Victor Von Doom was desperately trying to beautify his company's research projects in front of Mr. Zhou, but as an investor who was quite knowledgeable about these cutting-edge scientific industries, Mr. Zhou discovered a crucial problem in his words.
He only described the advantages and positive aspects of his research project, but he never explained the risks of the project or the true prospects of its market application. So, eventually, Mr. Zhou had to frown and interrupt him.
"Excuse me, Mr. Doom. I only want to confirm one question now, not listen to your discussion about the profit distribution after your energy project succeeds."
"Uh!" Victor, whose eloquent speech was interrupted, stopped his narration somewhat unwillingly, smiling awkwardly as he said, "Please ask, Mr. Zhou. I promise to be completely transparent about anything I can disclose."
"Very good. You said your energy project is making new Breakthroughs in the utilization rate of nuclear energy. Does that mean the energy you are currently researching is still based on outdated nuclear fission energy?"
Hearing Mr. Zhou's question, Victor's expression stiffened, and he explained: "Mr. Zhou, I think you might have some misconceptions about energy. You should know that the mainstream energy in the World is still nuclear fission energy, and the utilization of nuclear energy is still in a very Elementary state. My research project can increase the utilization rate by more than twenty percent on the basis of current nuclear energy utilization. Such technology is absolutely unique. As long as you invest in our technology, the returns you can get are unimaginable."
Shaking his head, Mr. Zhou looked at this newly minted billionaire and, unusually, offered a kind reminder.
"Mr. Doom, perhaps you are the one with misconceptions in this area. You are, after all, still new to this field, and there are some things you might not know. Tony Stark's Ark Energy project has already reached its final Breakthrough stage, and it is expected to yield results very soon.
Additionally, Dr. Otto Gunther Octavius has just completed a paper on nuclear fusion energy, which has considerable feasibility. I estimate that Dr. Otto might start working on this project within the next one or two years. At that time, I'm afraid your nuclear energy plan will truly be worthless."
"Therefore, I am very sorry. I will not invest in something destined to be eliminated by other projects." At this point, he no longer paid attention to Mr. Doom, who was destined for tragedy, but instead turned his head to Reed Richards, who had been observing from the side.
"Mr. Richards, as far as I know, the U.S. Space Agency has very limited funding in this area, so if you are interested in getting rid of those boring bureaucracies, you can contact me anytime. This is my business card!"
At this point, Mr. Zhou handed over a business card. It was a special number to contact Mr. Zhou's private assistant, and for many researchers needing investment, this number practically meant endless funding.
"Thank you, if I need it, I will!" Reed Richards hesitantly took Mr. Zhou's business card, shook his hand, and did not bring up any other topics. Clearly, he still had great reservations about accepting Mr. Zhou's investment.
However, this was no longer Mr. Zhou's concern. What Reed was researching might be helpful to Mr. Zhou, but it wasn't to the extent that he couldn't do without it. So, Mr. Zhou had already planned to change locations and continue taking Charisse to seek refuge.
However, a blonde beauty who walked over changed his mind.
It was a gorgeous beauty exuding an aura of scholarly elegance. Her long, wavy blonde hair was combed back and held in place by a crystal hair ornament that looked very much like a violet. It revealed her smooth, full forehead and lake-blue eyes.
Those eyes looked like the clear blue water of a lake, calm and profound, possessing the charm to draw one in. Coupled with her elegant and confident beautiful appearance, what was revealed was the dignified and graceful demeanor of a goddess of wisdom.
And her figure was also extremely alluring, with elegant lines beneath the black dress outlining captivating curves. It was like looking at the Venus de Milo. There was simply no part that didn't exude feminine beauty and temptation.
Even Mr. Zhou, who was accustomed to beautiful women, had to admire such a beauty. Especially when he recognized this beauty, he had an even stronger urge to know her.
This woman of intellectual beauty was none other than the beauty Mr. Zhou had rescued from the plane under another identity. Meeting her again in this place was completely beyond his expectation, and when he recognized the exquisite shawl she was wearing, this surprise deepened even further.
The finely textured, metallic-sheened yet silky-smooth shawl was none other than the cape made of nanometal from the dawn armor. However, it seemed to have been artificially reprogrammed and had transformed into a piece of women's clothing.
"Long time no see, Reed, and Viktor. I didn't expect to see you here!" Looking at her two acquaintances, the beauty showed clear joy. As for Mr. Zhou, to her, he was even less conspicuous than Charisse beside him.
"Long time no see, Susan." Reed revealed a somewhat dull smile. "I just came out of the lab and heard you had returned to Britain for something, so I flew directly. But Johnny said you were invited to Paris, so I could only come here."
This recognized Genius physicist seemed not to be good at socializing; anyway, Mr. Zhou only understood one thing from his words: he came to find Young Miss Susan. As for the rest, he didn't understand anything.
"Susan, are you alright? I heard that your flight had an accident, and I was very worried about your safety. Thankfully, the matter was finally resolved safely. I really don't know what's going on with that Joker called Dawn Knight; why did he only let you have the biggest accident?"
In contrast, Viktor's language seemed much more sophisticated; at least from his words, it could be heard that he was very concerned about Young Miss Susan. However, his words did not make Young Miss happy.
"Viktor, please pay attention. The Dawn Knight is a hero who saved me, not some Joker as you say!" Susan found Viktor's analogy very difficult to accept, so much so that she immediately retorted.
And at the same time, Mr. Zhou also retorted. He was not the kind of pal who would swallow his anger when being cursed at. Although he couldn't expose his identity, he still had the right to speak from the perspective of an ordinary person.
"I completely agree with that. Mr. Doom, please pay attention. That Knight you mentioned is our New York hero, an existence who saved hundreds of lives. When you slander him, please first consider how many people have received his help."
Being criticized by both the financier he wanted to win over and the woman he admired for the same thing, Victor Von Doom's expression immediately became very ugly. Since he achieved success, very few people had treated him this way.
But the two people in front of him were both individuals he couldn't afford to offend, which made him feel like swallowing a broken tooth, extremely uncomfortable.
And the person who came to his rescue at this moment was Reed Richards, whom he would never have expected. Of course, he wasn't helping out his college rival, who had been his sworn enemy since university, but because of the recent conversation.
"Susan, you had an accident? Oh! My God, when did this happen? Why did no one tell me? Are you alright? And what exactly happened to you?"
His interruption made Susan, who was at the center of the incident, feel a mixture of amusement and exasperation. She had thought that Reed had come all this way to see her because he had heard about her accident and wanted to inquire about her well-being, but it turned out he knew nothing about it.
Although she already had some understanding of her friend's dullness, hearing such words still caused a deep sense of disappointment to well up in her heart.
Such a person, no matter how you look at him, is not the kind of person you can walk hand in hand with. Susan, you really were a big fool. Susan thought to herself, self-deprecatingly, completely despairing of her previous naive thoughts. But she still asked unwillingly.
"Reed, do you really not know what happened?"
"I'm sorry, Susan. You know, my research on quantum storms had just entered a critical stage, so I've been busy tackling that problem. I didn't even know you went back to Britain..."
Interrupting Reed's rambling directly, Susan went straight to the point and asked, "So, why did you come all this way to find me, Reed?"
Reed Richards took a deep breath and asked: "I just wanted to ask you for your answer regarding the matter I asked you about before!"
"Just for that?" Susan looked at him disappointedly and sighed. "I'm sorry, Reed. I don't think we need to; it's better to maintain the status quo. I cannot tolerate not being the most important one."
She spoke very concisely, but the meaning was very clear. Hearing her words, Reed Richards' body trembled violently, and he seemed to lose all his Life Qi, becoming dispirited.
Looking at him like this, Susan said apologetically: "I'm sorry, Reed. We really aren't suitable! Excuse me, I have other things to do."
After saying that, she had already walked away decisively. On this matter, she had to make the most straightforward conclusion, otherwise things would get worse.
"I'm sorry, pal! I think you should have a couple of drinks!" Patting the dejected Reed's shoulder, Mr. Zhou quietly walked away, leading Charisse. He didn't want to stay too long beside a heartbroken man; it really affected his mood.
And Viktor was caught in a strange sense of satisfaction. He looked at his old rival from college and, unusually, smiled.
"Shall I join you for a couple of drinks, old classmate!"
After walking some distance away from the dejected gentlemen, Charisse excitedly hugged Mr. Zhou's arm and whispered, "Hey, was that heartbreak just now? Do you think Reed will be so sad he'll jump off a building, or directly transform into an evil Dr. seeking revenge for love?"
Flicking Charisse's forehead, Mr. Zhou asked with considerable helplessness.
"Can you tell me what you do every day, Charisse? Don't you think what you're saying is outrageous?"
"Is it?" Charisse asked with a grin, "But isn't that how it always is in TV shows?"
"That's why more people die in TV shows than you've ever seen!" Mr. Zhou succinctly criticized Charisse's Worldview, but his gaze was drawn to a figure walking towards the garden—it was Susan.
From her appearance, it seemed she needed someone to comfort her. Of course, this idea was Mr. Zhou's own judgment. And Charisse, as his sister, clearly knew her brother's nature very well. She took Mr. Zhou's left hand, pointed at the watch on it, and said indignantly.
"I'll only give you half an hour, understand?"
"No problem at all, Charisse. You are my Angel!" Kissing her cheek hard, Mr. Zhou quickly walked towards the garden. Charisse, meanwhile, touched her cheek and watched her brother's departing figure, her eyes revealing something that shouldn't be present at her age.