Chapter 7

Struggling to open his eyes and adjust to the surroundings, Xu Nuo first saw a charming face with a sexy mustache, the face of Tony Stark.

Then, memories flooded back into his mind like a tide. He was an ordinary, unknown person who suddenly gained the ability to travel between worlds with the help of a magical ring. He came to this Iron Man world to obtain the suit and complete the ring's task, which would give him the chance to change his fate.

Because he had performed too enthusiastically, in reality, it was because he didn't expect his homemade bulletproof vest to fail to withstand the assault rifle bullets at close range, which unexpectedly made his performance even more realistic. Then he fainted, and after that...

"My friend, you're finally awake." Seeing Xu Nuo's puzzled expression, Stark let out a sigh of relief and smiled, nodding at him.

As a person who was actually very proud inside, Stark was not one to easily accept favors from others. Under normal circumstances, no one could give him any favors.

However, this time, during his ordeal, two people gave him favors, allowing him to return home alive. Such life-saving favors were something that a proud person like Stark would definitely want to repay.

With Ethan already dead, Stark transferred all the gratitude and the friendship formed during the ordeal to Xu Nuo.

"Where am I?" Xu Nuo's voice was a bit hoarse as he looked around in confusion. This was a luxuriously decorated bedroom. The only thing Xu Nuo could be sure of was that this was definitely not the ceiling he was familiar with, as the decoration here was too luxurious. His rented apartment didn't even have wallpaper.

"This is my house." Stark stood up, and at this moment, Xu Nuo, gradually regaining his senses, saw a group of people standing behind Stark.

A quick glance revealed several familiar faces. The black colonel who often appeared, Stark's close friend Pepper Potts, the funny fat man who was Stark's personal boxing coach and bodyguard, and a group of people in black suits. One of them, if he wasn't mistaken, was the well-known SHIELD Level 8 agent, Phil Coulson.

At this moment, Agent Coulson was looking at Xu Nuo with a wary expression. Perhaps it was a professional habit, after all, Xu Nuo was an Asian person who had appeared beside such an important figure as Stark. This couldn't help but make these government officials speculate.

"We have successfully escaped." Stark, with a sling on his right arm, smiled at Xu Nuo. "Your injuries were quite severe, so we administered a sedative during the surgery on the plane. The effects are wearing off now." After a pause, Stark's voice continued, "My friend, rest well here. I have to attend a press conference now. We'll talk more when I get back."

Stark patted Xu Nuo's shoulder, nodded slightly, and turned to walk out the door, instructing his bodyguards, "Go get me some hamburgers."

After everyone in the room left, Xu Nuo had time to check his condition.

The expensive suit he had bought for hundreds of dollars was gone, and he was now wearing a loose-fitting outfit. He doubted it was a beautiful nurse who changed his clothes. The wound on his chest still hurt a little, but it was neatly bandaged and seemed to be in no serious danger.

"Damn, I really risked my life for a better future this time." Looking at the bandaged wound on his chest, Xu Nuo felt a bitter smile. He didn't know what he was thinking at the time, actually running over to block the bullets. If he had been killed by an unknown extra, it would have been a huge loss.

"Hehe." Xu Nuo squinted his eyes in a satisfied expression, "But since I survived the great disaster, the benefits should come. There's no gain without pain."

"You must be someone who is willing to do anything to achieve your goals. I have to admit, I admire you." A somewhat abrupt voice sounded in Xu Nuo's mind. After a moment of surprise, Xu Nuo remembered the ring.

It wasn't his fault for being slow to react. After all, the originally ordinary Xu Nuo had experienced living with terrorists, intense gunfights, being injured and unconscious, and being drugged. It was very normal for his mind to be temporarily unable to react. If he had accepted everything without any abnormality, that would have been a problem. This was definitely not something an ordinary person could accept in a short time.

"Can't help it." Xu Nuo took a long breath, lying straight on the extremely soft bed. Closing his eyes, he whispered to himself, "To change my fate, how can it be done without paying a price? If I don't seize the opportunity, I'm afraid I will never forgive myself in the future."

After a moment of silence, the ring's voice sounded, "People who are willing to pay a price generally achieve success. Enjoying the fruits of success is also a natural outcome."

Xu Nuo grinned, not commenting on the ring's words. He got up and went to the bathroom attached to the bedroom for a refreshing shower. As for the wound, who would be foolish enough to directly rinse it with water?

Xu Nuo washed away the dust and fatigue that had accumulated over several days, found a new brand-name shirt and trousers in the wardrobe, and put them on. He felt refreshed and invigorated. He had never used such high-end luxury brands before. He had seen the big boss at the company wear them, and indeed, they felt different.

His stomach started to rumble. After eating black mush in the cave for several days, Xu Nuo was now extremely craving hamburgers.

Leaving the room and heading towards the living room, Xu Nuo wanted to find something to eat in the kitchen. Unfortunately, he encountered someone he didn't want to see in the living room.

A loyal and honest-looking person, who was bullied for being studious in school and had no prospects in the company. But when such a person entered SHIELD, everything changed.

SHIELD Level 8 agent Phil Coulson. A person who didn't show off, but whose abilities were extraordinary. An important figure in the entire Avengers world.

When Xu Nuo saw Phil Coulson in the living room of Stark's house, he knew this world wasn't just the Iron Man world. And when Agent Coulson spoke, it further confirmed Xu Nuo's judgment.

"Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division, Level 8 agent Phil Coulson." Showing his credentials to Xu Nuo, Agent Coulson was slightly puzzled, "You don't seem surprised. Have you heard of our department?"

"No idea." Xu Nuo shrugged indifferently, "Mr. Level 8 Agent, what do you want from me?" How could he not know? The famous SHIELD, due to the continuous Marvel movies, was even more well-known than the CIA.

Xu Nuo didn't think Agent Coulson stayed here just to have breakfast with him. If he guessed correctly, this busy Level 8 agent must be here for Stark.

For a heavyweight tech talent like Stark, the U.S. government would not be too cautious in protecting him. As a Chinese person who suddenly appeared beside Stark and formed a deep friendship with him, Xu Nuo could not be controlled by the U.S. government. If Xu Nuo made any unreasonable requests to Stark, it would be considered a threat to U.S. strategic security. Such matters must be nipped in the bud.

In this situation, it was only natural for a top agent like Phil to come and talk to Xu Nuo.

"Mr. Xu Nuo," Agent Coulson organized his words, "First, I would like to thank you on behalf of the U.S. government for your contribution in rescuing Mr. Stark. We will provide you with appropriate rewards as a token of our gratitude."

"Shouldn't this have nothing to do with you?" Xu Nuo smiled at Agent Coulson, "As far as I know, Stark is not an employee of the U.S. government. Even if there are any rewards, they should come from Stark, not the U.S. government."

"Mr. Xu Nuo," Agent Coulson's lips curled into a faint smile, "Mr. Stark is an American, and we must protect American interests." Pausing, Agent Coulson suddenly narrowed his eyes, looking at Xu Nuo with a playful gaze, "On the contrary, Mr. Xu Nuo, we started investigating your information after you and Stark boarded the plane back to the U.S. We found some surprising things."

Xu Nuo's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained expressionless as he looked at Agent Coulson, "Oh? What could surprise an agent like you?"

"Ordinary people usually show fear or significant emotional fluctuations when they encounter professionals like us, but Mr. Xu Nuo showed no reaction. That's quite strange." Agent Coulson sneered, "We investigated you, but all your information was classified, even our people couldn't find anything. We even sent people to your hometown in an emergency, but they found no trace of your existence."

Agent Coulson's words made Xu Nuo's heart skip a beat. These American agents were truly resourceful, managing to investigate his identity in such a short time. Of course, they found nothing. Xu Nuo was not from this world.