Peter returned to his bedroom, pondering Su Yi's words, and fell into a dilemma.
Becoming Spider-Man would mean facing so many problems.
However, deep down, Peter increasingly wished to become Spider-Man.
"I forgot to ask one question: if I become Spider-Man, will I save many people?"
Peter stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought, "Perhaps I don't even need to ask; I already know the answer."
"Yes, if I become Spider-Man, I will definitely save many people."
"But Mei and the people around me could all be in danger."
Although Peter was still hesitating, the scales had inadvertently tipped towards one side.
Because he was pondering this question, Peter suffered from insomnia.
Early in the morning, he was woken by his new alarm clock.
Peter quickly washed up and went downstairs, finding Mei in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
"Morning, Mei."
"Good morning, Peter."
As Peter greeted her, he was surprised to find that Mei looked much younger.
Originally, Mei was only thirty-five, but due to fatigue, she often seemed a bit listless.
But today, Mei was radiant, looking about ten years younger.
This was no longer Mei; this was clearly Sister Mei.
"Mei, you look great today, like you've gotten much younger."
Mei also smiled and said, "I think so too. I feel completely comfortable, and my skin is much better, just like I'm in my twenties again."
Peter immediately thought of that drop of Water of Life; besides that, he couldn't think of any other reason.
"Mei, I think you should take a couple of days off. Your change is too significant; it will definitely cause a stir."
Mei, however, did not agree, "Peter, I don't think taking time off is a good idea."
There was nothing he could do; the family's burden was too great.
Peter couldn't persuade Mei, so he could only eat breakfast and go to school.
Upon arriving at school, Peter asked Su Yi a few more questions.
"Su, do you know? That thing you gave Mei to drink made her look ten years younger. Do you know how much of a shock that will cause?"
Mei's appearance flashed in Su Yi's mind; Mei becoming Sister Mei would definitely make her more beautiful.
"If I had another way, I wouldn't have used the Water of Life. This stuff can prolong life, delay aging, and make people younger."
"You should know what this means. If it were put up for auction, the wealthy people of the entire World would scramble to buy it."
Peter calmed down, "That's not what I mean. I just mean that Mei's change is too big, and it might be discovered by others."
"It's simple. Just say she went for a beauty treatment or put on makeup."
Peter: "..."
"There's one more question."
"What question?"
"I, or rather, the me in other parallel Universes who chose to become Spider-Man, did they regret becoming Spider-Man when they encountered these problems?"
Su Yi paused, "That's a difficult question to answer. Let's take two examples. One Spider-Man's life, love, and work were affected, and his girlfriend even chose to leave him."
"He was devastated by this, lost his Superpowers, and became an ordinary person."
"However, when crisis descended, he still unhesitatingly became Spider-Man to protect everyone."
"In another Universe, he lost his girlfriend. Because his girlfriend fell from a great height, Peter caught her with his web. Due to inertia, her neck broke."
"After that, Spider-Man became dispirited."
"However, when new Super Villains appeared, he also chose to fight."
Peter was deeply shocked after hearing this.
"I understand."
"Take your time to think about it. You still have time, but not much left."
"What do you mean?"
"Because this is the era of Superheroes, Super Villains will also appear one after another. It shouldn't be long now."
Peter felt the pressure, "I understand."
...Meanwhile, in the laboratory of Osborn Tower, Professor Connors was extremely happy.
The gene therapy agent had achieved simulated success and had been injected into lab mice.
However, the final results had not yet been observed.
Only after this stage was completed could the next stage of human testing begin.
But the people at Osborn had already run out of patience.
A man in a suit approached Professor Connors. This man was none other than Norman Osborn's assistant, Nels.
"Professor Connors, Mr. Osborn is very pleased to learn that your research has made progress."
"Now, human trials can proceed."
Professor Connors, however, was somewhat worried, "What? Human trials now?"
"We've only achieved simulated success. Although the lab mice have been injected with the agent, we are not yet sure if there are any side effects."
"Moreover, the next step should be primates, not human trials."
Nels reminded him, "Professor Connors, Mr. Osborn can't wait any longer. He doesn't have much time left."
Professor Connors was still somewhat unable to accept it; after all, this was a semi-finished product.
Once human trials were conducted, if unknown changes occurred, there was no telling what terrible consequences might arise.
"Even if we do human trials, where will you find people willing to volunteer for them?"
Nels looked calm, examining a vial of the agent, "What does it matter? They won't know what this is. To them, it's just ordinary cold medicine."
"I know a place, a veterans' hospital."
Professor Connors was furious, "Are you kidding me? The results from the lab mice aren't even out yet, and you're doing human trials, and keeping it a secret from the people being tested?"
Connors picked up the material and prepared to leave, but Nels grabbed Connors's severed arm.
"I don't think so, because all pharmaceutical companies do it this way."
Nels continued to persuade him, "How righteous you sound. If it were 15 years ago, it would be more convincing."
"Richard Parker was in his prime then, while you were in rags, and still are."
Connors became somewhat flustered, "This has nothing to do with me."
"Is that what you told his son?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You don't know, or you don't want to know? Let me remind you, the one who chose to refuse back then was Richard Parker, not you."
Professor Connors had already lost the argument. Nels added, "Time is running out, Professor Connors."
Connors hesitated, looked at his severed arm, and finally made up his mind, "I won't do it."
Nels didn't hesitate either, "Very well, then I officially inform you."
"Your laboratory is closed. All research results belong to Osborn Corporation. You cannot take anything with you."
"Also, your severed arm, I'm afraid, won't be able to regenerate like this lab mouse's."
Nels left arrogantly, leaving Connors alone in the laboratory.
Connors sat silently in his laboratory, staring blankly, looking at his research, looking at his severed arm, falling into a kind of madness.
Finally, making up his mind, Connors began to produce the gene therapy agent.
Before nightfall, Connors injected himself with the freshly made agent, waiting for it to take effect.
At the moment the injection was completed, Professor Lizard was born.