Chapter 8

Although the ring helped him arrange a perfect online profile, all the information from his birth to his schooling was indeed verifiable. However, none of this could withstand a real investigation. Because Xu Nuo had never existed before.

"Moreover, according to Stark's description, you have excellent marksmanship when you were fighting those terrorists. This is something that is hard to achieve in your country, which has strict gun control. So we have ample reason to suspect that you are a fellow agent." Agent Felt's words made Xu Nuo secretly sigh with relief. It turned out they suspected him of being an agent, not someone from another world. Otherwise, he might already be lying on an operating table in some secret laboratory.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Xu Nuo shook his head, wearing a puzzled expression. "I'm just an ordinary person. I was captured by those armed men and locked up with Stark. Then we escaped together. As for what you're saying, I can't understand it. Perhaps you can request detailed information about me from my government?"

If Agent Felt really believed Xu Nuo was an agent, they would never seek verification from the Chinese government. Such covert operations between countries would never be brought to light. So Xu Nuo wasn't worried at all that they would actually contact the Chinese government.

"Alright." Agent Felt shook his head. "Mr. Xu Nuo, let's not talk about these meaningless topics. Now, we can offer you a great choice, and we hope you will consider it carefully."

"Please go on." Xu Nuo walked to the fridge and asked with a smile.

"We can arrange a new identity for you, and you can have a U.S. green card. We will also give you a large sum of money as a reward for helping to rescue Stark. This money will be enough for you to enjoy for the rest of your life." The conditions offered by Agent Felt were indeed attractive. There are countless people in the world who would do anything to get a U.S. green card, let alone a large sum of money. Such conditions were almost impossible to refuse, and the Americans were confident about this because they were Americans.

"What are the conditions?" Unfortunately, Xu Nuo had no interest in this. The conditions offered by the Americans were insignificant compared to the secrets he possessed. Xu Nuo opened the fridge and searched for something to eat, asking with a light laugh.

"Stay away from Stark." Agent Felt's words were firm and left no room for negotiation.

"Shouldn't that be up to Stark to decide?" Xu Nuo, holding a few slices of bread and a bottle of milk, walked to the toaster and replied with a smile. "If Stark asks me to leave, I'll leave immediately."

"Very well." To Xu Nuo's surprise, Agent Felt actually looked relieved. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Xu Nuo, sneering, "I was a bit worried that you might agree. You'll soon see our methods."

With that, Agent Felt turned and left the living room.

Watching Agent Felt's departing back, Xu Nuo sighed. He squeezed the bread in his hand and muttered to himself, "The S.H.I.E.L.D. actually cares about these things."

The next events were simple. Stark held a press conference, announcing that his company would exit the arms market, creating a huge news story. After that, Stark, who had finished eating a hamburger, returned home.

"Hey, Xu. It's really great to see you safe." When Stark returned home and saw Xu Nuo leisurely eating breakfast, he immediately smiled and gave him a big hug. "Thank you for saving me. You saved me when I was in danger, and I will always remember this friendship."

"Stark..."

"Call me Tony, my friend." Stark interrupted Xu Nuo. "My friends call me Tony."

"Alright, Tony." Xu Nuo nodded and immediately changed his address. "Tony, I have something to tell you."

After Agent Felt left, Xu Nuo had already considered his options. No matter what methods the American agents used, such as deporting him for lack of a passport, or secretly arresting him, or any other means, Xu Nuo had no way to resist. At this point, Xu Nuo only had expertise in firearms, but he was powerless against such a large organization. If he lost contact with Stark, his mission would be in jeopardy. After much thought, he concluded that only by staying close to Stark could he have a chance to complete his mission and return home.

As for all the grudges and friendships he had formed in this world, he would settle them all when he had the chance to return.

"You know, I'm Chinese." Xu Nuo lowered his voice, and the hint of emotion in his voice immediately put Stark on alert. "We met in a moment of danger, and now that everything is over, it's time for me to leave."

"Did someone talk to you about something?" As a genius, Stark immediately realized that someone must have approached Xu Nuo. This made him feel a sudden surge of anger.

Stark was already angry about the kidnapping and the arms scandal involving his company. The fact that someone was threatening his friend, whom he considered a friend, only fueled his anger.

People like Stark are rarely influenced or controlled by anyone. When someone does something like this, it greatly offends their pride and self-respect. Especially at this moment, when he was in a superior position and had received a favor from Xu Nuo but had not yet repaid it, Stark's pride made him even more furious.

"No, no one did." Although he said no, the panic on Xu Nuo's face and the slight trembling of his hands clearly told Stark, "Yes, yes, someone threatened me! Fix it quickly!"

"Alright!" Stark, who was in a bad mood, stood up and patted Xu Nuo's shoulder, looking at him with an unusually serious expression. "My friend, we've been through danger together. I have never doubted our friendship! Your injuries haven't fully healed yet. Stay here and rest. Don't worry about anything else; I'll take care of it."

Watching Stark leave the living room with determined steps, Xu Nuo smiled. "Very well, now I just have to wait for you to bring out the Iron Man suit."

Xu Nuo was actually quite impressed with his acting. He even believed it himself while performing. Indeed, he was born to be an actor.

...

"Hey, Tony." Stark's bodyguard reported after answering the phone. "Immigration officials are here. They say Xu is an illegal immigrant and they want to deport him."

"I know." Stark hung up the phone and immediately dialed another number. "Is everything taken care of?"

"Yes, everything is done. But Tony..." On the other end of the line was Pepper Potts, Stark's close friend, who tried to say something but was interrupted by Stark. "I have some things to handle. We'll talk later."

The immigration officials were quickly dismissed because Stark had already instructed Pepper to arrange all the necessary procedures for Xu Nuo. In this money-driven capitalist country, with enough money, anything becomes very simple. Even the powerful immigration department had to back down when faced with a wealthy man like Stark waving a check.

After the immigration officials left, Stark quickly dialed another number. "Phil, it's Stark. I think we need to meet now. I have something to say to you."

At night, the stars shone brightly over the Malibu coast. Standing on the balcony, Xu Nuo squinted and took a deep breath, feeling the salty sea breeze. A thought of envy flashed through his mind. This house was truly amazing.

"Mr. Xu, the boss wants you to go to his workshop." A mechanical voice sounded, which was JARVIS, Stark's personal butler. JARVIS was a crucial figure; without his help, the Iron Man suit couldn't be used.

"Alright, JARVIS." Xu Nuo's spirits lifted, and he smiled as he headed to the workshop in the basement.

The password door opened automatically, and Xu Nuo walked in. Stark, who was lying in a chair, immediately spoke when he saw Xu Nuo enter. "Hey, my friend. I don't know who to trust right now. I need your help."

"No problem, happy to help." Xu Nuo walked over with a smile.

After replacing the Arc Reactor for Stark, Xu Nuo naturally joined the construction of the new Mark II suit.

Stark knew that Xu Nuo had no practical skills, and this super-technology was beyond his grasp even with step-by-step guidance. He couldn't even remember the process. In fact, Stark didn't need Xu Nuo's help; he could handle everything himself. The reason he let Xu Nuo help was purely to repay the favor Xu Nuo had done for him.

At the same time, Stark wanted to prove to the agents that his friend was not a spy. He was using this method to show his trust in Xu Nuo. His pride and rebelliousness made him determined to share his best with his friend, to show those who accused him that his choice of friend was flawless.

In the following days, Xu Nuo and Stark worked on the construction of the Mark II suit in the basement workshop.

During the construction of the Mark II, Stark was the main force. Stark's intelligent butler JARVIS and the two assistant robots, Dummy and You, also played their roles. Xu Nuo, who couldn't contribute, watched or helped with minor tasks like bringing tea, water, and tools.

Although he couldn't help, Stark became even more convinced that Xu Nuo was not a spy. Xu Nuo didn't even understand the basic structure. Even if he participated throughout, he couldn't replicate the technology.