It Is Impossible to Have Both a Lamborghini and Low Self-Esteem
In the training room of the Star Tower, Xu Mo sat cross-legged, his body suspended in midair.
Before him, the pitch-black Dark Divine Book radiated a sinister aura. Slowly, Xu Mo opened his eyes. The book dissolved into a shadow, sinking into his brow, and his floating body descended to the floor.
"It feels like I'm just a little short of the breakthrough," he muttered with a sigh.
It was no surprise — magic capable of spanning the multiverse would naturally demand far greater requirements.
With a flicker of motion, Xu Mo vanished from the training chamber and reappeared in a newly built two-story villa on the southern coast of Death Island. Without pause, he summoned a spatial door, stepped through, and arrived at the front of Tony Stark's villa.
Last night, Tony had told him the armor was finished.
"Hi, Ms. Potts. Long time no see," Xu Mo greeted.
Pepper Potts stood at the door, waiting. The last time Xu Mo had come here, she hadn't been around.
"It has been a while," she said with a touch of exasperation. "As the second-largest shareholder, you vanish for months. Do you know how hard it is for us to see you?"
Both Tony and Xu Mo left most of the company's work to her. All responsibilities fell squarely on her shoulders.
Still, she gave him a small smile. "But I have to thank you. I actually get along with my current boss. I'm not ready to change."
She led him upstairs as they spoke.
"You're welcome," Xu Mo replied. "But if you ever grow unhappy, let me know. Avril's been complaining she's overworked too."
"Poor Avril," Pepper chuckled. "Seems she's in the same boat as me. You're both evil capitalists."
As they entered a room crowded with instruments, Tony's voice called out, "Hey, Pepper, maybe don't bad-mouth us right in front of me?"
Tony emerged from behind a workbench piled with parts. Pepper ignored him and moved toward the coffee machine.
"Poaching my people right in front of me — you've got some nerve," Tony grumbled.
Xu Mo smirked. "Then I'll just make an appointment with Pepper privately next time."
Tony sighed in defeat, though he added quickly, "Fine, but for the record, we're dating. Keep your distance from her."
Xu Mo laughed, patting his shoulder. "Relax. I'm not interested in Pepper. Just take me to see my armor."
Relieved, Tony led him into a chamber with a tall glass display case. Inside gleamed a dark blue suit of armor.
"Based on the Mark IV, I reworked it into a portable version, just like you suggested," Tony explained proudly. He pressed a button and the armor collapsed into a compact case no larger than a laptop bag. "It weighs less than thirty kilos now. Some performance had to be sacrificed, but portability is worth it."
Xu Mo's eyes lit with approval. Tony continued describing its weapons and functions until Xu Mo smiled, satisfied.
Once Wanda wore it, she would have protection — and with its top flight speed of Mach 3, almost no one would be able to catch her if she needed to retreat.
"Thank you," Xu Mo said earnestly. "I'm very satisfied."
---
Meanwhile, in a villa in Brooklyn, Wanda and Pietro Maximoff were packing their belongings. The semester was about to begin, and since Wanda wished to attend university, Xu Mo had quickly arranged everything.
From the other room, Pietro's complaints could be heard.
"Wanda, you know I have no interest in going to school!"
"You've been saying that for a month now," Wanda retorted, sealing the last box. "The car's almost here. Don't tell me you've suddenly changed your mind."
Though Xu Mo had also arranged schooling for Pietro, he resisted the idea of college life.
"…No. Of course not," Pietro stammered. "I'm just… nervous. Yeah, nervous about college."
Xu Mo entered, chuckling. "Don't worry, Pete. You'll love it soon enough."
At once, both twins' eyes brightened. Wanda threw herself into Xu Mo's arms.
"Darling, I thought you'd forgotten today!"
Months of living together had only deepened their relationship. Xu Mo rubbed her head affectionately. "Forget something so important? Never. Done packing?"
"Of course," Wanda said, gesturing to the mountain of boxes filling the living room.
Xu Mo groaned. "Didn't I say you could buy everything once we got there? Why bring so much?"
Like women everywhere, Wanda insisted, "These are necessities. Better to bring them than waste time shopping later."
Resigned, Xu Mo helped carry things out. A moving truck arranged by Avril waited outside. While movers loaded the boxes, Xu Mo beckoned Pietro over to a nearby Lamborghini parked at the curb.
He tossed him the keys.
"Go ahead. See if you like it."
Pietro stared blankly at the bull-logo key before realization hit. His breath quickened.
"Wait… you mean this car is for me?"
"Of course." Xu Mo nodded.
Pietro had lived his life as an orphan, burdened with inferiority and timidity despite his awakening powers. Though training had toughened him, his confidence still lagged behind. Xu Mo had chosen this gift precisely to change that.
After all, it is impossible for a man to own a Lamborghini and still live with low self-esteem.
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