The sun was dipping toward the horizon, casting a golden glow across the West Coast island. The day's work was winding down, and the construction site was finally quiet. Su Zhan stood near the edge of the landing pad, watching as the last of the workers packed up their tools and made their way toward the temporary lodgings that had been set up for them. He was grateful for their dedication—after all, it was not every day that ordinary people agreed to work on an island filled with mutants, superpowers, and an honest-to-goodness alien spaceship.
Blink appeared at his side, her face a little flushed from the day's exertion. She leaned in and spoke quietly, "Boss, the Dark Elf said the technology on the ship is at least a hundred years ahead of anything on Earth. Unless someone completely dismantles it, you do not have to worry about anyone stealing its secrets."
Su Zhan nodded, reassured. He had been slightly concerned about Tony Stark's curiosity, but if even the Dark Elves were confident in their technology's security, he could relax a little. "Let's just wait for news from Pepper," he said, glancing toward the sky where Iron Man had disappeared earlier.
With nothing else pressing, Su Zhan decided to lend a hand. He transformed his ring into the shape of an excavator and began moving earth with ease, his powers making the work almost effortless. He also used his telekinesis to help transport heavy materials, and the overall progress of the construction noticeably accelerated. The workers, initially wary of the "boss" with strange abilities, soon found themselves grateful for his efficiency and willingness to help.
As dusk settled, the workers finished for the day and gathered in the rest area. Since the project would take months to complete, Su Zhan had made sure the workers had comfortable accommodations, good food, and a place to relax. He knew that working in such an unusual environment was a challenge, and he wanted to make things as easy as possible for them.
After a quick shower, Su Zhan returned to his room aboard the spaceship. He was just about to settle in for the evening when there was a knock at the door. Before he could answer, Blink stepped in, her arms full of takeout containers.
"Chinese food?" Su Zhan asked, surprised and pleased. "Where did you get this?"
Blink smiled shyly. "I did not know what you liked, so I brought a little of everything. I hope you do not mind."
"Not at all. Thank you, Blink. You've worked hard today," Su Zhan said, accepting the food with a grateful nod.
Blink hesitated, as if she wanted to say more, but then she simply smiled and excused herself. "Enjoy your meal, Boss. I'll let you eat in peace."
Su Zhan watched her go, feeling a surge of appreciation for her dedication. Blink was quiet and reserved, but she was always there when he needed her, working tirelessly behind the scenes. He made a mental note to thank her properly when things were less hectic.
He sat down and opened the containers, savoring the familiar flavors. Even though Chinese food was popular around the world, it was rare to find dishes that tasted truly authentic. Still, the meal was satisfying, and he ate slowly, enjoying the rare moment of peace.
He was just about to start absorbing more of the Aether's energy when another knock sounded at the door. This time, Blink stepped in and quietly motioned for someone behind her to come forward.
Pepper Potts entered, her expression a mix of apology and frustration. Su Zhan immediately guessed that her visit to Tony Stark had not gone as planned.
Blink slipped out, leaving the two of them alone.
Pepper took a deep breath and spoke, her voice tinged with both anger and regret. "I'm sorry, Su Zhan. I thought Tony would agree to lend you some Iron Man suits for the construction, but he refused. We argued—actually, we fought. I'm his assistant, not his mother, and I'm tired of dealing with his moods."
Su Zhan offered her a gentle smile. "It's alright, Pepper. I told you before, you really do not need to thank me. I never expected anything in return."
Pepper shook her head, her eyes resolute. "No, I've had enough. I resigned. If you do not mind, I would like to stay here and help you."
Su Zhan was surprised, but he quickly recovered. He had always admired Pepper's competence—she was the one who kept Stark Industries running smoothly, after all. Having her on his team would be a huge asset.
"Of course, you are welcome here," Su Zhan said warmly. "You have seen what we are building. In the future, I'll need people with all kinds of skills to help manage things. If you want to stay, I'd be honored to have you."
Pepper hesitated, her confidence wavering for the first time. "Let me think about it. For now, I'll stay and help until the base is finished, if that's alright."
Su Zhan nodded. "That's more than alright. I'll have Blink arrange a room for you. If you need anything, just let her know."
He led her down the corridor and showed her to a comfortable guest room. As she settled in, Su Zhan paused at the door. "Pepper, I know this is a big change. If you ever want to talk, or if you need anything, I'm here."
Pepper smiled, a little of the tension leaving her shoulders. "Thank you, Su Zhan. I appreciate it."
He left her to rest, feeling a sense of satisfaction at how things had turned out. Pepper's decision to stay was unexpected, but it felt right. She was strong, capable, and exactly the kind of person he wanted by his side as he built something new.
As the night deepened, Su Zhan returned to his own room, ready to continue his work and, perhaps, to dream of the future he was building—one where people like Pepper Potts could find a new home and purpose, far from the shadows of their past.