Gwen, Lin Hai, Peter, MJ, and Harry

At lunchtime, the cafeteria was as noisy as ever. Lin Hai and Peter had just found seats when Mary Jane approached with a tray.

"Mind if I sit here?" she asked with a smile, her red hair gleaming like flames in the sunlight.

Peter nearly choked on his sandwich and hurriedly shook his head.

After sitting down, Mary Jane lowered her voice mysteriously. "Hey, did you know the school is holding an International Culture Week? Each class has to send a representative to showcase the culture of a different country."

"There aren't many international students at Midtown High School," Peter said, adjusting his glasses. "Lin is probably the only one in our class who qualifies."

"Exactly!" Mary Jane clapped excitedly. "Lin, would you be willing to represent Huaxia culture? I'm on the event committee, and I've been worrying over finding the right person!"

Lin Hai hesitated. Showing himself off meant drawing more attention. He did not want to be too high-profile at school, but he also wanted to fit into campus life. Turning Mary Jane down might seem rather cold.

So Lin Hai decided to ask for details first. "What would I need to do?"

"Anything that can show off the unique characteristics of your country! Calligraphy, music, clothing, and so on." Mary Jane's eyes sparkled. "I can help you prepare! I'm fascinated by Eastern art too."

Just as Lin Hai was about to answer, a voice cut in. "Mary Jane, Ms. Clemente is looking for you to go over the lab reports."

Harry Osborn had appeared beside their table at some point.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Mary Jane jumped to her feet. "Lin, think about my proposal! Peter, help me convince him!" With that, she gathered her things and hurried away.

Harry did not immediately follow her. Instead, he looked at Lin Hai and Peter. "Are you friends of Mary Jane's?"

"Neighbors," Peter explained. "We grew up together."

Harry nodded. "I just transferred here, so I don't really understand the... social rules around here."

After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Are you free this afternoon? My father sent over some new scientific journals, about genetic engineering."

Peter's eyes immediately lit up. "Osborn Enterprises' genetic research is world-leading!"

Harry gave a sincere smile—perhaps his first since transferring. "Then shall we meet in the library after school?"

His gaze swept over Lin Hai as he added, "If you're both interested."

Lin Hai nodded in agreement. After Harry left, Peter excitedly grabbed his arm. "Did you hear that? Internal Osborn Enterprises research materials! This could be something ordinary scientists never get to see in their entire lives!"

Lin Hai smiled at Peter's childlike excitement while considering Harry Osborn.

For now, Harry was merely a lonely rich kid longing for genuine friendship, nowhere near the Green Goblin II who would be driven mad by his family's curse.

After afternoon classes ended, the three met at the library as arranged. Harry brought several beautifully bound journals, stamped with the words "Osborn Enterprises Confidential Research."

"My father doesn't know I took these," Harry said quietly, rebellion glinting in his eyes. "He thinks high school students can't understand them."

Peter flipped through the journals as though he had found treasure, letting out amazed exclamations from time to time. Lin Hai, meanwhile, became interested in an article about plant genetic modification—Osborn Enterprises was researching how to extract substances from special plants that could enhance human abilities.

"This line of research..." Lin Hai pointed to a passage. "It's very similar to certain ancient legends in Huaxia."

Harry leaned closer. "Really? My father always says Eastern medicine contains wisdom modern science has yet to understand."

The three discussed the subject heatedly until the librarian came to remind them that it was closing time.

As they parted, Harry said hesitantly, "I'm having a small gathering at my house this weekend. I was wondering whether you'd be interested?"

Peter did not answer. He was somewhat stunned, never having expected to be invited to a gathering of that caliber.

Lin Hai answered for him. "We'd be honored!"

On the way home, Peter was unusually excited. "Harry Osborn invited us to his house! Do you know Osborn Tower? New York's most advanced private laboratory is there!"

Lin Hai listened to Peter chatter on while thinking about the plant experiments mentioned in the journals. Perhaps Osborn Enterprises' research could help him further improve his abilities.

Friday's science seminar was far more formal than Lin Hai had expected. Midtown High School's academic elite had gathered together, and Gwen stood before the podium as the host, confidently introducing the topic: "Scientific Methodology from a Cross-Cultural Perspective."

When Lin Hai and Peter entered the meeting room, Gwen's eyes visibly brightened. She quickly wrapped up the current discussion and announced, "Our next speaker is Lin Hai, a new student from Huaxia. He will share the intersection between Eastern natural philosophy and modern science."

Lin Hai had not prepared a speech at all, but the knowledge accumulated in his previous life and his enhanced memory after crossing over allowed him to remain calm. He stepped onto the stage and spoke from the plant classifications in the Compendium of Materia Medica to the relationship between yin-yang and the five elements and the fundamental states of matter, finally mentioning ancient Huaxia scientists' early understanding of photosynthesis.

"So, while Western science was still using phlogiston theory to explain plant growth, Huaxia scholars had already proposed an idea of energy flow similar to 'the qi of heaven and earth nourishes all things,'" Lin Hai concluded.

Warm applause filled the meeting room. Gwen was the first to ask, "Do you think these ancient theories still have value in modern science? Or have they been replaced by more precise theories?"

"Just as Newtonian mechanics was supplemented rather than negated by relativity," Lin Hai replied, "ancient wisdom offers a different perspective, not outdated knowledge."

After the seminar, Gwen stopped Lin Hai as he was preparing to leave. "Your views were very enlightening. I hope we can discuss these topics together sometime?"

Peter's eyes widened beside him. "We'd be honored." Lin Hai used that proper response once again.

Only a handful of people attended the weekend gathering at the Osborn residence. Harry clearly did not have many friends. Mary Jane had also been invited as an art student, and she was enthusiastically admiring the Osborn family's collection of modern art.

"My father isn't home," Harry said with audible relief. "Feel free to look around."

Peter was like a child in a candy store, marveling at the equipment in the Osborn family's private laboratory. Lin Hai, meanwhile, found his attention drawn to several rare plants in the greenhouse—some gave off strange energy fluctuations that subtly resonated with the power inside him.

"These are medicinal plants Osborn Enterprises collected from all over the world," Harry explained. "My father believes they contain special components capable of changing the human constitution."

Lin Hai lightly touched the leaf of a red flower and felt a stream of energy flow through his arm and into his body. His power seemed especially "hungry" for this plant.

"Careful," Harry warned. "That 'Red Moon' is highly poisonous!"

Lin Hai pulled his hand back in surprise, but the energy had already remained within him, merging with the energy in his dantian. He felt as if he had been subtly strengthened.

"Lin knows a lot about plants," Peter explained for him. "He helps run a medicinal herb shop."

Harry raised an interested brow. "Really? Maybe you can help us analyze the medicinal value of these plants. My father spent a fortune getting them from tropical rainforests, but our scientists have never been able to completely decipher their components."

Lin Hai nodded, but his heart was far from calm. That "Red Moon" resembled the Blood Orchid somewhat—the red flower from Anaconda that could extend one's lifespan and preserve youth.

But what Lin Hai found curious was this: if that was the case, then why had Osborn Enterprises' research team, assuming they were not incompetent, failed to discover anything about this Red Moon that resembled the Blood Orchid?

Still, there was no need to overthink it yet. After agreeing to Harry's request, he would have plenty of chances to study these plants.

Halfway through the gathering, Mary Jane suggested they play Truth or Dare. After several rounds, the atmosphere relaxed considerably. When the bottle pointed at Peter, Mary Jane blinked at him and asked, "Peter Parker, is there someone you like?"

Peter's face instantly turned bright red. Behind his lenses, his eyes darted around in panic. "Huh? I... um..."

Harry suddenly cut in. "We all know Peter has a crush on you, Mary Jane."

The air instantly froze. Mary Jane's mouth fell open in surprise, while Peter stiffened as if he had been struck by lightning.

Lin Hai saw a complicated emotion flash through Harry's eyes. Harry cared about Mary Jane too. Who would not like such a lively, adorable teenage girl?

"I... I'm going to get some drinks." Peter finally fled in embarrassment. After hesitating, Mary Jane followed him.

Lin Hai noticed the expression on Harry's face as he watched their retreating backs. The rich young master's mask had fallen away completely for the first time, revealing the lonely boy beneath it.

"You shouldn't have done that," Lin Hai said softly.

Harry gave a bitter smile. "I know. But there are some things you know you shouldn't do, yet you just can't control yourself." He turned to Lin Hai. "Have you ever felt that way? Like there's something inside you forcing you to do stupid things?"

Lin Hai became thoughtful. Harry's words reminded him of the Osborn family curse—the madness lurking in their blood. Perhaps Harry had already begun to sense its presence.

"Everyone has inner demons," Lin Hai finally said. "What matters is choosing how to live with them."

Harry looked at him in surprise. "You don't talk like a high school student."

"That's ancient Eastern wisdom. Besides, I really am two years older than you." Lin Hai winked and said it half-jokingly.

On the way back, Peter was quiet. Lin Hai did not disturb his thoughts. He merely let a small plant in his backpack quietly bloom with a comforting flower.

"She just sees me as a good friend from next door," Peter finally broke the silence.

Lin Hai handed him the little flower. "Feelings are a bit like flowers, Peter. Some grow quickly, while others need years before they bloom. What matters is providing the right soil and sunlight."

Peter accepted the flower. "What is this?"

"A special variety that can sense emotions," Lin Hai told a well-intentioned lie. "When you feel better, it'll bloom more brightly."

"I think it was just a little sudden," Lin Hai continued.

"You never showed that you liked her before, Peter. You can't expect a girl you've barely spent close time with to accept all this as soon as she learns you like her. Maybe you should start by being good friends and good neighbors. Once you understand each other better, you can decide on the next step."

"She doesn't dislike you, does she? I think that might be a good start."

Peter carefully held the flower, hope rekindling in his eyes. "Thank you, Lin."

Lin Hai smiled. He knew that Peter would soon face challenges far more severe than adolescent troubles. And as his friend, he would do everything he could to help this future hero through every hardship.