Peter took a couple of sips before speaking again.
"Actually, this wasn't my idea."
"Whose was it, then?"
"Harry's," Peter said. "Harry Osborn."
Chen Mo's chopsticks paused as he reached for some food.
He ran the name through his mind.
Osborn.
If this had been a standalone Spider-Man world, that surname would only have meant the Green Goblin.
Unfortunately, this world was a massive crossover.
Chen Mo kept his expression unchanged.
"A friend of yours?"
"Yeah, a really good friend." Peter visibly relaxed a little when he talked about Harry. "He knows I'm pretty close with Spider-Man."
Chen Mo asked, "Because you take pictures of Spider-Man part-time for the newspaper?"
Peter nodded, looking a little embarrassed.
"Right. He thought it would be cool if Spider-Man showed up at the dance, and Mary Jane really likes Spider-Man, so..."
Chen Mo: "..."
Peter said, "It really isn't dangerous."
"..."
"Please." Peter Parker gazed pleadingly at Chen Mo with his brown eyes.
Chen Mo fished the shrimp paste dumplings out of the pot, his tone as casual as if he had merely remarked on the nice sunshine earlier.
"I'll think about it."
Peter watched him cautiously.
Chen Mo took a bite of a shrimp dumpling.
"All right."
Peter froze.
"What?"
"I said all right." Chen Mo looked up. "I'll sneak out when your super daddy isn't looking and help you pick up girls."
Peter was shocked at first, then blushed, and finally almost sprang out of his chair at the words "super daddy."
"Mr. Stark isn't my-"
"He makes your suits, gives you access privileges, supervises your training, cares about your homework, and even restricts your night patrols." Chen Mo counted them off. "If that isn't a super daddy, what is?"
Peter was practically steaming.
"Don't say that in front of Mr. Stark."