Chapter 6 - New Beginnings And Unpredictable Nature Of Marvel

At a high school in Queens, New York, the summer sun blazed down, making the air shimmer with heat. Students poured out of the school gates, chatting and laughing, their excitement palpable as they greeted each other.

A high-end silver-gray car was parked near the entrance, drawing envious glances from the passing students. They knew exactly who it belonged to.

"Peter, want to come over to my place?" Harry Osborn asked, walking alongside Peter Parker.

"No, Harry, I have to head back," Peter replied, waving his hand. "I'm going to the research institute tomorrow. There are some exciting scientific discoveries that I'm really looking forward to."

Peter, ever the nerd, was deeply interested in scientific research, a passion rooted in his early years.

"Alright then," Harry said, glancing over at a striking red-haired girl. "Check out Mary Jane. Isn't she something?"

Harry's attention was clearly fixated on her, and he barely noticed Peter's interest in the conversation.

"Hey, Harry, look, it's Xu Mo!" Peter suddenly exclaimed, spotting the young man in casual clothes waving at them.

Despite Xu Mo being a year older and now a college student, he was still close friends with Peter and Harry. Xu Mo approached them with a smile.

"You two are looking younger than me these days," Xu Mo said cheerfully.

Harry gave Xu Mo a friendly pat on the shoulder. "You're still the same Xu Mo, always so composed."

Peter and Harry had been concerned when Xu Mo's parents were involved in an accident. They hadn't seen him for a week, and now, seeing him full of life, they were relieved.

Xu Mo glanced at Harry and teased, "Grand Prince Harry, still chasing beautiful women, I see."

Harry blushed slightly at the comment, and Peter, though introverted, had a soft spot for Mary Jane. Xu Mo could see Peter's unspoken affection and noted that Mary Jane might not be the ideal match for him.

Later, Xu Mo took Jia Li out for a meal and let her go back alone while he headed to his old high school.

Peter asked, "Why are you back here?"

Xu Mo explained that he needed to complete some transfer paperwork, given that his current residence and company were in Manhattan.

Harry then asked, "I heard you inherited a comic company? That's quite a shift."

As the heir to the Osborn Group, Harry was just beginning to get involved in corporate affairs. The comic industry was known for its stagnation, lacking vitality and competitiveness.

"It's hard to say. I'm launching my own comics tomorrow. We'll see how it goes," Xu Mo said confidently.

The three friends chatted for a while, with Peter and Harry expressing their support and interest in Xu Mo's new venture.

As the sun began to set, Xu Mo walked towards his residence but noticed Jia Li squatting outside a restaurant. Her face was smeared with disappointment.

"What's wrong, Jia Li?" Xu Mo asked as he approached.

"I was so hungry, Xu Mo. I had to come out," Jia Li said, her eyes filling with tears.

Xu Mo, unmoved, chuckled. "Hungry? You had two servings earlier, and it's not even six o'clock. Are you part pig?"

"I'm not a pig! I'm not even a low-level creature!" Jia Li protested, her hair standing on end.

Xu Mo continued teasing her, "Well, your stomach seems to disagree."

The sound of Jia Li's growling stomach filled the air, and Xu Mo couldn't help but laugh. "You really are a pig."

"I'm not! It's normal!" Jia Li insisted, though her argument was weak.

Xu Mo shook his head and, despite Jia Li's protests, carried her into the restaurant. He was wealthy enough to afford frequent meals.

An hour later, Jia Li followed Xu Mo out of the restaurant, still complaining. "I'm still not full."

Xu Mo listened silently, contemplating Jia Li's seemingly insatiable appetite.

Suddenly, a series of loud gunshots shattered the evening calm. Xu Mo's heart raced as he grabbed Jia Li's wrist and rushed toward home. The last thing he wanted was to get involved in whatever chaos was unfolding.

The gunfire gradually faded as Xu Mo and Jia Li reached the safety of their residence. The alley where the shooting had occurred was now filled with the acrid smell of gunpowder and scattered bullet holes.

From the shadows, a girl with purple hair and a black mask emerged, her gaze scanning the area. "Looks like someone's found us."

"It's fine. He's clever," replied a middle-aged man in a black uniform, inspecting the body of a gangster. He cursed when he couldn't find the target he was looking for. "Damn it, the trail's gone cold again."

As sirens wailed in the distance, the two figures quickly vanished into the darkness, leaving the alley in eerie silence.

As Xu Mo and Jia Li settled in for the night, the events of the day left Xu Mo reflecting on how quickly life could shift from normalcy to chaos. Tomorrow promised new beginnings with the release of his comic, but tonight was a reminder of the unpredictable nature of their world.