Chapter 4023: Chapter 3132: "Romantic" Wedding Season (16)
The weather today was really nice, with a thin layer of clouds reducing the intensity of ultraviolet radiation, making it less hot. However, the distant sky was still clear, not gloomy like rainy days, making it a great time for outdoor activities.
In the backyard of Stone House, Peter was warming up by the trampoline. After finishing his warm-up exercises, he stepped onto the edge of the trampoline and jumped forcefully toward the center.
"Whoo-hoo!!!"
Peter let out a cheer, and Pikachu, Rocket Raccoon, and Helen all gave enthusiastic applause.
The fabric had been modified to become softer and more elastic, capable of bouncing even light objects very high. After jumping a couple of times, Peter began to show off, twisting his body in various ways in the air, which drew cheers from the ladies.
Drenched in sweat, Peter gradually stopped, jumped down from the trampoline, and Helen approached with curiosity, "Have you really recovered your Spider Man abilities? Ordinary people can't jump that high."
"Only partially," Peter shook his head, "Far from as strong as when I was Spider Man. It feels like I've just gotten a bit stronger, but I don't know if it's real. Getting bitten by a Spider again might restore me."
Helen gasped, "Are you really planning to get bitten by a Spider again? That must be painful, right?"
Peter frowned and nodded vigorously, "Extremely painful. After returning last time, my wound hurt for at least two months. I even thought about asking Harry to compensate me for my medical expenses."
Helen shuddered, not sure how her indestructible, Doomsday-like self could empathize with the pain of a spider bite.
Eddie was dragged over to the trampoline by Venom again.
He stretched out both hands, firmly grabbing the pole of the umbrella in the middle of the table, but sadly, he didn't struggle long before being dragged away. Venom warmed up like Peter, then wobbly walked onto the trampoline with Eddie.
Then there were screams one after another.
Stark watched from a distance as Eddie bounced, his tricks more numerous than Peter's. Peter could only manage a 270-degree turn mid-air, but Eddie wouldn't settle for less than three or four spins, looking like a spinning top.
But admittedly, it was impressive. Listening to the bursts of applause from below, Stark scoffed, "It's just because he has a Symbiont..."
Eddie, already frightened, heard this and roared towards Stark, "Venom! Drag him over to bounce with us!"
A black tendril shot out, sticking to Stark's back, and then with a swoosh, it hauled him over.
Now, the screaming was from two people.
Shiller sat at the dining table enjoying the scene, remarking, "Doesn't Iron Man often fly in the sky? What's all his fuss about?"
Not every licensed driver dares to go mountain biking; it's a completely different ballpark. Matt and Erica were selecting golf clubs on the nearby grass.
Little Jack and Little Morgan were being sunbathed on the grass by Wanda. Little Jack could barely run, and Little Morgan was still crawling around. Wanda cuddled one and kissed the other, discussing with Jarvis the chances of having two more babies.
Mainly, Jarvis was trying to dissuade Wanda, although there wasn't any danger in the Scarlet Witch having children, more kids really made too much noise, and Jarvis, a robot, was already confused by their programming.
If Wanda really wanted more children, by the time the new baby arrived, the Billy brothers would be just about two or three years old—on one side cooing and babbling, and on the other wailing and crying. Jarvis's CPU would be overheated.
Peter changed his clothes and when he came out, he said to Shiller, "Doctor, are there any of those small cars available from before? I want to go to the airport to pick up Harry and the others."
Shiller immediately stood up, "Has Harry arrived?"
"Yes, he came with Mary. Don't worry; they've just gotten back together, so it's their honeymoon phase, no arguments for now."
Shiller shook his head helplessly; over the years, Harry and Mary's breakups and makeups were so frequent that a year without two or three breakups was big news.
Shiller accompanied Peter towards the garage, and as they walked, Peter said, "These past years, Mr. Osborn's health hasn't been good. He has the will but lacks the strength for company matters. Harry has taken over most of the work, got more freedom, and maybe it won't be long before he and Mary make it official."
"You're very optimistic," Shiller could only say that.
Peter discerned the deeper implication in Shiller's words, but he didn't argue because he clearly also knew that the issues between Harry and Mary were far from being as simple as Mr. Osborn's opposition.
Peter always felt that when Mr. Osborn initially opposed them, Harry's failure to stand up meant that they were never going to make it.
But Peter also understood his brother; choosing between a father or a girlfriend shouldn't even be a choice, but regretfully both Mr. Osborn and Mary were headstrong people who couldn't stand even a bit of contradiction, while Harry lacked decisiveness, like a weathervane, inevitably stuck in the middle and troubled from both ends.
They quickly arrived in front of the garage door. The small car wasn't driven in; Shiller just took the driver's seat, turning the key to ignite, letting Peter sit in the back.
"Mr. Osborn's health is bad? Didn't he develop a special cure with the Symbiotic Factor?"
"Oh, no, his ill health isn't due to any genetic disease," Peter explained, "He's just old, having some problems with his liver."
"He didn't apply to S.H.I.E.L.D. for a healing symbiont?"
"He doesn't trust that thing," Peter sighed helplessly. "He won't allow anything with a mind of its own into his body. He even wanted to persuade Nick to stop the plan."
Shiller shook his head as well. People tend to become more stubborn as they age, and Old Osborn was never progressive, much worse than Howard. He was the typical domineering head of the family with strong control issues, and now that he's older, nothing anyone says can change his mind.
The plan to use symbionts for medical treatments was implemented about two or three years ago, mainly for diseases related to organ damage such as tumors, liver cirrhosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and organ injuries.
Symbionts can perfectly ingest cancer cells and can also convert their symbiotic factors into cells that humans can use to complement organs. It is currently the most advanced method that humans possess for treating cancer.
Actually, there are quite a few symbionts as well. They can also continue to divide, but considering safety, Nick doesn't allow them to reproduce excessively. Currently, the number of symbionts involved in the treatment plan is around 200.
However, these 200 symbionts aren't general practitioners. They each have their strengths; some are good at ingestion, and some can create cells, much like different medical equipment.
Those who have made outstanding contributions to human civilization can apply to S.H.I.E.L.D. for this type of treatment plan. The treatment usually lasts about six months, and the current cure rate is 100%.
The biggest advantage of this treatment is that the patients don't suffer pain; symbionts can block the pain nerves, and the treatment usually occurs while the patient is asleep. Patients just need to stay inside S.H.I.E.L.D. for half a year, and the cancer will disappear completely, and their lifespan is also extended.
Although it sounds perfect, there have been many problems in practice, the most common being that these people do not trust S.H.I.E.L.D. and extraterrestrial beings.
Those eligible for this treatment plan are mostly not ordinary people; they are either financial moguls who have created commercial empires, or excellent leaders who rule countries, or genius scientists.
These people have many secrets in their minds that they plan to take to their graves, and some secrets are even more important than their lives. So, despite knowing about the plan, many of them are reluctant to participate.
Tycoons and politicians don't trust S.H.I.E.L.D., and scientists don't trust extraterrestrial life; combined, these perfectly strike the sore points of these individuals. Therefore, there aren't many people undergoing treatment right now.
Nick had considered extending this technology so that ordinary people could also receive treatment for cancer, but he doesn't fully trust the symbionts either. Universal treatment would mean difficult supervision.
These things are like the cockroaches in a house; once a symbiont escapes supervision, there will be ten thousand others, and at that point, disaster would be brought upon ordinary people.
Shiller calculated in his mind. Old Osborn was indeed no longer young. He had suffered from genetic diseases in his youth and his body wasn't in great condition. Working hard all his life and often socializing, he guessed Old Osborn would be reporting to God in a few years.
He could accept death gracefully, which was a good thing because Green Goblin was created as a result of his refusal to accept death at first. But Shiller still felt somewhat regretful—another guiding star from a past era was about to fall.
The car soon arrived at the airport, and shortly after, a shuttle parked at the platform. A suit-clad Harry Osborn and the charming Mary Jane walked out.
Harry and Peter hugged, and Mary also smiled and greeted him, and together they walked toward the exterior of the airport.
However, upon seeing the golf cart, Harry seemed hesitant, Mary wanted to keep walking forward, but he stopped her.
"What's the matter? Harry, is there something wrong with the car?" Peter turned and asked him.
"Oh, no, it's a great golf cart, but, I mean, isn't there something a bit more comfortable..."
"Come on, what's wrong with you? There aren't your fancy sports cars here," Peter half-joked.
Shiller's gaze, however, fell on Mary. Mary gave Peter a radiant smile and said, "Don't blame him, Peter, he's just worried about me."
"Worried about you? How... Oh, God, no! Tell me this isn't true." Peter's eyes glistened as he looked at Mary's belly. "Are you saying I'm going to have a nephew?"
"Yes! Buddy! And you'll be his godfather!" Harry finally couldn't hold back, rushing forward to hug Peter.
"When did this happen?" Peter pushed him away, taking Mary by the arm and leading her down from the edge of the lawn to stand on firmer ground.
"Just found out last week, it's only been a month."
"My goodness, I really can't believe it, you're having a child, how can this be true?!" Peter looked incredulous. "I always feel like we're still in college!"
"I had the same expression when I first found out, but yes, God always plays such jokes."
"Are you two planning to..." Peter's eyes began to wander back and forth between them, clearly referring to the fact that Old Osborn was opposed to it.
Having worked at the Osborn Group for so long, Peter obviously knew a child might not completely sway Old Osborn, but in his poor health, such an old-fashioned man would naturally hope to see his son build a family and raise offspring, otherwise, it would always be a regret.
So he thought Harry and Mary were planning to have a child so that Old Osborn would have to agree, even if he initially opposed it.
But Mary shook her head and said, "That day when we reunited after a long time, we drank, and what happened... I don't remember..."
Harry had the same helplessly resigned expression. He really didn't have the courage to go against his father first, but alas, such is the unpredictability of life.
"It seems this child really is a gift from God." Shiller said, "Wait a moment, I will call Loki over."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone