Chapter 140: One Hundred Thirty-Nine An Uninvited Guest
October 19, 2022 Author: Great Demon Spirit
"...I'll be there in fifteen minutes. I just want to know if you can find a waiter to cover for me? I'm at the hospital studying nursing. No, you can't tell Peter, because he'll worry..."
Peter's keen hearing allowed him to already hear May's voice through the wall. Confusion prompted him to put on his shoes and walk out to face May.
"Oh, alright, alright. Two shifts on Thursday, okay, goodbye..." May decisively hung up the phone and stared at Peter as he emerged.
The two exchanged silent glances.
When Peter was very young, his parents entrusted him to Ben and May to raise. Compared to his biological parents, Ben and May were more like Peter's parents; even though he wasn't their biological child, Ben and May raised Peter as their own son, right up to the present.
Peter knew May too well; there was definitely something wrong.
"Two shifts?" Peter asked suspiciously, looking at her.
"Yes, this happens occasionally... I liked that girl from the other day. Also, Ben always used to prepare me some cookies when he was alive." May stiffly changed the subject.
"Alright, I sold some photos to the Daily Bugle and earned some money..." Peter picked up a glass of water that had already been poured and drank more than half of it in one go.
May subconsciously frowned, "It would only truly help if that person paid you a reasonable wage."
"Jameson pays quite reasonably, especially if you consider this wage in 1961, it couldn't be more suitable." Peter's tone held a hint of self-mockery.
What can you do with such a measly salary? If you're not satisfied, you can always look for a better-paying job, right?
It was regrettable that, at this stage, Peter could only rely on his cunning to sell staged Spider-Man photos for money. Staging photos of himself felt terrible; if his family weren't truly short on money, he would never do such a thing.
"Peter, your clothes need washing. I'll wash them for you. Last time you did laundry, you dyed all the clothes red and blue!" May said.
"I was washing a flag then... I'm a college student now, I'll wash all my clothes myself." Peter's heart leaped in surprise, and he flatly refused. His Spider-Man costume was hidden in a bag in his bedroom; he couldn't let May find it, for her protection.
"What? Who washes flags? Ben and I have been taking care of you since you were a child. Wiping your nose, washing your toothbrush – both of us took care of you, and you? You can't do anything..."
May's words came out quickly, her emotions growing more agitated: "I was the one who told you to do your homework, who helped you wash your clothes, it was me! It's your clumsy, science-illiterate aunt, who can't even make a living, who's been taking care of you! And now, because I'm old and trying to earn money for your college tuition, I have to study nursing courses with 22-year-old kids..."
Peter stood frozen, still holding the steaming cup in his hand. He looked at May's wrinkled face, feeling a pang of sadness. After Ben's death, only May and he were left to depend on each other, and without realizing it, May had grown old.
The two just stared at each other, silently. May's eyes were even slightly red-rimmed.
Emotions are a strange thing; sometimes, without warning, all the grievances and pain in one's heart burst forth at once, and at such a moment, it's impossible for a person to control themselves.
Just as the two were staring at each other, a knock sounded at the door.
Boom boom boom! Boom boom boom!
Peter glanced at May in surprise: "For you?"
"No, it's probably for you. Maybe it's that girl, Gwen. Go open the door." May turned her back and continued wiping the table with a rag.
The moment Peter opened the door, he immediately slammed it shut with a bang. Due to his shock and nervousness, he used an unusually strong force, creating a startling sound as the door closed.
May hurriedly ran out to see.
After a moment of silence, the knocking resumed, firm and insistent.
Peter's face was ashen. For some reason, his Spider-Sense showed no reaction at all. He pushed May, quickly saying, "Hide quickly, don't look at me like that! A very dangerous person has come! Find somewhere to hide, fast..."
The door quietly opened, and a head poked in, looking at the two of them in surprise.
"I thought I had the wrong door. The door wasn't locked, so is it alright if I come in?" Tony poked his head in, smiling amiably at Peter and May, appearing utterly harmless.
"Why are you here? No, who are you looking for? Get out!" Peter's muscles tensed all over. The other party was an absolute danger, had he discovered his true identity and come for revenge?
But his Spider-Sense still showed no reaction whatsoever.
"You know me? You seem quite familiar with me," Tony said, feigning surprise.
Peter took two breaths, calming himself, and said in a deep voice, "Sir, I think you have the wrong person. We are just ordinary people..."
"No, I haven't made a mistake. Peter Parker, the genius high school student." Tony deliberately paused, successfully provoking the other party's tension and vigilance. "Stark Industries is very impressed with you. After discussion, we've decided to offer you a special scholarship of ten thousand dollars."
"What?"
"What? Is that true, sir? Stark Industries is willing to provide Peter with a scholarship?"
Two voices rang out: Peter's astonishment and May's delight.
"A special scholarship of ten thousand dollars annually. If Mr. Parker achieves research results, we will consider additional funds on top of that," Tony said. "Mr. Parker is one of a hundred high school graduates selected for our new talent acquisition program launched by Stark Industries today. The other ninety-nine will also receive our special scholarship."
From start to finish, Tony maintained a smile, subtly pushing up the glasses he had specially put on.
May pressed, "So what does Stark Industries want my child to do?"
"It's simple. When you seek employment four years from now, we hope you'll give priority consideration to Stark Industries. You can view this program as an investment—though it's impolite to say so, it is indeed the case. Many large companies have similar programs to snatch up talent early. After extensive evaluation, Mr. Peter Parker meets our criteria." Tony chuckled, his face benevolent.
Peter cursed inwardly, 'I'd believe you if ghosts existed!' He was about to refuse, but an excited May had already beaten him to it, agreeing immediately.
May's reasoning was simple: there was no harm in agreeing verbally. Afterwards, she would definitely call Stark Industries to verify the stranger's identity. There was a possibility it was a scam, but her family was dirt poor; what could they possibly be scammed out of? What if it was real?
May's financial pressure was indeed immense, and she desperately needed such a sum of money for Peter's tuition.
"Now, Madam, would it be convenient to grant Mr. Parker and me a moment? I still need to conduct a final comprehensive evaluation of Mr. Parker... These are, of course, just some academic questions, and according to company policy, I must do this." Tony gently expressed his apologies, directly pulling out the relevant documents and official papers from Stark Industries from his briefcase.
After a careful look, May became even more decisive, heading straight out the door, claiming she was going to buy groceries, leaving enough space for Tony and Peter. Academically, she had complete confidence in her brainy nephew. She also wanted to take this opportunity to call Stark Industries to confirm the authenticity—the result, of course, was that it was genuine.
May was completely relieved. The moment she hung up the phone, she secretly wiped away tears, sobbing uncontrollably.
Inside the house, after May had gradually departed, Tony no longer maintained his disguise, directly taking off his thick glasses and tossing them onto the table.
The first words he spoke made Peter's expression change drastically.
"That's not a very friendly way to greet me... Little Spider!"
(end of chapter)