Chapter 26: Tony is also taken! Punch out of get off work! [Extra Chapter]
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Although Tony wanted to delve into the recipe again, he knew it wasn't about the money for Lorien. But he couldn't resist the thought of eating this egg fried rice every day! It was reminiscent of the burger he craved after his return from Afghanistan—simple, comforting, and perfect.
Lorien chewed his egg fried rice slowly, savoring each bite. He looked at Tony and shook his head. "No."
"Nothing?" Tony was stunned. "No recipe?"
"Exactly," Lorien nodded. "It's just something I whip up. It's limited edition, so enjoy it while it lasts."
"!!!"
Tony's eyes widened in mock despair, and he covered his forehead with one hand. "Oh no... This is the saddest news I've heard all year…"
Lorien continued eating, unfazed by Tony's dramatics. Tony, however, couldn't tear his gaze away from the fried rice, staring at it like it was a masterpiece. This made Lorien quickly finish his meal, fearing Tony might actually ask for the leftovers.
But Tony wasn't done yet. He leaned in with a glint in his eye. "Okay, listen, Lorien. Do you have any more of that egg fried rice? I'll pay 10,000 dollars for another plate."
Lorien, now done with his meal, cleaned up and wiped his mouth with a tissue. He shook his head. "We'll talk about it next time. It's almost afternoon now, and I have three and a half hours before I get off work. Time is precious, so let's get to the main point."
Tony sighed, saddened. "The egg fried rice… gone… just like that. It's better than any burger."
Lorien watched as Tony lamented over his beloved fried rice, reflecting on how something so simple could captivate such a genius mind. He wondered if Tony would ever want a hamburger again after this. But Lorien stayed focused on the task at hand.
In Tony's mix of heartache and determination, Lorien helped him navigate his thoughts. They discussed Tony's concerns and issues, including his responsibilities with the Avengers and his personal anxieties. Lorien balanced his responses, addressing 20% of his own curiosity and 40% to genuinely help Tony.
Tony's struggles were multifaceted, but Lorien's advice was straightforward. "Eat well, sleep well, work hard, and live without regrets. Either spend all your money or die without regrets. Otherwise, life isn't worth it."
Tony seemed to finally understand. Lorien's words were a reminder to embrace life fully and avoid overburdening oneself. This philosophy mirrored what Tony needed to apply with the Avengers—avoiding impatience and recognizing that meaningful change often takes time, unless spurred by significant events.
Nodding thoughtfully, Tony decided to channel his energy into upgrading his armor to address future threats. His curiosity about Lorien, however, was quickly satisfied. Lorien reiterated that he was just an ordinary psychologist with a few unique skills, nothing more.
"Alright," Tony said, straightening his suit and standing up. He extended his hand in thanks. "Your words have really helped me. You wouldn't believe it, but I had a fight with Captain America last night. That old, rigid guy from World War II put a lot of mental pressure on me. But thanks to you, I think I know what to do now."
Lorien nodded, pleased. But he noticed that Tony extended the same hand he had used to wipe his mouth. With a slight smirk, Lorien offered his opposite hand. Realizing his mistake, Tony coughed and switched hands.
Before leaving, Tony's eyes wandered to the fridge in the corner. Spotting the iced milk tea, he quickly grabbed two bottles and explained, "One for my assistant Pepper, and one for my driver Happy. It's not like I want two more bottles for myself."
With that, Tony exited with his usual flair, promising to transfer the payment for the counseling session to Lorien's account. True to his word, a six-figure sum soon appeared in Lorien's account, far exceeding the usual fee. But if it made Tony happy, Lorien wouldn't complain.
Lorien glanced at the clock. It was 4:45 PM. Time to clock out soon.
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