Early morning New York exuded an air of freedom, with the scent of saltpeter and burning charcoal lingering in the air.
Adolf Adi Li removed his eye mask and headphones, slowly sitting up from the sofa. Just as he was about to get up and make breakfast, Venom's voice reached his ears.
"Hey, Adolf Adi Li, you're awake? Good timing, I just finished cooking. Come eat."
Adolf Adi Li looked in the direction of the voice and saw Venom sticking its head out, using a tentacle to carry a plate from the kitchen.
"Hi, hi, hi, sandwiches are here."
Placing the sandwich on the coffee table in front of Adolf Adi Li, and then handing him a fork wrapped in a tentacle, Venom looked at Adolf Adi Li with anticipation.
"Eat quickly. I remember you always loved my cooking. I just wonder if my culinary skills have declined after not cooking for so long."
Adolf Adi Li took the fork from Venom's tentacle and glanced at the sandwich in front of him, which was covered in a layer of chocolate. Adolf Adi Li was silent for a moment, then looked up at Venom, who was full of expectation.
"I used to really like your cooking?"
"Yes, what's wrong? I used to do all your cooking."
"Alright."
Adolf Adi Li said nothing, deciding to trust his past self. Maybe it really was delicious?
Mentally prepared, Adolf Adi Li cut off a small piece with a knife and fork and put it in his mouth. The rich taste of cheese and peanut butter instantly burst in his mouth.
How to describe it? It tasted a bit like a Snickers bar.
Adolf Adi Li nodded, giving an objective evaluation: "It's very good, but not too sweet, just right."
Hearing Adolf Adi Li's evaluation, Venom's face immediately broke into a smile: "Hehehe, it seems my cooking skills haven't declined."
Adolf Adi Li ate the sandwich while observing Venom's expression. Recalling what Venom had just said, Adolf Adi Li smiled and said:
"Since that's the case, then from now on, I'll trouble Grandpa Venom with my meals."
Venom, in high spirits, didn't notice anything amiss and immediately nodded in agreement: "No problem, leave it to me."
Adolf Adi Li smiled, taking a bite of the chocolate sandwich in his hand.
"Oh, right, what time is it now? I forgot to set my alarm last night."
Venom recalled the clock he had just seen: "Seven twenty, what's wrong?"
"Seven twenty?"
"Yes."
Adolf Adi Li shook his head and continued eating the sandwich in his hand. Since he couldn't catch the school bus, he would just have to drive. Speaking of which, he remembered that Toby Spider was also late in the movie and almost missed the school bus.
He just didn't know if that would still be the case now, especially since Mary went to pick up Peter for school every day.
After breakfast, Adolf Adi Li wiped his hands with a wet wipe, changed into a presentable outfit, and walked into the garage. Inside was a Cadillac DeVille, a fifteenth birthday gift from the Grandpa who adopted Adolf Adi Li.
"Oh, such an old car."
Hearing Venom's complaint, Adolf Adi Li smiled and explained: "It's only 2002 now. This is already a top-tier car in this era. And I didn't choose it for its appearance, but for its safety.
This is a brand recognized by police worldwide as the most difficult to hijack and the safest. Mine is a custom version, so the safety is even maximized."
Opening the garage door, just as he drove the car out of the garage, Adolf Adi Li saw Peter and Mary standing at Peter's doorstep. Adolf Adi Li sighed in his heart, thinking 'OAA666', then rolled down the window:
"Ladies and gentlemen, what's going on? Is there anything I can help you with?"
Mary and Peter, who were initially sulking, heard Adolf Adi Li's voice and turned to look back. Upon seeing Adolf Adi Li driving a black car, they immediately brightened up and ran over.
"Adolf Adi Li."
Adolf Adi Li smiled and gestured: "Get in, friends. Any later and we'll miss the science fair."
Hearing Adolf Adi Li say this, Mary and Peter didn't hesitate. After sincerely thanking him, they both got into the back of the car.
"You're really going to a lot of trouble for us, Adolf Adi Li."
Peter, wearing his old-fashioned glasses, smiled sheepishly and thanked Adolf Adi Li in the front seat.
Adolf Adi Li started the car and waved dismissively, saying: "Aren't we brothers? It's just giving you a ride, a small matter."
"That's true, but thanks are still due."
Unlike Peter, Mary had been examining the car's interior after giving her thanks. Due to her family circumstances, Mary was very sensitive about money.
Seeing the luxurious interior of Adolf Adi Li's car, out of concern for her friend, Mary earnestly advised:
"Adolf Adi Li, I know you're sad about Grandpa Li's passing, but there are many ways to vent. There's no need to do this. You should save your money for your future."
After Mary finished speaking, Adolf Adi Li, who was driving, and Peter both paused. Mary was different from Peter; although they all lived on the same street, Mary and Adolf Adi Li weren't actually very close.
Mary only knew that Adolf Adi Li was Peter's good brother since childhood and assumed that since they all lived on the same street, their economic situations were similar, so she didn't know that Adolf Adi Li was very rich.
Adolf Adi Li reacted, laughing loudly: "Peter, I thought you had told Mary."
Peter scratched his head awkwardly: "Without your permission, how could I talk about your situation?"
"Hahaha, it's okay Peter, tell Mary. We're all family."
"Okay."
Peter got Adolf Adi Li's permission, turned to Mary, and said with a simple smile:
"Mary, actually, Grandpa Li, who adopted Adolf Adi Li, came from an ancient noble family in Britain, and Adolf Adi Li, as Grandpa Li's adopted child, is the sole and first heir."
After Peter finished, Adolf Adi Li picked up the conversation and continued to add:
"That's right, that's how it is. As for how rich? Let's just say, do you know the biological research institute built in Queens a while ago? I funded its construction.
And your boyfriend, Peter Parker, is a researcher I personally recruited, with a lifelong contract.
Which means, Mary, whether you and Peter will have a good life after you get married depends entirely on how much salary I pay Peter."
"What the f*ck! How rich are you exactly?!"
After hearing Peter and Adolf Adi Li's words, Mary asked the question she most wanted to know.
Adolf Adi Li didn't directly tell Mary the answer, but instead said mysteriously: "Time will tell you the answer."
Mary saw that Adolf Adi Li wasn't going to say, so she turned to Peter.
Peter thought for a moment and said with a smile: "I don't know that, but I remember Harry saying that Adolf Adi Li is richer than his family. Adolf Adi Li holds shares in many known corporations on the market, including Osborn."
"Motherf*cker?!"
Time passed in conversation, so quickly that Mary was still in shock when Adolf Adi Li drove to the science fair.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, we're here. Let's get out. It seems we're a bit faster than the school bus."
Adolf Adi Li parked the car and stood by the roadside, watching the school bus slowly arriving in the distance.
Peter and Mary got out of the car and looked in the direction of Adolf Adi Li's gaze. An indescribable excitement surged in their hearts, a feeling unique to teenagers.
The school bus slowly arrived, and as students disembarked, they all looked at the three of them with surprise.
Mary smoothed her hair, waved to Adolf Adi Li, and ran towards her friends. Adolf Adi Li looked at Peter, who was watching Mary leave, standing there foolishly smiling, and asked with a smile:
"How do you feel?"
Peter watched Mary's retreating figure, savoring the envious glances from his classmates. He knew they were envious of him having a friend like Adolf Adi Li.
"It feels great."
Adolf Adi Li smiled. Although he was only fifteen now, his mental age was far beyond that. In his younger days, he also had the desire to show off in front of others. Looking at Peter now, he could more or less recapture some of that past feeling.
Just as Peter and Adolf Adi Li were talking, Harry's voice came from behind them.
"Adolf Adi Li, Peter."
The two turned around, and Harry met them, putting his arms around their shoulders.
"Hey, brothers, did you sleep well last night?"
"Very well."
As the three chatted happily, a stern voice came from behind them:
"Harry, you forgot your backpack."
Harry looked back at the sound, raising his hand to take the suit from a middle-aged man in a high-end custom suit.
Adolf Adi Li and Peter immediately greeted the middle-aged man politely: "Uncle Norman."
Norman Osborn kindly responded to Peter and Adolf Adi Li: "Hello, children."