Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

The Quinjet's engines hummed softly as it landed smoothly on the runway of a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. base. The hatch slid open, and the cool morning air rushed into the cabin, carrying the fresh scent of grass and dew, a stark contrast to the dry, scorching heat of the Afghan desert.

"Welcome back to the civilized world, Mr. Stark." Agent Phil Coulson stood by the gangway, a professional smile on his face, his impeccably tailored suit perfectly pressed in the morning light. Behind him stood several solemn-looking agents.

Tony Stark was the first to step out of the hatch. He took a deep breath of the free air, then wrinkled his nose critically. "The civilized world? This is it?" He looked around, his gaze sweeping over the base's somewhat outdated facilities and the low hills in the distance. "The runway length is barely passable, but the ground guidance system looks like something from the last century. And this air," he sniffed hard again, "while it's better than the musty smell in a cave, the industrial emissions are definitely off the charts. Coulson, did you guys spend all of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s budget on suits?"

Coulson's smile remained unwavering: "Security and privacy are our top priorities, Mr. Stark. We have arranged for your ablutions and medical check-up, as well as your return journey to New York."

"Medical check-up? Forget it." Tony waved his hand and walked straight to a black luxury car parked next to him. "What I need now is a real breakfast, not that mushy nutritional paste from your base's canteen. And a new set of clothes; I feel like I'm suffocating if I wear this prison uniform for even a second longer." He opened the car door and smoothly got in, as if he were the master of the place.

Ethan followed closely behind, nodded gratefully to Coulson, and got into the car. He seemed a little reserved, uneasy in the new environment.

Wang Huanbo was the last to descend the gangway. Coulson's gaze lingered on him for a moment, scrutinizing and probing.

"Mr. Wang," Coulson stepped forward, "Chief Fury would like to have a brief meeting with you regarding..."

"Tell Director Fury for me," Wang Huanbo's voice was calm but undeniable, "that now is not the time. My priority is to ensure Tony and Ethan's safe return to New York. As for the meeting," he paused, "I will contact him after we've dealt with the Stark Industries troubles."

Before Coulson could say anything more, Wang Huanbo had already walked past him and headed for the car. He opened the door and got in. Coulson watched the car door close, his brow furrowing slightly, but ultimately just whispered a few words into his headset.

The car smoothly drove away from the base, leaving the S.H.I.E.L.D. secret outpost behind.

"So, that black bastard wants to have a chat with you?" Tony leaned back in the comfortable leather seat, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the armrest, his gaze fixed on the rapidly receding scenery through the car window. He had changed into a casual outfit that Coulson had hastily prepared for him; although it fit well, it was clearly not his usual luxurious style.

"Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D." Wang Huanbo replied. The back seat of the car felt a bit cramped, but he sat up straight. "He's interested in anything beyond the ordinary, especially energy signals that suddenly appeared over Afghanistan and a man who calls himself a time-space adventurer."

"Hmph, mind your own business." Tony snorted, then suddenly turned to Wang Huanbo as if remembering something. "Wait! You just said 'deal with Stark Industries' troubles'? What troubles? Obadiah? What happened to him?"

Wang Huanbo's glasses turned to Tony, the blue light flickering slightly: "Tony, you've been in the cave for three months. Three months is enough time for a lot to happen. Obadiah Stan, your 'good uncle,' has firmly taken control of Stark Industries' board of directors while you were missing. He's publicly declared you dead and is preparing to push the company in a new 'strategic direction.'"

Tony's face instantly darkened, his fingers stopped tapping and clenched into fists. "That old bastard!" he gritted his teeth, his eyes burning with rage. "I knew it! He's been eyeing Stark Industries for ages! Strategic direction? Bullshit! He definitely wants to turn my father's life's work into his war machine!"

"Not only that," Wang Huanbo's voice deepened, "I suspect that the Ten Commandments Gang was behind your kidnapping."

The air in the carriage seemed to freeze. Ethan gasped, staring at Wang Huanbo in disbelief. Tony's pupils contracted sharply as he stared intently through Wang Huanbo's eyes: "Where's the evidence? Wang Huanbo, this kind of accusation requires evidence!"

"We need to find the evidence in New York," Wang Huanbo said calmly. "So, Tony, put away your anger and impulsiveness. The first thing you need to do when you get back to New York is not to confront Obadiah, but to hold a press conference."

"A press conference?" Tony paused, then seemed to understand, a cold and playful smile curving his lips. "Oh? Announcing Tony Stark's triumphant return? And giving that vulture Obadiah a 'surprise' while we're at it?"

"That's right." Wang Huanbo nodded. "A press conference big enough to be remembered by the entire Stark Industries, and even the whole world. You need a stage to announce your decision to everyone, and at the same time..." He paused, "to force out the true colors of certain people."

Tony narrowed his eyes, his fingers unconsciously tapping again, but this time, the rhythm was full of calculation and sharpness. "Interesting... very interesting. Wang Huanbo, I'm starting to think that you, this 'uncle,' might not be so annoying after all." He deliberately emphasized the word "uncle," with a hint of provocation.

Wang Huanbo's lips curled up almost imperceptibly beneath his helmet: "Thank you for the compliment, nephew."

"I told you not to call me nephew!" Tony roared again, but this time, even the driver in the front seat could hear a hint of habitual helplessness in his voice, rather than genuine rage.

The car drove into downtown New York City, the glass facades of skyscrapers reflecting the blinding sunlight. Tony looked out the window at the familiar street scene, his eyes filled with complex emotions. Three months felt like a lifetime. He was no longer the playboy who only knew how to enjoy life. His experiences in the cave, and the mysterious "uncle" beside him, had transformed him completely.

"Stop the car!" Tony suddenly shouted.

The driver pulled the car over to the side of the road as instructed. Tony opened the car door and headed straight for a Burger King restaurant that had just opened on the street corner.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Wang Huanbo asked.

"Replenish my energy!" Tony said without turning his head. "After a life-or-death race and a battle of wits with a guy in antique armor who wanted to be my uncle, I need real food! I still drool over the taste of that burger in the cave!" He strode into the store.

A few minutes later, Tony returned to the car, carrying a large paper bag with the Burger King logo, looking quite satisfied. The rich aroma of cheese and beef burgers instantly filled the entire car.

"Here you go, Ethan." Tony took a hamburger and an iced cola out of the bag and handed them to Ethan naturally.

Ethan looked at the hamburger handed to him, the same hesitant expression he had shown in the cave reappearing on his face. He glanced instinctively at the label on the packaging.

Wang Huanbo's voice rang out at the opportune moment: "Eat with confidence, Ethan. This is Burger King in New York, not Afghanistan. Besides, I recall that your religious doctrine doesn't prohibit eating beef burgers made by non-Muslims that meet halal standards, right? The beef used in this restaurant is certified."

Upon hearing this, Ethan's eyes flashed with surprise and gratitude. He looked at Wang Huanbo and said, "You...you even know this?"

Wang Huanbo nodded slightly: "Understanding a companion's beliefs and habits is the most basic form of respect."

Ethan didn't hesitate any longer, taking the hamburger and cola, a genuinely relaxed smile appearing on his face—the first since surviving the ordeal. "Thank you, Mr. Wang. And thank you, Tony."

Tony had already eagerly torn open the packaging, taken a big bite, and chewed contentedly, mumbling, "Mmm... this is what life is all about! The one in the cave was satisfying, but it's still not as good as this freshly made one." He glanced at the silent Wang Huanbo beside him, then suddenly handed him another cheese and beef burger, "Hey, antique armor, wanna have one? Even though your iron suit doesn't look like it needs to eat."

Wang Huanbo's gaze shifted to the enticing aroma of the hamburger. After a few seconds of silence, he reached out and took the cheese and beef hamburger amidst the surprised looks of Tony and Ethan.

"Occasionally experiencing the food of this era is also part of time travel," Wang Huanbo said with a slight smile, taking a bite of his cheese and beef burger.

Tony stared at Wang Huanbo's face, which looked even younger than his own, and slowed down his chewing of the burger, his eyes filled with complex emotions. Call this face "uncle"? For God's sake! He angrily took another big bite of the cheese and beef burger, as if he were sulking.

The car finally stopped at the underground entrance of Stark Industries. Tony looked at the familiar building, took a deep breath, and opened the car door.

"Let's go," Tony straightened his collar, his signature cynical and absolutely confident smile returning to his face, "to give my 'good uncle' Obadiah, and the whole world, a big 'surprise'."

Wang Huanbo took out a pair of sunglasses from his personal space, put them on, and followed behind Tony, pretending to be a bodyguard. Like a silent guardian, he stepped into this steel empire that was about to unleash a storm.