Mary rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes."
"Don't give me that look. I'm doing this all for you."
"What do you mean?" Mary·Jian asked, and the two walked out of the community together.
"Think about it. Why do I need to keep my identity secret? Felicia can take care of herself. That girl is very skilled. Uncle Ben and Aunt May may be in danger, but if anyone is stupid enough to cause trouble for them, the whole Avengers will chase them. So, if you are the only one who will be in danger after my identity is exposed."
"Oh, so if Electro kidnaps me, you won't come to rescue me?"
"What? Of course I will!"
"But no Avengers?"
"Well, yes. I told them that the old couple who raised me were in danger, and everyone would be there in a second. But I told them that there was a cute red-haired girl across the street who disappeared, and I doubt they would be so active."
"Hmph!"
Peter laughed, "Sorry, but this is the truth. Steve has a hero complex, maybe it will appear. Tony is particularly soft-hearted towards guys with family members, provided that the family members really care about them. Hawkeye... Well, he is quite weird, but he is definitely a family man. Black Widow and Uncle Ben Aunt May has a personal relationship, and she will help. Only Thor and Hulk will not come. One is an alien god, and the other... well, it is Hulk."
Mary·Jian snorted, "Come on, I don't believe it. I doubt they are that willing to help. Except for you, I really don't think those people would... care. They seem too far away."
Peter smiled proudly, "In fact, I am sure that as long as something happens to Uncle Ben and Aunt May, they will all come."
"Really? How do you know?"
"Where do you think they have been for the past two days?" He raised his eyebrows.
Mary Jane's eyes widened and she stopped. "What?!"
Peter walked into a park with a smile and sat down in a secluded place. He put his backpack aside and told Mary Jane the whole story. Of course, he didn't say any confidential or sensitive information, and only gave her the title page.
After finding out about his father's research, Uncle Ben and Aunt May were kidnapped. They teamed up with Captain America, Black Widow, and S.H.I.E.L.D. to save people, defeated the bad guys, and found out that their father was still alive.
"Wow... this is just... wow." Mary·Jian blinked, completely stunned, "So your dad--"
"Alive and kicking, yes." Peter snorted, "To be honest, I really didn't expect it to be like this. I knew exactly what would happen, I had it all planned, but he... I never expected to find him, Mary, it's like a miracle."
Mary Jane held his hand tightly. "I'm happy for you, Peter. Not everyone can get their parents back."
Peter sighed, "Yeah, maybe you can tell me how to... forget it."
Mary Jane nodded. "I know it will be super embarrassing, but Peter, I know many people are willing to pay for this opportunity."
"Maybe... but I'm not his son." Peter whispered to himself, but she heard it.
"You are his son," she said to him, "You are his son, he is your father... You will take care of it, I know it."
"Really? Why do you say that?"
Mary·Jian smiled, "You are Spider-Man, that's who you are."
Peter sighed, "Mary Jane, do you think it's someone else under the mask? That's me, it's always been me. I can't... I don't transform as soon as I put on that thing."
"No, you are. When you wear it, you are the real Peter·Parker, the real you."
"You really think so?"
Mary·Jian smiled, "I'm sure."
Peter rolled his eyes and said nothing more. The two sat quietly for a while. Finally Mary Jane spoke again, "How about Felicia?"
Peter sighed, "She... she has her own troubles to deal with." He didn't say anything about Felicia's father, that was private.
"What's more important than helping your boyfriend?" Mary Jane snorted.
Peter smiled, "Family issues, Mary Jane, you know what kind of person she is. Believe me, she knows that when she comes out of the trough, she will start to worry about me."
Mary Jane shrugged. "Okay. I'm just saying, if I were your girlfriend, I wouldn't leave you alone."
Peter snorted.
It's so obvious, Mary·Jian.
"Anyway, how are you doing lately? I'm sorry I didn't contact you much during the summer vacation, it's just--"
Mary Jane waved her hand. "Don't mention it, I know. Can I watch the news too? Spider-Man has been very busy in the past two months. Helping clean up the city, by the way, did you rescue a cat from a tree last week?"
"It's a cat, but it's in a building on fire." Peter sighed, "The city has been in chaos since the attack. I and others are doing our best... it will return to normal soon, but I don't know how long it will take."
Mary·Jian shrugged. "You will handle it, you can always handle it."
Peter smiled, "Thank you, Mary Jane. It feels good to know that someone believes in me."
Mary·Jian also smiled.
The two sat quietly, enjoying the breeze.
--
Finally he went home.
I talked to Uncle Ben and Aunt May about Richard and how to get along with him. It was quite a headache, but he felt that he behaved okay.
The next day came quickly.
Peter, Uncle Ben, and Aunt May were waiting at the door, waiting for Richard to arrive.
The door opened, and Richard walked in slowly.
He was wearing a white cotton T-shirt with the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo on it, and his pants were several sizes too big. He was carrying a handbag, and the moment his eyes fell on him--
Peter felt something touched his heart.
"Peter." He smiled.
Peter forced out a smile, "Hey... Dad."
The man put down his bag and came over and hugged him tightly. Peter returned the hug, although it felt a bit awkward. He heard Aunt May sobbing beside her and Uncle Ben comforting her. But those were not tears of sadness, but tears of joy.
They finally moved to the kitchen, and Aunt May almost forced the food into everyone's mouth. Richard ate in silence, just keeping looking at Peter.
It's really embarrassing.
"He is very tall." Richard said with a smile while eating waffles.
"No. I think it's up to Mary's family." Uncle Ben responded with a smile.
"You raised him very well." Richard turned to Aunt May, "Thank you."
"Oh, don't say that." Aunt May smiled at him, "He is his father's son after all. He has never been in trouble since he was a child."
"No, he is Mary's son." Richard's tone was filled with pain, "He may look a bit like me, but he has his mother's heart and her smile."
"What kind of person is she?" Peter found himself suddenly asking, "I... I mean, if you don't mind mentioning her."
"She's your mother, Peter, my thoughts don't matter." Richard chuckled, "Mary...Mary is amazing. Talented and humble, the kind of girl who only comes out once in a hundred years, if you're lucky. When she walks into a room, the whole room lights up."
"She has a bad temper." Aunt May chuckled, "I remember one time, you and her had a fight over where Peter should go to school, and she didn't talk to you for a whole week!"
Richard laughed, "Yes, she insisted on sending him to a private school, but I think public schools are better."
"Why?" Peter asked.
"Well, you are our son, and you are destined to be smart. It is a bit redundant to send you to learn more things. But the only thing your mother and I lack is interpersonal skills. We are not... you know what nerds are like." Richard smiled, "I hope you can make friends and understand the real appearance of the world. Mary... She thinks you can't handle it."
"Then she is wrong." Peter said proudly, "Because I am in a private school now, and I am very good."
Richard and Uncle Ben both laughed, and Aunt May rubbed Peter's hair dotingly.
The meal was finished quickly. Richard took a cup of coffee and sipped it slowly, looking at Peter carefully.
"You really need to stop staring like that." Peter said, "It's a bit scary."
"Hey, I haven't seen you for more than ten years, bear with it." The man smiled. He still looked a little thin and his cheeks were sunken, but that smile made him look a little more energetic.
"Do you know what to do next?" Uncle Ben asked.
"I... I'm not sure." Richard replied, "It's been too long... I don't even have a house."
"You can stay as long as you want." Aunt May told him, "Peter Be good, has the basement been tidied up?"
Peter nodded. "I just packed it up last night, Aunt May. But I kept my laboratory, just in case... Dad wants to use it."
I still can't get used to saying that word.
"Why don't you go take a rest, Rich? I know you need it." Uncle Ben said with a smile, "We can discuss it together as a family in the future."
Richard smiled, "Thanks, Ben." He quickly drank the coffee and stood up.
"Come on, I'll show you the room." Peter walked in front of him and took him to the basement.
He turned on the light, revealing a basement that was much cleaner than before. The bed was covered with clean sheets and the floor had just been mopped.
"That's good, Peter, thank you." Richard smiled and put his handbag with some things on the bed. He looked around and immediately found the laboratory, "Is that yours?"
Peter nodded. "Yes. But I also have a workstation in Baxter Building, so it is not used very often. You can use it if you want."
Richard nodded. "Thank you." He sat down on the bed and looked directly at Peter, "Why didn't you tell them?"
Peter sighed.
He pulled up a chair and sat next to him. "Because they will be scared. Aunt May has a bad heart and can't bear it. As for Uncle Ben... he won't like it, but he will know that it is the right thing to do, and I'm sure it will only make him hate it more."
Richard sighed, "This is not the life your mother and I want you to live, son. This kind of life is too dangerous."
"The greater the ability..."
"... The greater the responsibility." Richard snorted, "Yes, I know. Your grandfather always said this to me. Ben has always agreed, but I... well, I know what power means."
Peter nodded. "Yes, I know you know."
"Did you really destroy it? All of it?" Richard asked.
"Yes."
"You didn't remember?"
"Yes." He didn't hesitate at all. The formula was his biggest secret, and he would never tell anyone, not even his... dad. Damn it, this was so awkward.
"Very good, let it be buried forever." Richard nodded and rubbed his hands nervously. He looked at him, and both of them were silent for a while. Finally he broke the silence, "So, Baxter Building?"
Peter grinned. "Yes, Dad, you need a job, right?"
The man looked surprised, but nodded slowly.
--
The next day.
"Hello, I am Susan." Su smiled and held Richard's hand, "Welcome to Baxter Building."
"Wow." Walking into Fantastic Four's living room, Richard opened his mouth wide and couldn't hide his surprise.
"Well," Peter patted his shoulder, "You'll get used to it."
"Hey, Peter!" Johnny flew in from outside, extinguished the flames and landed in front of Peter, "Hey buddy. Oh, hey Dr. Parker, I'm really surprised to see you here."
"Hello." Richard replied slowly, "Johnny, right?"
"That's right." Johnny grinned, "I don't mean to be rude, but uh, what are you doing here?"
"Well, he needs a job, and I think this might be the best place for him." Peter shrugged, "If you don't go here, you have to go to Osborn or Stark."
"Considering what he has done under Wyndham, he is definitely qualified." Su smiled, "We are in need of an expert who is good at genetics. Now I am the only one doing it. I am really overwhelmed by the paperwork and Foundation management."
"I will try my best." Richard nodded.
"Great, come, let me show you your work area." Su guided him into the corridor leading to the laboratory.
His laboratory is a few doors away from Peter's, and there is enough space for Peter to keep his work private.
"So, your dad is going to work here?" Johnny looked at Su and Richard talking in a low voice, "Are you okay?"
"I'm going crazy, man." Peter admitted, "I really don't know what to do now. I've never seen him in my life, I thought he was dead!"
"Well, I only know that if that was my dad? I would try to spend every second with him." Johnny sighed.
Peter smiled and patted him on the shoulder, "So... do you want to beat up the criminal?"
"Certainly!"
"I'll get the suit." Peter chuckled and ran into his laboratory.
--
After that, Peter has one month of free time.
Richard quickly adapted to his lab in Baxter Building and even taught Su a few things about genetics. He wanted to continue his research, but Peter immediately warned him not to touch it - it was too dangerous, and he agreed.
But Peter keeps itself busy.
People really love seeing Spider-Man hanging around the city, saying it gives them hope that things will get better. The copycats are growing every day, and he tries his best to dissuade them, even yelling on social media that they are putting themselves in danger. But of course they don't listen to him.
Natasha now trains him regularly. His fighting skills are not yet at her level, but they are much closer. When she is away, David is his instructor.
In short, his S.H.I.E.L.D. training is progressing steadily, and he has a feeling that Fury will call him on a mission at any time.
He spent a lot of time with Richard. A few nights, they had dinner alone at Baxter Building. The dinner was a takeaway pizza that he brought over. He was pretty sure that Su would clear the entire rest area every time, because there was The first time he saw Thing trying to sneak into Johnny's laboratory, holding takeout in his hand. He asked Reed what was going on, and the man just smiled and replied, "He is your father, please stay with him more."
He called Qin several times. Apparently Logan had doubled his training volume - because he was upset that he didn't automatically win. Qin kept complaining about this, and Peter and Felicia visited her several times, but each time they didn't stay long.
And his girlfriend was preparing to open a very beautiful safe at the moment.
"So uh, when you asked me if I wanted to come out tonight, that's not what I was thinking about." Peter said to Black Cat while hanging upside down from Silk on the ceiling.
"Well, if you want, we can go have dinner after this." She smiled and attached the laser to the metal box, cutting slowly. It was his invention, a very convenient tool, I have to admit.
"What did this guy do to arouse Black Cat's wrath?" he asked.
"Smuggling blood diamonds." Black Cat replied, "Smuggle them in living bodies. When those mules are useless, he will kill them and throw them into the river."
Peter: "Damn, that's so bad. Do you have evidence?"
"Yes. There are photos and everything."
"Then why didn't you call the police?"
"He has a very powerful lawyer." She said angrily. The box opened, Black Cat smiled, and pulled out a big bag from inside. She opened it, and it was full of diamonds, "It's so beautiful."
"What are you going to do with these diamonds?" Peter asked as the two were crawling through the ventilation duct. Black Cat was leading the way, so he clearly saw the butt twisting in front of him.
"Maybe sell the stolen goods and donate the money to a few charities around the world. You know, the old rules." She climbed out of the vent and onto the roof.
After Peter crawled out, he immediately picked her up and slowly spun her around in a bridal hug posture. "Okay, now that the business is done, do you want to have a romantic night with New York City?"
"Well, I like this." She looked over his shoulder and smiled, "But I don't think they like it."
"Stop!" Several men rushed to the roof, guns spraying flames.
"Bye bye!" Peter hugged Black Cat and jumped off the edge.
"Oooh--!" she screamed in joy.
One of his robotic arms popped out and shot out Silk, swinging them away from danger and away from the bullets.
"You always overreact." He smiled, hugged her tightly, and swung across the city skyline.
"Please, I'm just enjoying the wonderful feeling of swimming through the city." Felicia laughed.
He chuckled, "Well, probably."
He took her to Central Park, landing on the edge of a remote part of the park, away from prying eyes. Then they walked to Metropolitan Museum of Art and climbed to the roof.
When we got there, Felicia took a deep breath.
She saw the picnic basket and blanket.
"Peter, you really don't have to do this."
He shrugged. "Hey, school starts tomorrow, and summer vacation goes by too fast. I think we have to spend a night alone." He sat down and patted the place next to him.
Felicia sat down with a smile. The night was quiet, the sky was clear, and the bright moon cast a silvery glow. He opened the picnic basket and took out a few lunch boxes, which contained homemade lasagna made by Aunt May.
Felicia licked his lips and grabbed a fork. "Is this Aunt May's lasagna?"
He smiled, "Yes."
"Give it to me!" Black Cat grabbed the lunch box and almost sucked the delicious food in, "It's so delicious!"
He smiled and pushed up the lower part of the mask, "You know, if you keep eating like this, I will have to adjust the size of your suit."
"Be careful, sir." She pointed the fork at him threateningly, "I have weapons on my hands that are very dangerous. And did you just call me fat?"
"No, I'm not that stupid." He smiled and took out another box of lasagna and a fork.
"You brought more?"
"I know how much you like Aunt May's craftsmanship." He shrugged and ate his own box, much slower than Felicia, chewing at least.
"Thanks, Spider-Man." She smiled, "So, are you looking forward to the new semester?"
He shrugged. "It's okay, I already have a job, and Uncle Ben and Aunt May are more reasonable."
"My mother is terrible. The only thing she cares about is my grades." Felicia muttered, "Stupid woman."
"Think about it, you'll be free in two years!" He smiled, "Actually, I just thought about it and it's only one year left, right?"
Felicia blinked. "What?"
He smiled and reached out from behind his back to take out a small black box. He handed it to her and Black Cat opened it carefully.
She took a breath when she saw a pair of silver bracelets inside.
"Happy birthday, Xiaomao." He whispered, leaning over to kiss her cheek.
"You... how did you know!" Felicia asked in surprise, "I never told anyone!"
"Yeah, I know. But I asked Reed to hack into the government database and check your birth certificate." He shrugged.
Felicia rolled his eyes. "Or, I don't know, you can ask me directly."
"Will you tell me the truth?" He laughed.
"Yes... no... maybe." Felicia blushed.
"I love you too." He leaned closer to her, "How about it? Try it on."
Felicia nodded and slid the silver bracelets onto her wrists, one in each hand. The bracelets suddenly buzzed and shrank to fit her wrists perfectly.
"What is this?" Felicia asked.
"Well, I know how much you like hanging out in the city, so," he pressed the bracelet, and a small mechanical rod popped out and extended to her palm, "I think you should have your own Silk-Shooter."
"Peter," she exclaimed, "You really don't have to do this."
He shrugged. "Yeah, but I did. So? Give it a try."
Felicia smiled, she took aim, and a Silk shot out of the launcher like a bullet and stuck to a branch.
"I adjusted the setting to rapid fire mode. I think you probably won't need anything else. The Silk inside is enough for you to use for a month, maybe. If it is almost gone, it will--"
She rushed up and kissed him.
He smiled and lay down on his back, holding her with his arms. She pulled away and stepped back, the moonlight shining through her hair, casting a pure halo around her.