It's the Marvel Universe

Looking at the short, scrawny Steve, then at the sturdy, strong Bucky, they really did seem like younger versions of Captain America and Bucky. But Zhang Xuan didn't jump to conclusions just yet—maybe it was just a coincidence, he reassured himself.

"Steve, what did the doctor say? Does Alex have to lie in bed for a few more days?" Bucky, however, hadn't noticed Zhang Xuan's expression. He turned to look at Steve, who barely reached his chest, a faint, peculiar look flickering across his handsome face.

"I'm already fine!" As soon as Zhang Xuan heard this, he threw off the covers and jumped out of bed. No matter where you were, hospitals were the most money-draining places. He was flat broke, and the fact that he'd ended up in one was probably thanks to Steve and Bucky footing the bill. Getting discharged sooner would save them some cash.

But Steve reached out and blocked Zhang Xuan from leaving, saying anxiously, "You just woke up! How could you be better that fast?"

Zhang Xuan was full of gratitude, but he'd rather die than stay in the hospital any longer. Partly because he was genuinely worried about the money, and partly because he had a strong aversion to hospitals—he really didn't want to be stuck in one anymore.

Seeing Zhang Xuan struggling so hard, Steve didn't stop him again and accompanied him out of the hospital. As for the medical bills and such, Zhang Xuan discreetly found out—Steve had indeed paid for them.

"Steve, I'll pay you back soon," Zhang Xuan said after they left the hospital, taking a deep breath. The smell of coal smoke in the air actually seemed more pleasant than the scent of medicine inside.

"No rush!" Steve waved his hand dismissively, then asked, "Alex, where's your home? We'll take you back!"

"Home?" Zhang Xuan repeated, and a home that Alex hadn't returned to in three years suddenly surfaced in his mind. Maybe he should go back and take a look. Thinking this, Zhang Xuan casually gave an address.

After he said it, Zhang Xuan noticed Steve and Bucky staring at him in surprise, as if they doubted him. A little confused, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Can't believe we're actually neighbors," Steve and Bucky exchanged a glance, saying incredulously, "We've grown up in this neighborhood. How come we've never seen you before?"

"We only moved here three years ago. Not long after, she passed away, and I never went back after that." Recalling those three painful years, Zhang Xuan's heart clenched again—for Alex, and for himself.

Steve looked at Zhang Xuan with guilt, silent for a long moment before finally speaking, "Come on, let's go home together!"

After seeing Steve and Bucky off, Zhang Xuan stood in front of what had once been his home, frozen for over half an hour. Finally, he pulled a red string from his chest, with a key hanging from it.

Fingering the key, still warm from his body heat, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath as if he'd made up his mind. He inserted the key into the lock, turned it gently, and with a crisp, slightly stiff click of the lock cylinder, the door that had been sealed for three years opened once more.

Pushing the door open softly, Zhang Xuan stepped inside. No one had lived here for three years, and the room was covered in dust and cobwebs. Every movement stirred up a miniature "sandstorm," making Zhang Xuan cough several times.

Once he'd finally adjusted to the dusty environment, Zhang Xuan looked around, carefully taking in everything in the room.

It was a living room. An old black leather sofa, a cabinet, a long table, a few chairs, and a broken pendulum clock in the corner. The living room connected to an open kitchen, where a few cooking utensils were neatly arranged in the cramped space. Next to it was a glass cabinet holding several sets of dishes.

On the other side of the living room were two doors—one to Alex's room, and one to his mother's.

Standing still for a long moment, Zhang Xuan started moving. He didn't want to abandon this home. He would clean it up and welcome his new life.

After three hours of hard work, Zhang Xuan finally stopped. The once dusty, cobwebbed home was now spotless. He slumped onto the sofa, turned his head, and looked at a photo frame on the cabinet. In it stood two people: a woman with a gentle, sweet smile and a half-grown boy. Zhang Xuan smiled faintly and said, "Mom, I'll live well."

Returning to 1940, Zhang Xuan didn't feel much regret. He was full of sympathy for Alex and had accepted Alex's identity. He also felt deep respect for the sweet-smiling woman in the photo—she had raised Alex alone and built up a decent family fortune. She was a great woman, worthy of his admiration.

Just as Zhang Xuan was lost in thought, a knock on the door suddenly reached his ears.

"Who's looking for me?" Zhang Xuan wondered, but he still got up from the sofa. Opening the door, he was surprised to see the two people standing there. "Why are you two here?"

"Haven't had dinner yet, right? Come with us!" Bucky slung an arm around Steve's shoulder and, without letting Zhang Xuan refuse, dragged him out.

On the way, Bucky eagerly laid out his plan, very excited: "After dinner, we can catch a movie—Waterloo Bridge. I've been looking forward to it for ages! Vivien Leigh, my absolute favorite!"

Waterloo Bridge, Vivien Leigh. Hearing these familiar names, Zhang Xuan suddenly smiled. "Maybe I could try my luck in Hollywood." With a seventy-year head start and having seen countless films, Zhang Xuan believed he could make a name for himself in Hollywood.

Dinner was simple, because all three of them had their minds on the movie later. Steve and Bucky wanted to see Vivien Leigh, while Zhang Xuan wanted to see what movies from this era were like. Only by understanding it fully could he decide if he could make it in Hollywood.

At the cinema, it was already packed. After a lot of effort, they finally found their seats and sat down, full of anticipation.

"When does the movie start?" After waiting a while and seeing no sign of the film, Zhang Xuan was puzzled.

"Not yet," Steve said without turning his head, his eyes fixed intently on the screen ahead.

The screen showed some black-and-white images, but they weren't from the movie—they looked more like a recruitment ad. World War II had already broken out in 1940, and though the U.S. hadn't officially declared war on Germany yet, pre-war mobilization had already begun.

Zhang Xuan naturally had no interest in that. He turned his head to look around, scanning the small theater packed with people, and felt a strange sense of pride. Someday, you'll all be watching my movies.

The movie ended, and two hours had quietly passed. A crescent moon hung in the sky, and the heat of the day had been blown away by the cool night breeze, even bringing a hint of chill.

Walking out of the theater, the three of them were silent. A tragic, sorrowful love story had dampened all their spirits.

"Come on, let's go drink!" After walking along the street for a while, Bucky suddenly spoke.

In the past, Steve would have objected, but today he didn't. He just nodded in agreement. Zhang Xuan hadn't expected a movie to hit him so hard, and he wanted a drink to lighten his mood too.

They found a nearby bar, walked in, ordered drinks, and found a corner to sit down. They drank slowly, no one speaking, still immersed in the film.

"If I were Roy, I wouldn't have left back then. I'd have married Myra no matter what!" Bucky downed a few drinks, saying gloomily.

Steve also sympathized with Myra's tragic fate, but he disagreed with Bucky. "When it comes to the nation, personal feelings have to be set aside. Roy was a soldier. A soldier's duty is to obey orders—how could he defy military command?"

Watching the two argue, Zhang Xuan tipped his head back and downed a glass of wine, saying in a low voice, "If there were no war, none of this tragedy would have happened. Roy and Myra would have lived happily together."

"War. I hate war." Thinking of the just-erupted World War II and his father who died in World War I, Steve's expression twisted with anger.

"Hey, I heard the new Stark Expo is about to start. You guys interested in going together?" Seeing Steve's expression turn sour, Bucky quickly changed the subject.

"Stark Expo?" Zhang Xuan asked in surprise, his eyes going a little blank.

"Yeah, the Stark Industries Expo. There'll be all kinds of cool, fun stuff. Let's all go together!" Bucky didn't notice Zhang Xuan's expression, rambling on. "I also heard that Mr. Howard Stark is planning to invite Vivien Leigh to the Expo!"

"Howard Stark. It really is him." Hearing the name come out of Bucky's mouth, the last shred of hope in Zhang Xuan's heart vanished completely. Only one thought remained: This world really is the Marvel Universe!