After escaping from the public restroom, Aetheris felt nauseated. When he returned home, he even turned down Pepper's invitation to her bedroom.
Pepper assumed he had just been fooling around outside. When the door slammed shut, the noise startled the maid, who had already fallen asleep, making her think an earthquake had struck.
Aetheris truly had no mood left. Tonight's scene was simply too horrifying.
Imagine a woman about to be intimate with you, only for festering pus to flow from her lower half, accompanied by that awful smell. Such a scene could easily leave a man with deep psychological trauma.
Originally, Aetheris had only wanted to relieve some mental stress by being with a woman. Who would have thought that not only did it fail to ease his burden, it actually worsened it? It was like losing both the chicken and the rice, he had suffered a double loss.
The next morning, after a simple breakfast with Pepper, Aetheris didn't tease the maid either. Once the two left, the maid pulled out her phone and searched on Google:
"What does it mean when a man hasn't been intimate with you for a long time?"
"A man living with two women but nothing more than friendship happening, why?"
Soon, a pile of answers popped up below.
"New York Cathay Hospital, specializing in male impotence. Symptoms like premature, weak erection, or loss of stamina mid-way..."
"What are the causes of male dysfunction? Don't ignore it, it's no small issue. Manhattan Jianguo Men's Hospital, staffed with the most professional therapists..."
"Sister Wang, what should I do if I have a private problem? Go see Director Tong at Big Iron Rod Hospital. A three-minute safe procedure. Will it affect work? Not at all, you can have the surgery today and return to work tomorrow. Remember, Big Iron Rod Hospital, Director Tong..."
Port Elizabeth, New York.
Today was the day Pepper set off for Antarctica. At the pier, personnel in Stark Industries uniforms bustled back and forth. A massive icebreaker stood moored at the dock.
The ship was 200 meters long, 30 meters wide, and 20 meters deep, with a draft of 10.5 meters and a displacement of 32,340 tons. It had six decks and could carry 198 crew members.
The main engine was a 1,320,000-watt medium-sized Arc Reactor, supplemented by three smaller 88,000-watt Arc Reactors.
It could sail at 4.5 knots, with a gross tonnage of 19,997 tons and a load capacity of 16,523 tons.
This vessel, originally a transport ship under Stark Industries, had been fully upgraded and refitted.
It was named Stark No. 1.
All equipment and facilities above the main deck had been replaced.
The clean laboratory space on board had been expanded from over 250 square meters to 680 square meters, with all new laboratory equipment installed. Additional facilities were built as well, including an atmospheric sampling room, a data processing center, a specimen chamber, telescopic cranes, and other scientific research installations.
The refitted Stark No. 1 featured advanced navigation, positioning, and autopilot systems, an upgraded communication system, a hangar capable of housing two CH-53E helicopters, one helipad, and its supporting equipment.
It was also equipped with one Osprey helicopter, two assault boats, and three motorboats, boosting its transport and support capabilities.
Stark No. 1 was fitted with adjustable propellers, making it highly maneuverable during navigation and especially effective for icebreaking.
The hull was constructed with Class-C steel plates, ensuring that even in extreme conditions of minus 60°C, it would not deform.
The ship could transport general cargo, large heavy goods, various vehicles (with roll-on/roll-off capability), refrigerated cargo, valuables, explosives, minerals, standard containers, as well as different types of fuel.
In addition, this icebreaker was equipped with an artificial intelligence system named Friday. Originally, Aetheris had intended to install the system elsewhere, but since Pepper liked it, he gave it to her.
"Pepper, once you get there, be careful. Leave anything dangerous to Natasha, that tomboy. Don't you dare take risks," Aetheris warned, holding her tightly, reluctant to let go.
Pepper didn't resist. She nestled gently in his arms. After all, who knew when she would return from this trip? Antarctica wasn't a tourist destination. Aside from glaciers that never melted, there was nothing but endless snow.
But when Aetheris mentioned Natasha, Pepper couldn't help but lightly punch his chest with her small fist, pouting.
"How can you talk about her like that? Natasha is beautiful and capable. Besides, you've prepared two Iron Man suits for me. There won't be any problem."
Indeed, Aetheris had prepared two Mark V Iron Man suits for Pepper. In the past few days, both Ethan and the little spider had been worked to exhaustion, laboring day and night to refine and produce the armor.
Aetheris even gave her the suit meant for himself first. Pepper had been so touched she nearly offered herself to him right then, but the time and place were inappropriate. Aetheris could only wait until she returned to collect on that promise.
"Pepper, being apart from you this long, I'll miss you."
His hands began to wander under her thick down jacket. Pepper blushed and whispered, "Don't do that, someone might see."
Aetheris glared, shouting loudly, "Love between a man and a woman is only natural! I'm kissing my own wife. Who dares have a problem with that?"
Pepper nearly wanted to crawl into a hole. With such a shameless man sticking to her, her reputation was about to be ruined. She retaliated with her "Nine Yin White Bone Claw," pinching his waist until he begged for mercy.
Suddenly, Aetheris planted a kiss on her face.
"Mmmph."
"Help, murder! She's trying to kill her husband."
"Huh? Why are you wearing such stiff clothes? You should've picked something softer. This isn't comfortable at all, and it'll chafe your skin."
But happy moments never last forever. The pain of parting loomed before them. Pepper's eyes turned red as she reluctantly pulled herself out of Aetheris' embrace.
Aetheris glanced at the Black Widow standing nearby. Just as he opened his mouth, she said, "What? Do you want to give me a memorable farewell too?"
Awkwardly lowering his arms, Aetheris cupped his hands in salute. "Natasha, I'll leave Pepper to you. No need for thanks. When you return, I'll have a big gift ready for you. You'll love it."
Natasha's eyes lit up. A big gift from Aetheris certainly wouldn't be trivial, and the fact that it was something tailored to her liking made her curious and expectant.
After living nearly a hundred years, there was little left that could stir this super-agent's emotions. If there was anything, it was only her strength. From the day of her first success until now, her techniques had advanced, but in terms of raw power, she found herself falling short.
She nodded and said firmly, "Don't worry. If she's there, I'll be there. If she dies, I'll still be standing."
Aetheris curled his lip. "Natasha, that joke isn't funny at all."
(End of Chapter)
Want to read the chapters in Advance? Join my Patreon
https://patreon.com/Glimmer09