The morning flew by with practical efficiency. May departed first for her community work, leaving Su Yi and Peter to finalize the food truck venture.
Food trucks in Manhattan are not the simple, cobbled-together carts found in other cities; they are highly regulated, specialized mobile kitchens. Utilizing the high-end trailer Su Yi had secured, the next step was stocking and customizing. Su Yi had purchased a suite of high-efficiency, commercial-grade cooking equipment, ensuring that Peter could handle high volumes of orders.
"We've got the essentials: griddle, refrigeration, and specialized presses for the bread," Su Yi informed Peter as they unpacked the boxes in Peter's driveway. "The main items are the Golden Egg Burgers and the Hand-Grabbed Pancakes, but we'll also offer grilled sausages and specialty coffee to boost the average ticket price."
Back inside Peter's kitchen, the masterclass began.
Su Yi quickly prepared a sample Golden Egg Burger—a savory blend of seasoned pork patty encased in a perfectly fluffy, quick-fried egg wrapper, topped with a secret, slightly spicy sauce, all served on a crispy bun. It was ready in under four minutes.
Peter took a bite, his eyes widening immediately. "Su, this tastes amazing! Seriously, this is restaurant quality. I think our business will definitely do well."
Su Yi had Peter watch one perfect execution, detailing the specific wrist movements, heat settings, and timing. Peter, whose mind processed information like a highly efficient computer, absorbed the process in moments. His first attempt was slightly clumsy, but the second was executed with the precision of a trained cook.
"The taste isn't bad either," Peter admitted, beaming with pride at the success.
"You learn very fast, Peter," Su Yi complimented him. "Prepare for one more day of practice tomorrow, mastering the speed and consistency, and we can officially open the day after tomorrow."
Peter was thrilled. "I was thinking the same thing! With this, I can start earning money right away."
"Then, let's finalize our location," Su Yi said, consulting a map of Manhattan. "Given the high foot traffic and the target demographic—hungry office workers—we should set up near Osborn Tower or Stark Tower. What do you think?"
"Both work, but Osborn Tower might be better for me," Peter suggested.
The food truck matter settled, Su Yi knew his next duty lay with his girlfriends.
It was late afternoon when Su Yi arrived at the girls' rehearsal studio in Brooklyn, carrying boxes of pizza, artisanal sodas, and energy bars—fuel for their performance night.
Gwen, Betty, and Mary Jane had stopped practicing and were resting. The air hummed with nervous excitement. The three immediately rushed him, each wrapping him in a fierce, affectionate hug.
"Su, you're our good luck charm!" Mary Jane exclaimed, grabbing a slice of pizza.
"How are your preparations coming along?"
"Very well," Gwen replied confidently. "We can perform for you alone right now. Do you want a private show?"
"Let's not," Su Yi said, shaking his head. "I know you've been practicing hard, and you need to maintain your peak condition for tonight's show. Rest and eat; I'll cheer the loudest tonight."
They didn't insist, understanding his logic. As they ate, Mary Jane brought up the earlier conversation.
"Su, what did you do today?"
"Peter and I secured and outfitted our food truck, The Eastern Express. Peter is already a master of the Golden Egg Burger, and we'll officially open the day after tomorrow. We plan to operate near Osborn Tower or Stark Tower, aiming for high profits."
Gwen immediately became competitive. "Oh, Su, you absolutely must come to Osborn Tower! I'm interning at Osborn Corporation this summer, so I can make sure you get the best spot!"
Mary Jane playfully punched his arm. "Oh, that's not fair! Too bad Betty and I won't be able to detour for lunch."
Su Yi chuckled. "Don't be jealous. It's just that there's a lot of foot traffic there, so it might be more profitable. Besides, I won't necessarily be there every day. In a few days, Tony and I have to go to Monaco."
The conversation flowed easily, marked by the comfortable, harmonious dynamics of their friendship. After they finished eating, it was time to head to the bar.
The night had fully settled, and the city streets were transitioning from the rush hour grind to the nocturnal energy of the weekend. Su Yi drove the three beautiful women toward the bar, a venue known for its decent live music but which was, inevitably, a chaotic environment.
As they walked from the car, Su Yi instinctively moved into a protective formation, shielding them from the aggressive glances of the growing crowd. The bar, bathed in pulsing neon light, was already incredibly lively.
The three girls immediately headed backstage to prepare, while Su Yi secured a prime spot near the front, scanning the room. The venue was a typical, slightly rough-around-the-edges establishment. People were laughing, drinking, and in the darker corners, already getting far too intimate.
This place is a magnet for trouble, Su Yi thought, his Dark Knight combat instincts alert. I hope no one is foolish enough to cause trouble tonight.
A short while later, the three girls appeared on stage, looking even more fiery and attractive in their stage clothes. Gwen, behind the drum kit, looked fierce. Mary Jane, center stage, was magnetic. Betty, cool and composed with her bass, anchored the performance.
Su Yi felt a surge of warmth and pride, shouting his encouragement as they got ready.
The show began with an explosive, high-energy rock number. Gwen was a powerhouse on the drums, setting a brutal, relentless pace. Mary Jane's raw vocal talent filled the venue, and Betty maintained a driving, unwavering bassline. They worked together in perfect harmony, igniting the atmosphere immediately.
Su Yi, although not a fan of the genre, couldn't deny the power of the performance. He watched the shouting, cheering men beside him, realizing he had severely underestimated the girls' collective allure. The energy in the venue was already approaching a fever pitch.
The band was on fire, rolling from one song to the next. The audience was generous, showering the stage with tips and gratuities. The girls had prepared five songs—their temporary finale before life pulled them apart again.
After the fifth song, the atmosphere reached an unprecedented high. Mary Jane, catching her breath, addressed the crowd.
"Thank you all! After this performance, our Mary Janes band might be taking another break for a while." She paused, scanning the faces. "Although we're not sure when the next performance will be, we will miss this place and this stage."
"Goodbye!"
The male audience members were howling, already itching to rush the stage. The three girls wisely bolted, exiting quickly through the backstage door.
Su Yi met them by the loading bay. "You all were truly amazing; I'm incredibly proud of you," he said sincerely, pulling them in for a group hug.
But the night wasn't over.
As they moved toward the main exit, a wall of six burly thugs materialized, blocking their path. These were the typical predators of such venues, emboldened by alcohol and anonymity.
"Well, well. Beautiful ladies," the largest man sneered, smelling strongly of stale beer. "How about a few private drinks together? Our treat."
The three girls, having anticipated this, deliberately played the part, immediately clustering behind Su Yi. Gwen, leaning close, whispered softly, "Su, you have to protect us. Do the thing."
Su Yi sighed internally. Cluelessness is a global epidemic.
He stepped forward, crossing his arms. "You'd better step aside. I've practiced martial arts extensively; ten people are no match for me."
The thug leader erupted in laughter, his buddies joining in with loud, drunken scorn. "Martial arts? Look at you, pretty boy. You gonna use your chopsticks on us?"
"I gave you a chance," Su Yi stated, his voice flat.
In the next twenty-eight seconds, the thugs experienced a terrifying, choreographed dance of pain. Su Yi employed the same systematic, non-lethal efficiency of his Dark Knight template.
A quick elbow strike to the solar plexus of the lead man, dropping him instantly.
A sweep kick to the legs of the two on the left, causing them to collide and fall.
A precise palm strike to the jaw of the third, disorienting him without breaking the bone.
A double-tap pressure point strike to the two remaining men, seizing their shoulder muscles and collapsing them onto the floor, screaming.
The fight was over before the bar's bouncer could even react. The crowd, initially roaring for a spectacle, fell into a stunned silence.
"I told you I could take on ten," Su Yi said, dusting his hands off as the six thugs wailed in agony on the floor. "Unfortunately, you didn't believe me."
He then turned back to the girls, offering an innocent smile. "Ready to go? We should leave before the real trouble starts."
The night had been a success, both commercially for the band and physically for Su Yi.
The next event is the party at Liz Toomes's house, which is Su Yi's last chance to intervene before Adrian Toomes becomes the Vulture.