After receiving Ryden's promise, Aunt Sarah became cheerful again.
She hummed softly while cooking every day, preparing meals for her beloved little husband.
If not for the missing marriage certificate, they already looked like a perfect couple.
A week later, Ryden wrapped up his experiments and returned home.
Not long after, the phone rang.
"Hello, Ryden speaking. Who is this, and what can I do for you?"
A sobbing voice came through the receiver.
Ryden recognized it immediately.
Sherry.
His childhood neighbor.
Terrence's little sister.
"Brother Ryden!! Wuwu... Brother Ryden!"
"Huh? Sherry? What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Ryden's heart sank.
She would never call him without a reason.
A bad feeling crept in.
"Wuwu... Brother Ryden... Daddy... Daddy's dead..."
Her voice shook.
"Shot to death... by gangsters... Wuwu... while on a mission..."
"And they're coming to our house... Wuwu..."
"If Sister Sera hadn't arrived in time... Wuwu... we might all be dead..."
"Brother Ryden... I'm so scared..."
On the other end, Sherry wiped her tears as she spoke.
Her father's sudden death.
The danger surrounding her family.
The young girl was overwhelmed.
"Sherry, don't be afraid."
Ryden's voice steadied.
"Big brother is here."
"Don't worry. I'm coming back right now to see what's going on."
"Don't run around. Let my sister protect you-she's a police captain."
"Gangsters won't dare act openly."
"When I get back, I'll handle it."
Ryden sensed a conspiracy.
But he didn't know who the real target was.
He'd have to return to find out.
"Wuwu... okay... Big brother..."
"I'll wait for you..."
Sherry's small body trembled as she cried.
"Alright. Don't be scared."
"I'm on my way back now."
"Be strong, Sherry."
"Wait for me. I'll get revenge for you."
"Take a hot bath and sleep at my place."
"Don't worry. Big brother will take care of everything."
Ryden's good mood vanished completely.
Good news.
Bad news.
They came too close together.
He didn't know how to describe the feeling.
"Wuwu... okay..."
"Big brother... I miss you..."
"Come back soon..."
"Sherry is waiting for you..."
"Goodnight, big brother..."
Sherry hung up reluctantly and buried herself in her mother's arms, crying loudly.
Aunt Laura looked hollow.
She never imagined her husband would die so suddenly.
And at the hands of gangsters.
She hugged her daughter silently, hoping things would somehow get better.
"Don't worry too much."
Ryden ran a hand through his hair.
"I'm very sorry about Uncle Brad."
"I'll definitely get justice for him."
"Goodnight, little sister."
Uncle Brad had been a good man.
He taught Ryden fitness.
Self-defense.
A loud, hearty man-gone just like that.
The thought left Ryden feeling heavy.
Seeing her little husband's expression, Aunt Sarah gently pulled him into her arms.
"Hubby, what's wrong?"
Since they had defined their relationship, she no longer hid it.
She called him that openly now.
"Nothing."
Ryden leaned against her, eyes cold.
"An old friend's father. Uncle Brad. Terrence's dad."
"He was killed by gangsters while on duty."
"I need to go back."
"I need to investigate."
"And get revenge."
The tree wanted stillness.
The wind refused to stop.
He wanted to study quietly.
But these scum kept pushing him.
"That sounds dangerous."
Aunt Sarah stroked his hair gently.
"You must be careful."
"I don't want our baby to be born without seeing you."
She didn't stop him.
She only reminded him to be safe.
The look of a virtuous wife and future mother.
She paused, then blushed slightly, as if remembering something.
"Also, hubby... if you see Steve, please look after him."
"That child's always been sickly. I'm worried something might happen."
At the mention of Steve Rogers, Ryden's mood lifted slightly.
He grinned.
"Of course."
"After all, I'm technically his 'father' now."
"Haha."
"Even though he's six or seven years older than me."
The thought made him feel both strange and excited.
So what if you're a superhero?
No matter how legendary you become-
I'm still your daddy.
Heh.
After resting one night in the dorm, Ryden went to request leave from his mentor.
He explained everything.
"...That's the situation."
"I have to go back."
"If I don't, even my family could be in danger."
"Perfect timing, actually."
"The magnetic rifle and pistol are finished."
"I can test them."
"Then the great weapon we co-invented will finally be revealed."
Ms. Jennifer sat calmly, silver-white hair pinned back.
Elegant.
Composed.
Uninterested in fame or fortune.
She frowned slightly.
"Alright."
"I'm sorry about your neighbor."
"Be careful."
"I don't want to hear bad news about you."
"Not everyone is qualified to be my student."
"I don't want you to die before you spread your wings."
"The world has many geniuses."
"Most of them are dead."
"To live is the greatest success."
"Thank you, Ms. Jennifer."
Ryden smiled.
"Can I have a hug?"
To say he wasn't tempted would be a lie.
He was determined to be a bad boy.
Young beauties were always welcome-if he could find them.
Ms. Jennifer frowned.
But she didn't refuse.
She gave him a firm, proper hug.
Very proper.
So proper it felt like being pressed by a gun barrel.
Ryden fled the lab in embarrassment as a book flew after him.
Back at the dorm, he grabbed his luggage.
Inside were his gadgets.
And the newly developed magnetic weapons.
Semi-finished.
Why semi-finished?
Because they hadn't undergone systematic testing.
They were still theoretical.
No one knew what would happen once they were used.
IF YOU LIKE THE STORY PLEASE COMMENT AND RATE THE STORY AND ADD IT TO YOUR LIBRARY
YOUR SUPPORT IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED