Chapter 78

Victor von Doom was desperately trying to embellish his company's research project in front of Zhou Yi, but as an investor who was quite knowledgeable about these cutting-edge scientific industries, Zhou Yi noticed a very important issue in his speech.

He only focused on describing the advantages and beauties of his research project but was never willing to explain the risks and the true market prospects of the project. So, Zhou Yi eventually had to frown and interrupt him.

"Excuse me, Mr. Doom. I only want to confirm one issue now, not listen to your talk about the profit distribution after your energy project succeeds."

"Uh!" Victor, who had been interrupted in his eloquent speech, reluctantly stopped and awkwardly smiled.

"Please ask, Mr. Zhou. I promise to hold nothing back as long as it can be said."

"Very well. You said your energy project makes a new breakthrough in the utilization rate of nuclear energy. Does that mean your current research is still based on the outdated nuclear fission energy?"

Hearing Zhou Yi's question, Victor's expression stiffened as 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 primitive state. My research project can increase the utilization rate of current nuclear energy by more than twenty percent. Such technology is absolutely unparalleled. As long as you invest in our technology, the returns you can get are unimaginable."

Shaking his head, Zhou Yi looked at this newly minted billionaire and rarely offered a kind reminder.

"Mr. Doom, the one who might have a misconception here is you. After all, you are still a newcomer in this field, and there are some pieces of information you might not be aware of. Tony Stark's Arc Reactor project is in the final stages of development and is expected to yield results soon. Additionally, Dr. Otto Octavius has just completed a paper on nuclear fusion energy, which is quite feasible. I estimate that in the next one or two years, Dr. Octavius will start working on this project. By then, your nuclear energy plan might be worthless."

"So, I am truly very sorry. I will not invest in something that is destined to be eliminated by other projects." Saying this, he no longer paid attention to the doomed Mr. Doom and instead turned his head to Reed Richards, who had been watching from the side.

"Mr. Richards, as far as I know, the budget for NASA in this area is very limited. So, if you want to get rid of those boring bureaucrats, feel free to contact me. Here is my business card!"

Saying this, Zhou Yi handed over a business card. It was a special number that could contact Zhou Yi's personal assistant, and for many researchers in need of investment, this number meant an endless supply of funds.

"Thank you, I will if I need it!" Reed Richards hesitantly took Zhou Yi's business card, shook his hand, and did not mention any other topics. Clearly, he still had significant concerns about accepting Zhou Yi's investment.

However, this was no longer Zhou Yi's concern. Reed's research might be helpful to him, but it was not something he could not do without. So, Zhou Yi had already planned to find another place to continue hiding with Sarah.

But a blonde beauty walking over changed his mind.

She was a beautiful woman exuding a scholarly aura. Her golden wavy hair was neatly tied back with a crystal hair accessory that resembled a violet, revealing her smooth, full forehead and lake-blue eyes.

Her eyes looked like tranquil, deep blue waters, with a charm that drew one in. Combined with her elegant and confident beauty, she exuded a dignified and graceful presence, like a goddess of wisdom.

Her figure was also extremely alluring, with graceful lines under her black dress that formed captivating curves. Looking at her was like seeing the statue of Venus, revealing the beauty and allure of a woman in every detail.

Such a beauty, even Zhou Yi, who was used to seeing beautiful women, could not help but admire. Especially when he recognized her, he felt an even stronger urge to get to know her.

This intelligent and beautiful woman was none other than the beauty he had saved from the plane under another identity. Meeting her again in this place was completely unexpected, and when he recognized the exquisite shawl she was wearing, his surprise deepened. The shawl, with its fine texture and metallic sheen, yet as soft as silk, was none other than the cloak made of nanometal from the Dawn Armor. It seemed to have been reprogrammed to become a piece of women's clothing.

"It's been a long time, Reed, and Victor. I didn't expect to meet you here!" Looking at her two acquaintances, the beauty showed obvious joy. As for Zhou Yi, he was less noticeable to her than Sarah beside him.

"It's been a long time, Susan." Reed smiled somewhat awkwardly. "I just heard you had returned to Britain when I came out of the lab, so I flew over directly. But Johnny said you were invited to Paris, so I had to come here."

This acknowledged physics genius seemed to lack social skills. From his words, Zhou Yi only understood that he was here to find Miss Susan. As for the rest, he could not understand at all.

"Susan, are you okay? I heard the flight you were on had an accident, and I was very worried about your safety. Fortunately, everything was resolved safely. I really don't understand what that clown called the Dawn Knight was all about, why did he cause the biggest trouble for you?"

In contrast, Victor's words were much more sophisticated. At least from his words, one could tell he cared a lot about Miss Susan. However, his words did not make her happy.

"Victor, please be careful. The Dawn Knight is a hero who saved me, not the clown you described!" Susan found Victor's metaphor very hard to accept and directly rebutted him.

At the same time, Zhou Yi also rebutted him. He was not the type to endure insults. Although he could not reveal his identity, he still had the right to speak as an ordinary person.

"I completely agree. Mr. Doom, please be careful. The knight you mentioned is a hero of New York, a savior of hundreds of lives. When you defame him, please think about how many people he has helped."

Being criticized by the potential investor he wanted to win over and the woman he admired for the same thing, Victor von Doom's expression immediately turned very ugly. Since his success, few people had treated him like this. But the two people in front of him were not someone he could afford to offend, making him feel extremely uncomfortable, as if he had to swallow his pride.

The one who came to his rescue was unexpectedly Reed Richards. Of course, he did not do it for the old rival from university, but because of the previous conversation.

"Susan, you had an accident? Oh! My God, when did this happen? Why didn't anyone tell me? Are you okay? What exactly happened?"

This diversion made Susan, the center of the incident, feel both amused and frustrated. She thought Reed had traveled a long distance to her side because he heard about her accident and came to comfort her, but it turned out he knew nothing about it.

Although she had already understood her friend's awkwardness, hearing this still made her feel deeply disappointed.

Such a person is not someone who can walk hand in hand with. Susan, you were really a fool. Susan thought to herself, feeling utterly disappointed with her previous naive thoughts. But she still asked, unwilling to give up.

"Reed, you really didn't know what happened?"

"I'm sorry, Susan. You know, my research on quantum storms had just entered a critical stage, so I was busy tackling the problem. I didn't even know you had returned to Britain."

Interrupting Reed's rambling, Susan got straight to the point.

"Then, 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 about your response to the question I asked you before!"

"Is that all?" Susan looked at him with disappointment and sighed. "I'm sorry, Reed. I don't think it's necessary. Let's just maintain the status quo. I can't tolerate not being the most important."

Her words were brief, but the meaning was clear. Hearing her, Reed Richards's body trembled, and he seemed to lose all vitality, becoming dejected.

Seeing his state, Susan felt apologetic and said, "I'm sorry, Reed. We really don't suit each other! I have other things to do."

With that, she walked away resolutely. She had to make a clean break in this matter, or it would get worse.

"I'm sorry, buddy! I think you should have a drink!" Patting the dejected Reed on the shoulder, Zhou Yi led Sarah away quietly. He did not want to stay with a heartbroken man for too long, as it would affect his mood.

As for Victor, he fell into a strange sense of satisfaction. Looking at his old rival from university, he rarely smiled.

"Want to go have a drink with me, old classmate?"

After leaving the dejected man, Sarah excitedly hugged Zhou Yi's arm and whispered, "Hey, was that a breakup? Do you think Reed will be so sad that he'll jump off a building, or turn into an evil doctor seeking revenge for love?"

Tapping Sarah's forehead, Zhou Yi asked helplessly, "Can you tell me what you do every day, Sarah? Don't you think what you're saying is ridiculous?"

"Is it?" Sarah asked with a grin. "But isn't that how it always happens in TV shows?"

"So, more people die in TV shows than you see in real life!" Zhou Yi briefly criticized Sarah's worldview, but his eyes were drawn to a figure walking towards the garden—Susan.

Looking at her, it seemed she needed someone to comfort her. Of course, this was Zhou Yi's own judgment. As her sister, Sarah clearly knew her brother's nature. She grabbed Zhou Yi's left hand, pointed to his watch, and pouted.

"I'm only giving you half an hour, got it?"

"Absolutely no problem, Sarah. You're my angel!" Kissing her cheek, Zhou Yi quickly walked towards the garden. Sarah touched her cheek, watching her brother's departing figure, with a look in her eyes that did not belong to her age.

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