Laughing Until You Cry

"Uh, well, I suddenly don't want to meet my past self anymore!"

Hearing Heisenberg's words, Banner forced a bitter smile.

Just thinking about what he was like back then…

If the Hulk from the past were to see him now, he'd probably take control of his body in an instant and try to kill him, right?

Sigh…

At this thought, Banner helplessly shrugged his broad shoulders and said to Iron Man,

"I'll focus on developing and building the time-travel suit first. When are you going to find the Space Stone?"

"Once Ant-Man brings back the Pym Particles!"

As Iron Man spoke, he glanced at Scott.

Poor Scott, looking completely baffled, put down his glass of wine.

"Emm, I'll go right now, OK?"

He reluctantly glanced at his freshly iced drink, then dashed out of Heisenberg's house.

Meanwhile, Heisenberg, after confirming Banner wouldn't meet the Hulk, rolled his eyes in boredom and muttered,

"How dull…"

…

By around nine o'clock that evening, Scott returned with a swollen face.

Without a word, the first thing he did upon entering was to place a full twelve doses of Pym Particles in front of Heisenberg.

"Mission accomplished!!!"

He looked ecstatic, but he had no idea that Heisenberg's gaze was filled with disdain and scorn.

Heisenberg casually remarked,

"Three hours ago, Miss Hope van Dyne called my Nuclear Bomb Gang through Pym Technologies and issued a damn bounty.

The target? A man who stole their critical research and stared at her in the hallway for over three minutes!

And when she approached to ask his identity, he tried to hug her instead of greeting her politely!

But you should be happy, Scott.

She wants you alive and brought to her—at least she's not asking for your death, right…?"

At this, Scott on the other side couldn't help but laugh helplessly.

"Alright, alright, Godfather of New York, that was just a little incident!

Trust me, I just really wanted to see her!"

"Do as you please, as long as you got the Pym Particles."

Heisenberg nodded indifferently, then rolled his eyes again.

Seeing Heisenberg wasn't pressing the issue, Scott breathed a sigh of relief and headed to the makeshift lab behind the theater.

As soon as he entered, he saw the Hulk struggling to move and set up lab equipment, but neither Captain America nor Iron Man were in sight.

"Where are they? Why is it just you?"

Scott asked while setting down the Pym Particles and lending a hand.

The Hulk smiled at Scott and replied,

"They went to handle their own business. Only my appearance isn't suitable for going out!"

"Their own business?" Scott was puzzled: "Did they go straight back to '70?"

"No, they're doing something similar to what you did, buddy!"

The Hulk shot Scott a annoyed glance…

"I…!!!"

Scott dared not speak further, and the two began assembling the lab equipment in silence.

…

Meanwhile, on the streets of Brooklyn.

Captain America wandered aimlessly, just as he had fifteen years ago when he first awoke from his slumber.

But he had to admit, today's Brooklyn was utterly different from the one he'd known over the past fifteen years!

The countless small-time thugs and predominantly black gang members who once crowded Brooklyn's streets?

Cap couldn't find a single one.

Now, the streets were patrolled by sharply dressed men in black suits, armed with pistols and even rifles—professional gangsters mingling with the crowd.

They looked more professional than the police!

Cap had assumed they'd be unpopular, but the opposite was true.

Whenever these men passed by small shops or even food trucks, they were greeted warmly.

"Hey, Big Peel, is your team on patrol today?"

"Yo, Big Peel and Old Dons, is it your turn today?"

"How's Heisenberg doing lately?"

"Is Bullseye's butt okay yet? Haha?"

"See you tonight at Heisenberg's nightclub—I'm definitely getting you drunk!"

Watching the gangsters being so well-received, Cap couldn't help but smile wryly.

Brooklyn was a place like that—a gangster's paradise.

But now, the gangsters seemed to have found a new, more harmonious way to coexist with the locals.

That was something Cap hadn't expected.

…

Meanwhile, in Queens, Iron Man walked forward, lost in memories.

His steps were hesitant, and he often stopped to look down.

He… so wanted to see that kid…

Pain, hesitation, regret, guilt.

Countless thoughts swirled in his mind, leaving him unable to focus.

But he kept walking in that direction.

After walking over 1,700 meters, Tony looked up and saw the familiar house.

But only then did it hit him.

Did he deserve to see that poor kid?

Pain made him turn around, but before he took two steps, a familiar voice rang out nearby.

"Oh my god, it's Tony Stark!"

"Am I seeing things? Iron Man!"

"Ahhhh!"

A full six kids spotted him, and this group of sweaty boys, still clutching footballs, quickly surrounded him.

Iron Man was already stunned, because he saw the person he'd most wanted to see recently but now least wanted to meet.

"Peter?!"

In shock, he blurted out Spider-Man's name, and Peter's friends instantly went wild!

"Oh my God, he knows your name, Peter!"

"You really do know superheroes—I thought you were bragging!"

"Oh my God, quick, get an autograph!"

The friends pushed Peter toward Iron Man, who struggled to stay calm.

He tried to act casual and said to Peter,

"Well, you look so much like my son, really, so much alike!

You're here for an autograph, right? I'll give you one, and a photo too!"

"Emmm…"

Receiving such enthusiasm from Iron Man, Spider-Man was genuinely flattered.

But after a moment's excitement, he quickly said seriously,

"Sorry, I actually want Superman's autograph more. You guys must be friends, right? Can you ask Heisenberg for one?

Just write, 'To my dearest Peter and his friends!'"

As the words fell, Iron Man's smiling face instantly crumbled.

He struggled to suppress a grimace.

"Uh, Superman… we're not really close, not at all!

And why are you out so late? Don't you know New York is dangerous at night?

What are your aunt and uncle doing? Is this how they take care of you?"

For some reason, Iron Man's tone suddenly shifted to scolding.

This instantly made Spider-Man even less fond of him.

"New York's safe now—everyone knows Superman's protecting the city. No one dares hurt us kids.

And look over there, we're always escorted when we play."

As Spider-Man spoke, he pointed into the distance. Iron Man looked over and saw four Nuclear Bomb Gang members in black suits, armed with pistols, waving at Spider-Man.

As they waved, they shouted warnings:

"Get home, kid, don't talk to strangers!"

"Hurry up and get back, or I'll hang you up and beat you…!"

…

The scene left Iron Man frozen for two seconds, but Spider-Man didn't stop during those two seconds!

Thinking he was about to get Superman's autograph, Spider-Man was overjoyed.

"Uncle, you haven't answered me—can you get me Superman's autograph? Please!

If you do, I'll take a photo with you.

Can I call you Tony? Please!"

"Uh…"

Hearing this, Iron Man felt a mix of regret and relief as he asked Spider-Man,

"Why do you want Superman's autograph so much? Because he's stronger?"

"Because I'm friends with Superman!"

Spider-Man quickly raised his hand, showing his watch to Iron Man.

"Superman gave me this watch himself—he said we're friends!"

As Spider-Man finished, Iron Man burst into laughter. He quickly donned his nano-suit and hugged Spider-Man.

"We had a deal, kid. You take a photo with me, and I'll get you that autograph, right?"

"Of course!"

Though confused, Spider-Man immediately agreed upon hearing Iron Man's words.

Iron Man's right gauntlet shot out a watch, which quickly transformed into a futuristic-looking camera in mid-air.

Click!

The flash lit up, and Spider-Man's small face was right next to Iron Man's helmet.

The watch in the sky returned to Tony's wrist, spitting out two Polaroid photos.

Tucking one into his pocket, Iron Man handed the other to Spider-Man and said seriously,

"Wait here for two minutes. In two minutes, I'll bring you the autograph!"

"Really? You're Iron Man—you have to keep your word!"

"Of course, I'm Iron Man!"

Iron Man set Spider-Man down, then suddenly took off, heading straight for Heisenberg's theater.

…

Thirty seconds later, Iron Man landed before Heisenberg's recliner.

"Buddy, I need your help with something!"

Iron Man quickly grabbed paper and a pen, slapping them in front of Heisenberg.

"Write an autograph for a kid—'To my dearest Peter Parker.' Hurry!"

"Hmm?"

Heisenberg looked at Iron Man with interest, while Iron Man, for the first time, felt annoyed by Heisenberg's casual attitude.

"Don't just sit there—I'm begging you, I only have one minute and twenty-two seconds left…!"

"Hmm…"

Heisenberg smiled and pointed to the blank paper in Tony's hand. Tony looked at his hands, baffled.

What the hell!

In an instant, the paper was filled not only with the autograph and message but also a huge cartoon of Peter's face!

"Thanks!"

Iron Man had no time to wonder how fast Heisenberg was. He took off in a flash, reaching the edge of Manhattan in moments.

Peter wasn't worried at all—after all, barely a minute had passed, and he trusted superheroes.

Sure enough.

In his excited gaze, Iron Man suddenly landed. The first thing he did was hand the autograph to Spider-Man.

Watching Spider-Man thank him and then jump with excitement holding Superman's autograph, Iron Man whispered inside his helmet,

"He doesn't rely on me like he used to, and that's a good thing.

At least he won't be let down by me again, and I, at least in this universe, have fulfilled even the smallest promise to him."

At this, the face hidden behind Iron Man's helmet smiled, then cried.