As the first true antagonist introduced in the Marvel universe, Obadiah Stane and Tony Stark have deep-rooted, irreconcilable differences. Their conflict is inevitable. In fact, Tony's recent kidnapping was orchestrated by Obadiah himself—a fact that will inevitably come to light. And when it does, Tony Stark will not forgive him.
It's only a matter of time before these two clash again. And for Ethan Chen, that moment presents a golden opportunity to gain access to Iron Man's cutting-edge technology.
Once Ethan gets his hands on the Iron Man tech, his plan is clear: bring it back to China, tweak and refine it, and reintroduce it as homegrown innovation.
People often underestimate what places like Huaqiangbei are capable of. It's not just a hotspot for replication—it's a breeding ground for deep tech development. With a solid technological foundation, even if the armor Ethan acquires is only the Mark 3 model, Huaqiangbei's tech scene can definitely push it forward—into Mark 4, Mark 5, and far beyond.
But this goes beyond just one man or one plan. Ethan's deeper purpose—his "mission"—is about revitalizing China's scientific and technological prowess. He sees his tech not just as personal gain, but as a contribution to his country's long-term strength.
Even though this "mission" was initially given to him by Huaqiangbei, the vision resonates on a national level. It's not just about arming China with foreign-developed tech—it's about sparking innovation that makes the country truly self-reliant.
Real rejuvenation doesn't come from copying—it comes from creating. From standing at the forefront of the global tech race. And even without direct intervention from Huaqiangbei, Ethan believes that by passing these technologies to the right minds in China, progress will naturally follow.
China is no lightweight on the global stage. Even if Marvel's world rarely shows it, the nation's true capabilities, especially in research and development, can rival or exceed those of the West.
If Tony Stark can create the Iron Man armor, why can't someone else?
Sure, Tony's a genius—but in a country as large and diverse as China, Ethan refuses to believe there aren't minds equally capable. And even if no single genius matches Tony, collaboration can surpass individual brilliance. Science isn't moved by one person alone—it's advanced by collectives, by collaboration.
With a population of over a billion, China has no shortage of researchers. A united effort can easily outpace one man, no matter how brilliant.
Of course, not everyone believes this. In any large nation, there will always be cynics—those who believe that no one can surpass the West. Ethan has no patience for that mindset.
Regardless, he's made his decision. Once he returns home, he plans to establish a formal partnership with the government. He'll donate his technology, not for personal glory, but to set the groundwork for a larger vision. This is only the beginning.
After securing licensing rights from Stark Industries to use the design aesthetics of Iron Man tech, Ethan sets his sights on the first step: launching "Iron Man-inspired wearable toys." These would be simplified, commercially viable versions of the Iron Man suit. As time goes on, the designs would evolve—gradually introducing more complex functions and eventually rivaling, or even surpassing, the real Iron Man armor.
Naturally, by that point, the design would need to be rebranded. Chinese elements would be integrated into the look, making it distinctly national while keeping performance intact.
In time, these would become China's very own next-generation armored suits.
With this plan in place, Ethan returned to his hotel and immediately shared the cooperation news with his father.
"Partnering with Stark Industries? That's amazing!" his father exclaimed. He was thrilled. To him, working with a global tech titan like Stark was like stepping aboard a luxury liner headed straight for wealth and influence.
"But... are smartphones really the future?" his father added hesitantly.
It was 2008, and the world was still largely dependent on feature phones. Smartphones were only beginning to appear, so his father's doubts were understandable.
"Don't worry," Ethan replied confidently. "There's no doubt cell phones are the future."
Thanks to his knowledge of upcoming tech trends, Ethan had no uncertainties. He knew exactly where things were headed. It wouldn't take long for smartphones to dominate the market.
"Stark will take a big share of the profits," Ethan continued, "but in return, they're providing us with technical support. It's a fair trade."
For Ethan, profits weren't the priority. He had bigger goals—advancing technology, strengthening his country, and unlocking innovation. Money was just a tool.
"Oh, and Dad," he added, "how did your meeting with Uncle Zhang go? Did you give him the prototype firearm we designed?"
This was a key point for Ethan. Handing over advanced firearms to the military wasn't just about sales—it was a stepping stone toward long-term cooperation.
"Yes, I did," his father confirmed. "I also gave him the design blueprints you sent over and asked him to pass them along to his higher-ups."
He added, "It's been two days, though, and there's no news yet. I'll keep following up."
"Good," Ethan said with a nod. "Also, we need to expand the factory back home. Once we officially partner with Stark, the current setup won't meet demand. We'll need more space and better equipment. Maybe even open a few more locations."
His father frowned. "You think that's free? Expanding is one thing, but opening multiple new factories? We don't have the money for that..."
"I get it," Ethan said. "We'll have to secure funding from the military. I've got more tech lined up—some of it is worth enough to secure major loans."
With the tech arsenal at his disposal, Ethan knew he could trade innovation for capital. Even if he offered it at below-market value, it would be enough to fund expansion.
"Where are you even getting all this advanced tech from?" his father asked, eyebrows raised.
"Don't worry about that," Ethan said with a smirk. "Let's just say I have my sources."
"Alright then," his father replied. "I'll push Uncle Zhang again and see when we can hear back from the military."
…
"Well then," Ethan said, leaning back, "now we wait."
After ending the call, Ethan finally allowed himself to rest. Soon, the Iron Man tech would be his—and with it, a future he'd already started to shape.