Su Yi's night was, predictably, a triumph of time management. He had taken Qi Lin to see Mary Jane Watson perform at a trendy off-Broadway theater. The evening was a study in contrasts: Qi Lin, the divine body sniper, observed the stage with the meticulous focus of a field operative, while Mary Jane, the vibrant artist, effortlessly commanded the attention of the room.
Afterward, Su Yi brought Mary Jane back to the villa. The early morning was spent balancing the quiet, analytical intensity of Qi Lin with the playful, fiery energy of Mary Jane, both of whom now occupied the vast New York residence.
Early in the morning, after sharing a relaxed breakfast and settling the logistical parameters of the day with his two companions, Su Yi teleported out. He had a full day of relationship cultivation ahead, starting with organizing a casual get-together.
Today's plan was to invite a few people over to the villa to utilize the large, enclosed backyard with its opulent swimming pool for an afternoon of sunbathing and water volleyball. He called a few key figures.
Gwen Stacy and Betty Brant were both bogged down with work—Gwen with her duties at Oscorp and Betty dealing with a crisis at the Daily Bugle—but Liz Allan and Hanna, both free and eager for a luxurious break, immediately accepted the invitation.
Meanwhile, Mary Jane took charge of the morning agenda for Qi Lin.
"Listen, Qi Lin, every Western woman who lives in New York needs a proper summer wardrobe, and that includes high-quality swimwear," Mary Jane announced, pulling a sleek, form-fitting black garment from one of her many closet drawers.
"This is a day for sun and water, not camouflage. Western women really take their pool and sunbathing rituals seriously. You can't show up in a combat suit."
Although Qi Lin, with her inherent Divine Body enhancements, didn't have a cultural habit of sunbathing or swimming for leisure, she recognized the social necessity of integration.
She was here to learn and adapt. "It is also very necessary to acquire a few appropriate outfits. I agree, Mary Jane," she replied, her voice calm and analytical, contrasting sharply with Mary Jane's bubbly tone.
"Good! And don't worry about fit, darling, you have a perfect physique. Everything looks incredible on you," Mary Jane laughed, already pulling her car keys. "We are hitting Soho. I know exactly the boutique that will give you something lethal."
The resulting shopping trip was a mission in cultural immersion. Mary Jane, acting as the ultimate fashion consultant, guided Qi Lin through racks of designer swimwear, casual linen dresses, and wide-brimmed hats.
Qi Lin, applying her tactical focus to fashion, analyzed textures, cuts, and colors with the same precision she would use to calibrate a scope. She learned about sun protection, the social currency of designer brands, and the art of looking effortlessly chic—lessons Mary Jane imparted with gusto.
By the time they returned, Qi Lin's inherent elegance was perfectly complemented by a sleek, modern wardrobe, solidifying the unusual but effective partnership between the sniper and the supermodel.
Su Yi, meanwhile, planned his route. "First, I'll go see Gwen, and then I'll drop by to see Little Spider Peter," he decided, teleporting his car and himself across town.
He drove all the way to the outside of the colossal Oscorp tower. Peter and Ned's food truck was parked strategically nearby. Peter and Ned were operating their specialized hot dog and egg burger business, and while the morning rush was over, they were still serving a steady stream of late-morning patrons.
"Hey, buddy, give me an egg burger. Everything on it," Su Yi called out, flashing his characteristic, confident grin.
Peter, busy flipping patties, looked up and instantly recognized the voice and the face. He was a mix of excited, surprised, and genuinely put out.
"Su! You're back! Where the heck have you been?" Ned exclaimed, wiping his hands on his apron.
Peter grumbled, tossing a spatula onto the metal counter. "Hey, we're partners! You just ran off on a mythical trip, left me and Ned to shoulder all the work, and now you stroll back demanding food? That's not fair, man."
Su Yi took the freshly cooked egg burger from Ned, paid, and took a large bite. "You and Ned are working well together. The lines prove it. Besides, I'm very busy," he said, holding up a hand. "Some truly major events have happened recently—things involving Norse gods and cosmic entities. We'll talk about them slowly later. Now, I have a quick errand."
He left the food truck and headed toward the side entrance of the Oscorp lobby, finding a secluded spot to wait. It was only minutes later that Gwen, looking stunningly professional in a tailored business suit, rushed out to meet him.
"Su, you just got back, and already you're making me sneak out of work like I'm a junior intern?" she whispered, though her eyes were shining.
"I missed you," Su Yi simply stated, pulling her close in a sheltered alcove.
Gwen was never one to hold back. She expressed her feelings with action, melting into a passionate, swift kiss. "Me too. It's been ridiculously dull here without you."
"I invited Mary Jane, Hanna, Liz, and a new friend, Qi Lin, over to the pool today. Do you have time?"
Gwen's eyes were full of longing. "Me? Maybe I can manage to leave work early and go home late. We have a major compliance audit, but I'll make time. Just tell me when."
"Do you have to come back to the villa later, or can you just stay out?" Su Yi asked, referencing her current living situation.
Gwen paused, considering the logistics of her protective father, NYPD Captain George Stacy. "If you're not afraid of my daddy seeing you with half a dozen beautiful women. I think a 'gentlemen's talk' with him would likely end with a full clip of bullets."
Su Yi chuckled, imagining the scene. "Then I'll wait for you. Take care of the others first. The rest of the time, the real time, is mine."
"You got it. Be safe, and try not to cause too many international incidents until I get there," Gwen said, giving him a quick, final peck before rushing back into the corporate maze of Oscorp.
Su Yi returned to the food truck, where Peter and Ned were finishing the lunch rush. The three of them sat on the truck's folded-down counter, sipping soda.
"Peter, how have things been on your side of the city recently? You look tired, but thrilled," Su Yi observed.
Peter was buzzing with excitement, recounting his experiences as Spider-Man. He had saved a collapsing subway station, prevented a major jewelry heist, and helped an elderly woman find her lost cat.
With the surprisingly positive, if sporadic, promotion from the Hero Daily blog (which Ned secretly helped run), Spider-Man's reputation was spreading, gradually overcoming the hysterical condemnation of J. Jonah Jameson and the Daily Bugle.
"Su, do you know?" Peter leaned forward, his voice lowered excitedly. "At Oscorp, there's this fan of mine, Max Dillon. He works in electrical engineering. He often comes here to buy breakfast from me, always getting the same thing. He calls me 'Spidey' and says I'm the only person who ever notices him."
"Not long ago, he was almost hit by a runaway truck, and I saved him," Peter continued, his eyes bright. "He idolizes Spider-Man, but he doesn't know my true identity."
Ned nodded, chiming in. "Yeah, I remember Max. He seemed super lonely, always talking about his birthday. He hasn't shown up today, though."
Peter frowned in realization. "It seems so. Maybe he's on holiday? Yesterday was his birthday, I remember him mentioning it."
Su Yi instantly put the pieces together. Max Dillon, the forgotten electrical engineer, whose birthday wish was to be noticed, and the high-tech, secretive nature of Oscorp's power grid. The timeline was textbook. In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Max was electrocuted and fell into a vat of mutated eels on his birthday, becoming the volatile villain, Electro.
Su Yi quickly called Gwen again, needing confirmation that an accident had indeed occurred.
Gwen, who had just settled back into her desk, was surprised to see his name pop up again. "Su, we only separated five minutes ago. Did you already lose your car keys?"
"I know. Listen closely. I wanted to ask you if Oscorp handles any experimental power storage or has a special lab section involving mutated eels or large bio-electrical batteries. Probably around the main power conduit."
Gwen paused, accessing her departmental knowledge. "I think so. That's way down in sub-level six, part of the Applied Sciences division. It's highly restricted. Why? Did something happen last night?"
"I don't know the exact details, but I have a strong suspicion," Su Yi said, hanging up swiftly. He turned back to Peter, his expression grave.
"Peter, Ned, have you noticed any unusual activity—unmarked ambulances or police cars—entering or leaving the basement garages of Oscorp today?"
"No," Peter replied, confused. "Everything's been normal."
Su Yi nodded, confirming his guess. "Then I have a guess in my heart: Max Dillon should have already had his accident. Oscorp, being the discrete corporate giant they are, is treating the incident as a workplace accident and handling it internally to avoid exposure."
Peter was incredulous, his youthful idealism shattering slightly. "What? How could they cover that up? That's insane!"
"It's corporate policy, Peter. The truth is bad for shareholders," Su Yi replied grimly. "Don't worry, he's not dead yet. He's just mutated, likely into the electrical entity you will eventually know as Electro."
Unlike the film's version, where Max was just a brief acquaintance, Peter had genuine rapport with Max. He considered Max a regular, a friend, and a sincere fan. The idea that this kind, lonely man was now suffering and transforming due to Oscorp's negligence hit Peter hard.
"I... I have to find him. I will help him," Peter declared, his voice filled with determination.
Su Yi naturally believed in Peter's inherent goodness, but he needed to temper the young hero's rising hubris. "If he appears, it's up to you to deal with him. You have the connection, Peter. But be careful. Electricity is harder to web than thugs."
After discussing Max's tragic situation, Peter was ready to hear Su Yi's story about Asgard—a bizarre distraction from the immediate threat. Su Yi quickly recounted the events: the arrival of Thor and Loki, the use of the Infinity Stones, and the sheer magnitude of power involved. Peter and Ned were wide-eyed and speechless.
"Thor, Loki, and Odin... the figures of Norse myth... they were real? And you fought them?" Ned whispered in awe.
"It was a busy couple of weeks," Su Yi confirmed. "But here's the important part, Peter. I'm happy to see you've saved so many people, and I mean that. At the same time, I'm also a little worried."
Seeing Su Yi suddenly become serious, Peter was anxious. "Worried about what, Su?"
"First, you must firmly remember why you help others. It is not for popularity, or for others' praise, or even for atonement for Uncle Ben. Those things come and go," Su Yi stated, meeting Peter's eyes intently. "Your drive must be pure. I hope you don't lose yourself in the fame."
"Yes, I'm not doing it for popularity," Peter insisted, defensively.
"Second, and this is the most critical lesson I can teach you, Peter: you need to know that you are Spider-Man, but you are not a god. Never, ever try to become a god who can save everyone!"
Su Yi pressed the point because he knew Peter was on a dangerous trajectory, stretching himself thin, responding to every single siren call, neglecting his own life, and burning out his physical and emotional reserves. He was desperately trying to be the all-encompassing protector, which was an impossible burden.
"I know I'm not a god, and I don't intend to be," Peter protested, his youthful idealism showing clearly. "I just hope to help more people, stop more crime, and prevent more tragedies. Is that wrong?"
The air was thick with Peter's conviction. Su Yi, however, recognized that no words could convince him right now. Peter had to learn this lesson through failure and consequence—a consequence Su Yi was trying to mitigate by preparing him.
Su Yi suddenly relaxed, his intense gaze dissolving into a warm, genuine smile. He instantly changed his attitude, switching back to the casual, mentoring partner.
He praised, "You are not wrong, Peter. You've done an excellent job during this time. You're becoming a real hero, and you'll need to trust your instincts with Max."
He clapped Peter on the shoulder. "Now, I have a date, or rather, a pool party to set up with several beautiful women who are waiting for me to join them. I have to go."
Su Yi grabbed his empty burger wrapper. "Max's matter is up to you. If you can't handle an electrified friend, contact me anytime. You know where to find me."
With that, Su Yi casually walked away, leaving Peter and Ned staring at his departing back, thoroughly confused by the dramatic shift in tone and the sudden, weighty warning about the limits of heroism.
Peter, however, wasn't thinking about philosophy. He was already planning his first move to track down his favorite customer, the forgotten man who had become a living power conduit.