Plan

"How do you feel, Peter? Is there anything you haven't adjusted to?"

Otto was testing Peter's physical data. Three days had passed since the last incident, and Peter had basically made a full recovery by the second day. Otto could not help marveling at Peter's extraordinary physique.

"No, Dr. Otto. Um... if I had to say something, I feel stronger than before."

Peter lay blankly on the scanner, dressed entirely in black.

"That symbiote enhanced Peter in every way, but it also caused his organs to fail," Otto said gravely as he studied the data before him.

"We need to find a way to separate Venom from Peter's body. Even Peter's lifespan will be shortened by prolonged symbiosis."

Li Nian looked at Peter. "Symbiotes fear sound waves and fire the most. Maybe we can try ultrasound. It might force Venom out of Peter's body."

"We tried it. It didn't work." Otto rubbed his temples. Staying up late was truly unfriendly to the elderly. He had lost a lot more hair lately; before long, he would probably join the ranks of the bald.

"Peter said he felt a little discomfort, but it was completely bearable."

Li Nian lowered his head in thought. Could dark magic have compensated for the symbiote's weakness, making sound waves no longer an effective weapon against them?

"What about fire? Have you tried that?"

"No," Otto said. "Without safety measures, it could burn Peter. We don't know exactly what's happening inside his body, so it's better not to act rashly."

"Hey, can I get out now? This machine isn't very comfortable to lie in."

Peter carefully asked the two men in white coats. The last time he had asked that, Li Nian had scolded him and made him serve as a lab rat for an entire day.

"Go home." Li Nian helplessly closed his eyes and waved a hand.

Peter was overjoyed. He had long since had enough of staying here. He jumped up and ran out. He had not seen Mary Jane in a long time, and he really missed her.

"I should get going too. That guy has been missing since that night. I have no idea where he's hiding." Li Nian held his forehead, his tone tinged with unwillingness.

"Like a rat in the sewers. Disgusting, and there's nothing we can do."

"New York's sewers might have more than just rats. There could be alligators too..."

Li Nian did not want to talk to Otto. This guy could always deliver utterly unfunny cold jokes with a straight face.

"Any news on Flint?"

"No. Ever since last time, it's like he vanished," Otto said, taking off his glasses with a relaxed expression.

"To be honest, I don't really like that kid. He looks vicious, not like the sort who'd do good deeds."

Li Nian looked at Otto and smiled. "You two are about the same. Neither of you looks like a good person."

"At least I look human."

"...That's a personal attack."

"You're not human anyway..."

Peter happily swung through the city's skies in his Spider-Man suit.

The residents also felt like they had not seen Spider-Man in days. Seeing that red-and-blue bodysuit again made them strangely nostalgic.

"Hey! Are you all doing okay?"

Peter enthusiastically greeted everyone, naturally drawing a wave of cheers from his fans.

Peter had just been about to head home to see how Aunt May and Mary Jane were when his phone suddenly rang.

"Harry?" Peter was surprised. Why was Harry calling him? Had he been discharged?

"Hey, Peter!"

"Hey, Harry. I've been busy taking news photos lately. My boss made us work overtime, so I didn't have time to visit you. I'm sorry," Peter said apologetically.

"It's okay. Mary Jane brought me food every day, so I wasn't too lonely." Harry's teasing voice came through the phone.

"Want to get together tonight? We can celebrate my discharge. It's been a few days since we last met. Bring Mary Jane, and it'll be the three of us."

"Okay!" Peter was deeply moved. His brother always thought of him.

"All right, get back to work then."

Harry hung up smoothly, his face eerily calm, neither sad nor happy.

Peter, meanwhile, was bursting with excitement as he hurried home.

After briefly greeting Aunt May, he took Mary Jane upstairs.

"Young people these days... no restraint at all..." Aunt May watched the excited Peter, gave him a meaningful glance, then shook her head and sighed. "I'm old... so old..."

"What are you doing?" Mary Jane asked shyly, practically slung over Peter's shoulder.

"Harry... Harry invited us to his house tonight," Peter said happily. This meant their relationship had finally eased, even if it was only because Harry had lost his memory.

"Really? That's wonderful!" Mary Jane was happy for Peter too. She understood the bond between Peter and Harry. They were closer than brothers.

When the two had fallen out, Mary Jane had not chosen to stay by Peter's side. Now that they had reconciled, she hoped she could stand behind Peter and become his strongest support.

Peter looked at Mary Jane's lovely face and could not help staring blankly. He said without thinking, "Jane, you're so beautiful!"

Mary Jane froze for a moment. Looking into Peter's earnest eyes, she suddenly leaned in and kissed him.

The two stayed in the room for quite some time in broad daylight...