With the influx of 33,000 Fate Points and the incredible boost to his Strength, Speed, and Endurance (all Lv5), Su Yi felt a near-invincible confidence course through him. He was a superhuman among regular humans, ready to engage the world's threats long before they even knew they were threats.
"A few more Level 5 attributes and I'll be in the heavy-hitter league," he mused, checking his watch. Natasha's abrupt intrusion had thrown off his schedule, but now it was time for the Charity Gala—and his date with Pepper Potts.
Su Yi, impeccably tailored in a dark suit that accentuated his athletic build, drove his sleek sports car toward Pepper's apartment. He pulled to the curb, and his breath hitched.
Pepper was waiting, bathed in the soft glow of the streetlights. She wore a stunning, deep purple evening gown, the fabric hugging her figure before flowing to the ground. The most arresting feature was the back, which dipped daringly low, revealing an elegant expanse of skin. She looked less like a corporate assistant and more like a movie star stepping onto a red carpet.
"Hey, gorgeous," Su Yi called out, his voice smooth. "You look like you need a reliable chauffeur."
Pepper smiled, a shy, genuine warmth in her eyes. "I think I do. But only if you can get us to the hotel discreetly."
"Consider it done." Su Yi sprang out to open the door.
Once she was settled inside, he complimented her again, sincerely. "Pepper, you always look beautiful, but tonight, you are absolutely breathtaking. That dress is... perfect."
Pepper blushed, tucking a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. "Thank you, Su. I was nervous about the gown—it's much more revealing than anything I usually wear for work events. I worried it was too much."
"It's exactly right," Su Yi assured her, pulling into traffic. "You're going to steal the show. Honestly, if you were my woman, I'd have to invent some kind of personal force field just to keep all the other men from staring."
Su Yi's compliments were direct, affirming, and perfectly timed. Pepper's defenses were weakening.
"You're impossible," she said, attempting to hide her rising flutter. "You should probably focus on driving, or we'll be late."
The Charity Gala was exactly as Su Yi expected: a shimmering spectacle of wealth and influence. He escorted Pepper into the ballroom, her arm looped naturally through his. The whispers immediately started, not because of Pepper, but because of the strikingly handsome young man by her side—the one no one recognized.
Su Yi immediately spotted Obadiah Stane, his imposing figure and shrewd eyes dominating a conversation cluster near the center of the room. Obadiah noticed them, too, his gaze lingering suspiciously on the youthful, Asian face next to Tony's famously loyal assistant.
Su Yi led Pepper directly to the bar for two drinks, and Obadiah, cutting his own conversation short, strode over with a forced smile.
"Pepper," Obadiah greeted, his tone paternal and slightly demanding. "Did Tony decide to grace us with his presence tonight?"
"Hello, Mr. Stane. No, sir. Tony is still sequestered in his workshop, deep into a new project. He insisted he couldn't be disturbed tonight."
Obadiah's smile tightened. "I see. And who is this... well-dressed young man?"
Pepper immediately made the introduction, with a clear note of pride. "This is Mr. Su Yi. He's one of our newest major shareholders—he successfully acquired fourteen percent of Stark Industries stock during the recent market adjustment."
Su Yi extended his hand, meeting Stane's shrewd gaze with polite but unyielding confidence. "A genuine pleasure, Mr. Stane. I've been looking for an entry point into Stark Industries for some time, but the valuation was always too high. Thankfully, I was able to seize the current opportunity. I have absolute faith that the company will soar to new heights, especially under Tony's direction."
Obadiah's eyes narrowed imperceptibly at the mention of the 14%—far more than he realized had been consolidated by the unknown investor. "Indeed, Mr. Yi. Your faith is... appreciated. However, redirecting our focus away from the Armaments Division will naturally require a period of careful management before we can regain that growth."
"I have no doubt," Su Yi responded smoothly. "Tony is a genius. He'll create a completely new path forward. I'm fully behind his vision."
Obadiah, now seeing Su Yi as a major, uncontrollable factor—and possibly an ally recruited by Tony to neutralize the board's growing revolt—realized his current plan was jeopardized. He needed Tony gone, and the 14% held by this confident newcomer made a political coup much harder.
"We shall certainly endeavor to prove your investment sound," Obadiah concluded, his face unreadable. He gave a sharp nod and retreated, his mind already spinning into dark, violent territory. Normal methods are insufficient. Tony, you just signed your own death warrant by creating yet another roadblock.
With Obadiah gone, Su Yi turned to Pepper, offering his hand. "Come on, Pepper. Let's make some waves. I believe we have a dance floor calling our names."
Pepper hesitated only briefly before accepting his hand, allowing him to lead her to the floor. They settled into a slow, elegant sway.
"I need to ask you something, Pepper," Su Yi asked softly, his voice close to her ear. "Are you Tony's girlfriend?"
Pepper stiffened instantly, then vehemently denied it. "No! Absolutely not. I'm his executive assistant. Why would you think that?"
"Because a man would be clinically insane to let a woman like you walk out of his life," Su Yi pressed. "Why is a woman of your caliber taking care of a man who behaves like an overgrown frat boy?"
Pepper sighed, a deep weariness in her voice. "He's my boss, Su. And to be frank, I don't want the world to think I slept my way into my position. Besides, Tony and I... he's simply not my type. He's a brilliant, tragic disaster who can't even microwave his own food. I'm his caretaker, his therapist, his nanny—not his partner."
Su Yi offered a slight, knowing smile. "I believe he's changing, Pepper. He's been through a major trauma. He's on the cusp of true maturity, ready to take on the world's responsibilities."
"Perhaps," she conceded, looking thoughtful.
Su Yi knew the moment was ripe to apply pressure. "But let's put Tony aside. Am I your type, Pepper?"
Pepper panicked. Her foot connected squarely with Su Yi's highly durable Level 5 shin.
"Oh! Oh, I'm so sorry, Su!" she exclaimed, pulling away. "I... I need air. The room is suddenly very warm. I'm going to the balcony for a moment."
"It's alright," Su Yi said, sensing her turmoil. He knew he had to let her process the question. "I'll fetch you a drink. What's your pleasure?"
"A Vesper Martini, please," she managed, her voice shaky. "Shaken, not stirred. And no lemon twist, just two olives."
Su Yi soon joined her on the balcony, handing her the cold glass. The cool night air and the strong drink helped Pepper regain her courage.
"Su," she started, her eyes fixed on his. "I need to be honest with you."
"Please do, Pepper. I'm listening."
"You are incredibly charming, devastatingly handsome, and yes, you are very attractive to me," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "But you're nearly twenty years younger than I am. That age difference... it's a huge obstacle for me."
Su Yi gently reached out, placing his hand on her shoulder, closing the distance between them. "I understand. But the number doesn't matter, Pepper. What matters is that I see you for who you really are—not Tony's assistant, but a brilliant, fiercely loyal, and stunning woman. And I like you."
Pepper froze, the proximity and the intensity of his gaze shattering her resolve. She saw no childishness in him, only maturity and confidence. The wind caught her purple gown, and she could feel the heat radiating off him. Their eyes locked, the air thick with anticipation.
Su Yi knew he had reached the point of no return. He lowered his head and closed the final gap, his lips meeting hers in a tender, demanding kiss that swept away her decades of professional restraint.
Just as the kiss deepened and Pepper instinctively melted into him, a high-pitched, utterly familiar voice broke the silence.
"Oh, gaaah!"
Su Yi and Pepper broke apart instantly. Standing in the balcony doorway, looking utterly mortified and clutching a champagne glass, was a bewildered Tony Stark, finally making his surprise appearance.
"Su!" Tony yelled, pointing a stunned finger. "Are you actively trying to poach my Chief Executive Officer right now?!"