Chapter 38
They stepped through the portal; the golden light slowly closed behind them.
Gwen looked around curiously, fingers brushing over the silky sheets: "Do you do this often? Bringing people into some room?"
Yang Jian unbuttoned his shirt and casually tossed it onto the sofa: "You're the first."
"Honored." Gwen suddenly grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him closer.
"So, Mr. Superman, want to show off some exclusive superpowers?"
Her breath carried a faint mint-candy scent; her eyes locked onto his.
Yang Jian leaned down and silenced her with a kiss, then snapped his fingers. The room lights automatically shut off.
"As you wish."
Outside the window, New York's lights burned through the night.
Morning
Morning light poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the suite. Yang Jian leaned against the headboard, holding a cup of coffee.
He watched Gwen, toast dangling from her mouth, rummaging frantically through the luggage she'd grabbed from home last night.
"Where's my band T-shirt—ah, found it!" She shook out a black tee with printed text, pulled it on in two quick motions, then grabbed jeans and yanked them up her legs.
Yang Jian took a sip of coffee: "You're going to be late for class."
"All because of last night." Gwen suddenly shut her mouth, rolled her eyes.
"Anyway, it's your fault."
Yang Jian drank his coffee and smiled: "Need a lift?"
Gwen tied her shoelaces, looked up with a grin: "How? Your super speed?"
The next second, her vision blurred. She was suddenly lifted by the waist.
"Hold on tight."
Whoosh!
The world turned into streaks of color amid Gwen's scream.
Three seconds later, she stumbled to a landing at the gates of New York University.
"Yang! Jian!" She gritted her teeth and pounded his chest.
"I didn't even have time to react."
Yang Jian magically produced a piece of chocolate from behind his back.
"…"
Gwen took it, munching while muttering: "When did you buy this?"
"Just passed a convenience store." He pointed into the distance.
"Grabbed you a hot cocoa too."
Gwen took the paper cup stamped with the school logo—the temperature was perfect. She suddenly stood on tiptoes and kissed him lightly: "Okay, that makes up for it."
The class bell rang.
"I gotta run!" She backed away toward the academic building.
Waving at Yang Jian: "Next time I call you, don't be late!"
Yang Jian watched her disappear behind the glass doors, then flashed upward into the clouds.
Golden light flowed at his fingertips; a portal slowly opened in the morning sun.
Villa Living Room
Wanda was floating cross-legged above the sofa, scarlet chaos magic swirling around her. Hearing the disturbance, she opened her eyes: "Yang, you're back?"
"Yeah." Yang Jian took off his coat and hung it with the bio-field.
"There was a little trouble over there."
"Taken care of?"
"Handled casually." He walked to her, fingertip lightly touching her brow. A thread of golden light flowed in.
"This is a high-level Asgardian rune. It pairs better with chaos magic."
Wanda felt ancient knowledge bloom in her mind and smiled: "How many girls have you used this trick on?"
Yang Jian's expression didn't change: "You're the first."
"Really?" Scarlet fire ignited at Wanda's fingertips.
"Then… want to try my new move?"
Outside the window, morning light was perfect.
Several Hours LaterLiving Room
Wanda rested in Yang Jian's arms, scarlet magic twining at her fingertips as she practiced newly learned Asgardian runes.
Suddenly Origin's voice broke the quiet:
"Sir, incoming call from Tony Stark."
Yang Jian lazily raised a hand: "Connect."
The next second, Tony's holographic image popped up. The background looked like a luxurious hotel suite.
He held a glass of wine, but his expression was quite sour.
"Yang! You seriously didn't watch the news?!"
Yang Jian raised an eyebrow: "What news?"
"Monaco! The racetrack! Some lunatic with two electric whips almost turned me into barbecue!" Tony pointed at himself.
"If it weren't for the nano-armor you gave me, I'd be Tony Stark–brand grilled meat right now!"
Before Yang Jian could reply, Origin already pulled up real-time news footage.
The projection showed chaos on the Monaco circuit: a man in crude armor wielding electric whips was slashing wildly.
Tony, in black nano-armor, fired brilliant palm blasts.
Wanda blinked: "Who is this guy?"
Tony rolled his eyes in the projection: "Ivan Vanko. A Russian nutjob who thinks he understands reactors better than me."
Yang Jian glanced at the fight footage, confirmed Tony had the upper hand, and said calmly: "Looks like you're fine."
"Fine? Ha!" Tony took a swig of wine.
"This guy almost wrecked my car! But…"
His mouth suddenly curled into a smug grin: "Your nano-armor really works. That shitty whip didn't even leave a scratch."
Yang Jian nodded: "Of course."
Tony waved his hand: "Anyway, I'm staying in Monaco for a couple more days—got a party to attend. Oh, right—the biotech company is officially registered.
Name's Rebirth Technology. Helen's making good progress. We'll talk details when you get back."
"Got it." Yang Jian replied shortly.
Tony glanced at Wanda and smirked mischievously: "Won't interrupt you two anymore. Watch the replay—I looked pretty cool kicking ass."
The call ended; the projection vanished.
Wanda turned to Yang Jian: "You're not worried about him?"
Yang Jian leaned back on the sofa, tone relaxed: "That nano-armor's defense is strong enough that even a direct missile hit wouldn't breach it."
Wanda thought for a moment: "So… what do we do now?"
Yang Jian wrapped an arm around her waist, a trace of mischief in his eyes: "Keep teaching you runes? Or…"
"Sir." Origin suddenly interjected.
"Dr. Helen Cho has sent a message asking if you'd like to participate in Rebirth Technology's first experiment."
Wanda burst out laughing: "Looks like your leisure time is over."
Yang Jian sighed and stood up: "Let's go to the lab."
Wanda rose as well, scarlet magic flowing at her fingertips: "Want me to come with you?"
Yang Jian raised an eyebrow: "Of course."
Yang Jian raised a hand and summoned a portal. The two flashed through and vanished from the living room.
Golden portal opened in the center of the lab. Yang Jian and Wanda stepped out side by side.
The surrounding researchers were stunned by the sudden spatial distortion; tablets nearly slipped from their hands.
Helen Cho had been bent over discussing data with a researcher. Sensing the energy fluctuation, she snapped her head up.
When she saw it was Yang Jian, joy flashed in her eyes—but then she noticed Wanda beside him and her expression paused briefly.
She quickly recovered, putting on an elegant smile and stepping forward.
"Yang, you're here." Her voice was warm and professional; her gaze lingered briefly on Wanda.
"And this is…?"
"Wanda Maximoff." Yang Jian introduced naturally.
"Wanda, this is Dr. Helen Cho, head of the Regeneration Cradle project."
Wanda smiled lightly and extended her hand: "Pleasure to meet you, Doctor."
Helen shook it gently. In the brief moment their fingertips touched—
Both women gave each other a meaningful glance, but neither said anything.
"How's the experiment preparation?" Yang Jian broke the short silence, gaze turning to the central Regeneration Cradle device in the lab.
Helen immediately switched to work mode and led them toward the experimental area: "Everything is ready. The first test subject has been waiting for some time."
Through the observation window, they could see a middle-aged man lying in the chamber—missing his left arm. His expression was tense but filled with anticipation.
"He's a former military member. Lost the arm in a mission injury." Helen pulled up holographic data.
"If the experiment succeeds, the Cradle can not only regenerate his limb but also repair damaged nerves and muscle tissue."
Yang Jian nodded: "Begin."
Helen signaled the researchers at the control console.
"Activate the Regeneration Cradle. Inject regenerative serum."
At the command, the chamber door slowly closed. Pale green nutrient fluid filled the space.
The man closed his eyes. His body was enveloped in a soft glow.
On the data screens, cell regeneration rates climbed at astonishing speed. Tissue at the severed arm began visibly growing before their eyes.
Wanda watched the process curiously; scarlet magic flickered faintly at her fingertips, seemingly resonating with the life energy.
90%… 95%… 100%!
"Regeneration complete." Helen's voice carried barely contained excitement.
The chamber door opened. White mist dissipated.
The man slowly sat up. With a researcher's support, he raised his newly grown left arm—skin intact, muscles even, fingers flexing naturally.
He stared in disbelief, clenching and extending the hand, even thumping his own thigh hard.
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