Gwen: Are You My Hero?

After hanging up, he asked Wanda if she wanted to go, but she clearly did not want to interrupt him while he was drinking. More importantly, she did not know Peter Parker and had no desire to.

Since Wanda did not want to go, Chen Xi did not force her. But when he arrived at the agreed location, he discovered that Parker was not the only one there. His good friends Harry and Gwen had come as well.

Perhaps knowing that Chen Xi did not like Mary Jane, Parker wisely had not invited her.

"Hey, the great screenwriter is here."

Parker was the first to stand and greet him. Harry, the decent rich kid, was rather reserved. Being able to share a meal with his idol was something he had never imagined.

Gwen kept her eyes on Chen Xi, as though she wanted an answer from him. Seeing this, Parker joked, "Gwen, could you stop acting lovestruck? It would be bad if you scared Mr. Chen Xi away."

"Sorry, I just think he looks a lot like someone."

Gwen awkwardly withdrew her gaze and smiled.

"Like who? The man of your dreams? Well, I bet there are several million girls across America who feel the same way." Harry teased.

"No, that's not it. I'm serious."

Gwen's face flushed slightly as she protested.

"Hehe, enough about that. Let's order. It's truly a great honor to meet Mr. Chen Xi today."

Harry had much higher emotional intelligence than Parker. He hurriedly smoothed things over and changed the subject; girls were thin-skinned.

He knew Parker was frugal, but how could they be stingy when treating Chen Xi to a meal today? He quickly handed the menu to Chen Xi.

"I'm easy. Anything is fine. You and Parker can decide. Just don't order too much."

Chen Xi shook his head and casually checked off a few dishes before passing the menu back to Parker. That was how it was when friends ate together: always passing the menu back and forth...

Though Parker was frugal, he could be very generous when it mattered. Tobey Maguire's version of Spider-Man was the real Spider-Man, dependable in everything he did.

Although they were not very familiar with one another, they were all young and shared many similar interests, so the conversation flowed naturally. Chen Xi's stories about the future, in particular, filled the youths with longing for the world he described.

"Chen Xi, no wonder you can write such brilliant scripts. Hearing you describe the future, I finally understand why you've become so successful."

Parker sighed in admiration. After they had grown more familiar, Chen Xi had told them to call him by name. He disliked all those formal forms of address.

Gwen's eyes were sparkling too. She was equally curious about the world of the future. If it really was as Chen Xi said...

Unfortunately, Chen Xi was only half-truthful. The world of the future would be full of all kinds of challenges.

While they were heading to the restroom, Parker said that he wanted to follow Chen Xi too. He did not want to waste his days away and squander his abilities.

"Parker, have you really thought this through? You should have a brilliant future of your own. Following me might mean doing things that go against the justice you hold in your heart."

Chen Xi lit a cigarette and took a drag, then patted Parker on the shoulder and asked solemnly.

He knew Parker was envious because Mary Jane's boyfriend drove a sports car to pick her up and drop her off. He also wanted a car of his own, and following Chen Xi was merely an impulsive thought.

According to the plot, Uncle Ben would also die because Parker went to take part in underground boxing matches. Letting the robber go on a momentary whim would lead to his uncle's death, finally making him understand the meaning of the saying: with great power comes great responsibility.

Although Chen Xi considered that principle nothing more than bullshit moral coercion, someone still had to uphold certain forms of justice.

If the entire world were full of shameless scoundrels like him, would it not fall into chaos?

Chen Xi did not think he was being softhearted. If Parker could wholeheartedly join his team, he would welcome him. But if he was half-hearted about it, he would eventually become a liability...

Parker had not expected Chen Xi to take it so seriously. He had thought it would just mean working on film sets as a stunt double or doing difficult action scenes.

From the sound of it, he would have to do illegal things too?

Parker stood there stunned for a long time. He was ultimately only a high school kid and had not thought that far ahead. He would have to experience some things first.

"All right, think it over. Some dark worlds you believe do not exist really do exist."

Chen Xi patted his shoulder, turned, and left. When he returned to the private room, he saw that Harry had already paid the bill.

"Parker is lucky to have a brother like you. Treasure the bond between you two." Chen Xi said with a smile. Saying he was not envious would have been too fake. Harry and Parker truly were such a pity.

Unfortunately, he did not even have a single friend. Tony Stark, that bad influence, barely counted as half of one, yet Chen Xi had watched helplessly as Tony walked into the fire pit without stopping him...

If Tony found out about this, he would probably strangle him.

"Parker and I have known each other for so many years. I believe we'll be friends for life."

Harry said proudly with a smile. His relationship with Parker was so close that they could practically wear the same pair of pants.

"Good!"

Chen Xi said nothing more. Unfortunately, even brothers could not compare to women...

After dinner, they went their separate ways. When they reached the restaurant parking lot, Parker saw Gwen fidgeting and was about to tell her to get in the car when Harry stopped him.

"Idiot Parker, don't meddle. Let's go."

Harry had excellent instincts. Under Parker's confused gaze, he floored the accelerator and sped away.

"What is it? Gwen, do you have something to say?" Chen Xi asked knowingly, wanting to tease her.

"..."

After several seconds of silence, Gwen raised her head and stared at Chen Xi. "Is it you?" she asked, enunciating every word.

"What do you think, little girl whose legs went weak from fright?"

Chen Xi looked into her eyes with a smile and teased her.

As Chen Xi's words fell, overwhelming joy instantly washed over Gwen. She covered her mouth excitedly, and moving tears shimmered in her eyes.