Andrew wasn't speaking from personal experience. His insights came from dissecting countless superhero films.
"I'm not saying I don't support him doing heroic deeds. But there needs to be a condition. The person doing them has to be strong not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and with a stable foundation. I refuse to let anyone on my team spill both blood and tears. If that's the price of being a hero, I'd rather walk away."
Ethan said nothing. The cigarette between his fingers burned slowly, turning to ash before his eyes.
After a long silence, he exhaled deeply.
"But this is Peter's choice. He's an adult now. Shouldn't we respect his decision?"
"You're right. He is an adult, and his decision deserves respect. But do you know he still has a seventy-year-old uncle and aunt waiting at home? He's not an orphan. He has family. Even though his parents died unexpectedly when he was young, his uncle and aunt raised him like their own."
Andrew's tone tightened with emotion.
"They never had kids of their own. Peter is their son. Have you ever considered that if something happened to him, they'd have to bury their only child? Isn't that the most heartbreaking tragedy imaginable?"
"If he wants to be a hero, he must first be a human being."
Ethan went quiet. A thought suddenly hit him, if it were his own daughter making the same choice as Peter, would he still be able to say, with conviction:
'I respect her decision'?
Just moments ago, when she'd shown the slightest interest in Andrew, he was already on edge.
And the truth was, his daughter Annie had just turned eighteen. By traditional standards, she could already be married—he might even be a grandfather by now.
"But in the end, we're not his parents. And even if we were, we wouldn't have the right to decide for him."
Ethan rubbed his temples in frustration. Raising children felt more difficult than writing his doctoral dissertation.
Guiding and mentoring always sounded noble, but only after becoming a parent did he realize just how bitter and complicated it really was.
"I don't care about anyone else. Right now, Peter works for me. That makes him my responsibility. It's my duty to guide him. If he can't accept that, then I'll have to let him go."
Andrew took a long drag from his cigarette, then crushed it in the ashtray. The half-burned stick continued to smolder stubbornly just like that little spider who refused to give up.
Spider-Man wasn't some irreplaceable hero. What Andrew needed were people who could see the bigger picture, follow orders, and act with discipline.
Like during the final battle against Thanos, when Wakanda's warriors charged into battle with spears held high.
That's the kind of person he needed.
"Grapes, anyone?"
Annie's cheerful voice broke the tension as she walked in with a platter of fruit.
The gloom that had hovered over Andrew and Ethan's conversation lifted, as if a beam of sunlight had pierced through a cold, overcast sky.
"What's this?"
Ethan picked up a round, dark fruit that looked like a peach.
"I'm not exactly sure. Mom got it from a roadside fruit stand. The vendor said it's an imported fruit called a Black Prune Plum."
Annie handed a bunch of grapes to Andrew.
"Here, Uncle, have some grapes."
"Hehe, such a sweet girl."
Andrew took the grapes casually, but his eyes wandered briefly to Annie's chest.
He couldn't help but wonder between these and the grapes, which were sweeter?
Pfffftt...
Ethan bit into the mysterious fruit, only for his face to contort as his eyes began to water.
"What's wrong, Dad? Isn't the Black Prune Plum sweet?"
Annie had been focused on Andrew, but her father's pained expression caught her attention. She quickly handed him a box of tissues.
"Oh my god, this thing is ridiculously sour. I've never tasted anything like it."
He wiped his eyes and downed a large gulp of soda. Only then did the sharp, tooth-rattling sourness start to fade.
"Is it really that sour?"
Curious, Annie picked up one of the fruits and took a defiant bite.
"Wait, that's not something you want to eat"
Ethan had barely raised his hand when she bit into it.
"Ptooey! Ugh, so sour!"
Her entire face scrunched up, her features collapsing in on themselves, and her little canines peeked out adorably.
Andrew quickly handed her the half-empty soda bottle he had been drinking.
Gulp gulp gulp ...
Annie opened her mouth and took a deep drink, her soft lips wrapped around the rim of the bottle.
After several gulps, she stopped. Glancing at the bottle in her hand, then at Andrew, something suddenly clicked in her mind.
"I'm going to check on Mom's steak."
Andrew watched her fair legs as she fluttered out of the room, leaving behind a breeze of spring.
"That girl always so impulsive."
Ethan stood and picked up the Black Prune Plum she had dropped, tossing it along with the rest into the trash.
This family—each one more interesting than the last. Andrew shook his head, then picked up the bottle Annie hadn't finished and took a sip.
Wasting drinks like this? Shameful.
That evening, Andrew sat to Ethan's right at the dinner table. Across from him were Rose, stunning as ever, and her daughter Annie.
They even opened a bottle of red wine.
"Mr. Tony, allow me to toast you on behalf of our family. Thank you for everything you've done for us."
Rose stood, raised her glass, and finished it in one go.
"Come on, sis-in-law, no need for all that. I'm just doing what any brother should. Honestly, it's Ethan who's helped me far more. Let's all drink together."
Andrew stood as well, though he didn't drink right away. He wanted the whole family involved.
"That's right, Mom. Uncle said he and Dad are like brothers, so let's not be so formal. I'll toast Uncle too!"
Annie picked up her glass, ready to drink, but Rose stopped her with a sharp glance and a steady hand.
"What do you think you're doing drinking like that? You're a young lady. One glass is enough for tonight."
"Daddy, look at Mom"
Annie pouted, trying to charm her way through.
But Ethan, the ever-submissive husband, didn't dare say a word. As a mild-mannered, introverted science guy, he ranked dead last in household authority. There was only one person in charge—Rose.
(End of Chapter)
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