Chapter 4: Hell's Kitchen

The woman was somewhat taken aback by the child's words, and then her expression turned a bit dejected. After a moment of silence, she spoke: "I am very sorry, Xia Tian, for not being able to provide you with a ... ... "

Hehe. The woman gently rubbed the summer's face, suddenly lowering her voice, "Although her skin is very dark, she is very kind, so do not provoke her anger. Let's go."

Sigh... the man crouched down, his tone filled with sincerity, "Child, you are still young. You may feel that this ability makes you unique, allowing you to do things that other children cannot, but it is very dangerous. We have discussed this, haven't we? Do not let anyone discover your ability, or they will take you away from your mother and me."

Six months' time is sufficient for Xia Tian to understand where she has arrived. A computer is not something that would appear in this household, and there isn't even a television. However, the discarded newspapers of the old man downstairs have already provided Xia Tian with ample information

The faint sounds of the two people gradually diminished, and with the door firmly closed, Xia Tian finally let out a sigh of relief. He stood up from the carpet and ran to the bedside. His small body made it difficult for him to climb onto the bed. After two attempts, Xia Tian simply jumped, but instead of falling, he quickly soared upward. Clearly, he could not control his strength well, and his whole body lost control in the air, flipping over once. ... Having lost all sense of direction, Xia Tian plopped down onto the bed, his small body bouncing up again ... Xia Tian simply jumped, but instead of falling, he quickly soared upward. Clearly, he could not control his strength well, and his whole body lost control in the air, flipping over once. ... Having lost all sense of direction, Xia Tian plopped down onto the bed, his small body bouncing up again ...

Mom. It's only a few hours, and you will be back soon. I will be at our home, not going anywhere. If something really happens, I have said that I will knock on the wall, and you know that it is very effective. Every time there are strange fighting sounds from next door, I just have to knock on the wall and they stop fighting. Summer blinked, and her words made her mother feel a bit awkward.

The city where summer resides is renowned worldwide, New York City. However, the neighborhood where summer is located is not prosperous. Each magnificent and luxurious villa is equipped with filthy sewers. This area is the "sewer" of bustling New York City, and it has a resounding name, Hell's Kitchen

Although this apartment building is old and the room is small, the lighting inside is bright and the bed is soft. The family of three no longer has to wander around aimlessly; seeing their parents find jobs and their lives improve brings a sense of pride and joy to Xia Tian. Life remains difficult, and it may continue to be so for a long time, but Xia Tian accepts it with pleasure.

"In the summer, my child, I bought these building blocks specifically for you to use your hands, not to rely on that wonderful ability of yours." The door suddenly opened, and a gentle voice followed.

I do not want to go to her house, can I sleep at home? If I am scared, I will knock on the wall hard. Suddenly, Xia Tian spoke up, causing the woman to be slightly taken aback

You know I will be fine, it has already been more than three months. I do not want to be woken up by you every early morning, being brought back home. Although Grandma Amy has not complained about anything, we have indeed disturbed her rest.

The child, referred to as Summer, pursed his lips and reached for the scattered building blocks on the carpet. In the next moment, he felt his small body lift off the ground, embraced by a pair of warm hands

In the summer, you are a man. Mother and father have some work, and unfortunately, our family cannot find a companion for you, but you like Grandma Amy next door, don't you?" A middle-aged woman with black hair and black eyes crouched down, resting her hands on her knees, lowering her head, and looking at the small body beneath her with a gentle smile on her face

"Hurry up and pack your things, you rascal, why do you always have to do it so forcefully?" The woman grabbed the back of the man's collar with one hand, pulling the man who was squatting on the ground backward. The man chuckled and quickly got up, hurrying out of the bedroom.

"Go away." Summer kept dodging, her face aching and itching, yet she could not escape the fate of being "ravaged" by the stubble of the middle-aged man, ultimately left helplessly watching her father treat her as a toy

The scene of the setting sun is reminiscent of the areas inhabited during summer, evoking a sense of the sun sinking behind the mountains in the west

"I was home alone when I was 6 years old, and indeed, the student surpasses the master; our child dares to do this at 5 years old, you are truly amazing." The father clearly wanted to end such a conversation and felt that summer's suggestion was not inappropriate. He pulled the still somewhat worried mother out of the bedroom, saying, "We are going to be late; if we are ten minutes late, we will lose our bonus for this month."

Outside the window lies a dilapidated street, and as far as the eye can see, there is a worn-out neighborhood. The sun on the west side has mostly sunk below the horizon, and the sky is layered with fiery clouds, casting a crimson hue over the entire world

In the summer, he shook his head, sat up, placed both hands on the windowsill, leaned out with half of his head, and gazed downwards.

In a somewhat dilapidated apartment building, a small figure is sitting cross-legged, one elbow resting on the knee, one hand cradling the cheek, while the other hand gently moves the tiny fingers, gazing at the Lego blocks in front of them, stacked layer upon layer

Blocks fell from mid-air onto the carpet, and the child turned his head in slight panic to see his father. A middle-aged man with yellow skin, black eyes, and black hair, speaking fluent Mandarin.

"Be obedient, this is not how a good child behaves." The woman looked at Xia Tian, her face stern, and the feigned severity of her expression was quite convincing, yet it could not deceive Xia Tian's eyes

Summer is not good at expressing his emotions; he only feels grateful for everything in his heart and cherishes all that he has. For the past six months, this middle-aged couple has not only provided Summer with water and food but has also moved him from the dark basement into this apartment.

What is interesting is that this child, who appears to be around 5 or 6 years old, does not actually touch the blocks with his hands; instead, he manipulates them in the air with his fingers. The blocks on the carpet suddenly rise into the air, continuously flipping and finding the right position to land, gradually assembling into the shape of a train

The identity of Howard Stark requires no further introduction. A billionaire, arms dealer, and the founder of Stark Industries. He was even one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D., although this last point was not reported by any newspaper; it is something that Summer, in her capacity as a time traveler, is aware of.

Several years ago, to be precise, four years ago, on June 1, 1987, the 17-year-old prodigy Tony Stark graduated with the highest honors from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The renowned Tony Stark dropped a bombshell on the nation, and a swarm of media professionals, like sharks sensing blood, reported extensively on him

The passage of six months has caused Xia Tian's mindset to change repeatedly. From the initial shock and panic, it gradually transformed into an acceptance of reality. Ultimately, Xia Tian has begun to cherish the care and love bestowed by the parents of this world. Such precious emotions are something that Xia Tian from the previous world had never experienced or possessed.

In the summer, looking up at his gentle and beautiful mother before him, he gently nodded his head

At present, five-year-old Xiaotian has no influence in front of his parents. At least during the period when his parents found stable jobs and their lives became increasingly prosperous, Xiaotian felt powerless and unable to change their thoughts

Xia Tian did not possess a particularly high intelligence or extensive experience in life. Before arriving in this world, he was merely a first-year high school student, lacking sufficient social experience and life knowledge. Suddenly thrust into a new world, he found himself surrounded by familial love and a sense of home that he had never experienced before. This new reality allowed Xia Tian to indulge in joy while also carefully safeguarding it.

The Marvel world, the Marvel universe, should be in the game. Summer murmured softly, and in her line of sight, her parents' car finally disappeared. She leaned back and lay down on the bed.

Summer silently nodded, without saying a word

"This is my good child." The man affectionately ruffled Xia Tian's hair with a bit more force, a gesture that had always been his exclusive form of intimacy.

Xia Tian saw his parents getting into that old, second-hand car, and under the afterglow of the setting sun, it slowly drove away towards the distant street. Xia Tian also let out a silent sigh; he had been here for a full six months.

Listening to the man's earnest words and seeing the sincerity and care reflected in his eyes, Xia Tian finally nodded and said, "Alright"

"It's time to help in the kitchen." A gentle female voice outside the door finally freed Xia Tian from the grasp of the middle-aged man, who placed Xia Tian on the carpet and vigorously ruffled his dark hair, saying, "We made a pact; you are not allowed to use this ability."

Because Tony Stark is not only a genius, not only did he complete his first circuit board at the age of 4, and not only did he create his first V8 engine at the age of 6, but he is also the son of Howard Stark

But he is still so young

Although my father's grip is always very strong, the stubble always makes summer unbearable... Although my mother always puts on a stern face, forcing herself to finish the beans on her plate...

At this moment in summer, there is no ambition and no genius-like thoughts; he simply wishes to cherish every minute and every second in this family, to be a good child. When he has some say, he strives to encourage his parents to leave New York City, even to leave this country, to find a quiet nation, a peaceful small town, and to live a tranquil life.

Summer turned over, the blanket abruptly rolled up, covering the small body. The curtains were slowly drawn, blocking the light of the setting sun from entering. In the pitch-black room, Summer closed his eyes.