Ch.32 Antiques and the New Generation

"You decide to intern with Stark Industries?" Schiller inquires.

Peter, in the midst of enjoying his porridge and taking a bite of sausage, "Yeah. It offers a reasonable explanation for the money I possess. I've told my uncle that Stark Industries wishes to secure my future employment, promising a substantial upfront payment and taking care of my collegiate tuition."

"Does your uncle believe you?"

Peter replies, "In truth, my uncle has always recognized my academic prowess and a certain ingenuity latent within me. Now, presented with this opportunity, he is thoroughly elated on my behalf."

"Yet..." Setting down his bowl with a hint of sheepishness, Peter entreats, "Mr. Schiller, I seek your hospitality for a few days. My uncle and aunt take this money to renovate our old house.. The recent rains even strip the facade of its outer surface. My uncle and Aunt May stay with old classmates, yet with imminent adulthood, my presence may cause a bit inconvenience."

Schiller welcomes him heartily, "It's my welcome. But doesn't Stark Industries offer lodging? It is situated at a considerable distance from here."

Peter exhales, mentioning, "It does, but even more far from Gwen's home ."

Schiller, masking a chuckle, wagers, "I bet you approach Gwen for accommodations and, upon denial, seek my refuge."

Red flushes Peter's cheeks as he protests, "No! Why would I have that thought - I won't ask Gwen with such a request!"

Schiller, sipping his porridge, teases, "As an American,you are too conservative ."

Their meal not fully savored, enter Steve, with some beads on his brow, signifying a run well taken. His nostrils, greeted by Schiller's aromatic porridge, instinctively pat his abdomen, "Old friend, you made are a hundred times better than S.H.I.E.L.D.'s canteen ."

Schiller points toward the kitchen, prompting Steve to serve himself. Peter, ever so often peering back with cheeks bulging like a hoarding hamster, whispers to Schiller,

"Who is that? He looks so handsome, outmatching even the captains of my high school football teams in stature."

"Obviously, that man is the one who delivers Stark a good smacking. Indeed, it is his intention to confront you initially, because you swing across New York's all day."Schiller elucidates and Peter chokes for a moment.

Steve, with a bowl, approaches as Peter subtly shifts his chair aside.

Clearly, it is impossible for Spider-Man to beat Captain America. Peter is clearly aware of his capabilities and also knows that his previous arrogant behavior has angered many people, more than just one or two who want to teach him a lesson.

And one person who has the ability to beat him is Stark. Now it seems like this strong guy can as well. If he manages to beat Stark, he must be a skilled fighter.

Just as Steve looks at Peter, Peter jumps up as if he has been electrocuted and says, "I'm going to pack some porridge in a lunchbox and bring it to Matt at the hospital later."

"I advise you not to go now," Schiller says, "You forget that last time when you went in the morning, you saw Matt and his girlfriend lying on the same bed? How awkward is that?"

Peter blushes again, mutters, "But it's a hospital, and Matt's injury hasn't healed yet. They are just a little crazy..."

Steve silently drinks two mouthfuls of porridge and then asks Schiller, "Is this Matt also one of the good guys you mentioned?"

Schiller nods and says, "I can't even describe him as a good guy. He is a hero, a true hero."

Schiller briefly explains Matt's story to Steve, and Steve sighs, "Maybe I can't compare to him. When I was just an ordinary person, although I couldn't stand many things, I didn't have the courage to intervene. Because I knew I couldn't beat those people, and getting hurt would definitely be painful."

Schiller says, "It's human nature to seek benefits and avoid harm, so those who go against the wind deserve more respect."

After Peter finishes packing his things, Steve asks, "This kid doesn't look like he has any superpowers at all. I mean, even in my time, I wouldn't blush like a pizza when talking about a girlfriend."

While Peter is not present, Schiller lowers his voice, "Having just a girlfriend wouldn't be enough to make him so embarrassed. His father-in-law is the chief of the New York City Police Department."

Steve grins and says, "Didn't you say he's a lucky kid? I don't think he can handle such a father-in-law."

When Peter returns after delivering the meal to Matt, Schiller isn't in the clinic. Steve is sitting alone at the bar, playing with a vintage record player.

Although it is considered old-fashioned for this era, it is still a novelty for Steve. He doesn't know how to put a disc in.

Peter says, "You can't pull that compartment like that, it will break. Give me the disc, I'll help you put it in."

Steve hands him the record player and says, "That doctor went to give that damn Stark a psychological therapy . How old are you? Are you about to graduate from high school?"

Peter plays with the record player while shaking his head and says, "Not yet, I'm only in the second year of high school."

"I heard from Schiller that you are very lucky and have gained some special abilities."

But Peter sneers and says, "Lucky? Maybe that's what I thought before, but now it doesn't seem that way anymore."

"You're more mature than I imagined. I thought you would be boastful or eager to show something."

"If it were a month ago, I would. Well, here you are. Now you just need to press the button on top, and it will play. Not many people know how to use this thing anymore. Luckily, my uncle has one, so I know how to use it."

Steve presses the button and smiles, saying, "Do you know how to use a vinyl record player? I'm more familiar with that."

Peter shakes his head and says, "That thing is way too old. I've only seen it once at my uncle's colleague's house. But that record player always got stuck when you put a vinyl on it, and no one could fix it."

"Well, you can bring it over, and I can fix it. I'm good at this. In the army, this kind of thing is precious. If it breaks, you'll definitely hear a lot of complaints."

"You're a soldier? But I can see that you're really strong, probably at least a sergeant." Peter says.

"Sergeant? Close enough, I have a special operations team under me, and I lead them on missions."

Peter becomes interested and says, "You're a special forces soldier? Which unit do you belong to? SEAL or Rangers?"

Steve smiles and says, "We like to call ourselves the Howling Commandos, but you've probably heard a louder name."

Peter is curious and asks, "What is it?"

"Captain America and his friends."

Peter's mouth falls open, he widens his eyes and says, "You've been part of Captain America's team, oh my god! That must have been nearly 100 years ago, and you guys..."

"Oh, right, yeah, you're right. Captain is not an ordinary person. There must be someone among them who is still alive today, which means you know Captain? Wow..."

Peter quickly runs into the room and takes out his backpack. After rummaging through it, he pulls out a figurine and says, "Look, this is the latest bottle cap figurine they collaborated with a soda company. I drank two whole cases of soda to get this. It's the only one with a shield among all the designs. They were all jealous of me at the party a few days ago. This is much cooler than doing a few dance moves."

Steve squints his eyes and looks at the small figurine. He takes it, turns it around, and notices that the head seems to move. He lightly shakes it with his finger, but accidentally applies too much force, and the head snaps off. Peter screams and rushes to snatch it back.

"Oh no, it's broken!Glue! I need glue! I spent two whole months collecting this!"

"I'm sorry, um..." Steve says, "I've never played with this thing before, I thought it was supposed to move."

"Oh, it's okay. If you indeed come from seventy or eighty years ago, toys back then were definitely sturdier than now. Like Lego, for example. Did they have Lego back then?"

Steve sees that Peter isn't angry, and he thinks Schiller's description of this kid wasn't quite accurate. Although he was a bit reckless and childish, he could indeed bear great responsibilities.

He says, "I think you should take a careful look. Doesn't the head of that little toy look familiar?"

Peter is puzzled and picks up the head of the small figurine. It must be said that although the quality of this figurine wasn't great, the sculpting was very detailed.

Then Steve looks at the big boy across from him, looks down at the sculpture, looks back up at him, then looks down at the sculpture again, and finally his eyes widen, his mouth opens so wide that his jaw could dislocate.

Just as Schiller returns with Pikachu in his arms, he encounters this scene. Pikachu waves its small short arms in his embrace and says, "Looks like we came back at the wrong time, interrupting Jack and Rose's long-awaited reunion..."

Schiller rubs its face and says, "I told you to watch fewer romance movies."

Peter turns his gaze back to Schiller, stammering as he seeks confirmation, "He is... I mean... he, that..."

Schiller presses the button on the record player, and a melodious old song plays. He pats Steve's shoulder and says, "Captain, it seems like he really wants proof from you. Yes, I see what he means."

Captain taps the table of the bar and says, "Where's my proof?"

Natasha's melodious voice comes from outside the door, "Here it is."

Before Peter can react, a gust of wind blows, and a shiny shield with red and blue colors and a star in the middle flies in. Steve catches the shield with one hand, and Peter stares at it intently, saying, "So cool!"

Outside the door, Natasha leans on the door frame lazily and says, "Welcome back, Captain."

Steve pats the shield and says, "Looks like you were prepared."

Schiller says to Natasha, "Alright, enough with the emotional reunion. We can talk later. The clinic fees for two days amount to a total of five million dollars. When will it be transferred?"

Steve glances at him and asks, "Are you really planning to charge that much?"

"Otherwise, why would I let you guys stay here, listen in on conversations, and have free food? Is it because you're Captain America?"

"I thought we were friends." Steve says.

"Of course, if we weren't friends, the five million dollars with me would only be enough for a breakfast."

"So, do you charge Stark the same price?" Steve asks.

"I'll charge him double next time."

Steve immediately turns to look at Natasha and says, "Pay up, and give an extra 10% tip for me."