Tonight, the quiet opulence of Su Yi's Manhattan Villa was transformed into a haven of culinary ambition. It was not just a graduation celebration; it was the formal repayment of a promise, a demonstration of competence that extended far beyond technology or warfare.
Tony Stark and Pepper Potts were the honored guests, and Su Yi intended to fulfill his pledge of personally cooking a lavish, authentic Eastern dinner.
Tony's sleek, customized electric car, chauffeured by Happy Hogan, arrived first. Su Yi met them at the front door, the warm, savory aromas of soy, ginger, and garlic already wafting through the evening air.
"Tony, you're early," Su Yi greeted, offering a knowing smile.
"I can't wait to see the spectacle," Tony announced, stepping out with exaggerated ceremony. "The great Su, the trillion-dollar man, donning an apron. I'm going to record this for posterity. The footage: 'The Day the Future Billionaire Became My Personal Chef.' It'll be a classic."
"You're thinking too much, as usual," Su Yi countered, ushering him inside. "I'm making this elaborate, multi-course meal for Pepper. You're just here for a free, extremely high-quality meal. There's a difference."
"What? I can't accept that!" Tony feigned indignation, his vanity instantly piqued. "My attendance should guarantee a custom, exclusive menu cooked only for my discerning palate. Only then will my presence be adequately compensated."
"I remember the previous condition was simply that I would cook personally; it didn't specify the beneficiary, or that I must cater to the whims of a narcissistic genius who eats reheated cheeseburgers most nights," Su Yi retorted, their easy, familiar bickering a sign of their deepening, strange friendship.
Tony shrugged off his coat, his eyes already scanning the elegant, high-tech interior. "Fine. You can start the recording now, Jarvis. I'm currently lounging in Su's very decent, though obviously not as spectacular as mine, living room."
"Yes, yes, yes, your beachfront Villa is the best, Tony. Now, if Pepper arrives, please bring her into the kitchen. I want her to try the appetizers fresh. I'm going to be busy for a few more minutes."
Tony, restless as always, eventually followed the aroma to the expansive kitchen. He watched Su Yi expertly toss vegetables in a smoking wok with the practiced grace of a seasoned chef—a skill set that baffled him.
"Su, do you still have that Water of Life?" Tony asked, his voice dropping the playful tone. "The one you gave Pepper, and the stuff you gave that... scarred woman from the Red Room?"
Tony had noticed the profound change in Pepper. Since she used the Water of Life, she didn't just look younger; her stamina was limitless, her skin was flawless, and her energy reserves were through the roof.
"There are only two drops of the genuine article left," Su Yi replied, without looking up, his focus entirely on his cooking. "It is incredibly precious. You want to buy it?"
"Of course, I want to buy it," Tony stated firmly. He had spent the last day manufacturing armor and felt his body starting to protest the abuse. "As long as there are no side effects."
"No side effects. A single drop of Water of Life can restore biological age, extending life by approximately twenty years of prime vitality, and enhancing physical resilience. You must be too tired," Su Yi observed, detecting the subtle biological stress in Tony's posture.
Su Yi flipped a pancake wrapper onto a plate with a satisfying sizzle. "If you want to buy, the price is set: 100 million dollars per drop."
Tony inhaled sharply, a sound of pure greed and calculation. "Only 100 million? That's criminally cheap for twenty years of health. How much do you have? I'll buy the entire batch!"
"???" Su Yi finally stopped cooking and turned, looking at Tony with mock astonishment. "Do you think this substance is commonplace? Or do you think I'm stupid, selling it all to you for 100 million? If this were taken to a legitimate auction, it would fetch significantly more, even with the unprovable claims of longevity. The value is immense, Tony."
Tony coughed, realizing his entitlement had shown. "My mistake. I'm just used to capitalizing on such good deals."
"There are only two drops left. I will sell you one drop. The other is reserved for future contingency," Su Yi stated. "It's a strategic asset."
Tony, though disappointed, pressed his luck. "Why not sell both? I'll use the remaining drop for research, maybe hire the best biologists in the world, and try to replicate the complex cellular regeneration."
"I absolutely believe in your wisdom, Tony," Su Yi said, smiling sweetly. "But, you are not a biologist or a chemist. This is not your area of expertise. And true magical substances defy simple reverse engineering. Trust me. You'll just waste time and money."
Su Yi decided to offer Tony a distraction—and a potentially less dangerous project.
"However, if you want to research something magical and botanical, I do have a plant here," Su Yi said, gesturing towards a secure, climate-controlled container unit he had installed in the corner of the kitchen.
"What plant?"
"This small bean is called a Senzu Bean . Its primary effect is to heal external injuries and restore energy instantly. It is said that no matter how serious the non-fatal injury, it can be cured instantly. However, it was exceptionally difficult to cultivate in its original world, and in this world, without its native ecosystem, the difficulty will be even higher."
"Oh, this is a phenomenal asset!" Tony's attention immediately shifted. Pure healing was a game-changer for his team. "Give me a batch, Su. I want to study it thoroughly. Even if I can't replicate it, I can certainly hire top botanists to maintain the supply."
Su Yi seized the opportunity, linking this discussion directly to a crucial, upcoming threat. "That's a good idea, Tony. You could hire a brilliant botanist you once had a fling with, like Dr. Maya Hansen."
Tony paused, racking his brain. "Who?"
"Ask Jarvis to search for her. You might remember the face. You two had a memorable New Year's Eve in Bern back in 1999."
Jarvis immediately pulled up the file, displaying Maya Hansen's picture. Tony frowned. "Right. The bio-engineer. What about her?"
"Maya Hansen, along with a scientist named Aldrich Killian, co-developed a drug called Extremis," Su Yi explained, his voice now devoid of jest, replacing it with hard, cold fact. "It was unstable then, but you weren't interested. You even stood up Killian, whose company, A.I.M., was supposed to fund the project. Now, they should be working together again, perfecting Extremis, likely fueled by a resentment for the system, and perhaps, for you."
Tony realized something was deeply wrong. "Are you saying they might turn into... villains? A disgruntled scientist and her equally disgruntled CEO?"
"If they start testing an unstable, bio-regenerative substance that involves rapid cellular growth and thermal instability on human subjects, they can't be considered good people, Tony. They're engaging in dangerous, unauthorized human experimentation."
Tony slammed his hand on the marble counter. "I… I have to go stop them right now. I'll take a suit, hit their lab—"
Su Yi cut him off with a look of severe warning. "Tony, if you act rashly like this, you will cause immense, unforgivable destruction. You are just a human. Even in the most advanced armor, you are not a god, and this is a threat you do not understand."
Su Yi stepped closer, his demeanor radiating the absolute authority of the Dark Knight template. "Even I wouldn't act rashly without a strategic assessment. So why do you think you can handle everything with a direct, impulsive assault? Extremis causes explosion and fire; an armored strike will lead to countless civilian casualties and allow the main targets to escape. Do you really want to see the news footage of a hundred burning people because you rushed in with good intentions but no plan?"
Tony, confronted with the ethical weight of his past ego and the terrifying vision of future disaster, drank a glass of Lafite in one gulp and calmed himself. The realization hit him: his own negligence (standing up Killian) was the genesis of this potential crisis.
"You're right," Tony admitted, his usual bravado momentarily shattered. "I need a comprehensive plan. No more impulsive heroics."
"Good," Su Yi confirmed. "First, try to persuade Maya Hansen—she is the scientist, the vulnerable link. Second, collect hard information on Killian's operations. You can also utilize your resources to inform S.H.I.E.L.D., framing it as a bioweapon threat. When it's time to act, I can also step in to minimize the damage, but the groundwork must be laid carefully to ensure a surgical, non-destructive resolution."
The tension broke the moment a discreet knock signaled the arrival of Pepper Potts. Tony rushed to open the door.
Pepper stepped into the room, and the air seemed to shimmer. Tonight, she wore a stunning backless purple evening gown, clinging elegantly to her figure and complementing her renewed, vibrant skin. She wore minimal jewelry, letting the dress and her own natural radiance—enhanced by the Water of Life—speak for themselves.
Su Yi was genuinely stunned. "Evening gowns," he murmured to himself, regaining his composure. "They truly are the best."
"Oh, am I dressed too formally?" Pepper asked, looking slightly shy under his intense, appreciative gaze.
Su Yi gently took her hands, his thumb tracing the delicate bone structure of her wrist, before pulling her into a soft, respectful embrace. "A little, perhaps, but I wouldn't change a thing. This dress is absolutely perfect for you. You look breathtaking, Pepper."
"Please, both of you," Su Yi said, gesturing towards the dining area where a magnificent table was set. "Sit. Dinner is ready."
He called to the driver. "Happy, you are a guest tonight. Please join us at the table and enjoy the food."
Happy, surprised by the invitation, protested slightly, "Me? Mr. Su, I can't. I'm on duty."
"You are all guests. Come and try my cooking," Su Yi insisted. "You likely can't drink the alcohol, as you need to drive Tony back, but you can certainly eat."
"That sounds wonderful, thank you," Happy agreed, shedding his formality for the chance at a genuine home-cooked meal.
Su Yi presented a lavish, multi-course Chinese dinner: Peking Duck, perfectly steamed Sea Bass in Ginger and Scallion, and fragrant Jasmine Rice. While the three guests were unaccustomed to the nuances of authentic Eastern cuisine, the quality was undeniable.
"Su, you should seriously quit whatever you're doing and become a chef," Tony declared, his mouth full, having temporarily forgotten the impending biological threat. "I would definitely hire you with a high, high salary."
"Making food is just a part of daily life," Su Yi smiled. "If you have the chance, you can come over for dinner often. My door is always open."
"You said that," Pepper noted, her eyes sparkling.
After the meal, which was followed by a rich, dark tea, Tony's exhaustion resurfaced, forcing him to keep his word and let Happy drive him back to his Malibu mansion.
"I need my suit, Su. I'm going to work on that plan now," Tony declared, giving Su Yi a rare, almost humble look of respect. "Thank you. For the food, and for the warning."
Once Tony and Happy departed, a profound silence settled over the Villa. Soft, classic jazz drifted from the hidden speakers.
"Pepper, would you like to dance?" Su Yi asked, offering his hand.
"Very much," she whispered.
Pepper placed her hand in Su Yi's, and the two danced quietly, slowly swaying to the music. Her closeness was intoxicating, the scent of her perfume mixed with the lingering steam of the kitchen.
"Pepper," Su Yi said softly, looking down at her. "Do you also have superpowers?"
She looked up, puzzled. "?"
"Otherwise," he continued, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from her cheek, "how would you know that I hoped you would wear this gown tonight? You look absolutely beautiful, and it's exactly what I pictured."
Pepper's eyes softened, reflecting the depth of her joy and anticipation. "I hoped you would like it. I chose it specifically, just for tonight."
"Of course, I like it," Su Yi said, his voice husky. He tightened his embrace, showing his devotion through action, making it clear that his commitment was real and his focus, tonight, was entirely on her. His promise was sealed in the music and the quiet certainty of the night.
The stage is set for Su Yi to attend Liz Toomes's party.