Chapter 33: Chapter Thirty-Two: The Antique and the New Generation

“So you’ve decided to intern at Stark Industries?” Shi Le asked.

Peter took a big sip of porridge, bit into a sausage, and chewed as he said: “Yes, that way I can explain where my money came from—I told my uncle that Stark Industries wants to buy out my employment rights, offering me a large upfront payment and covering my college tuition.”

“Did your uncle believe you?”

Peter said: “Actually, Uncle Ben always knew I was a top student with some genius-level intellect. Now that I’ve finally gotten this chance, he’s thrilled for me.”

“But…” Peter set down his bowl, looking slightly embarrassed. “Mr. Shi Le, could I stay at your place for a few days? Our house is old and falling apart. After my uncle and Aunt May get this money, they plan to do some repairs—after all, the recent rain made chunks of the exterior plaster fall off. They’ll stay with some old classmates, but I’m almost an adult, and it’s awkward for me to tag along.”

“I’m happy to have you stay,” Shi Le said. “But doesn’t Stark Industries provide housing? It’s quite a distance from here.”

Peter sighed. “But Stark Industries is even farther from Gwen’s place.”

Shi Le smiled. “I bet you tried to crash at Gwen’s and got turned down, so you came here.”

Peter’s face flushed instantly. “I’d never make such an unreasonable request—I’d never say something like that to Gwen.”

“You’re too reserved for an American,” Shi Le said, taking a sip of porridge.

Before their breakfast was finished, Steve burst in jogging, sweat glistening on his forehead—he’d clearly run all the way. He stepped inside and immediately caught the scent of Shi Le’s porridge. He patted his stomach. “Man, this beats the SHIELD cafeteria by miles.”

Shi Le pointed to the kitchen. Steve helped himself to porridge. Peter kept glancing back, chewing like a hamster with a mouth full of sweetness, then leaned out and whispered to Shi Le:

“Who’s that? He’s ridiculously handsome—stronger than my high school’s football captain.”

Shi Le said: “Obviously, he’s the guy who punched Stark. Of course, he originally came to punch you—for hanging around New York’s skies all day.”

Peter choked. As Steve walked over with his bowl, Peter subtly slid his chair sideways.

The current Spider-Man couldn’t possibly beat Captain America, and Peter knew his limits—he knew his flashy behavior had angered plenty, and he wasn’t the only one who wanted to knock him down.

Stark was one who could make him pay. Now it looked like this big guy was another—he’d punched Stark, so he must be a top-tier fighter.

The moment Steve’s gaze landed on Peter, Peter jumped up like he’d been shocked. “I’ll pack the porridge into a lunchbox—I’m taking it to Matt at the hospital.”

“I’d advise against going now,” Shi Le said. “Don’t you remember last time you showed up early and saw Matt and his girlfriend lying in the same bed? How awkward was that?”

Peter’s face turned red again. He mumbled: “It’s a hospital, and Matt’s still injured—they’re just being a little crazy…”

Steve swallowed two more sips of porridge, then asked Shi Le: “Is this Matt one of the good people you mentioned?”

Shi Le nodded. “I can’t even call him a ‘good person.’ He’s a hero. A true hero.”

Shi Le briefly recounted Matt’s life story. Steve sighed. “Maybe I’m not as good as him. When I was still just an ordinary man, I saw plenty of injustice—but I lacked the courage to stop it. I knew I couldn’t beat those people, and getting hurt would hurt badly.”

Shi Le said: “Avoiding danger and seeking benefit is human nature. That’s why those who march against the wind deserve more respect.”

After Peter went to pack his things, Steve asked: “This kid doesn’t look like he has any superpowers. Even in my time, guys didn’t turn as red as pizza when talking about their girlfriends.”

While Peter was away, Shi Le lowered his voice: “It’s not just the girlfriend that’s making him nervous. His father-in-law is the chief of the New York Police Department.”

Steve grinned. “You said he was lucky. I think he’s in over his head with a father-in-law like that.”

After Peter delivered the food to Matt and returned, Shi Le wasn’t in the clinic. Steve sat alone at the bar, fiddling with an old record player.

Though outdated by today’s standards, in Steve’s time this was still a novelty—he didn’t know how to insert the disc.

Peter said: “Don’t yank that door like that—you’ll break it. Give me the disc, I’ll put it in.”

Steve handed him the player. “The doctor went to give that damn Stark psychological therapy. How old are you? Almost done with high school?”

Peter adjusted the record player while shaking his head. “Not yet. I’m only in sophomore year.”

“I heard from Shi Le that you got lucky—gained some special abilities.”

But Peter snorted. “Lucky? Maybe I thought so before, but now I’m not so sure.”

“You’re more mature than I expected. I thought you’d brag or show off right away.”

“A month ago I would’ve. Here, you just press the top button—it’ll play. Not many people know how to use these anymore. My uncle has one too, so I learned how.”

Steve pressed the button and smiled. “Can you use a vinyl record player? I’m more familiar with those.”

Peter shook his head. “Those are ancient. I saw one once at my uncle’s coworker’s house—it kept skipping. Nobody could fix it.”

“You could take it. I’ll fix it. I’m good at this. In the army, these things were treasures—if they broke, everyone would wail.”

“You’re a soldier? I figured—you’re incredibly strong. Probably a sergeant major, right?” Peter said.

“Sergeant major? Close enough. I led a special operations team on missions.”

Peter perked up. “You’re special forces? What unit? SEALs? Delta?”

Steve smiled. “We called ourselves the Patriots. But you’ve probably heard a louder name.”

Peter was curious. “What’s that?”

“Captain America and his friends.”

Peter’s mouth dropped open, his eyes wide. “You were on Captain America’s team? Holy crap! That was nearly a hundred years ago—you…”

“Oh, right—Captain America wasn’t ordinary. Someone among them must’ve survived to now. So you know him? Oh my god…”

Peter dashed into the back room, rummaged through his backpack, and pulled out a figurine.

“Look—this is the latest cap from the soda company’s collab. I drank two full cases to get it. It’s the only one with a shield. The other day at the party, everyone was jealous—it’s way cooler than breakdancing.”

Steve squinted at the tiny figurine, took it, turned it over, and noticed the head moved. He gently tugged it—and yanked too hard. The head snapped off with a click. Peter screamed and lunged to snatch it back.

“Oh no, it’s broken!! Glue! I need glue! I spent two whole months collecting this!!”

“Sorry… I didn’t know these things were fragile,” Steve said. “I thought the head was meant to move.”

“Oh, it’s fine. If you’re really from seventy or eighty years ago, toys back then were sturdier—like LEGO. Did they even have LEGO back then?”

Seeing Peter wasn’t angry, Steve realized Shi Le’s description of the kid wasn’t quite right. He was a bit loud and immature, but he could handle responsibility.

He said: “You should look closer at the figurine’s head. Doesn’t it look familiar?”

Peter picked up the head. Admittedly, the figurine was poorly made, but the carving was detailed.

Steve stared at the tall boy, glanced down at the statue, then back at Peter, then down again, then up—his eyes widened, his jaw dropped so far it looked ready to unhinge.

Shi Le walked in carrying Pikachu, just in time to see this scene. Pikachu waved its tiny arms in his arms. “Looks like we came back at a bad time—interrupting Jack and Rose’s long-awaited reunion…”

Shi Le rubbed its face. “Told you to watch fewer romance movies.”

Peter turned to Shi Le, stammering: “He’s… I mean… he, that…”

Shi Le pressed the record player button. A soft old song played. He patted Steve’s shoulder. “Captain, he clearly wants proof. I see what he’s thinking.”

The Captain tapped the bar counter. “Where’s my proof?”

Natasha’s sweet voice came from inside: “Coming.”

Before Peter could react, a rush of wind sent a bright red-and-blue shield with a star in the center flying through the door. Steve caught it in one hand. Peter stared, wide-eyed. “That’s awesome!”

Outside the door, Natasha leaned against the frame, lazily saying: “Welcome back, Captain.”

Steve patted the shield. “You planned this.”

Shi Le said to Natasha: “Save the sentimental stories for later. Two days’ medical fees: five million dollars. When’s it arriving?”

Steve glanced at him. “You really plan to charge that much?”

“Otherwise, why let you install listening devices and eat my food for free? Because you’re Captain America?”

“I thought we were friends.”

“Of course we’re friends. If we weren’t, five million dollars here would buy you one breakfast.”

“Same price for Stark?” Steve asked.

“Next time, I’ll charge him double.”

Steve immediately turned to Natasha. “Pay him. And add a ten percent tip.”