Yinsen stared at Rowan, who suddenly looked like he was questioning the meaning of life.
A giant question mark practically appeared above his head.
“What’s wrong with him?” “It’s just Tony Stark’s name.” “Does he really need to react this strongly?” “Is he some kind of Stark superfan?” Yinsen couldn’t understand it.
After a long while, Rowan finally calmed himself down.
“Sigh…” “If it’s a blessing, it won’t become a disaster.
If it’s a disaster, I can’t avoid it anyway.” “Since I’m already here, I might as well accept it.” “No matter what, I’ve got two cheat abilities.” “At worst, I’ll keep a low profile.” “Whenever something happens, the protagonists will handle it.” “Once this mess is over, I’ll head back to Silvara, find a farm, and grow vegetables.” “Even if Thanos snaps me out of existence in the future, I’ll come back five years later.” “I’ll just treat it as getting five years younger.” Rowan desperately comforted himself.
Then he began planning.
“If things follow the original story, Tony will build the first Iron Man suit and escape.” “As long as I don’t interfere, the plot shouldn’t change.” “There shouldn’t be any major surprises.” “As for Yinsen…” Rowan glanced at the doctor.
“When my skills finish upgrading, maybe I can save him.” “Yeah.” “That’s the plan.” Having made up his mind, Rowan felt a little better.
“Um, Uncle Yinsen?” He pointed toward Tony.
“How long until he wakes up?” “Not long.” Yinsen checked him over.
“The anesthesia should be wearing off soon.” “Oh.” Rowan nodded.
With nothing else to do, he started chatting.
“Where are you from, Uncle Yinsen?” “A small town called Gulmira.” Yinsen smiled.
“And your family?” The moment the question left his mouth, Rowan wanted to slap himself.
He already knew Yinsen’s story.
“They’re back home.” Yinsen’s expression remained relaxed.
“When I escape, I’ll go back to them.” Then he asked: “What about you?” “You’re from Silvara, right?” “Where’s your family?” Rowan sighed inwardly.
“I’m from Silvara.” “But I don’t know where my family is.” “I think I have amnesia.” “When I woke up, I was already in the desert.” “Mr.
Stark happened to pass by and let me ride with him.” Yinsen nodded.
“That’s pretty unfortunate.” “If you hadn’t gotten into Tony’s car, you wouldn’t have been kidnapped.” “Not necessarily.” Rowan shook his head.
“If Tony hadn’t picked me up, I probably would’ve died in the desert.” “At least I’m still alive.” “That’s true.” Yinsen laughed.
“A kid your age wouldn’t survive long out there.” “By the way, how old are you?” “I’m fifteen.” Rowan answered using the age displayed on his status panel.
At the same time, he silently added: This isn’t pretending to be young.
I’m literally fifteen now.
“Wow.” Yinsen looked genuinely surprised.
“You’re younger than I thought.” “And your English is excellent.” “Are all Silvarise kids this good at English?” Rowan blinked.
Only then did he realize something.
Wait.
Why was his English so good?
The entire conversation had been in English.
Back on Earth, his English skills had been mediocre at best.
Yet now he was speaking fluently without even thinking about it.
“System, is this your doing?” Rowan asked mentally.
“Hmph.” The system let out a proud snort.
“I’m a support system.” “Languages are also support skills.” “Basic configuration.” “Well.” Rowan smirked.
“At least you’re useful for something.” “Hmph.” The system snorted again and refused to respond further.
Pretty tsundere for a system.
Rowan secretly made a note.
If the upgrade results aren’t good enough, I’ll definitely teach this thing a lesson.
“What are you thinking about?” Yinsen noticed he’d gone silent.
“You’ve been staring into space.” “Oh.” “Nothing.” Rowan waved his hand.
“I don’t know why I can speak English.” “Like I said, I have amnesia.” When in doubt, blame amnesia.
It solved everything.
“That’s unfortunate.” Yinsen didn’t pursue the matter.
Just as the conversation was getting interesting— Tony suddenly woke up.
Rowan watched as he ripped the oxygen tube from his nose.
The absurdly long tube looked painful enough just to look at.
Tony immediately tried to sit up.
Then pain shot through his chest.
Looking down, he saw the bandages wrapped around his torso.
Several wires extended from beneath them, connecting to a car battery sitting on a nearby table.
Tony froze.
Then he began tearing away the bandages.
The moment he saw the circular device embedded in his chest, panic flashed across his face.
He reached for the wires.
“I wouldn’t do that.” Yinsen’s voice stopped him.
Tony turned and looked at the two people standing nearby.
When his gaze passed over Rowan, he paused briefly.
Then he looked at Yinsen.
“What did you do to me?” “I saved your life.” Yinsen pointed at Tony’s chest.
“Your body was riddled with shrapnel.” “I removed most of it.” “But some fragments remain.” “They’re moving toward your heart.” He pointed at the device.
“The electromagnet keeps them in place.” “The wire connects it to the battery.” Tony looked down.
With his intelligence, he understood instantly.
After a moment of silence, he zipped up his jacket and covered the device.
Then he began observing his surroundings.
His eyes quickly landed on a security camera hidden in the corner.
Rowan followed his gaze.
Wait.
There’s a camera there?
How did I miss that?
Tony really notices this stuff instantly.
Yinsen chuckled.
He was already used to it.
“Don’t worry about it.” “Just smile.” Since Tony woke up, Rowan could tell Yinsen was visibly excited.
Tony Stark really is every scientist’s idol.
Even Yinsen looks like a fan meeting his celebrity crush.
Tony, meanwhile, remained completely indifferent.
“Mr.
Stark.” Rowan stepped forward and offered his hand.
“My name is Rowan Ashford.” “You can call me Rowan.” “I didn’t get a chance to thank you earlier.” “Thank you for letting me ride with your convoy.” Tony glanced at the offered hand.
Then ignored it completely.
Rowan awkwardly lowered his hand.
Fortunately, he already knew Tony’s personality.
No hard feelings.
Meanwhile, Yinsen started talking.
“We’ve met before.” “At a technology conference in Bern.” Tony looked at him.
“I don’t remember.” “Of course not.” Yinsen sighed dramatically.
“If I’d been as drunk as you were, I wouldn’t have remembered either.” “You could barely stand upright.” “Yet somehow you still gave an entire lecture on integrated circuits.” His tone carried the resentment of a man abandoned by a heartless lover.
Tony remained unmoved.
“Where are we?” Rowan nearly laughed.
Yep.
That’s definitely Tony Stark.
Yinsen shot him a wounded look and was about to answer— Then a shout came from outside the cave.
Instantly, Yinsen’s face changed.
Panic appeared in his eyes.
He hurried over to Tony and pulled him upright.
“Quick!” “Do exactly what I do.” “Raise your hands above your head.” Then he turned to Rowan.
“Rowan, you too!” “Hurry!” Tony glanced at him.
Seeing how serious he was, he silently raised his hands.
Rowan immediately copied them.
The three stood together with their hands above their heads.
Then Tony glanced at Rowan.
Without saying a word, he shifted his position slightly.
Placing himself between Rowan and the entrance.
Shielding him.
Rowan froze.
For a moment, a strange feeling rose in his chest.
A feeling he couldn’t quite describe.
Tony Stark…
Was protecting him.
Wasn’t he?