Chapter 174: Birthday, Gwen and Xi Nian
At Gwen's home.
The dining table was lit softly with warm light.
Roast chicken and steak filled the air with steaming fragrance, while cheesecake, pudding, and other desserts tempted everyone's appetite. The spread was enough to make anyone's mouth water.
"Alright, everyone place your hands together on the table."
Following Mary's lead, those seated at the table joined hands with the people beside them.
Xi Nian held Gwen's small hand on one side, and on the other side, the hand of the kid Peter Parker.
Once everyone was connected, Mary closed her eyes and spoke gently, "Thank the Lord for granting us such a wonderful dinner. Tonight is my daughter Gwen Stacy's birthday dinner—her coming of age. May she find success in her studies and her love, and may everyone here find happiness and fulfillment."
When she finished, Mary smiled and said, "Alright, let's eat!"
"Yay!" Peter cheered happily.
Meanwhile, Gwen quietly pulled her hand back from Xi Nian's.
Xi Nian sighed inwardly.
He picked up his knife and fork, but somehow, even with all the delicious food in front of him, he had no appetite.
Strange.
…
After dinner, they cut the cake and celebrated Gwen's birthday.
Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves—except for Xi Nian and Gwen.
"I'm full," Gwen said softly after finishing a small slice of cake.
She left the table and returned to her room, closing the door behind her.
Mary walked over, knocking gently. "Gwen, the guests are still outside, and Xi Nian is here too…"
There was no response.
"What's wrong with Gwen? She doesn't seem happy tonight," Aunt May asked in confusion.
"What do you think?" Officer George muttered, his eyes narrowing as both he and Peter Parker glanced toward Xi Nian.
Xi Nian twitched at the corner of his mouth. "Isn't it possible that one of you upset her recently?"
"Impossible!" Peter said with certainty. "She only ever upsets me. No way I'd dare to upset her."
…Reasonable enough.
"To be honest," George said, analyzing calmly, "even if I upset Gwen, she wouldn't be this angry. As much as I hate to admit it, the only person who could make her this mad is probably you."
"Tell us. What did you do to Gwen?" George's gaze turned sharp, the way he'd look at a criminal.
Even if he had changed his opinion of Xi Nian earlier, George would always side with his daughter.
"Xi Nian, did you upset her at school?" Mary added with worry.
"I…" Xi Nian felt like all four pairs of eyes were condemning him. He almost believed he had committed some unforgivable crime.
"Brother, if you really did something to let Gwen down, I won't forgive you!" Peter declared righteously, about to throw himself at Xi Nian.
This kid must have already awakened the spider powers in his body after being bitten. That was where his confidence came from.
"Save your energy."
Xi Nian reached out and ruffled Peter's head roughly, just as Gwen had done earlier.
He then stood up and asked Mary and George, "Can I go check on her?"
Mary and George exchanged a look.
"You should go. Girls need to be comforted," Mary nodded, giving him a bit of advice.
George hesitated, then finally agreed. "Fine. But only ten minutes."
Xi Nian walked to Gwen's door and knocked. "Gwen, can I come in?"
No answer.
Taking a deep breath, he turned the handle. Luckily, it wasn't locked. He slipped inside and closed the door behind him.
Gwen was sitting by the window, the night breeze blowing through the open frame and lifting her golden hair. She was flipping through a photo album, moonlight shining across her black-and-white dress, her side profile delicate as a sculpture.
Xi Nian didn't need to look closely to know the album was full of pictures of the two of them—photos spanning five, ten, even more years ago. From when they were little kids, growing up together until now.
"Gwen, I was wrong," Xi Nian said directly.
"You… wrong about what?" Gwen asked without turning, still gazing at the album.
"Because ever since we were kids, you've always given in to me. So if there's a conflict, it has to be my fault."
"You're not wrong."
Gwen shook her head bitterly. "It's me. I was wrong."
"I was wrong… for meeting you too early."
She whispered sadly, then took a deep breath. "Friday night… I went to see you because I wanted to ask what I should wear on my birthday. I was going to message you, but I thought it'd be a good excuse to see you in person, maybe invite you out for a swing ride…"
"Friday night?" Xi Nian froze. "You saw everything?"
She nodded.
"I can explain…" he started.
But Gwen interrupted, her voice trembling. "You still had Kara's scent on you…"
Xi Nian fell silent.
That… could not be explained.
Tears dripped onto the album in her lap. Gwen was crying.
Xi Nian felt like he had been stabbed in the heart. In all their years together, this was only the second time he'd seen her cry.
The first time had been back in kindergarten, when they first met. She had nearly been kidnapped, and he tried to protect her but almost got taken too. George had arrived just in time to save them both.
The little girl had cried her heart out in his arms.
She had said, "My name is Gwen. Don't be scared, I'll protect you."
Even though she herself was terrified.
And the little boy, hugging her back, had shamelessly declared, "I'm Xi Nian. From now on, we're brothers!"
"W-what's… brothers?" little Gwen had asked tearfully.
"It means we sleep together, bathe together, play games together, and you help me chase girls—ow! Why are you hitting me, officer?"
…
The memory faded.
Now Xi Nian saw Gwen crying again, and he instinctively stepped forward—only to be stopped by her voice.
"Stay there! Don't come closer!"
She closed the album and raised her tear-streaked face.
Her trembling hand pressed against her chest, clutching herself through the white dress. "Am I not woman enough? Do I have no charm at all? Am I not attractive to you?"
"You can date your aunt, you can be with Kara who you've only known a few months… but you have no desire for me. Not even a little."
"You could at least… be a scumbag to me once!"
Her whole body shook as she cried, eyes full of hurt and helplessness.
"Gwen, I…" Xi Nian's chest ached.
"No need."
She turned her back to him. "I'm sorry. I just lost my temper tonight. Please, go home. Tomorrow at school you'll see your cheerful childhood friend again. We'll always be best friends."
He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, there was a knock at the door.
George coughed outside. "Time's up."
Xi Nian looked at Gwen's back one last time before leaving. As he stepped out, he faintly heard her whisper:
"Xi Nian… If I could do it all over again, I'd never be your childhood friend."
…
Not long after, Mary knocked softly on Gwen's door. "Gwen, Xi Nian went home."
"I know."
Her eyes dimmed, as though jewels had lost their shine. She tucked the album away, closed the window against the moonlight, and buried herself under the covers, clutching Xi Nian's gift box tightly to her chest.
…
"Xi Nian. Wanda was right—you really are a bastard."
Walking out of Gwen's house, Xi Nian let out a long sigh.
But guilt solved nothing. What mattered now was figuring out how to make things right with Gwen.
The problem was, Mary and George would never let him into her room again.
Xi Nian glanced at the shut front door, then shifted his gaze toward the hallway window.
To hell with it.
Rolling up his sleeves, he undid the top button of his shirt and headed straight for the window.
…
Later that night, Mary walked Aunt May and Peter Parker out.
But as they left, Peter paused, glancing back at the hallway.
"What is it, Peter?" Aunt May asked.
"…Nothing. Must be my imagination." Peter shook his head and left with her.
…
Inside Gwen's room, the lights were off. She lay curled in bed, looking asleep.
Suddenly, a knocking sound broke the silence.
"Dad? Mom?" Gwen whispered, lifting the blanket. Her eyes were still red as she looked toward the door.
But her spider sense told her—the sound wasn't coming from the door.
It was the window.
She stepped barefoot onto the floor and took a deep breath before pulling it open.
Moonlight spilled in, revealing the boy clinging half out of the tenth-floor window.
"Hey, Gwen. Good evening…" Xi Nian waved with one hand, while his other clung desperately to the ledge, nearly slipping.
"Xi Nian, what are you doing?!"
Gwen's instincts kicked in. She shot a webline and yanked him inside.
Crash!
Xi Nian tumbled into her arms, and they both rolled onto the floor, tangled in webs and bathed in moonlight.
"Are you okay?" Gwen asked, starting to get up—
But Xi Nian hugged her tightly, just like he had when they were kids.
Looking into her eyes, he said seriously:
"Gwen, I'm here to be a scumbag to you."
[Please give powerstones if you're enjoying the story.
500 stones = 1 extra chapter
patreon.com/GuessMyName33 10$ for 80 chapters ahead]