Chapter 40: Oaks' Acorn

To be honest, a forest-themed bar is nothing special. You can find several in New York, let alone in the whole of America.

But the forest-themed bar at the Benevolence Society headquarters, called "Oak Bar," is completely different.

Firstly, everyone is already accustomed to the real tree houses that have grown there because that's how the Benevolence Society's offices are designed.

However, when the people saw Oaks placing large acorns in front of himself, their expressions became rather peculiar.

"Mr. President, I know your name is Oaks, but it seems that's not the reason you're giving everyone acorns. Although I've never seen acorns this big before."

The members of the Benevolence Society wouldn't voice any objections. If the Benevolence Society were a religion, Oaks' status would be more than just a pope; he would already be considered a divine messenger. They wouldn't question him at all.

However, they all perked up their ears when Melinda asked her question.

The acorns they held in their hands were as big as coconuts, while regular acorns are at most as big as a thumb.

"What you have in your hands, colleagues of the Benevolence Society, is my latest invention and one of our representative products—the Beverage Acorn!"

Oaks announced solemnly, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

Acorns can be used as beverages?

Melinda picked up an acorn and shook it, puckering her lips.

"Is it actually liquid inside? Isn't this just a coconut in a different shell?"

"No, no, it's completely different... Please pull up the stem of the acorn... Yes, just like this."

Oaks picked up a large acorn and pulled the stem, revealing a straw-like tube inside.

"It's all-natural, unprocessed, and available in various flavors... Everyone, give it a try."

Melinda opened her mouth and tentatively took a sip.

"Wow! This is... watermelon juice?! Isn't this an acorn?"

"Hey! Mine is mango-flavored!"

"Mine is apple juice!"

"This is grape juice!"

"Of course, we can't forget orange juice!"

"Hehe, dragon fruit juice!"

"Wow—! This, this is lemon juice! Um..."

*Cough cough cough*... Bitter, bitter melon juice..."

It seems that some strange things have been mixed in.

But Melinda has already fully understood what this so-called "Beverage Acorn" is.

It's essentially genetically modified plants, growing fruit in the form of juice, with straws even growing out of them!

"This alone can make a fortune..."

Melinda fully understands what this represents.

In this world, there is absolutely no panic about genetically modified food or anything like that.

No wonder Oaks was so confident when he mentioned having profitable channels. Once this thing is released, it will explode in the market.

Melinda has already witnessed the fruit-bearing abilities of those bizarre trees in the Little Rainforest.

Cost? The cost of concentrated fruit juice is higher than this!

"Wow, it looks like I've missed something."

A voice feigning surprise sounded at the door, and Oaks twitched his mouth.

"Hey, Tony, you didn't say you were coming."

"New York is so lively today, it's made it impossible for me to concentrate on appreciating beautiful women—so why not have a city forest getaway?"

Tony Stark takes off his sunglasses and exaggerates by spreading his arms wide open.

"Wow, buddy, I have to say, this is a resort paradise. If you built a sanatorium here, I bet the President would be interested!"

"Uh, I'm not interested in the President, keep it low-key, low-key."

Oaks nodded at Pepper, who was smiling behind Tony.

"Welcome to the Benevolence Society, Miss Pepper. Your help with Antonio has been a great help to us."

"Tony is a shareholder of the Benevolence Society, and as an assistant, it's my duty. Besides, it is the New Year. Happy holiday, Oaks—Tony was going to say that."

Pepper felt a bit awkward as she noticed Tony's attention had been captured by the large acorns held by everyone.

"Thanks, this guy is still the same."

Oaks made a gesture to Pepper, inviting her to the bar, while Melinda observed them quietly with interest.

"Hey, buddy, this is so cool!"

Tony had already picked up one of the acorns on the bar and was examining it.

"Oh, look at what's written on it... Passion fruit? Well... in terms of flavor, it's top-notch, but too bad it's not whiskey. Coffee would do too."

"The meaning of 'all-natural' is that we can only grow beverage acorns corresponding to fruits found in nature. But it seems you're not interested in fruit juice?"

Oaks noticed that Pepper had already excitedly chosen an acorn, introduced to her by Melinda. He shrugged his shoulders at Tony's lack of interest.

"I'm still trying to develop plant-based beef. In the future, you'll be able to eat hamburgers that grow on trees."

"Um... it feels a bit strange, maybe I'll give it a try, but I still prefer a cheeseburger."

Tony pouted, but the peculiar feeling didn't prevent him from recognizing what a great invention it was.

"By the way, since you're here, I have something for you."

Oaks signaled for Melinda to take care of Pepper and led Tony to a corner of the bar.

"What's the matter?"

Tony glanced at Pepper... and then at Melinda standing beside her.

"Well, there's another kind of charm in maturity."

"Melinda can give you a concussion with a single punch, and besides, she's a disciple of Agent Carter."

"Who?!"

Tony shuddered and looked incredulously at Melinda, who seemed to have glanced in their direction.

"Don't tell me it's that Agent Carter?"

"Ah, one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D, Agent Peggy Carter—I only found out by chance after becoming a consultant to S.H.I.E.L.D."

Tony pouted his lips, feeling a bit scared—he had decided to stay away from women from the Carter family.

"Uh, what did you say you had for me?" He thought Oaks didn't know about his relationship with Peggy Carter, so he decided to change the subject.

"Here, this is for you, the Benevolence Society shareholder certificate."

Tony looked at Oaks with a twitching mouth as he took out a string of acorns and placed it on the bar.

"Uh, I'm used to wearing a watch."

This acorn bracelet was made up of twelve beautiful little acorns, looking plain and simple.

"You can wear them all, no conflict, and they have special effects."

"Special effects? Does it make me more charming?"

Tony, looking disbelieving, took the bracelet and put it on his left wrist. Suddenly, he froze.

"This..."

The moment he put on the bracelet, Tony felt a surge of energy. The slight remnants of his hangover from yesterday disappeared, and his mind became clearer than ever before!

"How is it?"

"...Thank you."

After hesitating for a while, Tony finally spit out those two words.

For a genius of his level, Oaks' gift meant much more than it would for an ordinary person.

"It adjusts your physical condition, eliminates fatigue, and accelerates wound healing until the color of the acorns turns black. And in a critical moment, you can smash them and eat the flesh directly... The effect, well..."

Oaks paused, then said earnestly with a meaningful look, "One acorn is equivalent to one bottle of restorative potion. Sometimes, it can be a lifesaver."

"I'll be going away for half a year next month, so take care of yourself—preferably don't take it off."

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