Gwen: Are You My Unrivaled Hero?

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

Since Wanda did not want to go, Chen Xi did not force her. However, 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 too.

Perhaps knowing that Chen Xi did not have a favorable impression of 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 well-mannered rich second-generation kid, was rather reserved. Having a meal with his idol was something he had never imagined.

Gwen kept her eyes on Chen Xi, as if she wanted an answer from him. Seeing this, Parker joked, "Gwen, could you stop acting lovestruck? It'd 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? Hmm, I bet several million girls across America feel the same way you do," Harry teased.

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

Gwen retorted, her face slightly red.

"Hehe, let's not talk about that. Let's order. It's truly a tremendous honor to meet Mr. Chen Xi today."

Harry had far better social awareness than Parker. He hurriedly smoothed things over and changed the subject. Girls were thin-skinned, after all.

He knew Parker tended to be frugal, but how could they treat Chen Xi to dinner and be stingy about it? He quickly handed the menu to Chen Xi.

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

Chen Xi shook his head and casually selected a few dishes before passing the menu back to Parker. That was how friends ate together—always passing the menu back and forth...

Although Parker was a frugal person, 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.

Though they were not especially familiar with one another, they were all young and shared plenty of interests, so the conversation flowed easily. Chen Xi's descriptions of the future in particular filled the youths with longing for the world he described.

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

Parker sighed in absolute admiration. Once they became familiar, Chen Xi had told them to call him by name. He disliked all those overly polite forms of address.

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

Unfortunately, Chen Xi had only been half truthful. The future world would be filled with all kinds of challenges.

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

"Parker, have you really thought this through? You should have a brilliant life of your own. If you follow me, you might end up 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 wanted this because Mary Jane's boyfriend picked her up in a sports car, and Parker wanted a car of his own too. Following Chen Xi was only a passing impulse.

According to the plot, Uncle Ben would also die because Parker went to compete in underground boxing matches. Letting the robber go in a moment of hesitation would get his uncle killed, finally making him understand the meaning of the saying: with great power comes great responsibility.

Although Chen Xi thought that kind of principle was nothing more than bullshit moral coercion, someone still had to uphold justice.

If the whole world were filled with shameless scoundrels like him, wouldn't everything fall into chaos?

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

Parker had not expected Chen Xi to take it so seriously. He had assumed he would just go to film sets and work as a stunt double or perform difficult action scenes.

But from the sound of it, he would have to do something illegal?

Parker was stunned for a long time. He was still only a high school kid and had not thought that far ahead. He needed to go through some things first.

"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 found that Harry had already paid the bill.

"Parker is lucky to have a brother like you. Cherish the bond between you two," Chen Xi said with a smile. Saying he was not envious would have been a lie. Harry and Parker truly were heartbreaking!

Unfortunately, he did not even have a single friend. Tony Stark, that fair-weather drinking buddy, barely counted as half of one, yet Chen Xi had watched Tony walk straight into the fire pit without stopping him...

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

"I've known Parker for so many years. I believe we'll be friends for life."

Harry said with a proud smile. His relationship with Parker was so close 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, the group went their separate ways. At the restaurant parking lot, Parker saw Gwen lingering awkwardly and was about to urge her to get in the car, only for Harry to stop him.

"You idiot, Parker. Don't meddle. Let's go."

Harry was perceptive enough to understand. While Parker looked on in confusion, Harry slammed 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 looked up at Chen Xi and stared at him. "Are you him?"

"What do you think? You were the little girl whose legs went weak from fright."

Chen Xi looked into her eyes with amusement and teased her.

As Chen Xi's words fell, overwhelming joy instantly enveloped Gwen. She excitedly covered her mouth, and a moving glimmer of tears appeared in her eyes.