Chapter 43: First Encounter with Whiplash, Polite Handshake
"This guy doesn't look like a researcher at all—more like a professional wrestler!"
Looking at Jiang Feng's muscular build, Hammer muttered silently in his heart.
"Haven't I always been this strong? My height and weight are clearly listed in the employee profile."
Jiang Feng responded with a slight smile, brushing it off casually.
After all, Hammer Industries had long been infiltrated and taken over by Linglong. Modifying personal information was a piece of cake.
Although full of suspicion, Hammer didn't press further.
"Is that so? I guess you're right."
In his mind, people don't usually undergo such drastic changes in just a few days, right?
Thinking carefully…
Although Jiang Feng had already been with the company for a while, Hammer hadn't really supervised him closely—he usually only watched briefly through surveillance.
In fact, offline, Hammer had only met Jiang Feng a few times.
Maybe he really did remember it wrong.
At that moment, Ivan stepped forward and looked up directly at Jiang Feng.
Although he was clearly smaller in stature, his gaze showed no hint of fear.
He held a toothpick in his mouth, his demeanor lazy and indifferent.
With a drawl, he said, "I heard you can build Iron Man suits? Mind showing me what you've got?"
As a villain with bear-like Russian blood, Ivan's own suits followed a heavy-duty, brute-force style. He himself could take down several strong men with his bare hands.
So in his eyes, while Jiang Feng looked intimidating, he was nothing more than a big guy with brute strength—not worth fearing.
This was their first time meeting.
Ivan didn't immediately associate Jiang Feng with a superhuman.
The only thing he truly cared about was the Iron Man suit Jiang Feng had built.
He had previously heard from Hammer that someone at Hammer Industries could forge Iron Man suits. This surprised and intrigued him.
Hammer Industries—forever third place—was known even to someone like Ivan in a foreign country.
Could they really have such talent?
If someone had the ability to make Iron Man suits, why not just start their own venture? Why stay at Hammer Industries?
Despite his slouchy exterior, Ivan was actually quite meticulous in thought.
"Of course you can take a look."
Despite his tall and brawny build, Jiang Feng wore a warm smile. His gaze toward Ivan was even more enthusiastic than when he looked at Hammer, the company chairman.
After all…
Obtaining the arc reactor technology from Ivan was one of Jiang Feng's main reasons for joining Hammer Industries.
Now that he was meeting the source in person, he couldn't help feeling a thrill inside.
"Since our partner wants to see it, I must give you a proper introduction!"
With that, Jiang Feng strode confidently and led the two to the Iron Man suits he had carefully crafted.
He was curious too.
How did the equipment he personally built compare to those used by characters in the Marvel universe?
Hammer and Ivan stared intently at the sight before them.
Two Iron Man suits came into view, one tall and one shorter, forming a stark contrast.
Even the smaller suit was larger than an average human—standing over two meters tall, it exuded a calm and commanding aura.
This was the result of Jiang Feng's previously casual tinkering.
After nearly a month, he had finally completed a full prototype.
Its design was quite similar to the Iron Man suits Jiang Feng typically used.
Both had a strong industrial aesthetic.
The suit was coated in black paint, giving it a heavy, solid appearance—tall, mighty, like an immovable fortress.
The other suit, however, was just a frame.
But even that frame stood three meters tall and was noticeably bulkier—like a giant made of steel.
This was the Iron Monger suit Jiang Feng had promised to create for Hammer.
However, it was still in its infancy—not yet completed.
Hammer looked at the two suits with satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
He couldn't help but praise, "Well, Jiang's work should be to your liking, right?"
Hammer's tone revealed both his admiration for Jiang Feng's skills and his fondness for the two suits.
In sharp contrast, Ivan didn't look excited at all. The casual smirk had vanished from his face, replaced by a solemn expression.
Staring at the suits, Ivan was secretly stunned.
"They look pretty legit… Could these be real combat suits?"
Ivan had never imagined that, besides himself and Tony Stark, someone else in the world could create Iron Man suits with revolutionary significance.
Judging by the design and craftsmanship, this Jiang Feng clearly possessed extraordinary talent and technical prowess.
Ivan's brow furrowed slightly when he noticed the power source on the chest of the armor.
Its design was completely different from the arc reactor he knew—it was clearly a brand-new technology.
This made Ivan a little wary of Jiang Feng.
He stared intently at the heavier suit. Its appearance matched his ideal aesthetic perfectly.
"Can this thing really be used in actual combat?"
However…
He still had some doubts and remained skeptical of the suit.
"Of course it can. Why would I build it otherwise?"
Jiang Feng nodded without hesitation.
Hearing this, Hammer also nodded in agreement with Jiang Feng's statement.
Hammer added, "Ivan, I personally tested that suit. It performs really well."
Though what he had used before was an incomplete version of the armor, the one before them now was the full version—undoubtedly even more powerful.
"Interesting. Seems like the real deal."
Ivan nodded thoughtfully, his gaze shifting from the armor to Jiang Feng.
Suddenly—
He extended his rough hand and said to Jiang Feng, "Pleasure doing business!"
Ivan locked eyes with Jiang Feng, trying to read his expression.
But Jiang Feng's face remained calm and unreadable, making it impossible to guess his true thoughts.
Ivan could only wonder inwardly.
He truly didn't understand why this strong man would choose to work at Hammer Industries.
After all, in Ivan's eyes, Hammer was nothing more than a rich fool.
Still…
As long as Jiang Feng didn't interfere with his plans, he would make a decent partner.
"Pleasure doing business!"
Jiang Feng smiled and responded, extending his hand for a handshake.
But just as their hands met—
"Hiss—!"
Ivan suddenly frowned and drew in a sharp breath.
He was shocked to feel how terrifyingly strong Jiang Feng's grip was—so strong that it made his hand throb in pain and sweat bead on his forehead.
All along…
Ivan had relied on his own strength to crush people's hands during handshakes, asserting dominance.
But this time…
The tables had turned completely. His physique was nothing in front of Jiang Feng's.
"What's wrong, Mr. Vanko? Didn't expect your hand to be so delicate. Had I known, I would've gone easier."
Jiang Feng's expression remained unchanged—still that polite, gentle demeanor.
Earlier, Ivan had tried to surprise him with a forceful handshake, hoping to establish dominance. Unfortunately for him, not only did the trick fail, it backfired.
Jiang Feng wasn't about to humor him.
If they were actually testing strength, Jiang Feng could crush Ivan's skull with ease.
With the current strength of Jiang Feng's body…
Even using just a sliver of power, he was far beyond what any ordinary person could withstand.
Ivan might be a strong adult man, but clearly, his bones weren't harder than steel.