SWWW Chapter 207: Future Chronicle
"Xi Nian, we…"
Gwen was just about to say something to Xi Nian when the news on the school's lobby television changed, pulling his attention away.
"According to reports, a mysterious British tycoon has acquired Drake Biotech in New York. After the death of biologist Drake, the company had long been in a state of bankruptcy. It's hard to imagine anyone would want to take over such a mess…"
"Drake Biotech has been renamed Future Chronicle, with the aim of creating cross-century futuristic technology products. Even more surprising, on the very first day of its founding, Tony Stark's secretary, Pepper Potts, visited to seek collaboration."
"Not only that, reporters even spotted a product manager from Wayne Enterprises at the company's doors…"
…
In the main lobby and corridors of the school building, students were immediately drawn to the news, eyes sparkling with shock and excitement.
Stark Industries was one of the top corporations in the world, especially in technology and AI—only Wayne Enterprises could rival it. For many, joining either company was a lifelong dream!
Put simply, it was one of the best-paying jobs on Earth. Who wouldn't want in?
As for Wayne Enterprises, it was part of the Wayne Group—an old, colossal conglomerate rooted in Gotham. Joining Wayne Group meant you'd never have to worry about finances again. From healthcare, maternity, education, to retirement, Gotham's industrial backbone would cover everything.
For anyone seeking to build a future in Gotham, Wayne Group was paradise itself.
And now, this newly founded Future Chronicle, managing to draw the attention of both Stark Industries and Wayne Enterprises, clearly had something extraordinary about it.
As a result, the news spread like wildfire, doubling as free publicity for Future Chronicle.
…
Seeing both students and teachers buzzing about Future Chronicle, Xi Nian excused himself.
"Wait here, I need to hit the restroom real quick."
He waved to Gwen and Kara, then hurried across campus.
Once inside a stall, Xi Nian put on his earpiece, pulled out his phone, and asked in a low voice:
"Alice, what's this about Stark Industries and Wayne Enterprises collaborating with us?"
"And also… Drake Biotech. Why does that name sound familiar to me?"
The creation and operations of Future Chronicle had all been handled by his AI, Alice. He had only provided a broad idea at the start. Even he was caught off guard seeing the news.
What exactly happened?
"Master, a few days ago, you instructed me to acquire a company. The owner of Drake Biotech died a few months ago in a space shuttle accident, which left the company collapsing. But their industrial foundation was first-class. At its peak, they could construct spacecraft on their own. Considering everything, they were the optimal choice for acquisition."
Listening to Alice's smooth, pleasant voice, Xi Nian gradually recalled.
Died in a space shuttle accident?
Wasn't that the man who had been possessed by the last alien symbiote, and later forced onto a shuttle by the first merged form of the little black cat?
To think Drake Biotech would end up in his hands. What a coincidence…
"Wait a second. With the kind of foundation Drake Biotech had, would just a few dozen million dollars even be enough to buy it?" Even if he wasn't familiar with the field, Xi Nian knew a company of that industrial caliber couldn't be bought so cheaply.
"I wasn't finished."
Alice continued, "During the acquisition, I released some conceptual tech designs to both Stark Industries and Wayne Enterprises. They were immediately interested, which led to the current partnerships."
"I see." Xi Nian nodded, then asked, "Which products were they interested in?"
"Stark Industries wants to collaborate on developing nanometal."
"Wayne Enterprises is interested in researching the Universal Translator together."
Xi Nian nodded again.
When he had seen the metal Spider-Armor in the parallel universe, he already knew Iron Man's future suits would inevitably shift toward nanometal.
Think about it.
Would you rather lug around a steel suitcase every day just to transform, or simply slip on a pair of lightweight glasses to activate a suit?
Not to mention, nanometal could morph and bond seamlessly to the body. No wonder Stark wanted it so badly.
As for Wayne Enterprises—the Universal Translator?
Xi Nian blinked. That was just something he had casually pulled from the Devourer Dimension. To think it would catch the attention of Wayne Enterprises—and by extension, the Bat Boss himself.
Universal… Translator…
Xi Nian suddenly remembered.
Superman, Kal, had once told him: someday, they might need his abilities as a safeguard.
It seemed the Justice League was planning something big.
But since Aunt Diana had temporarily stepped away from the League, it didn't really involve him.
Alice went on, "Through the partnerships involving nanometal and the Universal Translator, I secured a massive advance payment. That allowed me to purchase the entire Drake Biotech company, including its facilities and fixed assets. Since you were busy over the weekend, I hadn't updated you yet."
"No problem. You handled it flawlessly."
Nanometal.
Even if Xi Nian didn't collaborate with Stark, Tony Stark would figure it out on his own in a few years.
As for the Universal Translator…
He could just consider that a small contribution to the Justice League. Whatever they were planning, it was bound to be both terrifying and dangerous.
Besides, apart from nanometal and the Translator, Spider-Man's inheritance still contained advanced tech, and the Devourer Dimension was full of countless alien relics…
"So then… what's my net worth now?"
Xi Nian suddenly remembered something important… or not so important.
Alice replied instantly: "Liquid funds are limited, just over a billion dollars. Most capital was spent on the acquisition. But conservatively, total assets are valued around fifty billion."
Xi Nian rubbed his chin, quietly impressed.
High-tech really was worth that much…
To think Aunt Diana had worked nearly a hundred years and only saved up about a billion. Granted, she only worked jobs to blend into human society…
Which only proved one thing.
Working a normal job? Impossible. Not in this lifetime. The only way was freeloading off an AI while reaping the profits.
…
"Achoo…"
Meanwhile, in Washington, inside a law firm.
A tall, stunning woman in a professional blouse and skirt suddenly let out the faintest sneeze. For a fleeting moment, her flawless, dignified beauty softened into something almost endearingly cute.
Too bad Xi Nian wasn't there to see it. Otherwise, he'd feel like fifty billion was still a loss.
The secretary passing by her office stopped in surprise. "Diana? Forgive me, I don't mean to intrude, but… did you just… sneeze? That's shocking. Everyone thought you never got sick."
"Just caught a chill last night," the black-haired woman said with a graceful smile.
Though she didn't know why, she suddenly felt the urge to discipline the kid at home.
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