Anger slowly turned into something awkward.
Tony Stark shifted his gaze toward the window, his expression tinged with discomfort.
He was an extremely sensitive man—someone who would never accept kindness from the outside world so easily.
Even less so would he ever inject himself with nanomachines whose mysteries he could not personally unravel.
As for the medical-grade nanotechnology that had begun circulating on the market, Tony always harbored a deep, lingering unease toward it.
The atmosphere grew increasingly stiff.
Ironically, Tony Stark, usually a master at controlling the mood, found himself unusually clumsy today.
He couldn't keep delaying this.
Because once today ended, he might never again get the chance to truly understand the young man sitting across from him.
"Good lord… kid," Tony finally blurted out,
"Just who are you, exactly?"
"Medicine. Armor. Machinery. Energy."
"Is there anything you're bad at?"
"At this point, even if you told me you could use magic, I'd believe you."
Tony's tongue felt uncooperative. His heartbeat quickened—a nervousness he hadn't experienced in a very long time.
It wasn't the kind of tension he felt on a date.
This feeling was different.
It was as if he had become a child again—standing in front of his father.
"I just wanted to say… thank you."
Tony's muttering finally settled into a sincere statement, as he solemnly conveyed his gratitude to the young man before him.
"That thing can't save your life," Renjie said calmly.
"At best, it only eases the symptoms. If you're hoping to extend your lifespan with it, you should give up on that idea."
His words were blunt.
He had come here today for one reason only—
To change the ending.
To bring this entire incident to a close in a peaceful way.
"Jie… do you know?" Tony said quietly.
"I've tried every element known to man, but none of them can replace palladium."
Tony Stark clutched his head in pain, revealing his most fragile side without reservation.
"No," Renjie replied softly, watching him.
"You haven't tried everything."
"The Arc Reactor in your chest—it's incomplete technology."
"To be precise…"
"It's a seed."
Renjie spoke with quiet conviction.
In this world, he was the only person qualified to say such words in front of Iron Man.
"No—it is complete," Tony countered immediately.
"Sure, it wasn't very efficient before. But once I miniaturized it and placed it in my chest—"
"That's exactly what made me Iron Man."
Tony spoke with unmistakable pride.
Though he had yet to reach Renjie's level—
Given enough time, he was certain he could surpass him.
"You're wrong, Tony."
"Last night, while reviewing S.H.I.E.L.D. files, I learned more about your father."
"Howard Stark."
"The Arc Reactor was never meant to be the final invention."
"It was the foundation for something far greater."
"Your father wanted to spark an energy revolution, leaving the arms race far behind."
"He dreamed of using a safer, cleaner power source to benefit all of humanity."
"But constrained by the limitations of his era, those visionary ideas were never realized."
"Tony—you are the heir to his dream."
"You are the most precious legacy he left behind."
"This…"
"…is the key he left for you to reach the future."
"And also—"
"His birthday gift to you."
As Renjie finished speaking, he raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
Agent Coulson, a S.H.I.E.L.D. operative, stepped forward swiftly, carrying a metal case.
Inside were documents left behind by Howard Stark—
His legacy entrusted to S.H.I.E.L.D.
That man had always believed in his son.
Believed that one day, Tony would use these materials to turn his theories into reality.
"Give me a moment… I need to process this."
Tony exhaled deeply.
"When exactly did you join S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"And don't tell me you joined that whole 'Superhero Boy Band' too."
Between Renjie's words and the sight of his father's belongings, Tony couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotion.
"You're mistaken," Renjie replied.
"I didn't join the Avengers."
"My current position is technical consultant for S.H.I.E.L.D."
"After resolving your issue, Coulson and I will be leaving."
"We're heading to the southwest."
"The footage there contains the answer your father left for you."
With that, Renjie stood up from his seat and gave Iron Man's shoulder a light pat.
Justin Hammer had already become his obedient hound.
Ivan Vanko's fate had been completely rewritten.
As long as Tony discovered the new element, the events of Iron Man 2 would come to a perfect close.
Everyone would receive a happy ending—
Everyone except Nick Fury.
"Southwest?" Tony asked, baffled.
"What's even out there?"
"Obsessed cowboys and chili tacos?"
Renjie simply smiled—deep, knowing, unreadable.
"In time," he said softly,
"you'll understand."
He didn't want Tony Stark involved in what came next.
Because what followed—
Was a collision between humanity and divinity.
And the current Iron Man—
Was not yet ready.
...