Chapter 123: A Favor Owed

Perhaps sensing the shift in Zhong Shenxiu’s expression, Tony realized he might have been laying it on a bit too thick.

"Ahem." After a slightly awkward dry cough, Tony looked toward Zhong’s Clinic, his expression returning to normal. "Are we not going in? I feel like I’m about to die." As he spoke, he deliberately hunched his shoulders, feigning extreme frailty.

However, Zhong Shenxiu just watched him in silence. Even Pepper Potts, standing beside him, didn't say a word, just watching him with the same quiet gaze.

The atmosphere suddenly turned stiff. Tony, who had always loved cracking such dry jokes, found himself wondering for the first time why he had even bothered.

In the end, it was Zhong Shenxiu who broke the awkwardness. "Let's go in. I’ll see if your injury has worsened."

At these words, Tony immediately gave Zhong Shenxiu a grateful look. Seizing the opportunity, he suddenly put on a pained expression, clutching his abdomen and sucking in a cold breath. "I think it really has worsened. My wound feels much worse..." As he spoke, he cast a covert glance at Pepper. Upon noticing the faint trace of worry between her brows, Tony finally breathed a sigh of relief in his heart and followed Zhong Shenxiu into the clinic.

It was early morning, and the clinic had only just opened, so naturally, there were no patients. After all, he didn't accept overnight stays. Tony looked around and asked, "Where’s that little nurse?"

"Little nurse?" Pepper replied. To be honest, this was her first time inside Zhong’s Clinic; last time Tony came to have shrapnel removed, she and Happy had waited in the car. Looking around now, her only impression of the clinic was that it was utterly ordinary. Judging solely by the medical facilities, it was as simple as a clinic could be. That such an unremarkable place could command a reputation even more illustrious than the New York State Hospital was a testament to Zhong Shenxiu’s abilities. Hearing about a nurse working in such a place, Pepper showed immediate interest.

Tony hurried to cut in before Zhong Shenxiu could answer, explaining to Pepper, "She's a very young, red-headed nurse. Very dexterous and quite pretty. I have no idea where Xiu found her. Maybe you can help me find a few like that later..." As he spoke, he saw Pepper’s expression growing increasingly dark and instantly cut his death-wish behavior short.

"Haha, just kidding, just kidding! I have a detail-oriented, stunning assistant like you, so why would I ever want to look for anyone else?" The desperation to survive in those words was palpable. Only then did Pepper’s expression soften, and she gave Tony a look that essentially said: *You’d better know your place.*

Zhong Shenxiu, taking all of this in, wore a rather strange expression. *These two... something’s not right.* He caught a whiff of the sour scent of romance in their interactions. *That shouldn’t be right; isn't it too early?* Logically, a playboy like Tony should only truly settle down during the events of Iron Man 2, where they would finally pour out their hearts and become each other’s sole confidants. Zhong Shenxiu was puzzled. If the timeline were strictly followed, this was only the beginning of Iron Man 1—the progress of these two was simply too fast.

What Zhong Shenxiu didn't know was that, in reality, after years of Pepper’s meticulous care, Tony had long since developed feelings for her that he had chosen to ignore. It wasn't until the palladium poisoning crisis in Iron Man 2, when he faced death’s door, that Tony learned to cherish those around him and look inward.

As for whether Pepper had feelings for Tony? The answer was simple: if she didn't, would she have been so good to him? Her day-to-day, meticulous care was a testament to her feelings. In other words, they were the type of couple who had the right time, the right place, and the right people—they just needed a catalyst. Tony facing death in Iron Man 2 was one such catalyst, and Zhong Shenxiu nearly punching the life out of him this time was another.

Tony had experienced life and death too early, so he had learned to cherish those around him and confront his feelings too early, and thus, they had ended up together ahead of schedule. It was all so natural. Perhaps this was what they called star-crossed lovers finally becoming a family. Even without that punch to the gut or the palladium poisoning, they would have ended up together anyway—that was certain.

"Come on, lie down on the bed and behave. I'll treat your injury." After spreading a disposable sterilized sheet on the examination bed, Zhong Shenxiu spoke to Tony. Hearing this, Tony ended their covert flirting under Pepper’s urging gaze and obediently lay down. However, he didn't uncover his clothes immediately. He looked at Zhong Shenxiu and said, "Xiu, you've changed."

*Huh?* Zhong Shenxiu was full of question marks. *What’s with this typical "scorned woman" dialogue? I’m just treating your injury; I’m just trying to farm for a card draw!* It had to be said, Zhong Shenxiu could clearly feel that with Tony falling in love, the prickly arrogance of the past had receded, replaced by something... even more annoying.

"You can eat whatever you want, but don't say whatever you want," Zhong Shenxiu said with a dark face. Tony paused, immediately realizing he might have been misunderstood. He explained with a wry smile, "I mean, you’re different from before. That money-grubbing act you used to put on—you’d emphasize the medical fees a dozen times before even starting. But now, you don't even mention money when treating me."

Tony’s expression turned solemn. "Even last time, when I was on the brink of death, you pulled me back from the gates of hell, and afterwards, you didn't ask for any reward, nor did you even contact me once. If Coulson hadn't told me, I probably wouldn't even know. Xiu, I’m sorry for thinking you were just a greedy person. I’ve been thinking these past few days: having received such a massive favor, how should I ever repay you? I racked my brains for a long time and couldn't find an answer. That’s when I realized I’m just an ordinary person who has nothing but money. Xiu, please allow me to sincerely thank you. I, Tony Stark, owe you a massive favor!"

Looking at Tony’s serious expression, Zhong Shenxiu was the one who felt lost. He hadn't asked for money simply because he was focused on trying to trigger the "Iron Heart" drop, and besides, after looting so much from Stark Industries, his finances weren't that tight anymore. *How did this guy manage to overthink it into all of this?*

But since Tony said he owed him a favor, Zhong Shenxiu wasn't about to waste it—this was a favor from Tony Stark, after all.

Zhong Shenxiu said, "Since you owe me a favor... ten percent of Stark Industries' shares should suffice as a token of your appreciation."

*Pfft...* The serious look on Tony’s face froze instantly.

*Damn it, give me back my sense of gratitude!!* Tony roared in his heart.