I thought he was just an average Chinese tourist visiting the United States—someone easy to mock because of his awkward demeanor. That's exactly why Justin Hammer tried to boost his own ego by publicly belittling him.
But it turns out, Ethan Chen isn't someone to be taken lightly.
Justin really shouldn't have insulted China. If he had stuck to mocking Ethan's appearance or his seeming lack of sophistication, maybe Ethan would've shrugged it off. But the moment he started dragging China into it, the situation escalated to an entirely different level. Ethan simply couldn't let it slide anymore.
Fortunately for him, Justin Hammer had too much riding on China's massive consumer market. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't afford to make disparaging remarks about China in public. Considering what happened to companies like Lotte and DG when they crossed certain lines, Hammer knew better than to tempt fate. One wrong comment could not only ruin his image, but it could also sabotage Hammer Industries' ongoing attempts to secure influence in Congress.
Who knows how those reporters would spin it? It could spiral into a PR disaster that costs Hammer Industries billions.
"What a shame the real B2 or F22 isn't here," Ethan thought.
The fifth-generation stealth technology alone would offer a huge leap forward for China's defense sector. With access to that, Ethan believed he could help push China's military aviation tech into world-class territory.
After the awkward encounter with Justin Hammer, Ethan had no interest in sticking around Hammer Industries any longer. He'd already done what he came for—examining every weapon system up close—and thanks to his advanced AI companion, all the core technologies had been copied.
To put it simply, Ethan now had a comprehensive understanding of nearly everything Hammer Tech had to offer. With just a bit of further refinement using his own scientific expertise and resources, he could easily surpass Hammer Industries and push into the elite tier of global military innovation.
"This trip to the U.S. was absolutely worth it!"
Ethan smiled when Xiao Ai, the AI assistant embedded in his personal system, confirmed that every piece of technology had been successfully scanned and backed up.
"Next stop: Stark Industries."
Two days had passed since the debacle with Justin Hammer. Based on the news cycle, Tony Stark should be stabilized and back in the States by tomorrow or the day after.
Which meant one thing: Ethan was finally close to his ultimate goal—mastering the Iron Man technology he had long dreamed of acquiring.
"Before that, I'll need to schedule a visit to Stark Industries."
Of course, it wasn't that easy. Stark Industries didn't exactly allow walk-ins. Visitors needed to have credentials, capital, or both.
And Ethan? He wasn't a U.S. citizen. That made things even trickier.
In other words, if he wanted to get inside Stark's industrial complex, he had to find a workaround.
"Dad, I need access to Stark Industries. I need the right credentials. Can you help me make some connections?"
"No problem. Do what you need to do," his father responded calmly.
After assuring his father of his safety and hanging up, Ethan got to work on a plan. It was simple but effective: he would approach Stark Industries as a business representative for a Chinese toy manufacturer.
Don't underestimate this angle. Stark Industries might be known for military hardware, but its business portfolio was vast, spanning commercial tech, robotics, and even consumer branding.
Ethan's pitch? To negotiate a licensing deal that would allow his factory to produce collectible toy models of Stark's weapons and vehicles.
And not just existing tech—he wanted the rights to future designs too. That meant when the Iron Man armor inevitably made its debut, Ethan's company would have exclusive rights to the model merchandise.
He knew the key to success was starting small. The Iron Man Legion wouldn't be built overnight. And while his AI system gave him an edge, he needed real-world infrastructure—mass production capability, supply chains, legal agreements, and branding.
Reviving China's industrial future couldn't fall solely on his shoulders. It had to be a national effort.
And besides, model toys might seem insignificant, but they held enormous potential in China's massive consumer market.
Think about it. A plastic replica of a jet or armored suit—low cost, high profit. Selling for even $10 to $100 a unit, the margins were excellent. Multiply that by several million units, and the revenue easily hit hundreds of millions.
Even a corporate giant like Stark Industries would pay attention to profits like that.
Most importantly, this deal was only the beginning. It would open doors to deeper collaboration in the future.
After all, it wasn't like Ethan could just smuggle tech out of Stark's facilities. All he needed was access—once he had that, everything else could fall into place.
"Honestly, the tech I snagged from Hammer Industries was already a major win."
Aside from top-secret systems, Ethan had effectively copied most of Hammer Industries' operational technologies. In terms of raw capability, it was like he had absorbed the entire company.
That alone would massively accelerate China's technological development.
To give some perspective, Hammer Industries in this universe was the equivalent of Lockheed Martin back on Earth—one of the U.S.'s top defense contractors. Ethan had essentially gained control of its entire playbook.
It was a move that could disrupt the global balance of power.
"Xiao Ai, with the tech we've gathered, how much will it help with China's future?" Ethan asked thoughtfully.
"Technology is only a foundation," Xiao Ai replied. "Only through action can we achieve real national rejuvenation."
Ethan nodded. "Then it's time to build a full-scale production base."
His small factory back home wasn't nearly enough. For his long-term plan, he needed an industrial-scale operation.
"Once we establish ties with the military, we can leverage their support to choose the perfect site for a manufacturing hub."
"And the name... why not just call it Huaqiangbei?"
"As for the location—how about Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province?"
Pulling up a map, Ethan noted that in this alternate reality, the region was still underdeveloped—a quiet, rural area with untapped potential.
That sealed the deal.
"Let's do it."
In the very same place, Ethan Chen would lay the foundation for a new Huaqiangbei—an epicenter of innovation and the future engine behind China's technological rise.