Chapter 9: Proposals and Pushbacks
"I heard you designed an artificial intelligence," Li Ye remarked with a coy smile.
Tony looked up, instantly alert. "How'd you know?"
"Oh, I just… heard it," Li Ye replied casually, his voice laced with mischief.
Tony scoffed, brushing off the question. "Please! You blokes aren't actually psychic or anything. Jarvis, say hello."
"Good evening, Mr. Li Ye. I'm Jarvis."
Li Ye nodded politely. "Hello, Jarvis."
"So, what's with the interest in Jarvis?" Tony asked, still eyeing him suspiciously.
"I want an AI like Jarvis."
"What? You mean you want Jarvis?" Tony's voice took on an almost childlike excitement, but Li Ye's response cut him short.
"No, no. I meant an AI similar to Jarvis," Li Ye clarified, amused. "Surely, for a genius like you, it shouldn't be too tall an order?"
Tony's smile faded as he leaned back, shaking his head. "Jarvis came about by a fluke. A perfect storm of ideas, tech… luck, if you like. Creating another one, well… it's not something I can just knock out in my workshop, you know."
Li Ye shrugged. "Fine, then. What about a set of your latest armour?"
Tony stiffened, instantly on edge. "Absolutely not. I'm the only Iron Man."
Li Ye's tone suddenly shifted. "You're nearly dead, Tony."
Tony's face drained of colour. "How… how do you know?"
Li Ye pointed at the faint blue glow from Tony's chest, his expression indifferent. "Using a reactor as a heart? Only an idiot would think of that."
Tony's gaze hardened. "It may be stupid, but it's the only way I can stay alive. Without it, I've got maybe ten minutes, tops."
"I can save you," Li Ye said simply, leaning back with a casual air, crossing his legs.
Tony's face betrayed a flicker of hope. "Are you serious?"
"Have I given you any reason to doubt me?" Li Ye replied, nonchalant. "If you've watched my battles, you'll know I have more than one superpower. Curing diseases is a cinch for me."
Tony paused, studying Li Ye carefully. "Let me guess… in exchange, you want an AI like Jarvis?"
"No." Li Ye smirked. "That's for saving you in Morocco. For curing the poison eating away at your body… I want something else."
Tony's suspicion returned. "If it's armour, forget it. There can only be one Iron Man."
Li Ye chuckled, feigning disinterest. "That tin suit? A glorified toy. Not my style."
Tony's eyes narrowed. "Toy? You really said that about my suit?"
"If you're not happy with my assessment, go ahead and put it on. Let's see if you can last thirty seconds against me."
Tony looked away, embarrassed. He'd watched the recordings—Li Ye's raw power could shred his armour in seconds.
"Fine. What do you want?"
"Five percent of Stark Industries, plus access to any new tech you invent in future."
Tony's face twisted in fury. "Not a chance."
Stark Industries wasn't just any company; it was one of the most powerful conglomerates in the world, formed by his father during the war and now standing as a giant in technology, defence, and innovation. Tony himself held 34% after inheriting a portion from his late father's partner. Giving Li Ye even five percent felt like losing a part of his own flesh.
"Suit yourself," Li Ye said, turning to leave, utterly unfazed. "Enjoy what little time you've got left."
Tony was gobsmacked; the man hadn't even tried to haggle. Wasn't that how this sort of thing worked?
"Wait!" Tony called after him, the words tumbling out before he could think.
Li Ye turned, eyebrow raised.
"Look," Tony began, more composed. "I can't give you five percent. But I can manage one. That's worth billions, you know."
Li Ye took a long moment to consider before nodding. "Fair enough."
"But the AI and other tech access, that's non-negotiable," Li Ye added with finality. "Or I walk."
Tony clenched his fists, visibly frustrated, but relented. "Fine. But the armour is off the table. It's mine and mine alone."
"Splendid. Shall we get started, then?" Li Ye asked, rolling up his sleeves.
"Aren't you going to wait for the paperwork to go through?" Tony's surprise was genuine. "What if I go back on my word?"
Li Ye's expression turned steely. "When you possess true power, the world's threats become trivial. Remember that."
Li Ye then placed a steady hand over the reactor embedded in Tony's chest.
"This feels weird. It's like you're… proposing or something," Tony quipped, looking uncomfortable.
Li Ye grimaced. "Trust me, if this wasn't about saving you, I'd never lay a hand on that cold, metallic heart of yours."
Tony chuckled despite himself, but Li Ye silenced him with a sharp glare.
"Quiet, unless you want me to stop."
---
A warm glow emanated from Li Ye's hand, spreading across Tony's chest in a gentle wave of light.
"What the—? My chest… it's… itchy!"
Tony watched in stunned awe as the flesh where his reactor had been started to knit together. With a soft clatter, the reactor fell free, rolling onto the floor. Li Ye retracted his hand and stepped back.
"Done," he announced curtly.
Tony pulled up his shirt, utterly dumbfounded. The once open cavity in his chest was now smooth skin, as though it had never been there.
"Don't forget our deal," Li Ye said before turning on his heel, leaving Tony standing speechless.
---
Chapter 14: The Brotherhood's Shadow
Li Ye had scarcely left Stark Tower when he sensed an unfamiliar presence shadowing his steps. He felt the unmistakable weight of eyes watching him, despite his efforts to remain incognito.
He turned into a deserted alley, slowing his pace and listening for the faint footsteps that echoed in the darkness. He'd encountered more than a few enemies in his day, but curiosity drove him to see who had dared to follow him here.
It wasn't long before they revealed themselves. A group of men, dressed in dark attire and standing in ominous formation, stepped into the dim light. Their leader—a pale man with a sharp jawline and unblinking gaze—stepped forward.
"Who are you? I'll warn you now—cross me, and you'll regret it."
The leader only smirked, nodding to the empty air beside him.
Suddenly, Li Ye felt a shift in the atmosphere, as though an invisible force had brushed past him. Instincts sharpened, he readied himself, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"Hmm? Trying to play games, are we?" Li Ye murmured under his breath, his voice calm, yet menacing.
As he flexed his fingers, ready to confront these mysterious foes, he prepared himself for what was bound to be a long night.
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