“So, you’ve decided to intern at Stark Industries?” Schiller asked.
Peter took a big gulp of porridge, bit into a sausage, and chewed as he said, “Yes, this way I can explain where I got the money from. I told Uncle Ben that Stark Industries wanted to buy out my employment opportunity, and not only would they give me a large sum of money in advance, but they would also cover my college tuition.”
“Did your Uncle Ben believe you?”
Peter said, “Actually, Uncle Ben always knew that I had good grades and a bit of a genius mind. Now that I’ve finally gotten an opportunity, he’s very happy for me.”
“But…” Peter put down his bowl and said somewhat sheepishly, “Mr. Schiller, I’d like to stay with you for a few days. Our house is a bit old and in disrepair. After Uncle Ben and Aunt May get this money, they want to renovate the house a bit. After all, the rain a few days ago even made the exterior wall paint peel off. They’ll stay with their old classmates, but I’m almost an adult, so it’s a bit inconvenient.”
“You’re very welcome to stay,” Schiller said. “But doesn’t Stark Industries’ internship provide accommodation? It’s quite far from Stark Industries here.”
Peter sighed and said, “But Stark Industries is even farther from Gwen’s house.”
Schiller smiled and said, “I bet you tried to stay at Gwen’s house and failed, that’s why you came to me.”
Peter’s face flushed instantly. He said, “How could I make such an unreasonable request? I would never say something like that to Gwen.”
“You’re really not like an American with how conservative you are,” Schiller said, also taking a sip of porridge.
Before they finished breakfast, Steve jogged in, a fine sweat on his forehead, clearly having run all the way. As soon as he entered, he smelled the aroma of Schiller’s porridge. He rubbed his stomach and said, “I’d say, old man, this is much better than S.H.I.E.L.D.’s cafeteria.”
Schiller pointed to the kitchen, and Steve went to ladle porridge himself. Peter kept looking back and forth, chewing his food like a hamster, then poked his head out and whispered to Schiller:
“Who is that? He looks really handsome, even stronger than my high school football Captain.”
Schiller said, “Obviously, he’s the one who beat up Stark. Of course, he was originally going to beat you up because you’re always swinging around New York.”
Peter choked. When Steve walked over with his bowl, Peter subtly moved his chair to the side.
Little Spider couldn’t possibly beat Captain America right now, and Peter was clearly self-aware. He also knew that his high-profile behavior had annoyed many people, and he wasn’t the only one who wanted to beat him up.
Stark was one who could make him take a beating, and now it seemed this strong man should also be one. After all, he could beat Stark, so he must be an expert.
As soon as Steve’s gaze fell on Peter, Peter jumped up as if electrocuted and said, “I’ll put the porridge in a lunchbox and take it to Matt at the hospital later.”
“I advise you not to go now,” Schiller said. “Did you forget how awkward it was last time you went in the morning and saw Matt and his girlfriend lying in the same bed?”
Peter’s face turned red again. He mumbled, “That’s a hospital, and Matt’s injury isn’t healed yet. They’re really a bit crazy…”
Steve silently took two sips of porridge, then asked Schiller, “Is that Matt also one of the good people you mentioned?”
Schiller nodded and said, “I can’t even describe him as just a good person. He’s a hero, a true hero.”
Schiller briefly told Steve about Matt’s life. Steve sighed and said, “Perhaps I’m not as good as him, because when I was an ordinary person, even though I couldn’t stand many things, I didn’t have the courage to stop them, because I knew I couldn’t beat those people, and getting injured would definitely hurt a lot.”
Schiller said, “Seeking advantages and avoiding harm is human nature, so those who push forward against the wind are more worthy of respect.”
After Peter went to pack his things, Steve asked, “This kid doesn’t look like he has any superpowers at all. You know, even in my era, no one would blush like a pizza when talking about a girlfriend.”
While Peter wasn’t around, Schiller lowered his voice and said, “Just a girlfriend isn’t enough to make him so troubled. His father-in-law is the Director of the New York City Police Department.”
Steve bared his teeth and said, “Didn’t you say he was a lucky kid? I don’t think he can handle a father-in-law like that.”
By the time Peter returned after delivering food to Matt, Schiller wasn’t in the clinic. Steve was sitting alone at the bar, fiddling with an old record player.
Although it was an old record player for this era, in Steve’s time, it was still a new gadget, so he didn’t quite know how to put the disc in.
Peter said, “You can’t pull that hatch like that, you’ll break it. Give me the disc, I’ll help you put it in.”
Steve handed him the disc player and said, “That Doctor went to give that damned Stark a psychological evaluation. How old are you this year? Are you about to graduate high school?”
Peter shook his head while fiddling with the record player and said, “Not yet, I just started my sophomore year of high school.”
“I heard from Schiller that you’re very lucky and gained some special abilities.”
But Peter pouted and said, “Lucky? Maybe I thought so before, but now it seems not entirely.”
“You’re a bit more mature than I imagined. I thought you’d boast or be eager to show something off.”
“I would have done that a month ago. Alright, here you go. Now you just need to press that button on top, and it can play. Not many people use these things anymore. My Uncle Ben happens to have one, that’s why I know how to use it.”
Steve pressed a button and smiled, “Then do you know how to use a vinyl record player? I’m more familiar with that.”
Peter shook his head and said, “That thing is really too old. I once saw one at my Uncle Ben’s colleague’s house, but the vinyl record always got stuck when put on, and no one could fix it.”
“Then you can ask for it. I’ll fix it. I’m very good at that. In the army, these things were treasures. If they broke, there would be wails of despair.”
“You’re a soldier? But I can see it, you’re really strong. You should be at least a Sergeant Major, right?” Peter said.
“Sergeant Major? Something like that. I have a special operations team under me, and I lead them on missions.”
Peter then became interested. He said, “You’re a special forces soldier? What unit do you belong to? SEALs? Or Razor?”
Steve smiled and said, “We like to call ourselves the Patriots, but you should have heard a louder name.”
Peter was curious. He said, “What is that?”
“Captain America and his friends.”
Peter’s mouth dropped open, his eyes wide. He said, “You were once part of Captain America’s team? Oh my God! That must have been almost 100 years ago. You guys…”
“Oh, yes, indeed, Captain is not an ordinary person. Someone among them must have lived to this day. So you know Captain? Oh my goodness…”
Peter scurried into the back room, pulled out his backpack, rummaged through it, and pulled out a figurine. He said:
“Look, this is their latest bottle cap figurine in collaboration with the soda company. I drank two whole cases of soda just to get this. It’s the only one of all the designs that has a shield. At the party the other day, everyone was so envious of me. This is much more attention-grabbing than doing a breakdance or something.”
Steve narrowed his eyes, looking at the tiny figurine. He took it and turned it, noticing that the figurine’s head seemed to move. He gently wiggled it with his finger, but seemed to use too much force, and the little figure’s head snapped off. Peter cried out and rushed to snatch it back.
“Oh my god, it’s broken!! Glue! I need glue! It took me two whole months to collect this!!”
“I’m sorry, um…” Steve said, “I haven’t played with these things before. I thought it was supposed to move.”
“Oh, it’s okay. If you really are from seventy or eighty years ago, then toys back then were indeed much sturdier than now. Like Lego or something, they should have had Lego back then, right?”
Steve saw that Peter wasn’t angry, and he felt that Schiller’s description of this kid wasn’t entirely accurate. Although he was a bit boisterous and childish, he could indeed handle great responsibilities.
He said, “I think you should take a closer look at that little toy’s head. Doesn’t it look a bit familiar?”
Peter picked up the small figurine’s head with some confusion. It had to be said that although the figurine’s quality wasn’t great, the carving was very detailed.
Then Steve looked at the big boy opposite him, looked down at the statue, then up at him, then down at the statue again, then up at him again, and then his eyes gradually widened, and his mouth opened so wide his jaw could dislocate.
When Schiller just returned holding Pikachu, he encountered such a scene. Pikachu, waving his short little hands in his arms, said, “It seems we’ve come back at the wrong time, interrupting Jack and Rose’s long-awaited reunion…”
Schiller rubbed its face and said, “I told you to watch fewer romance movies.”
Peter then turned his gaze to Schiller, stammering as he sought confirmation: “He is… I mean… him, that…”
Schiller pressed the button on the record player, and a melodious old song played. He patted Steve’s shoulder and said, “Captain, it seems he really wants you to show him proof. Yes, I understand what he means.”
The Captain tapped the bar counter and said, “Where’s my proof?”
Natasha’s pleasant voice came from inside: “Coming right up.”
Before Peter could react, after a whoosh, a shining red and blue shield with a five-pointed star in the middle flew in. Steve caught the shield with one hand. Peter stared intently and said, “Cool!”
Outside the door, Natasha leaned against the doorframe and said somewhat lazily, “Welcome back, Captain.”
Steve patted the shield and said, “It seems you were well prepared.”
Schiller said to Natasha, “Alright, the sentimental old stories can wait. Two days of consultation fees, a total of 5 million U.S. dollars. When will it be transferred?”
Steve glanced at him and said, “You’re really going to charge that much?”
“Otherwise, why would I let you install listening devices and freeload meals here? Is it because you’re Captain America?”
“I thought we were friends,” Steve said.
“Of course, if we weren’t friends, 5 million U.S. dollars would only buy one breakfast here.”
“Do you charge Stark the same price?” Steve asked.
“Next time, I’ll charge him double.”
Steve immediately turned to Natasha and said, “Pay up, and also give an extra 10% tip.”