Peter’s Views on Love

Peter was very busy now. Not only did he have to attend classes, he also had to give speeches as the student representative, run for student council, participate in club activities, and so on.

These activities had originally been reserved for the school’s influential figures, the campus stars who received such treatment. They had nothing to do with Peter, the bookworm. But now Peter was the biggest campus star of all, with fans everywhere. The school had even established a "Thor Fan Club," filled with his adoring male and female fans.

So Peter was experiencing the feeling of being the center of attention for the first time, and he was also participating deeply in school activities for the first time.

He had never taken part in such occasions before, so it was inevitable that he would fumble around and make a few mistakes. Under normal circumstances, newcomers like him would be cast aside, left on the bench, or made to do odd jobs.

But Peter certainly wouldn’t encounter that kind of treatment now. Everyone enthusiastically helped him revise his drafts and practice his speeches. As for the election and such, it was basically just a formality. The result had practically been decided already. Of course, with Peter’s current popularity, he didn’t need any special arrangements.

"Hey, Peter. These are your love letters. Today’s batch filled up your locker." Gwen walked in carrying a large box of letters, placed it in his arms, and looked at him with an amused smile.

"Uh…" After Peter took it, he hurriedly set it on a nearby table and explained helplessly, "I’ve already said I don’t read this kind of thing. I don’t know any of them, and I don’t feel anything for them."

"There are quite a few beauties in here." Gwen rummaged through the letters, then pulled out one and glanced at the signature. "This is a love letter from Claire, the cheerleading captain. Ninety percent of the boys in school want to date her."

The moment he heard that name, an image immediately appeared in Peter’s mind: a blonde woman with a large chest, a curvy backside, and long legs. He couldn’t help swallowing, then quickly waved his hands and said:

"I’ve never even spoken to her before. She likes Thor, not me."

"You are Thor."

"No, I… I’m Peter Parker."

Peter didn’t know how to explain his thoughts. After stammering for a while, he gave an example. "Just like Master said, Thor or whatever is only one aspect of a person. I want my girlfriend to love Peter Parker, not Thor."

"Is there a difference?"

"Of course there’s a difference. When Thor is no longer Thor, those who love Thor will naturally leave. But those who love Peter Parker won’t." Peter answered seriously.

"How could Thor disappear?"

"I… I don’t know. I just have a feeling that I shouldn’t be Thor."

Peter hesitated before saying, "Everything happened too suddenly. In less than half a year, I suddenly went from being invisible among the students to becoming Thor. I always feel as if this is all a dream, terribly unreal."

"I can understand that. It’s like those Hollywood stars who become famous overnight." Gwen raised her eyebrows. "But you don’t seem to have lost your balance."

"Uh…" Peter tilted his head and thought for a moment. "Maybe it’s thanks to Mr. Stark. He always looks unreliable, but in reality, I never sensed any arrogance from him. I think I should be like him and regard myself as an ordinary person."

Gwen rolled her eyes. "Tony Stark is famously difficult to deal with. How did you get the impression that he has such a good relationship with ordinary people?"

She shrugged and spread her hands. "All right, he does have a very good relationship with beautiful women."

Peter awkwardly scratched his head. Everyone in the world knew about Senior Apprentice-Brother’s womanizing. There was no way to explain it away.

"Um, Gwen, are you free tonight?" Peter finally gathered his courage and launched his approach.

"I’m going to the martial arts gym to train and try to pass the assessment within the three-month deadline. Why?" Gwen asked, turning back in confusion.

The moment he heard that Gwen still had to complete her assessment, Peter’s courage rapidly vanished. "Oh, it’s nothing. I was just asking."

"If you have something to say, just say it, Second~ Senior Brother~" Gwen flashed Peter a playful smile.

Peter gripped the movie tickets in his pocket and said hesitantly, "I… I wanted to discuss something with you. The visit to Osborn Corporation in a couple of days."

"Oh, is it Osborn Corporation’s turn this year? It’s a routine visit held every year. The student council has a fixed plan. We just need to take it out and make a few changes. I’ll bring it to you after school."

"Okay, thank you." Peter ultimately decided to wait until Gwen passed her assessment before saying anything. After all, his master was utterly merciless about such matters.

The previous group of nominal disciples had now all become students and had been driven out of the martial arts gym.

He knew what was important and what wasn’t. He didn’t want to hold Gwen back because of him.

As for dating, it wouldn’t be too late to discuss it after Gwen successfully passed her assessment and became his junior apprentice-sister.

After school, Gwen brought Peter the activity plan, and the two of them went to the martial arts gym together.

After training at the gym for two or three hours, Peter walked Gwen home. He waved goodbye and watched until she entered the house before turning to leave.

Through the window, Gwen watched Peter’s departing figure, lost in a daze.

"The young man who brought you home was Thor Peter?" a voice sounded behind Gwen.

Gwen turned around and saw her father, George Stacy, standing behind her with his back to the light. His expression was troubled and unreadable.

"Yes, Dad." She smiled coyly. "But soon, your daughter will become Thor too—a female Thor. When that happens, your colleagues will be green with envy."

George said nothing. His expression remained grave.

Gwen sensed that something was wrong and asked in confusion, "What is it, Dad?"

"Gwen, perhaps you shouldn’t continue staying at the Ultimate Limit Hall."

"Why?" Gwen asked in surprise.

"A few days ago, Zhan Liu killed more than a dozen police officers in full view of the public. Although certain powerful people suppressed the matter, I can’t simply turn a blind eye to it."

George clenched both fists and said through gritted teeth:

"I know this world has never been fair. In the face of power and money, the law is often useless, and justice cannot be upheld. I’m powerless to do anything about many things, but at the very least, I can’t condone this. And I certainly can’t become complicit in it."

"Gwen, I can’t force anyone else, but I hope you can leave that martial arts gym. Don’t associate with that murderer."

Gwen’s mouth fell open in shock, and she covered it with both hands to keep herself from crying out.

"Dad, could there have been some mistake? He just saved New York."

"Merit is merit, and wrongdoing is wrongdoing. They can’t be confused. Just because he’s a superhero doesn’t mean he can disregard the law, kill people at will, and escape punishment—especially when the people he killed were law enforcement officers."

Gwen fell silent. After a long while, she finally answered in a hoarse voice, "Okay, Dad. I understand."