Outside the restaurant, Tony leaned back against his red sports car with his head lowered, lost in thought.
The cool night wind blew past, but he didn’t seem to feel the chill at all.
His whole being was immersed in the memory from that moment earlier.
“Dad… Mom…” He silently recited these two words he hadn’t spoken aloud in a very long time.
Ever since his parents died, Tony had told himself to become strong, to become the most formidable person in the world, so that no one could ever hurt him again.
He had used wealth and status to build a solid fortress and enclosed himself within it.
But the moment he saw Wos protecting Tom, he suddenly realized that he had actually been lonely all along.
“Tony!” Pepper’s voice came from behind him.
Tony quickly lifted his head, wiped the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand, and pretended nothing was wrong.
“What took you so long?” he said, trying to sound casual.
“I’ve been waiting forever.”
Pepper walked up to Tony and studied his face carefully.
In the moonlight, she saw that the corners of his eyes were still a little moist.
“Tony,” Pepper said softly.
“Were you crying? Your eyes…”
“What?!” Tony’s eyes went wide, and his voice cracked.
“Are you kidding me? How could the greatest genius scientist in the world cry?”
As he spoke, he frantically wiped his eyes again, but the motion only gave away his guilty conscience.
Pepper had never seen Tony like this.
He was usually so confident, as if the whole world were under his control.
But now he was like a child whose secret had been discovered, flustered and panicking.
“Tony…” Pepper wanted to say something.
“Okay, okay!” Tony cut her off and forced out a smile.
“The food at that restaurant wasn’t good at all, and I’ve wanted to leave for ages. Let’s go! I’ll take you to another great restaurant in New York!”
He quickly walked toward the driver’s seat, his movements a bit hurried.
Looking at Tony’s flustered back, Pepper felt something she had never felt before.
She had known Tony for so long and had never seen him this vulnerable.
“Tony, wait.” Pepper walked over to the passenger side.
“We don’t have to rush off to another place. If you want to talk…”
“Talk about what?” Tony started the engine, trying to sound casual.
“What could Tony Stark possibly have to talk about? Other than what new thing I invented today, or how much more money I made.”
But his voice sounded a little shaky.
Pepper got into the car and quietly looked at Tony.
She noticed that his hands gripping the steering wheel were rather tight, his knuckles a little white.
“That cat was special, wasn’t he?” Pepper said softly.
Tony’s hand trembled slightly.
“He’s just a cat who plays piano. What’s so special about that?”
“But you offered twenty million to buy him.”
“That’s because I’m rich and willful,” Tony said stubbornly.
“You wouldn’t understand the joys of the rich.”
Pepper didn’t say anything more and simply stayed quietly by his side.
The car raced through the streets of New York, neon lights flashing past the windows.
Tony drove fast, as if trying to escape something.
After a good while, Tony suddenly slowed down.
“Pepper.” His voice became very quiet.
“Do you think… do you think that guy will regret it? Turning down twenty million dollars.”
“I don’t know,” Pepper answered honestly.
“But I think that to him, the cat is more important than the money.”
Tony fell silent.
“I had a pet when I was little too,” he said suddenly.
“A golden retriever named Mark III.”
Pepper looked at him in surprise.
Tony rarely brought up his childhood.
“He was very smart. He could catch frisbees, shake hands, and lick my face when I was sad,” Tony’s voice carried a trace of nostalgia.
“Once, I got bullied at school and cried hard when I got home. Mark III stayed by my side until I fell asleep.”
“What happened after that?” Pepper asked softly.
“Later…” Tony’s voice grew choked.
“On the day my parents had the car accident, Mark III was in the car too. They left me… together.”
Pepper’s heart clenched.
She finally understood why Tony had reacted that way earlier.
“Since then, I’ve told myself I can’t depend on anyone or anything again,” Tony continued.
“Because they can leave you at any moment.”
Tony leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
“But seeing that guy protect his cat today… I suddenly remembered a lot of things. I remembered how my father protected me, and the days Mark III kept me company.”
“Tony…” Pepper wanted to comfort him.
“I know my behavior just now was childish.” Tony opened his eyes and smiled bitterly.
“Trying to buy something someone else treasures with money, like a spoiled child.”
“Everyone has moments of vulnerability,” Pepper said softly.
“Even Tony Stark is no exception.”
The light turned green, but Tony didn’t drive right away.
He looked ahead, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
“Pepper, do you think I’m too lonely?” he suddenly asked.
The question stung Pepper’s heart.
She thought of Tony’s everyday life.
On the surface it was glamorous, with all sorts of parties and social events, but in reality, he had very few true friends.
“Maybe so,” Pepper answered honestly.
“But you can change all of that.”
“How?” Tony looked at her.
“Try to trust others, try to let people into your heart,” Pepper said.
“Just like that young man trusts his cat.”
Tony was silent for a long time.
“Maybe,” he finally said.
“But for now, let’s go eat. I’m really hungry.”
He started the car again, but this time he drove slowly and steadily.
Back in the restaurant, the earlier commotion had gradually died down, but the guests were still quietly discussing what had happened.
“That young man must be crazy, turning down twenty million dollars!”
“If it were me, forget twenty million, I’d have sold for even two hundred thousand!”
“Still, that cat really does play well. Maybe he’s really worth that price.”
Listening to the chatter around him, Wos felt a bit uncomfortable.
He patted Tom’s shoulder.
“Keep playing, don’t let the guests down.”
Tom nodded and sat back down at the piano.
His paws lightly touched the keys, and a beautiful melody rose in the restaurant once more.
This time he chose a gentler piece, *Für Elise*.
Every note carried warmth, as if comforting the people who had been unsettled earlier.
Listening to the music, Aqua gradually calmed down as well.
“Wos, you really don’t regret it?” she asked in a small voice.
“That was twenty million dollars!”
“No regrets.” Wos shook his head firmly.
“Tom and Jerry are my family, not commodities.”
“But with that much money, we could buy so many, many pretty clothes!” Aqua’s eyes were shining with little stars.
“Money can be earned again, but a lost friend can’t be brought back,” Wos said.
“Besides, our life right now is pretty good.”
Jerry climbed onto Wos’s knee and patted his hand with his tiny paw to show agreement.
Just then, Manager Franz walked over.
“Mr. Wos, I’m so sorry.” Franz said, a bit awkwardly.
“What happened tonight…”
“It’s not your fault, Mr. Franz.” Wos waved his hand.
“Everyone has the right to dine, including Mr. Stark.”
“You’re so understanding.” Franz breathed a sigh of relief.
“But I must say, Mr. Tom’s performance tonight was outstanding. Even in that situation, he didn’t stop playing, which was truly professional.”
Indeed, when Tom faced Tony’s “acquisition” attempt earlier, although he was nervous inside, as a professional pianist he hadn’t let his emotions affect the performance.
“By the way.” Franz took an envelope out of his pocket.
“Several guests tonight left extra tips specifically, saying it was to support Mr. Tom.”
Wos took the envelope and felt its weight.
“Did they say anything?”
“One elderly lady said that true art is priceless and shouldn’t be tainted by money,” Franz said with a smile.
“Another gentleman said he admires your loyalty to your friend.”
A warm current rose in Wos’s heart.
It seemed not everyone thought that turning down twenty million was a foolish act.
“Of course.” Franz nodded.
“Also, if you don’t mind my asking, do you truly not regret it? That was…”
“Twenty million dollars, I know.” Wos cut him off.
“But Mr. Franz, do you think Tom is happy?”
Franz looked at Tom, who was playing with total focus.
Under the stage lights, Tom’s expression was so concentrated, so full of enjoyment.
Every one of his movements revealed his love for music and his seriousness about the job.
“He looks very happy,” Franz answered honestly.
“Then that’s enough,” Wos said with a smile.
“If I sold him to Mr. Stark, he might live in a golden cage and eat the finest food, but would he still be happy?”
Franz was silent for a moment, then nodded.
“You’re right, Mr. Wos. Some things really are more important than money.”
The performance continued.
Tom’s music was at times passionate, at times tender, carrying the guests’ emotions from one wonderful state to another.
Aqua was entranced, letting out admiring sounds from time to time.
Although there was music in the Heavenly Realm too, Tom’s playing had a unique charm, a perfect combination of technique and emotion.
“Tom is really amazing,” Aqua said quietly.
“Yeah, he’s a genius,” Wos said proudly.
Just then, applause suddenly broke out in the restaurant.
Tom had just finished a piece, and the guests had all been deeply moved.
“Bravo!”
“That’s the most beautiful piano playing I’ve ever heard!”
“This cat is simply a genius!”
Time passed slowly, and the performance neared its end.
Tom chose *Moon River* as tonight’s final piece.
This piece was full of tenderness and hope, as if telling a story about friendship and loyalty.
Looking at Tom on stage, Wos’s heart was filled with gratitude.
Without meeting Tom and Jerry, how lonely he would have been in this unfamiliar world.
They had given him the feeling of home, and the courage to keep moving forward.
“Thank you both,” Wos said silently in his heart.
When the piece ended, warm applause filled the room.
Tom bowed again in thanks, then gathered his sheet music and got ready to leave the stage.
“Tonight’s performance has ended,” Franz announced.
“Thank you all for coming, and thank you to Mr. Tom for his wonderful performance.”
The guests left one after another, and many nodded to Tom in respect as they passed the piano.
“Let’s go, time to go home,” Wos said.
The group of four packed up their things and prepared to leave the restaurant.
Just as they reached the door, Franz caught up with them.
“Mr. Wos, wait a moment.” He handed over a piece of paper.
“This is a preview of tomorrow’s newspaper. You may be interested.”
Wos took the paper and saw the headline: “Mysterious Piano Cat Refuses Ten-Million-Dollar Buyout: Is Art Priceless, or Is the Owner a Fool?”
“Looks like we’ll be famous tomorrow,” Wos said with a wry smile.
“That’s not necessarily a bad thing,” Franz said.
“Maybe more people will come to appreciate Mr. Tom’s performances.”
“I hope so.” Wos nodded.
The four walked out of the restaurant, the cool night wind blowing in their faces.
Traffic still flowed along the streets, but for them, tonight was destined to be an extraordinary night.
“Wos.” Aqua suddenly spoke.
“This goddess thinks you did the right thing today.”
“Really?” Wos was a little surprised.
“Mm.” Aqua nodded seriously.
“Back in the Heavenly Realm, this goddess saw many people who were tempted by money and betrayed their friends. But you’re different. You’re a true friend.”
Tom and Jerry gathered around Wos too, expressing their gratitude and attachment in their own ways.
“We’re a family,” Wos said.
“Always.”
The four walked slowly down the road home under the moonlight, leaving four long shadows behind them.
Although the road ahead was still full of unknowns, as long as they were together, there was nothing to fear.
Just then, several familiar figures suddenly appeared ahead.
“Holy crap!” Wos’s heart sank, and he instinctively stopped in his tracks.
It was the very same thugs who had been stripped down to their underwear by Tom and Jerry in the alley a few days ago!
The bald boss, the tall skinny one, the fat one, not a single one missing.