Chapter 32 Antiques and the New Generation_1

"So, you've decided to intern at Stark Group?" Shiller inquired.

Peter took a big sip of porridge and a bite of sausage, mumbled as he chewed, "Yes, this way I can explain where the money on me comes from. I told my uncle that Stark Group wanted to buy out my employment opportunities. Not only would they give me a lump sum in advance, they'd also take care of my college tuition."

"Did your uncle believe it?"

Peter replied, "In fact, my uncle always knew that I was good at academics and had some genius in me. Now that I finally got the opportunity, he's really happy for me."

"However..." Peter put down his bowl, saying somewhat sheepishly, "Mr. Shiller, I want to stay here for a few days. Our house is a bit worn out. After my uncle and Aunt May got the money, they wanted to renovate it a bit. After all, the recent rain even caused the outer wall plaster to fall. They will stay with their old classmates, but I'm close to adulthood and it's a bit inconvenient."

"You're welcome to stay here," answered Shiller. "But doesn't Stark Industries provide accommodation for their interns? The distance from here to Stark Group is a bit far."

Peter sighed, "But the distance from Stark Group to Gwen's house is even farther."

Shiller chuckled, "I bet you tried to stay at Gwen's place first and it didn't work out, that's why you came here."

Peter blushed crimson and said, "There's no way I would make such an unreasonable request, I wouldn't say that to Gwen."

"You are really not behaving like an American," Shiller commented as he took a sip of his porridge.

Before they finished breakfast, Steve dashed in, beads of sweat on his forehead. Clearly, he had run all the way. The moment he came in, he smelled Shiller's delicious porridge. Touching his belly, he said, "I'm telling you, man, this is so much better than the food at S.H.I.E.L.D's cafeteria."

Shiller pointed to the kitchen and Steve went to serve himself some porridge. Peter turned his head, stuffing his mouth like a hamster, and whispered to Shiller:

"Who is that? He looks great, even stronger than the captain of my high school football team."

Shiller replied, "Obviously, he's the one who had a slugging match with Stark. Of course, he came originally for you, because you've been swinging around the New York sky."

Peter choked. As Steve walked over with his bowl of porridge, Peter discreetly slid his chair sideways.

As it is, Little Spider can't beat Captain America and, clearly, Peter is self-aware. He knows that his previous high-profile behavior annoyed many people, and not just one or two wanted to beat him up.

And among those capable of giving him a beating, Stark is one. Now it seems, this strong man is another. After all, he had been able to give Stark a beating, and must be highly skilled.

As Steve's gaze fell on Peter, he jumped up as if electrocuted, saying, "I'll pack the porridge in the lunchbox and take it to Matt at the hospital."

"I advise you better not go right now," Shiller said. "Did you forget how awkward it was the last time you went there in the morning and saw Matt and his girlfriend lying in bed together?"

Peter blushed again, mumbling, "That's a hospital, and Matt's injuries haven't healed yet; they are really crazy..."

Steve was quiet, sipped on his porridge, then asked Shiller, "Is that Matt one of the 'good guys' you mentioned?"

Shiller nodded, "I can't even describe him as just a 'good guy.' He's a hero, a true hero.

Shiller and Steve briefly discussed Matt's life, Steve sighed contemplatively, "Maybe I can't match up to him. When I was just an ordinary person and saw a lot of things I didn't like, I didn't have the courage to intervene because I knew I couldn't beat those people and getting hurt would hurt a lot."

Shiller replied, "It's human nature to seek benefits and avoid harm. That's why those who go against the wind deserve even more respect."

After Peter went to tidy things up, Steve asked, "This kid doesn't seem to have any superpowers at all. I mean, even in my day, we wouldn't turn as red as a pizza when talking about girlfriends."

While Peter was still away, Shiller lowered his voice, "It's not just his girlfriend that's causing him trouble; his father-in-law is the commissioner of the New York City Police Department."

Steve gritted his teeth, "You said he's a lucky kid. He doesn't look like he can handle such a father-in-law."

When Peter came back after delivering lunch to Matt, Shiller was gone from the clinic. Steve sat alone by the bar, fiddling with an old record player.

Although it was an old record player for this era, in Steve's era it was still something fresh. So, he wasn't quite sure how to load the disc in it.

Peter said, "You can't pull the door like that, it will damage it. Give me the disc, I'll help you load it."

Steve handed him the record player, "That doctor went to give that damn Stark some psychotherapy. How old are you this year? Are you about to graduate from high school?"

Peter fiddled with the record player, shaking his head, "Not quite, I just started my second year of high school."

"I heard from Shiller that you're lucky and have some special abilities."

But Peter sneered, "Lucky? Maybe I thought so before, but not so much now."

"You are more mature than I imagined. I thought you'd be bursting with pride or be eager to show off something."

"If it were a month ago, I would've done that. Okay, here you go, now you just have to press the button on top, and it will play. Not many people these days know how to use this thing. Just so happens my uncle also has one, that's why I know how to use it."

Steve pressed the button, then smiled and said, "So, do you know how to use a turntable? I'm more familiar with that."

Peter shook his head and said, "That thing is just too ancient. I've seen one once in my uncle's colleague's house, but the vinyl record always gets stuck and nobody can fix it."

"Then you can get it for me, I'll fix it. I'm really good at this. In the military, these things are treasures. If they break, there will definitely be a lot of whining."

"You're a soldier? But I figured as much, you're really strong. You must be at least a sergeant." Peter said.

"Sergeant? About that, I do have a special operations squad under me, I lead them on missions."

Peter grew interested, "You're a commando? Which group do you belong to? Navy Seals? Or Special Forces?"

Steve grinned, "We like to call ourselves the Patriot Squad, but you should have heard a more famous name."

Peter was curious, "What's that?"

"Captain America and his friends."

Peter's mouth fell open, his eyes wide, "You were part of Captain America's squad, oh my God! That must have been almost 100 years ago, you guys..."

"Oh, right, indeed. The captain isn't an ordinary person, someone among them must have lived till now. So, you know the captain? Goodness..."

Peter rushed to the other room, brought out his backpack, rummaged through it, and took out a small figure. He said:

"Look, this is the latest bottle-cap figure from their collaboration with a soda company. I had to drink two cases of soda to get this. It's the only one with a shield among all the designs. The other day at a party, everyone was envying me. This sure makes a bigger impression than doing a breakdance."

Steve squinted at the small figure, took it and turned it around. He found that the head of the figure seemed to move. He gently shook it with his finger but it seemed he acted too rough. The tiny head snapped off, and Peter yelled out, rushing forward to grab it back.

"Oh my God, it is broken!! Glue! I need glue! It took me a full two months to collect this!!"

"I'm sorry, um..." Steve said, "I haven't played with these. I thought it was movable."

"Oh, it's all right. If you're really from seventy, eighty years ago, then surely the toys from that time were much more durable than now. Like Lego or something, there was Lego back then, right?"

Steve saw that Peter wasn't angry. He thought that Shiller's description of this kid wasn't exactly accurate. Even though he was a bit flighty and somewhat childish, he indeed had the capacity to take on important tasks.

Steve said, "I think you should look carefully at the head of that little toy. Doesn't it look familiar to you?"

Peter, puzzled, picked up the small figure's head. It must be said, despite the figure's poor quality, it was carved very finely.

Then Steve looked at the young man across and down at the statue, then back up at him, then down at the statue, then back up at him. His eyes gradually widened, his mouth opened so wide that his jaw could dislocate.

Just as Shiller had returned carrying Pikachu, he encountered such a scene. Pikachu waved its small arms in his arms and said, "Looks like our timing isn't great. We're interrupting Jack and Rose's reunion..."

Shiller rubbed Pikachu's face and said, "You should watch fewer romantic movies."

Peter turned to Shiller, stammering for confirmation, "He is...I mean...he, that..."

Shiller hit the record player's button, a melodious old song rang out. He patted on Steve's shoulder and said, "Captain, seems like he really wants proof from you. Yes, I can see what he's getting at."

"Where's my proof?" the Captain knocked the counter.

A delightful voice was heard from inside, "Coming right up."

Before Peter could react, a red and blue, shiny shield with a five-pointed star flew in. Steve caught the shield with one hand, Peter stared and said, "That's so cool!"

Natasha leaned against the door frame from outside, spoke lazily, "Welcome back, Captain."

Steve patted the shield and said, "Looks like you guys were ready."

Shiller said to Natasha, "Alright, save the sentimental stories for later. Two days of consulting fees, a total of 5 million dollars, when will it be transferred?"

Steve looked at him, "You're really planning to take that much money?"

"Otherwise? I let you guys hang around here, setting up eavesdropping devices, mooching off food, all because you're Captain America?"

"I thought we were friends." said Steve.

"Of course, if we weren't friends, 5 million dollars could just about only buy me breakfast."

"Did you charge Stark the same price?" Steve asked.

"I'll charge him double next time."

Steve immediately turned to Natasha, "Pay up, and add an extra 10% tip."