The news of Nick Fury's arrest hit the trending charts the very next day.
Tony, seeing the headlines, knew immediately—it was a setup.
He knew Fury well enough to be certain: there was no way the SHIELD director would have orchestrated a coup.
Yet now, Fury couldn't even protect himself.
The symptoms of his palladium poisoning were worsening.
Today was his birthday, but the first gift he received wasn't from friends or family—it was a medical report.
["Blood toxicity: 89%!"]
The number was grim: he was beyond medical help. Every passing minute was a countdown on his life.
Tony had planned to speak with Renjie and even invite the young genius to his birthday party.
But unfortunately…
Renjie had just finished the courtroom trial and was no doubt in a terrible mood.
Another reason—Tony had always been a lonely child. He had never invited a close friend to his birthday party. Not once.
Genius often comes with isolation, and in his case, it was painfully true.
Renjie was not a friend, and someday, perhaps, they would even be rivals. Yet that did not stop Tony from admiring him—especially after seeing him perform on the military court stage as a defendant.
The impromptu speech, the eloquence, the courage—it reminded Tony of his father, Howard Stark, and even of himself.
But alas, they would never share a dinner together.
When news of Tony's impending death made its way to the trending charts, would the lonely young prodigy shed a tear for the rival he never got to face again?
Clutching his corroded flesh, Tony slammed his fist onto the sink, sorrow and frustration boiling over.
…
Meanwhile, Hammer Industries, celebrating their boss's courtroom victory, hosted a lavish private banquet.
Among the invited was a special guest: Ivan Vanko.
The vast, pristine hall housed a private jet. Ingredients from across the globe arrived regularly, then were prepared into exquisite dishes by the finest chefs.
Renjie lounged with legs crossed, waiting for the guest's arrival. Hammer stood nearby, playing the role of the attentive host.
Ivan Vanko, secretly brought here, squinted against the bright light, surveying the hall.
But the moment he noticed Renjie, his eyes widened.
He recognized the young man. Fury's arrest and Vanko's failed revenge—all of it, owed to him.
"Sit."
Renjie gestured for Ivan to take a seat.
"Why did you save me?"
Ivan asked, puzzled. He didn't understand what Renjie wanted from him.
"Because you're talented. It would be a waste to let you wither away," Renjie replied, signaling Hammer to pour drinks.
The drink was not an expensive wine, but the cheapest vodka—fierce and bitter, a local Siberian method to stay warm.
Ivan chuckled. Lacking formal education, he drank it straight, the familiar taste bringing memories of a small cabin, of his late father.
Hammer frowned, about to scold Vanko for his lack of manners, but Renjie's gesture stopped him.
As Renjie raised his glass, the servers laid out dish after dish: borscht, pickles, smoked pomfret, beef stew with potatoes, and hamburg steaks.
The flavors were ingrained in Ivan's soul.
Hungry and eager, he devoured the food without concern for etiquette, much to Hammer's annoyance.
"I don't understand… what's your purpose?"
Touched by the scene, Ivan's voice trembled in Russian.
"I want to give you another chance," Renjie said in flawless Russian, smiling.
"To take out Tony Stark again?" Ivan laughed. He had dreamed of this day for years.
But Renjie shook his head, scrutinizing the man before him with a mixture of admiration and regret.
"Would killing him truly satisfy you?"
"You'd gain nothing but temporary release of anger. Ivan, think bigger—that's not what your father would have wanted."
Renjie rose from his seat, whistling softly.
A beautiful parrot flew from afar, landing gracefully on his hand.
It recognized its former master, fluttered its wings, and perched on Ivan's shoulder.
Ivan ran his fingers through the parrot's feathers. His nose tingled, and clear tears rolled down his cheeks.
Hammer, pushing up his glasses, watched the reunion of master and companion, his expression a mixture of admiration and melancholy.
"When we found it, it was too weak even to open its eyes," Hammer murmured.
"Not even the best veterinarians could save it. The boss replaced its failing organs with mechanical parts, prolonging its life."
"You've been rude… not even a word of thanks," he added.
Ivan froze. No mechanical parts were visible on the parrot. How had this young man done it?
Renjie placed a hand on Ivan's shoulder, speaking with earnestness.
"Ivan… I want to give you a chance. A chance for you and your father to gain the honor you deserve."