Late at night.
Peggy's apartment.
"So, what do you think?" Adam asked, tossing out a random plot idea and sneaking a glance at Peggy's reaction.
He had no choice—keeping her happy was the key to a good night!
"Why's Supergirl Peggy's real target Flash Sheldon?" Peggy asked, playing it cool but curious.
"Oh, that?" Adam grinned, picking up that Peggy was at least kinda into his off-the-cuff story. "Easy! Remember when Sheldon ticked you off, patted your shoulder, and said, 'Woman, grab me a beer'? The you in this universe clenched your fist and decked him. Right then, all the Peggys across the multiverse felt it too. The Supergirl version of you had just awakened her powers—not used to them yet, a little wild, a little naughty. Then Flash Sheldon, who loves hopping through multiverses, crashed into you. He tried to lecture you, acting all chummy and patting your shoulder again—big mistake! You lost it, and he freaked out, opened a wormhole, and bolted from your universe. Later, Supergirl-you mastered your powers, soaked up some sun for a few years, and bam—punched open a wormhole with your bare fists. Now you're out there, striking that classic Superman pose, fists blazing a trail through infinite multiverses, chasing Flash Sheldon down to teach him a lesson he'll never forget!"
"Hahaha!" Peggy couldn't hold it in—she burst out laughing. "You're wild! But that's hilarious!" 😂
"Heh heh," Adam chuckled, relieved she wasn't hung up on comparing herself to comic-book Captain Marvel's figure anymore. He was back in the driver's seat! "Glad you like it."
With Peggy happy, life was sweet again. She raised her hands, clenched her fists, and shot him a flirty little, "What're you waiting for?" Adam just stared, jaw dropping.
"It's not just the morning bells or evening drums that bring tears to my eyes.
It's the fishing lights under Zhongjiang Tower that I can't let go of.
How much longer will this road stretch, with you holding my hand tight?
It's your soft nostalgia that keeps me hooked.
I think of you out there, memories tugging at my heartstrings.
The green willows by Mirror Lake kiss my forehead…"
The next day.
Bright and early.
Adam kissed Peggy's forehead, humming the tune he'd been crooning all night. He revved his sports car and zoomed out of New Jersey, headed for the hospital. Today was the day Mr. Little Robinson got his active virus injection—the first step in Adam's clinical research to kill cancer cells with viruses. What a day to be alive! 😎
Medical Center.
Ward.
"How'd last night go?" Adam asked with a smile, looking at Shorty and Lexie.
"Everything was normal," Shorty said.
"Mr. Robinson's mood seemed… off, though," Lexie added, throwing Shorty a weird look.
"That's just the tumor talking—typical mood swings," Shorty said, totally chill.
"What's up?" Adam frowned. "Give me the details."
"Last night, out of nowhere, Mr. Robinson said to Dr. Melendez, 'Check out my wife—pretty hot, right?'" Lexie explained, trying not to cringe. "'First time I saw her, I couldn't take my eyes off her curves. What do you think? Like her? Wanna give her a spin? Between you and me, she can do even better than that~'"
"…" Adam's mouth twitched. He had no words.
Talk about emotional!
"Then what?" Adam asked, swallowing his urge to roast the guy and keeping it professional.
"Dr. Melendez turned him down, obviously," Lexie said with a wry smile. "Mrs. Robinson jumped in, all embarrassed, saying her husband's terrified of dying on the table tomorrow, so he's trying to set her up with her next husband now. Then Mr. Robinson yelled at her, 'Did I say you could talk?!' We all just chalked it up to the tumor talking."
"Yeah, that's the tumor for sure," Adam nodded, eyeing Lexie and Shorty. "Stick with that mindset."
"Got it," they both said, nodding back.
"Alright, everyone in with me," Adam said as George and Carter showed up. He waved the four interns along and pushed open the ward door.
"Morning, Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Robinson!" Adam greeted with a smile. "You guys ready?"
"Sure," Mr. Little Robinson said with a manic grin. "If I don't die during surgery, the tumor'll finish me off anyway. Nothing to lose, right?"
"Not true," Adam said, getting serious. "Will to live—it's tough to measure in medicine, but it does make a huge difference in treatment. Especially in moments like this that need a miracle. Mr. Robinson, if you're having second thoughts, we can cancel the surgery, no problem! Spending your last days with your wife and loved ones? That's a solid choice too."
"Dr. Duncan, you single?" Mr. Little Robinson dodged the question, staring Adam up and down instead.
"…" Adam's smile froze.
If this surgery went ahead, he was definitely checking if this guy's malignant glioma was pure green. Holy crap—this dude was asking everyone! 🟢
"Philip!" Mrs. Robinson snapped, her face flushing red. She couldn't take it anymore.
She'd been brushing off her husband's antics as "the tumor talking," per the doctors' advice, but dragging Adam into it? That was her breaking point. Too humiliating! 😳
"What?" Mr. Robinson sneered. "Don't tell me you wouldn't go for a guy like Dr. Duncan! I bet no woman could resist him. If he's single and willing, you'd probably want me dead on the table right now!"
Mrs. Robinson went pale, staring at her husband in disbelief.
"Don't look at me like that!" he roared, getting more fired up. "If you wanna help me, get Dr. Duncan to take my wife—or round up some single guys right now for her to pick from! This is a hospital—tons of hot doctors Jenny would love. She's just a dead-end waitress! If I don't set her up before I croak, how's she gonna snag a decent new husband?!"
"Enough, Mr. Robinson!" Adam's face hardened, his voice dropping low. "You might think you're doing this for your wife's sake—so she's not left alone if something happens to you. But all this does is humiliate her endlessly. It's not love! No one wants 'help' like this! And we're doctors here to save lives, not play matchmaker. Show us some respect!"
"Sorry," Mr. Robinson said after a stunned pause, going quiet. "I just can't stop worrying about Jenny."
"Philip, I'll be fine!" Jenny sobbed. "If you really want me to be okay, fight to survive this surgery. I just want to spend the rest of my life with you!"
"Alright," he said, smiling and nodding.
Once they cleared the air, everything smoothed out. The surgery went ahead as planned.
Operating Room.
Before anesthesia.
"You sure about this?" Adam asked, leaning over him.
"Yeah, Dr. Duncan. Thanks for the wake-up call," Mr. Little Robinson said with a faint smile. "I almost forgot—I've got a brother. He's been divorced for years. He'll look after Jenny. They'll be super happy together. I'm at peace now."
Adam: "…"
All the medical staff: "…"
(End of Chapter)