"Steve, shall we go to Wil... hmm?"
Baki glanced a few more times at the booth girls who were busy putting out the fire on the car.
He was never interested in things he couldn't understand. Going to the front line tomorrow, pondering why Stark's car could fly or why Mr. Wilson never seemed to age wouldn't help his future in any way.
The Great Depression taught people to be practical, and nowadays everyone was very pragmatic.
Tom had told him while he was still alive, 'Don't ask what shouldn't be asked, don't think what shouldn't be thought, that's how you live longer.'
Unfortunately, Tom said it, but didn't live by it himself. He still asked Joseph where he was going, and then they both joined the army together, only to die together from mustard gas in the crude trenches.
Baki was also very saddened by his father's death, but he knew his father wasn't alone, as Tom was with Joseph till the end, which is what good brothers should do.
If Steve could go to the battlefield, he would also live and die with him. But Steve's health was too poor, it was better for him to stay safely in the rear, while Baki avenged him.
Watching the chaotic scene on stage, Baki smiled and thought about many things, then turned to speak to Steve, only to find Steve was gone.
He had originally planned to take Steve along to visit the Wilson Enterprises booth with the girls.
The theme there tonight was 'The Efficient Life and Diet of the Future People,' and he heard that there were some new products to be launched today.
Standing on tiptoe and looking around, Steve's frail figure was indeed conspicuous in the crowd, but even more conspicuous was Su Ming's outstanding aura, with no one daring to approach him and Steve.
In the dimly lit corner, Su Ming, dressed in a black wool coat, had his arm around Steve's shoulder, conversing softly outside the crowd.
Baki pulled his female companion's hand, walked through the crowd, and headed over. Stark Industries' presentation had already ended, so it was only proper to greet Wilson Enterprises.
"Mr. Wilson."
"Hey, Baki, just in time, my booth is about to start too." Su Ming greeted him with a smile and also gave a slight nod to the two girls Baki brought along.
However, this smile made the girls feel a bit of fear. This one-eyed man had a unique dark aura, as if hiding something terrifying inside.
But once they realized he was the boss of Wilson Enterprises, the fear instantly vanished, and they instead showed a sign of intimacy.
Of course, Su Ming knew what was going on. Wilson Enterprises' domestic mainstay products included beverages, perfumes, stockings, high-end lingerie, etc. If it weren't for traditional industries like brewing leading to domestic violence, he would be a true friend of women.
He himself didn't care, the more harmless he seemed on the surface, the better. Who could associate him with Deathstroke, the demon of urban legends?
Su Ming led the four to Wilson Enterprises' booth, which was quite different from Stark's. He had seating and small tables prepared for people, making it resemble a high-end banquet hall.
Each small round table was draped with a white cloth, and adorned with flowers and candles. In early spring, fresh flowers were a rarity.
Thanks to the lack of technical difficulty with greenhouses, Su Ming had managed one himself.
On the front tables, Gin was already waiting for him. As always, he arranged all these trivial matters. Su Ming had only returned from Hawaii to New York last night and had been staying at home today.
This time, he went to take over the procedures for Kahol Island. As expected, Bird was called back by the Royal Navy. Although only to command a transport ship, he sold the island to Su Ming without hesitation.
After all, he was going to the battlefield soon, and it remained to be seen if he would return. The German sea wolves continued to rampage in Europe.
So, Su Ming took over his island, a few acres of pineapple fields, a small cargo ship, a simple wharf, and a row of thatched huts.
He spent a few days surveying the island's interior himself, using Godslayer to transform various tools and dig out a cellar. Since the key plot was about to start here, he hurried back to New York.
They sat down, and Gin nodded aside, indicating it was about to begin.
So, a tall, thin middle-aged man with slightly thinning hair wearing a high-neck thin sweater and jeans stepped onto the stage.
He held a paper tube in one hand, posed with his chin pressed in the other, then began to speak.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Wilson Enterprises."
After the applause, he smiled and nodded around, "I am Jos, the spokesperson for Wilson Enterprises, and now let us begin our product introduction."
"As modernization deepens, the pace of life is getting faster. People used to spend the most time on the road, but with the popularization of cars, this time has been greatly reduced."
People in the audience nodded in agreement. It was indeed the case; cars were certainly faster than walking.
"Now, what factors are shortening our working hours? In today's hourly wage system, wasting time is wasting money. Have you ever thought about what affects your income?"
The audience began to guess, though most thought it was sleeping, but sleep couldn't be shortened, could it? That would be deadly.
Jos didn't keep them waiting, directly raising the paper tube, and everyone noticed the colorful patterns on it, with the distinctive yellow and black striped W logo.
"Many might say it's sleeping, but good rest is essential. Otherwise, it leads to accidents. So, how can we work more in a day?" Jos pointed to the paper tube in his hand, raising it high like the Statue of Liberty with a torch: "Exactly, Wilson Enterprises brings you the answer, which is to shorten meal times."
The audience started talking among themselves. They understood, as in the United States, sandwiches and hamburgers were typical fast food, indeed very convenient to eat.
But the problem was, either you queued up at fast food outlets, or you brought them from home to work and they're cold by noon.
Jos pressed one hand down, gesturing for calm. Bringing the microphone close to his mouth, he continued with flair: "This is our new product from Wilson Enterprises, solving the shortcomings of hamburgers and sandwiches. It's called instant noodles! Words alone won't suffice, so let's give everyone a portion and learn how to prepare noodles."
Then, a group of Men in Black brought in a few boxes, pulling out tubs of instant noodles, available in various flavors for choice. Soon, everyone at the booth had one in hand.
Except for Su Ming, the creator of instant noodles himself.
He joked to himself that he'd eaten so much of it he would vomit, so he better pass.
The official debut of instant noodles was supposed to be in 1958, invented by Japan's Nissin Company. But in this Marvel World, it's hard to say, as history has taken a different course.
Su Ming had asked his underperforming scientists to research it, and they quickly figured it out. They were experts in physics or chemistry, but why was the research on food so fast?!
They were clueless about things like rockets, but when it came to the process and equipment for drying noodles, and synthesizing new seasonings, they solved these hard issues right after hearing a concept from Su Ming.
It was all a bit tearful, but it seemed the talents of his scientists were all in eating.
So, Su Ming watched quietly as the curious Americans followed the knockoff 'Leader Joe' on stage step by step, learning how to make instant noodles...
Three minutes later, the sound of slurping began to resonate all around. To cater to American taste buds, his sauces were sweet, featuring primarily tomato and mayonnaise. Everyone was too busy eating noodles, including Steve and Baki.
Life is truly lonely like snow...
Su Ming sighed, turning his head to find Howard Stark also at the edge of the venue, surrounded by his booth girls, eating instant noodles around a table.
He looked incredibly satisfied, eating with a little plastic fork while his mouth glistened with oil.
Well, over there it's the hover car, and here it's convenience food. Both involved in everyday essentials, but strictly speaking, the instant noodles were more successful than his hover car.
After all, since their invention, instant noodles have been destined to be part of people's lives. And the hover car? Only Howard himself has ever driven one.
On stage, Leader Joe also wiped his mouth; the oil packet accompanying the instant noodles was too fragrant. Although this butter steak flavor didn't even have visible meat bits, he genuinely felt like he was eating beef.
"Ahem, how does everyone feel about our new product?"
A rousing applause erupted from the stage, the entire area enveloped in a familiar and intense aroma, reminding Su Ming of the feeling in a train car from years past.
Leader Joe nodded, proud of being a Wilson Enterprises employee. He turned aside and quietly burped before turning back with a full smile to continue, "Next, see our second product, which lets you quickly dine with friends anytime, anywhere — it's called Convenience Stew!"
.........