Anyone who has seen the movies knows that Tony Stark's mansion is located in Los Angeles on the west coast of the United States, right on the picturesque Malibu Beach.
However, in reality, the properties that Tony Stark personally owns and considers 'home' are far more than just that one.
After all, as a boss, he often has to travel around. Living in hotels every day is not as comfortable as living in one's own home. To save trouble, buying a house in cities he frequently visits is a common choice for many wealthy big bosses.
Wealthy people with even slightly more substantial assets own several 'homes,' let alone a super-rich magnate like Tony Stark, whose net worth exceeds a hundred billion and who enjoys buying land, buildings, and houses everywhere?
In his old home state of Texas, in the southern part of the United States, there's a manor left by Howard Stark; in the north, in Montana, bordering Canada, there's a farm for summer vacations; on the island of Hawaii, there's a beachfront villa bought for sunbathing; and in Alaska, there's a cabin built for fishing... Within the United States alone, Tony Stark owns more than twenty mansions, and in terms of function and amenities, all these properties can be called 'home.'
This only counts the 'long-term holdings'; those he 'bought on a whim today, then cooled down and decided he didn't like, and had someone dispose of later' are not even included. If you add those acquired for investment... Stark's personal real estate holdings are truly vast, both in number and scale, easily rivaling a professional real estate company.
And in the Big Apple, where Stark Industries headquarters is located, he naturally has a 'home' as well.
In fact, before the timeline progressed to "The Avengers 1," the mansion on Long Island, New York, was where Tony Stark most frequently resided.
Firstly, because Stark Industries' headquarters is in New York, and as chairman, he often had to visit the company for work. If he lived in Los Angeles long-term, it would take five or six hours to fly to New York. Frankly, even with a private jet, it was still too much of a hassle.
Secondly, Stark was very fond of flirting with beautiful women, especially top models from various fields... When it came to actresses, Los Angeles, being close to Hollywood, had plenty of resources. But for tall, long-legged models who won purely on their looks, New York was clearly superior.
Moving to Malibu for long-term residence was something that happened 'after he confirmed his relationship with Pepper Potts, completely settled down and gave up his philandering ways, and then, due to the anxiety caused by the battle with the aliens, fully dedicated himself to developing his suits'... In short, it was because he first developed an anxiety disorder, and then, repeatedly comforted by Pepper, he felt the warm embrace and care like family from her. Only then did Stark truly confront his inner self, recognize Pepper's importance, and finally decide that she was his lifelong partner, and only then did he transform into a good man.
As for now... although their relationship has made groundbreaking progress and he subconsciously regards Pepper as family, replacing Obadiah's position in his heart, to say he has completely settled down for Pepper... If Stark's life trajectory is likened to driving on a road, the events in "Iron Man 1" are, at most, at the level of 'changing lanes onto an exit ramp,' far from making a U-turn.
All in all, the party Stark is hosting today is in New York, so Shi Xiaolei doesn't have to go through the trouble of rushing to Los Angeles.
"Go straight ahead, turn left at the next intersection."
"Keep going straight, you're 300 meters from your destination."
"We've arrived. Welcome to Stark Manor with your family, Mr. Locke."
"Thank you." As he replied, seeing the wrought iron gate blocking the car slowly open, Shi Xiaolei casually asked, "Jarvis, did you open the gate? By the way, do you guys not have any security guards here?"
"Mr. Stark has installed a complete automated defense system within the manor, which I am responsible for controlling. Theoretically, this manor does not require security guards," Jarvis replied to Shi Xiaolei's question via Bluetooth headset.
"Sure enough, he's a rich man," he muttered, driving the car through the open gate, Shi Xiaolei continued to lightly press the accelerator: "Should I keep going straight along this road?"
"Yes. Mr. Stark wants you to go directly to the main building."
Under Jarvis's guidance, Shi Xiaolei's family quickly arrived at their destination. Perhaps having received Jarvis's report, Stark had already come outside, waiting to greet the three of them.
"Hey, Tony~."
"Why are you so late?" Opening his arms and hugging Shi Xiaolei, Stark complained with slight dissatisfaction, "Do you know how long I've been waiting? Buddy, don't tell me the traffic was bad."
"I went to look at a house." Shi Xiaolei smiled, and also greeted Pepper, who was standing beside Stark: "Pepper, good afternoon."
"Hello, Locke."
Although their relationship hadn't been formalized yet, since she was with Stark, Pepper knew very well that she needed to take on the responsibilities of a hostess. So, after greeting Shi Xiaolei, she shifted her attention to 2B and Conna, warmly entertaining them.
Ignoring the three women who had gone inside first, Shi Xiaolei and Tony went to the back of the car.
"I told you to come straight here, wow, what are all these?"
"I had an appointment, and it wouldn't be right to cancel suddenly. Besides, I saw the photos he sent me earlier, and I felt that house was quite to my liking. If I didn't go see it, I'd always feel a bit unwilling." As he spoke, Shi Xiaolei moved the foam boxes containing lamb out of the trunk: "Didn't you say to bring more? Here, this is a total of three hundred kilograms... I originally wanted to stuff two more boxes, but I couldn't, my car's load capacity is limited."
"That's enough, that's enough, buddy, thanks." Happily patting Shi Xiaolei's arm, Stark raised his hand to his ear: "Jarvis, time to work. Get a small trailer over here and move these to the kitchen."
"It's already on its way."
No sooner had he spoken than an electric vehicle drove over from the side of the villa. Seeing the robotic arm equipped on the car, it was clear that this thing was designed and built by Stark himself.
"OK, I see it, I'll leave it to you now." After another instruction, Stark lowered his arm and turned to signal: "Let's go, no need to bother with this here."
"...I want to watch." Shi Xiaolei shook his head, pointing to the small trailer that had already driven closer: "I've never seen a robot in my life, to be honest, I'm really a bit curious."
"You personally dismantled the Iron Monger, have you forgotten?"
"That's different, a battle suit is a battle suit, a robot is a robot, two different things."
"So..." Hearing Shi Xiaolei say that, Stark unconsciously raised an eyebrow: "Are you also one of the 'pure intelligent machinery' faction?"
"Huh?" A very unfamiliar acronym, which left Shi Xiaolei utterly confused: "What does that mean? I don't understand."