The night was young, but time seemed to move differently in the cozy corner of the venue where Lin Mei and Gwen sat. Their conversation began casually, touching on topics like family, studies, dreams, and the future. However, as they exchanged ideas, the conversation naturally deepened, revealing the unexpected depth of their thoughts. Lin Mei was initially surprised by how young Gwen was, but as they continued talking, he realized that her youth didn't diminish her intellect. Instead, her unique insights and perspectives brought him new ways of thinking that he hadn't considered before.
The world outside the window grew darker, and the soft, steady hum of the venue's ambiance became a distant murmur. In this small, intimate space, Lin Mei and Gwen seemed to be enveloped in a world of their own—a space where only they existed, enjoying each other's company in a moment of peace and comfort. The outside world felt far away, and the calm of the evening wrapped around them like a blanket.
Suddenly, the serene silence was broken by the melodic strains of music wafting through the air. Both Lin Mei and Gwen turned their attention to the stage at the center of the venue. A band was performing, their music filling the space with a sense of elegance and beauty.
Lin Mei looked at Gwen, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "It sounds beautiful. Would you like to dance?" he asked, his voice tinged with eagerness. He couldn't deny that there was something magnetic about Gwen, something that pulled him closer to her.
Gwen's cheeks flushed, and she hesitated for a moment before nodding shyly. As she reached out, her hand gently brushed against Lin Mei's. "I'm not very good at dancing. You'll have to take the lead," she said, her voice soft and humble.
Lin Mei smiled warmly, reassuring her. "Don't worry, I've got this." The thought of dancing with Gwen filled him with a sense of anticipation and joy. He wasn't a novice when it came to dancing—his mother, Melissa, had been proactive in ensuring that he was well-prepared for any social occasion. Melissa had hired a dance instructor to teach Lin Mei social dancing, and his ability to learn quickly meant he had mastered several dances, making him confident in his ability to lead Gwen smoothly.
The music's rhythm began to pick up, and Lin Mei and Gwen made their way to the dance floor. The lights above them shone brightly, casting an ethereal glow over their figures as they began to move in harmony. Their steps were fluid, synchronized, as if they had danced together many times before. They seemed to become part of the music itself, their movements seamlessly blending with the melody. To those around them, they were the perfect picture of grace and chemistry, an embodiment of beauty and elegance in that moment.
As the two of them danced, Melissa, who had been talking with a friend, was nudged by a familiar voice. "Hey, Melissa, isn't that your son?" someone asked, pointing toward the dance floor.
Melissa turned her head curiously and saw Lin Mei and Gwen dancing. The pair moved with such perfect coordination and ease that it was hard to ignore them. Melissa's heart swelled with pride as she watched her son dance so confidently, especially with such a lovely girl by his side.
"Ah, yes. That's my son, Lin Mei," Melissa said, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "And that's his dance partner, Gwen. They really do look great together, don't they?"
The lady who had spoken earlier sighed, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "What an enviable couple," she remarked, watching the pair with awe.
Melissa couldn't help but beam with pride. She had always known that Lin Mei had the potential to be a poised, confident individual, but seeing him dance so gracefully and confidently, especially with such a beautiful and talented girl, filled her with a sense of accomplishment. She never imagined her son could dance in such an elegant, refined way at such an important event.
As the music swirled around them, the energy in the room seemed to rise, and Lin Mei and Gwen's movements became even lighter, more spirited, and full of passion. They appeared to be lost in the world of music, their every turn, every smile a perfect expression of the connection they shared. Those around them couldn't help but stare, some whispering to one another, speculating about the relationship between the two young dancers.
"I see the little wizard is following in my footsteps," Tony Stark, who had been dancing with Pepper Potts, remarked with a smile, watching the couple with an almost paternal sense of pride.
Pepper looked at Lin Mei and then at Tony with a raised eyebrow. "It seems like Mr. Kobayashi is much more graceful than you were at his age, doesn't it?"
Tony's face froze momentarily. "Ouch, Pepper. That's a low blow," he responded, though a hint of laughter tugged at the corners of his mouth.
But the playful banter was short-lived. As Lin Mei and Gwen continued their dance, the mood shifted. Lin Mei's expression grew serious as he sensed a change in the atmosphere. His training, his instincts honed by his experiences, told him something was amiss.
Suddenly, his calm demeanor broke as he received a warning. "Lin Mei, nearly ten people with malicious intent have entered the venue. They're armed," the voice warned.
His heart skipped a beat. The music still played, and the room continued to spin with joyous energy, but Lin Mei's focus had shifted entirely. He froze in the middle of the dance floor, causing Gwen to accidentally step on his foot.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" Gwen apologized, her face filled with embarrassment.
Lin Mei, his face hardening, looked at Gwen and gently spoke. "I'm glad to have met you tonight, Gwen, but there's something happening here at the charity event. It's best if you head over to your father's side for now. Please, be safe."
Gwen, though puzzled by the sudden shift in his mood, trusted Lin Mei's judgment. She nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Alright, I'll go to my father."
After Gwen had left, Lin Mei's face remained tense as he spotted Tony and Pepper on the dance floor, still caught up in their own private world. With a deep breath, Lin Mei made his way toward them.
"Tony, Pepper," Lin Mei said, his voice serious. "I'm afraid we've got a problem. Ten armed individuals have entered this venue, and they're here with malicious intent."
Tony, momentarily stunned by the shift in atmosphere, looked at Lin Mei with concern. "Are you sure about this?"
Lin Mei nodded. "I'm positive. We need to act quickly."
Tony's expression turned grim as he realized the gravity of the situation. Without his suit, he was vulnerable, and the danger was real. The situation had taken a drastic turn, and everyone's safety was now in question.
Lin Mei remained silent at Tony's words, his gaze shifting towards Pepper. "Miss Pepper," he began, his tone serious, "I need you to go to my mother's side. It's safer there."
Pepper looked at Tony with concern, unsure of what was happening. "Tony?" she asked, her worry evident.
Tony gave her a reassuring smile, "It's fine, Pepper. Just go. We'll handle this."
With a nod, Pepper left them, casting one last concerned glance at Tony as she walked away. Tony then turned back to Lin Mei, his expression now serious. "Alright, you're the only one here who can do something. What do I need to do?"
Lin Mei sighed, frustrated. He knew that it was up to him and Tony, who, without his Iron Man suit, was vulnerable. The situation was far more dangerous than they had anticipated.
"I need to take you to Agent Coulson," Lin Mei said, his voice firm. "He's here, but he was turned away earlier."
Before Tony could respond, Lin Mei waved him off, "Mr. Stark, let Coulson handle the details once we've got things under control."
Tony silently grumbled, but followed Lin Mei without further protest.
Lin Mei turned to Coulson, his expression tense. "There are about ten dangerous individuals in the venue. One of them is carrying something that could blow this place to pieces. If I'm right, they've also brought a large amount of nitroglycerin."
Tony's eyes widened. "Wait, you didn't tell me about explosives!"
Coulson's face darkened as he processed the information. "Ten of them? Are you sure? Should we evacuate the crowd?"
Lin Mei shook his head. "It's too late for that."
As if on cue, a gunshot rang out, the sound of a bullet striking the ceiling echoing through the room. Chaos erupted immediately.
"Ten Rings Gang tattoos," Lin Mei muttered, spotting a man approaching with a distinct logo on his wrist. "These lunatics are here."
Tony, seemingly unfazed, shook his head. "Does the security here eat their lunch or something? How did so many armed men get in unnoticed?"
As the room descended into panic, the gravity of the situation became even clearer. Lin Mei knew they had to act quickly, but with the situation spiraling out of control, time was running out.
....
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