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*****
"To make up for all those decades!"
That one line of affection turned Peggy Carter's face completely red.
Good grief, just wow!
Turns out Captain America is a master at charming the ladies… even grandmas.
Mike sighed dramatically as he watched the two of them gaze into each other's eyes, practically flinging dog food* into his home. He waved his hand like swatting it away and teased, "Can you two at least come inside before getting all lovey-dovey?"
(*Note: "throwing dog food" is Chinese slang meaning public displays of affection that make others feel single.)
"Ahem."
Steve came to his senses, cleared his throat, and said, "Sorry to intrude."
He stepped into Mike's house, gently closed the door behind him, and took a glance around.
For some reason, a warm, cozy feeling seemed to greet him.
This house... it must be a very happy one.
He murmured the thought inwardly, then reached out to Mike with a smile. "Steve Rogers. Thank you for saving me."
"Mike." He shook Steve's hand and said, "You didn't let Peggy's wait be in vain. That's good."
Steve gave a small smile. "She's my girl. Always has been."
Mike's grin twitched slightly, feeling the sharp sting of envy.
Peggy Carter rolled her eyes at Steve, though the corner of her lips curled up despite herself. "Mike, we've decided to buy a house here. Right next door to you."
"Huh?"
Mike blinked. "Next door?"
"Yup!"
Peggy glanced at Steve. "He just woke up and isn't familiar with the modern world. It'll be easier for him to adjust here."
Then, she smirked at Mike and added, "Besides, you're an old man too. You two should get along just fine."
Mike: "…"
After a pause, he suddenly said, "Ma'am, if you're leaving your grandson in my care, there's a babysitting fee."
"You jerk! Will you ever stop!?"
Peggy, both embarrassed and furious, raised her fist to hit him.
Mike caught her hand and winked at Steve. "Mind if I have a private word with Carter?"
Steve's gaze fell to where Mike was holding Peggy's hand. His smile grew a bit forced. "Go ahead."
"Come with me—I've got a gift for you. Consider it a housewarming present."
With that, Mike dragged Peggy Carter upstairs.
After closing the door behind them, Peggy looked at him curiously. "What kind of gift? A secret Mahjong strategy guide?"
Mike twitched at the corners of his mouth. "Can your brain hold anything else besides that nonsense?"
He reached into his dimensional pocket and pulled out a translucent, dark crystal.
"You're giving me this?"
"No," Mike said with a mysterious smile. "I'm giving you your youth back."
"?"
…
Downstairs, Steve paced around the living room, curiously examining all the unfamiliar gadgets. But when he heard footsteps from upstairs, he quickly sat down on the sofa, trying to look natural.
The next second, when he saw Peggy Carter walk into the room, he froze—then pure joy burst across his face. He rushed to her side, exclaiming, "I'm not seeing things, right? What happened?!"
Peggy Carter… had become young again.
Peggy herself was still a bit dazed.
She had actually become young again. That was Mike's gift to her.
He had really done it.
She touched her face, then threw her arms around Steve and burst into tears of joy.
This… was the best gift she could ever receive.
Mike smiled as he watched the scene and quietly left the room, giving them some private space.
Helping true love—that's a beautiful thing too.
Although, the life force stored in that crystal was far greater than he expected.
Even after gifting Peggy Carter several decades of youth, only about a third of the crystal's energy had been used.
The Black Queen died a justified death.
Muttering to himself, Mike walked into the dining room. A few minutes later, Peggy Carter poked her head shyly out from the living room doorway.
Mike: "Done already?"
Peggy's smile vanished instantly. She twitched at the corner of her mouth. "You damn jerk. Your mouth is still as filthy as ever."
But then she chuckled and said, "Thanks for the gift, Mike."
Mike stepped into the living room and replied, "I promised you, didn't I?"
"No, you don't understand how much this means to me."
"To us,"
Steve said, stepping up beside Peggy to finish the sentence.
The sour stench of jealousy was in the air...
"Alright, alright, it's just a little thing—stop harping on it,"
Mike waved dismissively. "So, when are you two moving in?"
"Tomorrow," Peggy Carter replied. "I just came by today to check out the house. Still need to pack up some stuff."
"If you need help, just let me know."
Peggy waved a hand nonchalantly. "Just have lunch ready for us. The moving company will handle everything else."
Mike: "…"
Peggy grinned smugly, lacing her fingers through Steve's. "See you tomorrow."
Watching them walk away, Mike couldn't help but look forward to what life would be like once they moved in.
Things were definitely getting livelier…
He smiled and closed the door behind them.
…
At Gwen's school cafeteria—
Gwen held her lunch box and waited in line at the microwave station, the aroma of meat growing stronger as Mike's home-cooked meal slowly reheated. The smell was so rich and savory, she couldn't help but swallow a little drool.
The male teacher manning the microwaves also twitched his nose at the scent—and so did the students standing nearby.
Ding!
The microwave chimed. The teacher opened the door, pulled out a few warmed lunch boxes, glanced at the names on each one, and began calling out names as he handed them back.
While most kids ate school-provided lunches, a handful brought food from home. The school had installed a large-capacity microwave just for them—a move that earned them widespread praise when it was first implemented.
"Gwen!"
The teacher called her name. Gwen hurried over and took her lunch box. She took a deep whiff, her face lighting up with satisfaction.
As she looked up, she noticed a few classmates eyeing her lunch with obvious interest. Hugging it protectively to her chest, she narrowed her eyes. "What do you guys want?"
"Uh… what is that? It smells amazing!" one boy couldn't help asking, and the rest eagerly leaned in to hear.
Gwen puffed up slightly with pride. "Of course it smells amazing—it's my dad's cooking!"
She opened her lunch box just a bit to show them. "It's called Roujiamo."
At that moment, she spotted Luke waving at her and quickly ran over, sitting down in the empty seat beside him.
"Hey, Peter!"
Noticing her classmate Peter Parker sitting across the table, Gwen cheerfully greeted him.
Peter smiled shyly.
Luke sniffed the air with a dramatic inhale and groaned. "Uncle Mike made your lunch again? I should've sat somewhere else! How am I supposed to eat now?"
He glanced at the school lunch in front of him: fruit, salad, milk, and a beef burger. Nutritious? Yes. Delicious? Not so much...
"Here, this one's for you."
Gwen pulled out a Roujiamo and handed it to Luke. Seeing Peter curiously eyeing the sandwich, she looked into her lunch box and, noticing she still had two left, generously handed one to Peter as well.
Peter hesitated, but the smell was irresistible. Blushing slightly, he accepted it and murmured, "Thanks."
Just as the three of them were about to dig in, another boy walked up to Gwen and asked, "Hey, can I buy one of those off you?"
"Buy?"
Gwen blinked, then immediately shook her head. "Nope!"
The boy looked disappointed and was about to walk away when Gwen's eyes lit up with mischief. She called out, "Wait—I do accept pre-orders. If you want one, I can bring it for you tomorrow!"
(End of Chapter)