Synthesizing web protein requires not only energy but also time.
Ding~
The elevator doors opened, and under the strange gaze of the man inside, Xia Luo stepped in.
Silence.
“Ahem, my name’s O’Neil, I’m studying fashion design,” the man in a suit coughed to break the awkward silence and handed Xia Luo a business card.
Xia Luo patted his suit, “Uh, sorry, I don’t have any pockets.”
O’Neil looked a bit awkward, holding the business card stiffly for a few seconds.
“No problem. Your suit is pretty nice though, looks metallic.”
“Yeah, it’s nanotech—pretty cool, right?”
“Wow, that’s incredible. Is that tech already available?”
“No, I won it in a revival contest.”
“Haha, you’ve got a good sense of humor.”
“That’s what people tend to think, but honestly, I see myself as a serious Spider-Man. Of course, if you think I’m funny, I’ll take it. After all, who can say no to a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man with a sense of humor and strong arms? Oh, and I can also tell you a funny story—have you ever seen a green Godzilla? I raced one just recently—”
“Alright, Mr. Spider-Man, this is the first floor,” O’Neil interrupted, stepping back, now visibly annoyed.
Xia Luo paused, “Sorry, got carried away.” He quickly walked out of the elevator and lightly tapped the spider symbol on his chest, causing the nanometal suit to retract.
He flagged down a taxi by the curb.
“Hey, take me to Queens. Meter, please.”
When Xia Luo got back to Blake Street, it was already early morning.
Before he could pull out his keys, his neighbor from next door opened her window to greet him.
“Xia Luo, you’re back?” The pretty redhead, dressed in a lacy nightgown, waved hello.
Xia Luo looked up, glancing at her outfit.
“Yeah, Mary Jane, you’re up early today.”
“I’m always up early. By the way, where’s my gift?”
“Gift?”
“Yeah, we had such a nice chat over text, and you promised me a lipstick.”
Xia Luo froze.
He patted his pocket, remembering that this phone had been stolen from Norman.
After he had died at the antenna tower last time, Norman had taken his phone.
So…
What had Norman been doing with his phone these past few days?!
A sinking feeling hit Xia Luo.
Sure enough, after brushing off Mary Jane with an excuse, he unlocked his door and entered his house. Inside, Uncle Ben and Aunt May were already having breakfast.
“My little Xia Luo, why didn’t you tell us you were coming home? We missed you so much!” Aunt May pinched his cheek, smiling warmly.
“Xia Luo, where’s our gift?” Uncle Ben asked, turning around with a serious look.
Xia Luo’s eye twitched. Was this family bond really that shallow?
He forced a smile. “The gift’s in my luggage. It’ll be delivered in a few days.”
“Alright, I can’t wait for the scarf you got me,” Aunt May said, her face full of anticipation.
Sitting at the table, Uncle Ben turned, saying seriously, “If you forgot our gifts, don’t bother coming home next time.”
Xia Luo’s face twitched again. Was their relationship really this fragile?
After fabricating a fake story about his travels to satisfy Aunt May’s curiosity, Xia Luo finally made it to his room and pulled out his phone, checking his messages. His expression became more and more incredulous as he scrolled.
A moment later, he let out a long sigh, barely holding back a string of curses.
No doubt about it—he was about to experience a complete social death.
This was the Goblin’s twisted sense of humor.
Xia Luo sighed again and pulled out a small green key from his pocket.
This was what Norman had thrown to him before he died—probably something for Harry.
He’d need to find a way to deliver it.
Thinking of his best friend Harry made Xia Luo’s head hurt.
Fate had once again pitted him against the Goblin. Would Harry eventually become the next Green Goblin?
Xia Luo felt like he had to do something about it.
He tucked away Norman’s key and collapsed onto his bed, falling into a deep sleep.
At 3 p.m., Xia Luo woke up and stood by the window, basking in the sunlight.
Taking a deep breath, he felt recharged and ready for the day.
Whistle~
He gently helped a bird preen its feathers and then glanced at his schedule.
He had lab class today—he’d better head to campus.
Not sure if Norman had taken care of his class absences.
Nah, that guy wasn’t that considerate.
After releasing the bird, Xia Luo grabbed his backpack and headed for the door.
“I’m off to class. Don’t wait for me for dinner.”
After saying goodbye, Xia Luo hopped on his bike and rode into the city.
First, he needed to buy gifts for Aunt May and Uncle Ben.
As for Mary Jane…
Forget it. Money is meant to be shown to women, not spent on them.
Thankfully, he’d gotten plenty of cash from those thugs last night, enough to buy some gifts.
At the gift shop, Xia Luo filled out the delivery address.
Glancing at the time, he realized he only had 20 minutes left—he was running late.
Xia Luo quickly ducked into a nearby alley, tapped his chest, and let the nanometal suit spread over his body.
Climbing up a wall in a flash, he leapt into the air, activating his glider wings and soaring toward Empire State University.
He had graduated from Midtown High earlier that year and had been accepted into Empire State University, which had connections with many superheroes and villains in the Marvel universe.
For example, Dr. Octopus and the Lizard.
Whizz~
Soon, Xia Luo swung into the campus forest park.
The nanotech suit retracted, and Xia Luo straightened his casual clothes as he stepped out of the trees.
“Hey, Xia Luo, you’re looking pretty fit!”
“Yeah, and so pale too.”
Passing by the shade of the trees, a group of senior girls giggled and eyed Xia Luo, before whispering and laughing among themselves.
Xia Luo scowled and silently made his way toward the lab building.
He had some selfies on his phone—pictures he’d taken to show off his muscles when he first became Spider-Man.
Yes, Norman had used his phone to send those pictures to several senior girls.
It had probably spread all over campus by now.
As he walked, some girls boldly blew him kisses, while others shyly glanced his way, or even turned and walked away in embarrassment.
It was a total social death scene.
His classmates watched him like an animal in a zoo, and Xia Luo’s frustration grew.
But the worst was yet to come.
“Xia Luo, stop bothering me. Ordinary guys like you don’t interest me at all. Maybe after you’ve traveled the world and improved yourself, you can come talk to me again.”
A confident, arrogant senior girl gave Xia Luo a dismissive look before flipping her hair and walking away.
Xia Luo clenched his fist, barely resisting the urge to punch something.
This was torture!
“Hey, Xia Luo,” a voice called out.
Xia Luo turned to see a well-dressed, cheerful boy jogging toward him, a strange grin on his face.
“So, you’re into that type, huh? No wonder you’ve been so cold to Mary Jane.” Harry playfully tapped Xia Luo’s chest, waggling his eyebrows.
Xia Luo’s eye twitched, and he pointed at the girl’s retreating figure.
“That’s your wife.”
Harry’s face twisted in anger. “Why are you insulting me?”
“That’s your wife.”
“Stop it! I’ll duel you!”
The two playfully wrestled as they headed into the lab.
Unsurprisingly, the other students in the room gave Xia Luo strange looks when he entered.
Ignoring their whispers, Xia Luo calmly walked over to the experiment station in the corner.
As long as he didn’t feel embarrassed, the only one who was uncomfortable… was still him.
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