Chapter 178: The Beauty of Black and White
Late at night.
The moon in this parallel universe wasn't much different from the one in Xi Nian's original world. If there was a difference, it was only that the surface lacked the giant craters left behind by human activity.
The moon hung high in the dark blue night sky, casting a cool silver glow down upon the city.
Spider-Man had arranged a temporary residence nearby for Xi Nian and Gwen, handed Xi Nian a mini-communicator to stay in contact, and then rushed off to prepare for the extraordinary battle that would take place the next day.
…
At the door of the five-star hotel suite, a blonde girl with short golden hair, refined and beautiful, lifted one foot and slipped off her boots. She reached down and peeled the thin white socks from her delicate ankles.
It was like gently pulling away the outer petals of a flower, revealing toes pale and soft as lotus seeds.
Gwen carried several shopping bags into the suite. She glanced at the wide night view through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the spacious and luxurious living room, and even the extravagant bathroom that was the size of an ordinary bedroom. She couldn't help but nod slightly and remark,
"That Spider uncle… even if his strength isn't much, he does know how to take care of people."
"Don't say it like that. He's still your 'cousin.'"
Lying comfortably on the sofa, Xi Nian sipped on a cold Coke as he defended this world's Peter Parker. "Besides, he's not just mastered his spider powers. He also has impressive cutting-edge tech. The special suits he designed for his spider physiology are the real key."
He thought back to the twelve suits he had seen in the basement and mused, "If he had come out today wearing the Iron Spider suit, even if he couldn't beat us, he could've easily escaped. He wouldn't have looked nearly as miserable as he did…"
Just like the spider gene itself, the super spider physiology combined easily with other extraordinary powers.
Balanced in every aspect, it was a physique that could match all kinds of suits.
With the right suit, a Spider could unleash strength several times—or even ten times—greater!
"I know. He's amazing. Guarding this world alone isn't easy."
Gwen pouted. "I was just thinking… if my cousin eventually grows into someone like him, then I won't be able to bully him anymore."
"You just have to grow faster, become stronger than him."
Xi Nian chuckled. "I've already picked a Spider suit for you. It should suit you well. Parker will have it made by tomorrow."
"I also bought something for you—casual clothes. Change into them after your shower." Gwen casually set a shopping bag on the sofa, then carried the rest into the bedroom.
But not long after she went in, she came out again, a little hesitant. "Xi Nian… this suite only has one bedroom…"
"Really?"
Xi Nian looked surprised, as if only just realizing it. He patted the sofa and said casually, "It's fine. I can sleep here."
Gwen didn't answer. She went back to the room, picked up a set of clothes, and disappeared into the bathroom.
The sound of running water soon filled the suite. Steam fogged up the glass door, casting a faint silhouette of the small figure inside.
Xi Nian let out a quiet sigh of relief. Inwardly, he gave a big thumbs up to this world's Peter Parker.
That cousin really knew what he was doing.
Ten minutes later.
The girl came out, drying her short hair with a new towel. Her small, exquisite face carried a faint blush, perhaps from the hot bath.
She glanced at the sofa. Xi Nian lay there, eyes closed, looking like he was asleep.
The hall was silent enough to hear a pin drop. Their two spider-senses brushed, collided, and then merged quietly together.
Gwen didn't disturb him and went back into the room. Just before closing the door, she whispered, "Take a proper shower… before you come in."
"Oh."
The boy on the sofa still kept his eyes closed, answering calmly.
Only when Gwen shut the door did Xi Nian open his eyes. His heart was beating fast. He jumped up, took a deep breath to calm himself, grabbed the clothes on the sofa, and quickly went into the steamy bathroom.
…
Night deepened.
The parallel New York seemed to drift into sleep.
"I'm coming in, Gwen."
Xi Nian, freshly showered and hair dried, pushed open the bedroom door. The curtains were drawn shut, only the warm glow of a bedside lamp lit the room.
On the large bed, Gwen lay curled on her side, back to the door. The thin blanket draped over her highlighted the small, youthful curves of her body.
"Asleep already?"
Xi Nian muttered softly, shutting the door. He climbed into bed, pulled the blanket over himself, and lay down as if an invisible line divided the two of them. He looked as though he really planned to fall asleep like that.
The room was even quieter than the living room.
Neither of them spoke, neither of them moved. The atmosphere hung heavy and strange.
After being best friends—almost like brothers—for so long, it was hard to suddenly shift.
Hesitating for a moment, Xi Nian eventually gave in to instinct. He turned over and wrapped his arm around the soft, slender body next to him.
Gwen shivered slightly at the touch, but didn't resist.
As warmth passed between them, Gwen suddenly sat up, her face flushed. "Xi Nian, do you remember when we were kids? Before naptime at school, I'd always drag you into playing games with me."
"Of course I remember." Xi Nian sat up too, looking at her with a nostalgic smile. "You loved playing games, but you weren't very good. You never let me go until you won once, so I always had to secretly throw the match."
"That's not true!"
Gwen huffed, not admitting it, though her cheeks were red. Looking at him softly, she asked, "So… do you want to play a game again now?"
"Sure. Whatever the game is, I'm in." Xi Nian thumped his chest confidently.
Gwen bit her lip, inhaled lightly, and pulled the blanket off herself.
Xi Nian froze, then couldn't look away.
She was wearing a crisp white blouse and a black miniskirt. That style—halfway between casual and formal—was the perfect balance of youthful and mature, highlighting a beauty that was both intellectual and alluring.
It was what Gwen wore most often, what Xi Nian had seen her in for over a decade.
The blouse stretched across her chest, and below—
The short-haired girl sat cross-legged, her legs wrapped in stockings: one black, one white.
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