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*****
With a fierce explosion, blinding light and scorching flames accompanied by a shockwave blasted everything around into the air.
When the dust settled, only some shattered armor fragments and a scorched, burning crater remained on the ground.
Watching this scene, Tony breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, during the fight, he had lured Ivan Vanko into an empty exhibition hall. Although the hall was ruined, at least no one was hurt.
After today's events, his time at the expo was over.
But Justin Hammer was finished too—his cooperation with the military was over.
"By the way, Pepper!"
Remembering that Pepper Potts and the others were also attending the expo, Tony called out and hurriedly flew toward the venue.
...
The next day.
The Stark Expo incident unsurprisingly dominated the news headlines.
Justin Hammer had once again been reduced to a laughingstock—and was arrested that very night.
It was easy to imagine charges like murder, endangering public safety, and so forth would stick to him. Without his Iron Suits, Justin Hammer was worthless; he would rot in prison for life.
Meanwhile, Iron Man Tony Stark was once again the darling of every major news outlet.
The prodigy, the genius scientist, the hero's triumphant comeback...
All sorts of praise were heaped on Tony, as if the previous round of ridicule and sarcasm had never happened.
Besides Tony, there was also news about Magneto.
He saved those hostages, which was a noble deed worthy of praise.
Yet, amid the acclaim, doubts remained.
Some questioned whether his rescue was part of a hidden agenda, or worse, if the whole thing was his scheme from the start.
After all, Magneto had caused plenty of trouble before.
This upset those who supported mutants, who rushed to defend Magneto with facts.
During the Hellfire Club era, led by the Black Queen, Magneto did commit many wrongdoings, but rarely killed anyone and basically never harmed innocents. After the Hellfire Club fell and Magneto formed the Brotherhood, the group changed drastically.
They never sought trouble and never harmed ordinary people. They only appeared to fight back when mutants were persecuted.
For a time, the internet was a battleground of fierce debate over the matter, and even Mike went through two keyboards from typing so furiously.
But no matter what was happening outside, it didn't involve Mike's family.
They were busy celebrating the Lunar New Year.
Posting couplets, eating the reunion dinner, staying up past midnight...
This was their first holiday together as a reunited family, and it felt very meaningful.
Although Clark and the others were grown adults, Mike still prepared red envelopes for them.
Those three, despite being grown men, still giggled like kids when receiving the envelopes, earning plenty of teasing from Gwen—and the moment was captured as a fun family photo.
Three sons grinning foolishly with red envelopes, Gwen rolling her eyes, and Mike smiling warmly between them.
Reunions are always brief. On the afternoon of New Year's Day, Eric and Charles left home to return to where they were needed.
Mike flipped through the photo album, put the holiday pictures away, and headed downstairs.
A new year, a new beginning.
He was about to officially become the owner of a small family restaurant!
Downstairs, Mike quickly prepared breakfast. Clark, carrying a backpack, and Gwen, dressed in a suit, rushed down and immediately began devouring the food at the table.
Mike watched them and said, "Well, today I'm going to—"
"Dad, this is delicious!" Gwen looked up at Mike with a smile, her mouth full of bun.
Clark nodded in agreement, gulping down a large mouthful of millet porridge. "This is good too."
"Eat slowly, you two." Mike couldn't help but say, "I told you to get up early, but neither of you listened."
Gwen was one thing, but how did Clark manage to stay under the covers?
Gwen swallowed her bun with difficulty, slung her backpack on, grabbed another bun, and smiled at Mike. "Daddy, I promise I'll get up early tomorrow! Bye, I'm off to school!"
Clark switched to high gear, quickly finishing his breakfast, then said, "I'll make it on time."
With that, Clark headed out—he had an important interview today.
Watching them leave, Mike sighed, "Well, my shop—"
"Bang!"
Mike's face darkened as the door slammed shut.
Couldn't they let him finish a sentence?
Biting into his bun hard, he couldn't help but laugh.
After finishing his leisurely breakfast, he strolled toward his restaurant like a grandpa out for a walk.
It was opening day, but Mike hadn't even prepared a single dish.
"A restaurant owner without even an egg in the kitchen—Mike Kent, you really have your style."
Mike muttered under his breath, turned into the supermarket, and after buying some ingredients, returned to his shop.
He grabbed a small chalkboard, scribbled on it, and hung it outside the door:
Today's Special: Egg Fried Rice.
In Mike's shop, "special" means that's all he's serving.
Want anything else?
Sorry, we don't have it!
Mike wasn't aiming for booming business—if too many people showed up, it would just be a hassle for someone who didn't really want to make money.
"Hey, I wonder if we can even open today."
"You can't force it," came the lazy reply from the old man rocking in the chair by the window, the sun turning him into a salty statue.
Yet sometimes, the less you want to be busy, the more business finds you.
No sooner had Mike lain back for a few minutes than a customer arrived.
Smack!
The innocent cash register took the hit. Mike, working behind the counter, sat up, catching a book that had slipped down over his face. He blinked at the couple standing before him and said, with a twitching eyelid, "When did you two get back?"
"This morning," Peggy Carter replied, noticing Mike's stiff expression. "You don't look very happy to see us—especially after we brought you a gift."
Mike glanced at Steve, who was frantically signaling him. After a moment's thought, he forced a smile. "Me? Unhappy? Not at all. If you want to wager, I'm game."
Steve cleared his throat. "Mike?"
He was clearly toying with them—their retirement fund was on the line.
Seeing Peggy's frosty look, Steve hurried on, "Mike's got a busy day. Let's take a rain check."
He wouldn't dare bet another cent.
"Busy? The place is empty! Wouldn't you rather win Maria's money with me?"
"Just don't lose," Steve muttered. Peggy's glare sharpened, so he added, "We haven't eaten yet. Mike, do you have anything to eat?"
"Egg fried rice," Mike answered.
"Two orders, then."
Mike stood and said, "Coming right up."
(End of chapter)