Chapter Seventy-Seven: Little Pepper and Happy

A military airport in New York.

When Coulson drove Zhong Shenxiu to the site, his strongest impression was the sheer scale—an immense airport stretching beyond the horizon, filled with all kinds of aircraft. From time to time, the roar of fighter jet engines, the powerful slicing of the air by helicopter rotors, and the thunderous bellowing of massive transport planes echoed through the air, rising and falling like a symphony.

Coulson parked the car by a vacant section of the tarmac. Nearby, workers were cleaning and clearing a landing strip, clearly preparing for the arrival of an incoming plane.

Beside the tarmac stood another car, its hood adorned with a small silver figurine that immediately caught the eye, attesting to the vehicle’s extraordinary value. It was a black Rolls-Royce. Two people stood next to it: a slightly portly man dressed in an expensive black suit and wearing dark sunglasses, his lips pressed in a thin line, and a slender woman in a professional suit, her blonde hair falling over a face dusted with freckles—features that fit the Western ideal of beauty.

Both were familiar figures to Zhong Shenxiu.

They were the classic supporting characters indispensable to the Iron Man saga.

The man was Happy, Tony Stark’s personal bodyguard. The woman was Pepper, known as “Pepper Potts,” now Tony Stark’s personal assistant, soon to become the CEO of Stark Industries, and eventually Tony’s wife.

At that moment, the two of them were gazing into the distance, almost as if searching the clear blue sky for a trace of the prodigal who had been away from home for three months.

Coulson’s black Toyota barely came to a halt before it drew the attention of the camouflage-clad soldiers standing nearby, rifles slung over their shoulders. They had been given strict orders: a very important person was expected, and every precaution must be taken. Any unannounced arrivals had to be checked thoroughly.

There was no immediate need for heightened alertness, though; anyone who could drive in so openly from the main gate was unlikely to be a dangerous criminal. Nevertheless, procedures had to be followed.

A man who appeared to be the squad leader approached the moment the Toyota stopped. He tapped gently on the window and called, “Sir, please present your identification.”

At this, Coulson rolled down the window, offering his trademark polite smile. He produced a small booklet from inside his jacket and handed it to the squad leader without another word.

The squad leader examined the document closely. His expression, at first impassive, quickly turned solemn. He snapped to attention and saluted. “Welcome, sir!” he said formally, returning the unremarkable-looking ID with both hands.

Coulson took it back and tucked it away, acknowledging the gesture with a nod before stepping out of the car.

Zhong Shenxiu, observing all this, withdrew his gaze from Pepper and Happy and followed Coulson out. He had, however, noticed the entire interaction. As soon as he exited the car, he leaned in to ask in a low voice, “What document did you show? It had such an effect—I thought S.H.I.E.L.D. was just an intelligence agency?”

“That’s classified,” Coulson replied, flashing his signature smile.

He then strode over to Pepper, who was already watching him, and extended his right hand with a smile. “My name is Coulson. We’re from S.H.I.E.L.D.—we spoke briefly over the phone.”

Pepper thought for a moment but couldn’t quite recall. Not wanting to make things awkward, she took his hand and replied, “Sorry, the CIA and FBI have both contacted me recently, so I’m starting to get them mixed up...”

“We’re independent. Our mandate is much more focused. About five hours ago, one of my staff called you regarding Tony Stark’s treatment—but you didn’t agree at the time,” Coulson explained.

At this, Pepper slapped her forehead. “Oh! I remember now. I thought it was a prank call—Tony had been missing for so long, and suddenly someone calls saying he’s gravely wounded and needs urgent treatment, asking for my consent. I took them for a scammer.”

“Not long after, the military called to say Tony had been found and was on a plane to New York. I rushed over and forgot all about it...” Pepper finished with a slightly apologetic smile.

Coulson’s expression remained unchanged, his smile never wavering. He turned to introduce, “This is Zhong Shenxiu, the world-class doctor I’ve invited to treat Tony.”

At these words, Pepper’s gaze shifted to the handsome young man standing behind Coulson.

So handsome... so young... For a moment, that was all Pepper could think. Then she snapped back to herself. The world’s top doctor... this young?

In her mind, anyone who could be called a top doctor was at least over thirty, most with graying hair—a profession that demanded immense practical experience and exposure to countless diseases. Otherwise, one could never be a competent physician.

But Zhong Shenxiu—did he even look twenty?

Pepper couldn’t help but feel skeptical about Coulson’s claim. Her eyes appraised Zhong Shenxiu up and down, revealing her doubts.

Zhong Shenxiu noticed her gaze and guessed her thoughts. He paid it no mind; medicine wasn’t something that could be justified with words alone. Only results mattered—once the patient was healed, opinions would change.

So, faced with Pepper’s doubtful look, he simply smiled calmly.

At that moment, upon hearing the name “Zhong Shen,” Happy—who had been standing behind Pepper, arms crossed and looking cool in his sunglasses—suddenly removed his shades and gave Zhong Shenxiu a serious look.

“Zhong Shen Clinic?” he asked.

“You’ve heard of it?” Zhong Shenxiu was a little surprised. He knew his clinic had become famous among New York’s elite, but he hadn’t expected even Happy to recognize it.

Pepper turned to Happy, waiting for an explanation.

Happy took two steps forward, his eyes widening in disbelief as he looked Zhong Shenxiu up and down. “I can’t believe you’re so young!”

Then he turned to Pepper and explained, “You’ve been busy managing Tony’s affairs and might not know, but Mr. Zhong here has become very famous in New York lately—he’s even being called the ‘Miracle Doctor of New York’!”