Chapter 16

Looking at the two syringes in front of him, one containing a light blue liquid and the other a dark blue liquid, Tony Stark's expression turned somewhat serious.

As the son of Howard Stark, one of the researchers involved in the Super Soldier Serum, Tony Stark was naturally well aware of it.

"Are you saying these two are the Super Soldier Serum?" Tony Stark asked, his voice slightly unsteady as he looked at the syringes.

On the side, Pepper Potts, who was completely unaware of the situation, had a somewhat puzzled look on her face.

"No, no, no, these are not the Super Soldier Serum," Liu Rui'an, sitting opposite, waved his hand and said.

"Are you messing with me?" Tony Stark glanced at him and said irritably.

"How could I? Didn't I say before, they are similar, listen carefully, similar," Liu Rui'an shrugged and played with the new element arc reactor in his hand, smiling as he explained, "I call these two solutions genetic optimization fluids. The light blue one is the basic genetic optimization fluid, and the dark blue one is the intermediate genetic optimization fluid."

"Since there are basic and intermediate levels, there should be an advanced level, right?" Tony Stark, who immediately grasped the key point, asked.

"That's right, there is an advanced genetic optimization fluid, but it's not yet perfected. Currently, there's a ten percent chance that the user will experience unknown mutations," Liu Rui'an, who had no intention of hiding anything, nodded and said.

"Do you mean that these two genetic optimization fluids are already perfected and have no side effects?" Tony Stark pointed to the syringes on the table and asked.

"They are indeed perfected, but I can't say there are no side effects at all," Liu Rui'an, his eyes scanning the two weakened genetic optimization fluids, said honestly.

This answer made Tony Stark's expression even more sour.

"Are you serious? You want to trade Jarvis's source code for something with side effects?"

It was impossible for him not to be sour. No one in their right mind would willingly use a drug with side effects, especially one that involved genetic modification.

"No, no, no, I'm not joking, Tony. Please be patient," Liu Rui'an, wagging his finger, said with a smile.

After the previous two incidents, Pepper, who was standing to the side, had more trust in him. Seeing the atmosphere becoming tense, she quickly intervened, "Tony, I believe Liu has no ill intentions. Let's hear him out."

"Hmph!"

Seeing her personal secretary speak up for a stranger, Tony Stark, if not for his clear understanding of the value of the Super Soldier Serum, might have stormed out.

After finally calming down the still sour-faced Tony Stark, Pepper turned and said apologetically, "Sorry, Liu, please continue."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Tony, I really don't know why you're so lucky to have Pepper by your side," Liu Rui'an, looking at the pair, said with a smile, "How about this, I won't trade the genetic optimization fluid for Jarvis's source code. Instead, I'll have Pepper work for me for thirty years."

"Don't worry, the treatment and benefits will be even better than at Stark Industries."

"By the way, I forgot to mention, this genetic optimization fluid not only improves physical condition but also slows down aging."

"I believe that after thirty years, Pepper will be even younger and more beautiful."

For any normal woman, the allure of eternal youth is quite significant.

So, it was no exaggeration to say that Pepper was tempted.

But before she could speak, Tony Stark, with a stern face, said, "Mr. Niu, are you serious?"

"Haha... It was just a suggestion. If you don't want to, that's fine. No need to get angry," Liu Rui'an shrugged and laughed.

Seeing these two, who seemed to be natural enemies, at it again, Pepper had to continue to act as a buffer to keep the conversation going smoothly.

After Tony Stark was calmed down, Liu Rui'an picked up the light blue syringe and said seriously, "I've already explained the effects of the genetic optimization fluid. The basic genetic optimization fluid has two side effects."

Seeing him finally get serious, Tony Stark, though still a bit annoyed, had to pay attention.

"The first side effect is that the basic genetic optimization fluid is too mild, so it needs to be taken for a long time to be effective."

"The one I have here needs to be taken at least once a week to maintain its effects."

"After taking it for a while, occasional interruptions are fine, but if the interruption is too long, the improved physical condition has a high chance of regressing."

"The second side effect is that the user will have a very good appetite," Liu Rui'an continued.

"Very good appetite?"

"Very good appetite?"

For the first side effect, Tony Stark and Pepper could understand. It was like health supplements that need to be taken for a long time to be effective.

But the second side effect left them both puzzled and somewhat amused. If they didn't know Liu Rui'an well enough, they might have thought he was joking to lighten the mood.

"Yes, a very good appetite," Liu Rui'an nodded and explained, "You see, the human body is like a machine. Even when sleeping, it constantly consumes energy."

"Moreover, the genetic optimization fluid promotes growth, which requires even more energy."

"The simplest way to replenish the energy is to eat, through food."

Faced with this explanation, Tony Stark was silent for a moment before asking, "Uh... So, how much more will the appetite increase?"

"It depends on the individual's physical condition. The better the original condition, the better the effect of the genetic optimization fluid, and the more energy required."

"Under normal circumstances, just taking the basic genetic optimization fluid will increase the appetite by three to five times," Liu Rui'an put down the syringe and said with a smile.

"Three to five times?" Tony Stark, hearing this, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Such an increase in appetite was indeed significant, but still acceptable.

Moreover, with Tony Stark's intelligence, he immediately thought of other ways to solve this problem, such as high-concentration nutritional fluids.

Pepper, on the other hand, had a different concern, "Liu, will the increased appetite make someone gain weight?"

"Ha ha... Don't worry, you won't gain weight. Your figure will only get better," Liu Rui'an, understanding her concern, said with a smile.

"Really?" Pepper asked, her face full of surprise.

"Of course, your figure will be better than any world-famous model," Liu Rui'an promised confidently.

Subconsciously imagining his personal secretary with an even more curvaceous figure, Tony Stark swallowed hard and quickly suppressed his thoughts, "What about the intermediate genetic optimization fluid?"

"The intermediate genetic optimization fluid is stronger, which means it doesn't need to be taken for a long time to maintain its effects," Liu Rui'an, picking up the other syringe, continued, "The current version only needs to be taken once a year. As for the appetite, it will be even stronger than the basic genetic optimization fluid."

Tony Stark, who had expected new problems, saw that Liu Rui'an stopped after just a few words and couldn't help but ask, "Is that all? No other side effects?"

"If you count changes in height and weight as side effects, then yes, otherwise, no," Liu Rui'an, knowing he had hooked the fish, shrugged and said.

"What makes me believe you?" Tony Stark, who was indeed tempted, asked.

If there was one thing Tony Stark regretted the most about himself, it wasn't his looks but his height.

Only when he wore the Iron Man suit could he be about the same height as Pepper, which was an unbearable regret for a man.

But being tempted was one thing; Tony Stark was well aware of the risks involved with genetic modification.

"You can choose to believe me or not," Liu Rui'an, who had anticipated this, smiled and said, "Of course, the best way to solve this is to find someone to test it, but the test won't be free."

Ten minutes later...

In the underground laboratory of the former Umbrella Biopharmaceutical Company, the bulky bodyguard Happy Hogan, who gave a chubby impression, was already lying on the medical platform.

"Happy, are you sure you want to do this?" Pepper, who couldn't avoid the sight, asked, seeing him stripped down to his underwear.

"Of course, why not with such a good opportunity?" Happy Hogan, suppressing his nervousness, smiled and answered.

Just a few minutes earlier, Tony Stark had called his personal bodyguard, who always accompanied him even on dates, to his side.

After hearing about the benefits of the genetic optimization fluid, Happy Hogan agreed to be the test subject after some consideration.

Yes, it was a request, not a demand.

Among the few people Tony Stark was closest to, besides Pepper, Happy Hogan was definitely one of them.

This was evident from Tony Stark's extreme reaction when Happy Hogan was nearly killed by the Extremis virus in "Iron Man 3."

"Maybe we should use the basic genetic optimization fluid?" Though she trusted him, Pepper was still somewhat worried and suggested.

"No, no, no, the basic one won't do. If we're going to do it, let's do the best," the chubby bodyguard Happy Hogan, waving his hands, said.

"Don't worry, I can guarantee that Happy will be completely safe," Liu Rui'an, admiring his courage and loyalty, promised from the side.

"Then, let's start. I can't wait," Happy Hogan, feeling nervous, excited, and eager, said with a smile.