Peter continued to observe the apartment using the zoom function of the helmet. Sitting at the dining table was an older blond woman, another woman - probably Diana, and a young blond girl.
That young blond girl was simply a replica of his Felicia. Felicity Hardy... This was too weird. He tried hard to suppress the memory of being forcibly kissed by her, and there was an urge to burn this memory in his mind.
But that older woman, Felicia... she still looks stunningly beautiful. The way she smiles, the lines around her eyes...
He forced himself to look away.
He wanted to rush into that apartment, hug her, and kiss her with all his strength. He wanted to take her away, and he wanted to cry and tell her that he forgave her. But he knew that she was not his Xiaomao, and she could never be his Felicia Hardy.
So the best option is to do nothing.
Peter merged into the night again, wandering far away in the unfamiliar city.
This is all too heavy. Is it so difficult to live the life of an ordinary teenager? Why does he have to face these interdimensional shit?
He went all the way back to Queens, trying hard to suppress the memory of that kiss through the long journey. Sassy called up the student file of Felicity - and sure enough, she also read Midtown High School.
When he got home, Old Peter, Mei and Mary Jane were all waiting for him, looking anxious.
"Peter!" Mei shouted, "You are finally back!"
Peter closed the door. "Sorry for coming back late. The police were too slow to dispatch."
"Are you okay?" Mary·Jian asked.
"It's okay. Come on, I've even beaten Magneto. A small street robber is nothing. Besides, in the end, Scarlet Spider took care of it, so Mei and I didn't have to fight at all."
Hearing him mention Scarlet Spider, Mei snorted heavily.
Does she know anything?
Old Peter breathed a sigh of relief, "I hope you're safe. Come on, let's eat, I'm starving to death."
Peter murmured and nodded.
That night, Peter was getting ready to go to bed when there was a knock on the door. Old Peter walked in.
"What's wrong?"
"I heard that you stood up as soon as the robbers appeared?" Old Peter leaned against the door frame.
"Yeah. What's wrong?"
"Didn't you say you don't want to be a hero?" Old Peter raised his eyebrows.
"I'm not wearing a uniform." Peter retorted in a low voice, "I'm just doing what I should do, protecting my daughter. That's all."
"You can deny it all you want, but I know who you are."
"No, you don't understand me."
Old Peter smiled, "I understand." He walked to the bed and sat down, patting the seat next to him. Peter sat over.
"I know our experiences are different. I was driven by my uncle's death, pushed by guilt and pain. But that's not the only reason I did what I did."
"What is that?"
Old Peter smiled, "Because I can. Because every time I put on that suit, I know I'm doing the right thing. Look, I know you and I have different ideas and different dreams. But if your ability can make the world a better place, shouldn't you at least give it a try?"
Peter was silent. The words spoken by the real Peter·Parker kept echoing in his mind.
Old Peter bent down, pulled out a box from the side, opened the lid, and revealed the contents.
"If you change your mind—" he stood up and walked toward the door, "Feel free to use it."
He walked out. Peter's eyes were glued to the box.
That was the original suit of Peter·Parker. The real suit, not the one he made himself.
Peter sighed.
Maybe... maybe he doesn't have to put it on now.
He stuffed the suit and Silk-Shooter into his schoolbag.
He doesn't want to lie to himself. It's really interesting to be Spider-Man... Maybe he should stop pretending that he doesn't want to be that person. So, keep it with you for now.
At noon the next day, in the cafeteria.
"Then the new Spider-Man rushed out, kicked the bastard over, and ran away!" Dani sat on his seat and gestured excitedly, "That's so cool!"
Nancy rolled his eyes. "That's okay."
"Did you really see Scarlet Spider?" Brad was skeptical.
"I saw it! If you don't believe me, ask Bruce and Mei, they were also there." Dani pointed at Peter and Mei. Neither of them said a word.
"So?" J. J. asked, "May, is she telling the truth?"
Mei cleared her throat. "It's true."
"Great! We have another Spider-Man!" said the big guy Moose, "Is she cooler than Spider-Girl?"
"How is that possible!" Mei immediately shouted, "She is just a fake!"
"You can't say that, Mei." A strange voice interrupted.
A girl wearing jeans and a green top with platinum blond hair walked up to their table with a provocative smile. Her facial features were somewhat similar to Felicia.
"Some people would say that this new Spider-Man has completely reached a new level."
Peter's heart skipped a beat.
Yes, Felicity Hardy also attends this school.
"Hey, long time no see! Have you heard?" Dani smiled and gave up his seat, and Felicity sat down, just opposite Peter.
"You mean Scarlet Spider saved you? Yes, I heard about it." Felicity said in a proud tone, "I also heard that if she hadn't come here, Mei's cousin would have been stabbed to death."
Peter raised his eyebrows. "I can protect myself, Felicity."
Felicity was stunned. Mei was also surprised. "Do you know each other?"
Peter smiled, "That's right." He leaned forward, supported his chin with his hand, and gave her a meaningful smile, "Speaking of which, there is a follow-up to that incident."
"What follow-up?" Nancy asked suspiciously.
"I mean -" Peter deliberately stared at Felicity, "After you guys left, Scarlet Spider ran back again. Then, she kissed me."
"What?!" Mei shouted, her eyes instantly shot to Felicity. The latter's face turned red.
It turns out that Mei knows the true identity of Scarlet Spider.
"Brother! Are you serious?!" Brad shouted.
Peter nodded. "It's absolutely true. I guess she wanted me to thank her properly, so she pushed me to the ground and kissed me."
"Wow..." Dani opened his eyes wide, "How is her technique?"
"Dani!" Felicity's face turned redder.
"What's wrong? I just want to know!" Dani said confidently.
"What's going on?" Brad also came over, a group of teenagers all with curious faces.
Peter smiled, "Well..." He deliberately prolonged his voice, everyone moved closer, and even Mei looked curious, "This is the worst kissing experience in my life."
"What?!" Felicity slapped his hands on the table and stood up, his whole face blushing terribly, "What do you mean?!"
Peter shrugged. "That's the literal meaning. The kiss was terrible, like kissing a horse, with tongues flicking around and lips colliding. I thought it was her first kiss... wait a minute," he pretended to shudder, "Maybe it was really the first kiss. God, I feel a little guilty."
"Impossible!" Felicity shouted, everyone stared at her, "How could that be her first kiss!"
"Why are you so sure, Felicity?" Nancy narrowed his eyes.
"That's it, Felicity, why are you so sure?" Mei also smiled and supported.
"Because, because, I mean, she is a superhero." Felicity swallowed, "She must be... experienced."
Peter sneered, "Even if she is a superhero, she is the worst kisser I have ever encountered in my life."
Felicity's face turned red and she wanted to find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.
Peter snickered in her heart. Now it's better, she probably won't want to kiss him again.
One week later.
"So, Tracy is with Tony again?!" Dani exclaimed in a low voice, "Didn't they just break up a month ago?"
Nancy nodded. "Reunited."
Mei hummed. "If a man dumped me like Tony did to Tracy, I wouldn't even say a word to him."
"You are young, and love is hard to explain." Dani shrugged and turned to look at Peter, "What's wrong with you, Bruce? Are we bored talking?"
Peter came back to his senses. "Sorry, I don't know the person you are talking about at all. Besides, I never like to gossip."
Mei rolled her eyes. "Really? Then--"
"Mei!" Felicity suddenly rushed over, his face turned pale and his eyes were filled with fear.