Su Yi drove away from Mary Jane's house, his movements easy and confident. Mary Jane sat beside him, the silence in the high-end vehicle thick with unanswered questions. She instinctively knew this car—the polished leather, the subdued roar of the engine—was far beyond a typical student's budget.
"This car isn't just expensive; it's aggressively expensive. Is Su a rich kid, one of those trust fund types?" Mary Jane pondered. Yet, she quickly dismissed the concern.
What had drawn her to Su Yi was his unflappable confidence, his unexpected heroism against Flash, and the genuine, if sometimes perplexing, attention he paid to her. "His identity doesn't matter. I like the man, not his bank account."
The twenty-minute drive ended in front of a sprawling, meticulously maintained villa set back from a private road. The house was enormous, a statement of wealth that surpassed anything Mary Jane had ever seen in person.
"Su, is this... really your home?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise, though her natural self-assurance kept her from sounding intimidated.
"Yes. It's too big, isn't it?" Su Yi responded, taking her hand and leading her toward the impressive entrance. "Just relax, Mary Jane. You're home now, too."
Inside, the villa was immaculate yet clearly unoccupied by a large family. After a brief tour, Mary Jane noticed the emptiness.
"Su, where are your family members? I should introduce myself, out of respect."
Su Yi's expression shifted, expertly performing a nuanced version of controlled sadness. "I appreciate that, Mary Jane. But my family has passed away. My father died while I was still in the East, and my grandfather, who brought me here, passed away shortly after my arrival."
Mary Jane, possessor of a genuine and compassionate heart, immediately reacted. She wrapped him in a warm, comforting hug. "Oh, Su. I am so terribly sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. Please forgive me for making you sad."
Su Yi basked momentarily in the physical comfort and emotional connection. "Thank you, Mary Jane. Your kindness helps more than you know. But I'm fine. I feel like I've stepped out of the shadow and into a much more beautiful life."
He pulled back slightly, his eyes holding hers. The intended flattery landed perfectly.
Mary Jane was utterly moved. "Su," she breathed, her composure momentarily lost. The connection was established, deep and fast—a bond rooted in shared tragedy and intense attraction.
"I think I should put all this emotion into the dinner," Su Yi announced, breaking the tension cleanly. "I promise, the food is worth the dramatic build-up."
Mary Jane followed him into the state-of-the-art kitchen, watching him work with focused intensity. Su Yi's cooking skills were not derived from any system perk, but from necessity and practice. He deftly prepared three fragrant, colorful Chinese home-style dishes and a clear soup—a balanced meal that deviated entirely from her typical American fare.
"Su, this Eastern food... it smells absolutely incredible!" Mary Jane exclaimed, watching the wok flash.
Soon, the meal was served in the dining room, where Su Yi had prepared subtle lighting to enhance the romantic, yet comfortable, atmosphere.
"You need to teach me how to use these," Mary Jane requested, holding up her chopsticks with a challenging grin.
The dinner became an intimate lesson in cultural exchange, with Su Yi patiently guiding her hand. She was clumsy but determined, and the sustained physical contact and easy laughter brought them closer with every bite.
"Su, that was the best meal I've ever had," Mary Jane declared, sighing contentedly. "Seriously, Eastern food is amazing."
"If you like it, then the kitchen is open. You're welcome to come eat here often," Su Yi replied.
"It's a deal!" she agreed instantly, but her expression darkened with a classic female lament. "Though, now I feel like I'll gain ten pounds. It's all your fault, Su."
"It's an easy problem to solve," Su Yi assured her. "Increased exercise is the simple answer." He then dropped a deliberate hint, aiming for a future escalation. "The backyard has a large pool. If you need to swim or just sunbathe, you're always welcome to use it."
Mary Jane's eyes lit up. "A pool? I haven't gone sunbathing in ages! I'll definitely take you up on that next week."
Excellent, Su Yi thought, his inner strategist already projecting images of Mary Jane in a swimsuit—and, more importantly, considering how to lure Gwen and Betty to the same location for a simultaneous 'chance encounter.'
The dishes were cleared, and the intimate moment had arrived. Su Yi rose, walked around the table, and put his arm around Mary Jane.
"Mary Jane," he said, his voice soft but resonant. "I have another plan for the evening."
Her heart visibly fluttered. She expected a kiss, a passionate moment—perhaps the fulfillment of her sister's earlier hint. She was ready, and slightly nervous.
"What arrangements?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"I'd like to take you to see a musical," Su Yi announced, his eyes sparkling with genuine enthusiasm for her future.
Mary Jane deflated slightly, masking her disappointment with a forced smile. A musical? Not a slow dance, not a moonlit walk? She quickly rationalized it: He's an Easterner. He has different romantic ideas. I need to be patient.
Su Yi, leveraging his foreknowledge of her dreams, continued. "You want to be an actress, don't you? What about focusing on musical theater?"
In the canonical timeline, Mary Jane would eventually find success on Broadway, in TV, and in film—often involving intimate scenes that would have complicated Su Yi's harem goal.
"I know your dream is to be a star. But if I had to watch you in intimate scenes with other men—even pretend ones—I would be insanely jealous," Su Yi confessed, making the possessiveness sound like sweet devotion.
"Musical theater is perfect. It fulfills your dream, showcases your singing and dancing talent, and keeps you safely out of those dramatic, intimate film roles."
Mary Jane's disappointment vanished, replaced by profound understanding. He wasn't avoiding intimacy; he was expressing intense jealousy and simultaneously offering a solution that respected her career goals.
"Su," she breathed, her eyes shining. "That's... actually a brilliant idea. And incredibly thoughtful."
The spontaneous trip to Broadway was a success. Mary Jane was captivated by the performance. Su Yi, though bored, showed perfect patience and attention.
It was late when they returned to the car. Mary Jane was still buzzing.
"That was wonderful, Su! You were right; the performance was inspiring."
"I told you, I'm already looking forward to the day you stand on that stage," Su Yi said, pulling onto the road. "You will be a star, and everyone will look up to you."
The praise and deep understanding of her ambition broke her last reserve. Mary Jane leaned across the seat and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a deep, desperate kiss.
"Su," she whispered against his lips, "I've realized something tonight. I've truly, completely fallen in love with you."
Su Yi was internally electrified. Success! The primary love interest of Peter Parker has been fully intercepted! He responded to the kiss with equal passion.
"I love you too, Mary Jane," he confirmed, the declaration genuine in the moment.
The kiss ended, but the weight of the moment remained. Mary Jane looked at him, her eyes searching.
"Su, I need to know something. After everything you said... do you truly love me now, or do you still have feelings for Gwen?"
The question was a bullet. It was the moment of truth, the point where all his careful planning could shatter. If he lied and was later discovered, the Fate Points would reverse, and he would lose both women. If he told the truth, Mary Jane might walk away instantly.
Gwen and Mary Jane. I want them both!
"System, engage Selection Hint Card!"
[Analysis of Three Choices:]
1. Deceive Mary Jane (Lie and say you choose her): High chance of securing her completely now. Risk: If she discovers intimacy with Gwen later, the fallout will be explosive; she will leave, and the relationship will be permanently destroyed.
2. Abandon Mary Jane (Say you choose Gwen): Mary Jane is disappointed, but respects your honesty. Outcome: She leaves, and the relationship ends immediately.
3. Honesty & Openness (Express affection for both, state goal to pursue both): Mary Jane's devotion is temporarily shaken, resulting in high emotional turbulence. Outcome: If you can stabilize her emotions now, the path to a harem, while difficult, becomes accessible.
Su Yi felt the cold, hard logic of the system. The honest route was the most challenging but offered the highest long-term reward. He had to be bold.
He pulled back, his expression serious. He looked deeply into her eyes, conveying sincerity.
"Mary Jane," Su Yi began, his voice dropping, "I promised you honesty. And the truth is the most complicated thing in the world."