Ch. 1The System Makes Me Get Married
Chapter Summary
1. Key Plot Points and Events
- In 2008 Los Angeles, Xu Mo visits Annie, the actress playing Catwoman on The Batman set. Their affectionate relationship is established.
- While riding with Annie in his car, Xu Mo suddenly hears a mechanical voice announcing that a system is binding to him.
- Xu Mo is revealed to be a reincarnated time-traveler who has grown up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After recognizing Stark Industries and researching the world, he understands that Earth faces enormous future threats, including mutants, alien invasions, Thanos, and the Celestials.
- Following the death of his parents five years earlier, Xu Mo inherited their film and television company. Using memories from his previous life, he produced successful films and invested his wealth, becoming a major American elite.
- The system is not yet active. It requires Xu Mo to marry, and the strength or potential of his wife will determine the quality of his activation reward.
- Xu Mo considers four powerful women: the Ancient One, Jean Grey/Phoenix, Captain Marvel, and Wanda Maximoff. He rejects the first three because of their age and incompatibility, Phoenix’s instability, and Captain Marvel’s absence in space.
- He chooses Wanda, who is still an ordinary young woman living in Sokovia with her brother Pietro. Xu Mo believes his wealth and resources will allow him to win her over.
- Xu Mo instructs his secretary, Avril, to gather his people and continue preparations to relocate his assets and operations away from the United States.
- He plans to move to China, which he considers comparatively safer than the United States, especially as major Marvel events begin to unfold.
2. Character Developments
- Xu Mo is introduced as wealthy, pragmatic, and highly aware of the dangers of the Marvel world. His main goals are survival, maximizing the system’s rewards, and securing a powerful marriage partner.
- His confidence and strategic thinking are emphasized: he uses future knowledge to build wealth, prepares for coming disasters, and begins transferring his assets out of America.
- Annie is portrayed as Xu Mo’s affectionate romantic partner. She initially complains that he has not visited her recently, but quickly forgives him after receiving flowers.
- Wanda Maximoff is not yet present directly, but she becomes Xu Mo’s chosen target for marriage because of her future potential as the Scarlet Witch.
- Avril, Xu Mo’s secretary, is shown to be loyal and efficient, handling his business and relocation plans.
- Pietro Maximoff is mentioned as Wanda’s brother and part of Xu Mo’s future considerations.
3. Significant Themes
- Survival through preparation: Xu Mo understands that the Marvel world is dangerous and takes practical steps to avoid becoming caught in future catastrophes.
- Power and strategic marriage: Marriage is treated not only as a romantic relationship but also as a means of activating the system and gaining extraordinary rewards.
- Foreknowledge as an advantage: Xu Mo uses memories of his former life to predict successful films, accumulate wealth, and anticipate major Marvel events.
- The tension between ordinary life and superhero chaos: The romantic opening contrasts Xu Mo’s glamorous lifestyle with the looming threats of mutants, aliens, and cosmic beings.
- Pragmatism versus morality: Xu Mo evaluates potential partners largely according to their strength, stability, and usefulness, especially when considering Wanda’s future power.
4. Character Interactions
- Xu Mo and Annie share a playful, intimate exchange in the car. Annie affectionately calls him “darling” and sits on his lap after receiving flowers.
- Xu Mo communicates with Avril by phone, giving her orders regarding his organization and the relocation of his assets.
- Although Xu Mo has not yet met Wanda in the chapter, he mentally evaluates her alongside several of Marvel’s strongest women and decides to pursue her as his future wife.
- Xu Mo also reflects on his deceased parents, whose company and insistence on remaining in America influenced his past decisions and delayed his relocation plans.