Peter looked at Meng Ran, dressed as the Ghost, and listened to his self-introduction, immediately feeling a bit bewildered.
Seeing Peter stunned ing, Meng Ran smiled, "What's wrong, Peter? Don't you recognize me?"
Peter also recovered from his shock, taking off his mask and saying, somewhat dazed, "Meng, you're actually the Ghost? I… I always thought the Ghost was a cool middle-aged man."
Meng Ran replied, "What gave you that misconception? The Ghost has always been me."
"Want me to sign an autograph for you?" Meng Ran teased.
Peter suddenly scratched his head, a little embarrassed, unsure what to say for a moment.
Suddenly, Peter seemed to remember something, looking up and saying, somewhat enlightened, "I knew it! That's why the Ghost suddenly appeared there yesterday."
Then he solemnly said to Meng Ran, "Thank you, Meng. Thank you for saving Uncle Ben."
After speaking, he hugged Meng Ran tightly.
Meng Ran felt Peter's surging emotions, and he also hugged Peter tightly, patting his back comfortingly.
"It's okay, Uncle Ben is fine now," Meng Ran comforted Peter.
Peter said, somewhat choked up, "I was really scared, Meng. I can't imagine what I would do if I lost Uncle Ben."
Meng Ran also comforted him. He knew how complex Peter's feelings were; he was both afraid and worried, both grateful and regretful, both angry and confused.
After a while, Peter finally calmed down and asked, "Then, Meng Ran, how did you know Uncle Ben was in trouble? Were you just there by chance?"
Meng Ran heard this and explained, "Actually, a few days ago at school, I already sensed something was off with you, so I've been keeping an eye on your status, thinking about when to talk to you."
"As a result, that incident just happened. Thankfully, I made it in time, and nothing went wrong. Otherwise, I would regret it for the rest of my life."
Peter nodded, then scratched his head awkwardly again, not expecting Meng Ran to have known already.
Peter had been planning to debut as Spider-Man first, then earn Meng Ran's admiration, and then, very discreetly, tell Meng Ran his true identity, to enjoy his surprised expression.
He didn't expect Meng Ran to know already, and that he was actually the Ghost. He didn't get Meng Ran's surprise; instead, he contributed a wave of adoration himself. He even used the Ghost as his computer wallpaper before.
Now that he thought about it, the Ghost being his good brother was really a bit awkward.
No wonder Meng Ran had asked him for his opinion on the Ghost before. Thinking of this, Peter also understood a bit; it seemed Meng Ran had also struggled with this, just like him.
After speaking, Meng Ran then asked, "I still don't know how you became like this."
Peter heard this and organized his thoughts, preparing to explain to Meng Ran.
However, before he could speak, Meng Ran said first, "Wait a moment, someone else wants to see you. She's also our friend."
Peter was also stunned to hear this: "Another friend? Harry? Did you tell him?"
Meng Ran didn't answer, just looked at the approaching graceful figure in the distance.
Soon, that figure landed in front of the two.
In a black and white combat suit, with a white hood, and a graceful, well-proportioned figure, it was none other than Ghost Spider Gwen.
Peter looked at Ghost Spider and murmured, "Ghost Spider? A friend? Could it be...?"
At this moment, Ghost Spider's heart stirred, and she revealed her beautiful face.
Peter's eyes widened, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Gwen? You're Ghost Spider?"
Then he added, "As long as it's not Mary Jane."
No sooner had Peter's words fallen than a clear voice rang out: "You rotten Peter, what are you saying? What do you mean 'as long as it's not me'?"
"Mary Jane!" Peter quickly looked around, his gaze finally falling on Gwen's headphones.
Gwen then tossed a pair of headphones to Peter.
Peter took the headphones and put them on, and sure enough, Mary Jane's voice came through the headphones.
"Hey! Peter, speak up! What do you mean 'as long as it's not me'?" Mary Jane asked again.
Peter was greatly embarrassed to hear this and could only stammer an explanation to Mary Jane.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Meng Ran spoke, "Alright, Peter, everyone's here now. You can tell us your story."
Peter took a great deal of effort to finally appease Mary Jane. He scratched his head, recalled his thoughts from earlier, and began to recount his story.
"That's how it happened," Peter finally finished telling his story clearly.
Meng Ran mused, "So, Peter, you were bitten by a spider that fell from the sky at the Science and Technology Museum, and then you mutated."
Then Meng Ran looked at Gwen and said, "I remember, Gwen, you went out with your family, and then when you got home that night, you found you had been bitten and then mutated."
"The day Gwen mutated, she also went to the Science and Technology Museum."
"So, the reason for both of your mutations is the spiders at the Science and Technology Museum."
Peter and Gwen also pondered upon hearing this.
Meng Ran continued, "However, I think the spiders that bit the two of you should be different. After all, your abilities have some differences. Gwen has many special skills compared to Peter, while Peter's strength and physical qualities are stronger than Gwen's."
Peter thought for a moment and said, "I remember there were mutated spiders from the Osborn Group at the Science and Technology Museum. The one that bit me must have been one of those."
"But if, as you say, the ones that bit us were different, then I don't know which kind bit Gwen."
Meng Ran and Gwen also had a bit of a headache.
Gwen, finding no solution, shook her head and said, "Never mind, let's not think about these for now. Since it's already like this, let's not dwell on it."
"What we need to do now is use our powerful abilities to do what we can."
Meng Ran also nodded upon hearing this and said, "That's right, Peter, don't be confused either. Whatever method you use, whatever goals you pursue, whatever attitude you have towards criminals, these should all be determined by your own heart."
"You need to know that no matter what choice you make, we will always be by your side. We all pursue justice, just in different ways."
"I, too, was once confused like you, but later I realized that as long as you hold firm to your beliefs, understand your truest thoughts, and act according to your own heart, it will be fine."
Hearing these words, Peter also resolved his inner conflict.
His confusion earlier was not knowing how to choose his path, or rather, he didn't know what was the right thing to do.
Should he be like the Ghost, dealing with criminals with thunderous fury and direct punishment? Or should he stick to his inner conviction, subdue these people, and then hand them over to the police?
Now Peter knew he wasn't alone; his good brothers and good friends were all upholding justice in different ways, all acting with their truest attitudes.
Peter was no longer confused, because he had figured out what he should uphold. He would fight for justice alongside his friends.
Peter firmed his conviction and said in a deep voice, "I think I understand. I will work with everyone, using my strength to fight for the justice in my heart."
Meng Ran and Gwen exchanged glances; they were also very happy that Peter could understand his own thoughts.
From then on, the masked hero group of New York City began to take shape, and a professional team for combating crime was established.
Normally, the four of them acted individually. Meng Ran also gave each person a communicator, making it easier to contact each other. If there was an emergency, they would act together.
Intelligence liaison and logistical support were primarily handled by Mary Jane. The group also found a secret base and established various facilities for their team, including computers, various experimental equipment, and various tools for daily training.
Meng Ran took out the money he earned from combating crime to supply this base. Much of Meng Ran's money, apart from some donations, was still unused, and now it could be put to good use.
The entire team was divided into a data analysis and logistical support group, consisting of Xiao Bai and Mary Jane, and an external combat group, consisting of Gwen, Peter, and Meng Ran.
In addition to external combat, Meng Ran also served as a coach for various skills such as combat and firearms, and was also the main financier.
With the secret base, everyone often gathered there. This secret base also became the place where they felt the most sense of belonging, apart from home.