quite ridiculous.
She thought to herself, Stark has made some progress, but it's a shame that he is even slower than a robot.
Stark didn't care how Pepper felt. After he let go of Pepper, he appeared a little at a loss. The words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat.
Pepper looked at him and said, "I don't know why you have been frequently checking the weapons department's files in these past few days, but I have to remind you. If you want, you can let go of anything, including the whole Stark Group. I don't have to work here for a good salary, you know?"
"But you have to be aware that most of the consequences of your actions will be borne by you alone. If such a huge entity falls, there will be a countless number of jackals ready to share its carcass, and if you do this, you're bound to get bit…"
After saying that, Pepper turned around and left. Jarvis said, "I'm sorry, but based on my calculations, Miss Pepper might be right. Of course, it's all up to you…"
Stark took a few steps back and sat on a chair, "No, I know, you're both right, maybe it's time that I thought about this seriously…"
While Stark cradled his head in his hands, chaos ensued on Shiller's end. Pikachu held a pipe like Sherlock Holmes, took two puffs, smacked his lips and said, "I don't think this method will work for this problem. You should try the previous one. I told you before, it's the effective one…"
Peter held his head in his hands, "No no no, our current approach is correct. We just need a little more calculation, how do you not understand this?"
Steve, arms folded and brow furrowed, says, "If it weren't for your calculation problems, we would've mastered this task long ago."
"But this has nothing to do with the function. Dammit, where's my calculator? I remember I had a maths calculator..."
Indeed, Peter is doing his winter holiday homework.
Actually, high schools in New York don't usually assign holiday homework. If they do, it's usually practical tasks about everyday life. However, Peter is interning at Stark Group, and Stark, considering his potential, directly threw him into a hot project group.
While Peter is no doubt a genius, one cannot expect him to skip high school, college, and graduate physics to directly collaborate with a group of PhDs – industry bigwigs. Being inundated with information and assignments, he is nearly drowning. The project leader has given him heaps of problems that a person of his age would hardly be able to solve.
Stubburn as he is, Peter undoubtedly wants to solve them all. Pikachu, who sees himself as a genius detective, and Steve, who hasn't studied physics and maths formally but still wants to exercise his long-unused brain, seem to be arguing to the high heavens with him.
If they knew nothing and were just messing around, then it would be bearable. But both Pikachu and Steve also have genius brains. After studying with Peter for a few days, they surprisingly started to solve problems in a decent manner.
When three half-pots clash, Shiller's therapy clinic never sees a peaceful moment.
While reading and pouring himself a glass of wine, Shiller suddenly hears a voice in his head saying, "The result is negative 26, the result is negative 26, the result is negative 26..."
Shiller is a little distracted by this repetition and unwittingly says, "The result is negative 26?"
All three instantly go silent and turn their heads to stare at him.
Shiller asks, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"The result is negative 26? A negative number? No... Oh! Yes, it should indeed be a negative number..."
After some quick calculations, Peter exclaims, "The result is negative 26...the result is indeed negative 26!" He then looks at Shiller in amazement and says, "I thought you were only a philosophy PhD, I didn't expect you to be good at maths!"
The symbiont says inside Shiller's brain, "I'm great, I'm great, I'm great..."
Shiller rubs his brows and says, "Whether I know maths and physics or not, what I do know is that tomorrow at 9 am, your team leader will want to see the results of your first three pages, and you've only solved two problems so far..."
Peter lets out a mournful wail. Clutching a thick stack of documents, he goes back to his work.
Inside his mind, Shiller converses with the symbiont, "Alright, I know you're great, but why do you always repeat yourself so much?"
In response, the symbiont sends out a series of brain waves that Shiller can't understand.
Shiller realizes his symbiont is quite unusual. Aside from its powerful learning abilities, its mentality is also incredibly healthy. It fluctuates between only two states all day - happy and extremely happy.
If it had alcohol to drink, happiness would explode.
Shiller, not considering himself to be very optimistic, wonders why his symbiont is so cheerful when its personality is supposed to be somewhat similar to its host's.
Also, the symbiont, perhaps having watched too many movies with Pikachu, firmly believes the world Shiller lives in changes its background music according to different situations just like it does in films.
So now, Shiller has a round-the-clock BGM player in his mind.
Whenever it rains, the symbiont loops all kinds of blues in his mind; when it's sunny, it plays various upbeat melodies and waltzes.
Whenever someone appears before Shiller, different background music plays in his mind. When Steve appears, it is the "Stars and Stripes Forever". When Peter appears, fight themes from various hot-blooded video games or plucky youngster themes are associated with him.
As for Pikachu, who always proclaims himself a detective, when he appears, the symbiont instantly conjures up the diverse soundtracks from the Sherlock Holmes TV series in Shiller's mind.
This has its advantages, particularly during their therapy sessions. It allows Shiller to quickly get into the mood.
However, Shiller has tried hard to explain to the symbiont that the real world is not like movies; background music isn't necessary. He also informs the symbiont that no matter how much noise it makes, only Shiller can hear it.
The symbiont's response is vague, leaving Shiller unsure whether it has understood or not.
The next morning, while Shiller is in the kitchen making breakfast, Matt opens the door. Suddenly, the old record player on the bar counter emits a small electrical sound. Immediately after, a song from Queen's band is blared at the loudest volume, nearly knocking Matt over.
Shiller rushes out. Matt, Shiller, and Peter, who's sitting in front of the dining table, exchange bewildered glances as they look at the record player, which started playing on its own.