Chapter 255: You Really Are a Good Kid

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It had been a week since that night when the Avengers were initially formed.

During that entire week, Mike had no chance to open his shop. Every day, a crowd gathered in front of it, eager to uncover the mystery of his relationship with Tony Stark.

However, as the days went by, fewer and fewer people lingered. After waiting a few more days, no one was staking out the front of his shop anymore.

If they hadn't left soon, Mike was seriously considering using his powers.

Finally, the shop could operate normally again.

Although he still only served one dish a day and customers were just as few, Mike enjoyed the slow-paced, peaceful rhythm of life.

He would open the shop for a few days, and whenever Peggy Carter and the others needed a fourth player, he'd join them for cards. When they were busy or quiet, he'd go back to running the shop in peace.

It was the perfect balance of work and rest, with income and expenses matching just right.

Still, in that week since reopening, Mike had gained two loyal little customers:

Peter Parker and Luke Brennan.

For the past few days, the two boys had been coming to the shop after school with Gwen, right on time.

Mike glanced up at the clock on the wall and muttered, "School's almost out."

The three kids were still in elementary school and usually finished around 4 PM.

After grabbing a bite to eat at his shop, the three would either play for a bit, read, or finish their homework. When Mike closed up around 5 or 6 PM, they'd all leave together.

Today's special dish was beef noodles.

Mike timed it so that the noodles would be ready just as the kids arrived.

"Dad!"

Gwen pushed open the door and ran in. Her little nose twitched twice, and she exclaimed, "Is it beef noodles today?!"

Luke and Peter looked at Gwen in surprise.

She could tell that just by the smell?

"Do you have a dog's nose or something?"

Mike brought out three small bowls of noodles.

Since the kids still had dinner at home, he always gave them small portions that wouldn't affect their appetite later.

Gwen gave her nose a quick swipe with her thumb and declared, "Please, call me Sniffer Gwen!"

"Sniffer? That's a dog, right?" Peter looked at Gwen blankly. "Are you saying you're a dog?"

Gwen's face darkened. "You're the dog!"

"But you're the one who said 'sniffer'—that is a dog, isn't it?"

"I..."

"Haha! Gwen called herself a dog!"

Luke couldn't help but laugh.

As the two boys teased her, Gwen pouted in frustration. "You guys are the worst!"

Then, she turned her anger into appetite and started devouring her bowl of beef noodles.

Peter and Luke exchanged a grin, then lowered their heads and slurped down their noodles enthusiastically.

At that moment, a graceful and elegant woman walked into the shop.

"Peter!"

She called out, prompting Peter—who was almost face-down in his bowl—to look up. Wiping the soup from his mouth, he asked, "Aunt May? What are you doing here?"

May Parker glanced around the shop, her eyes landing on Mike. Surprised, she said, "It's you."

They had met before in the principal's office—he was the father of that adorable little girl.

"Hello,"

Mike greeted her. "I'm Mike Kent, Gwen's father."

As he spoke, he reached out and gently patted Gwen's head.

Gwen and Luke both greeted May Parker politely.

May sat down next to Peter. Watching him slurp down his noodles, she sniffed the air lightly and said to Mike, "I hope Peter hasn't been a bother."

"Not at all," Mike smiled. "They're all very well-behaved. After eating, they sit together to read and do homework."

May smiled in return. Seeing how happily the three kids were eating, she couldn't help but say, "No wonder Peter keeps saying my cooking doesn't taste as good anymore."

Peter looked up and gave an embarrassed chuckle.

May reached out to wipe a piece of cilantro off the corner of Peter's mouth and said to Mike, "Mr. Kent, I'd like a bowl too."

"Just a moment."

Mike went into the kitchen, and in just a couple of minutes, brought out a steaming bowl of noodles.

May took a sniff, her eyes lighting up. "It already smells delicious."

Gwen grinned. "It tastes even better!"

Peter and Luke nodded in agreement.

May chuckled. Seeing how skillfully the kids handled their chopsticks, she gave it a try herself—then gave up and picked up a fork instead.

"I'll practice from now on."

She gave Peter an apologetic smile, then lifted some noodles and took a bite. After chewing and savoring it, she looked at Peter seriously and said, "Now I understand why you say my cooking isn't as good."

Peter scratched his head. "It's not that your food is bad... it's just that compared to Uncle Mike's, it's just a tiny bit behind."

May Parker smiled warmly and lowered her head to eat her noodles.

In no time, she had finished the entire bowl.

"That was delicious, Mr. Kent."

She offered her compliment while subtly looking Mike up and down, a flicker of interest in her eyes.

Mike gave a small nod and began clearing their bowls. When he saw May reaching for her wallet, he raised an eyebrow and said, "This one's on me."

May paused, then flashed him a charming smile. "Thank you. You really are a gentleman."

With that, she took Peter's hand and said, "Let's head home."

"Okay!"

Peter grabbed his backpack and waved at Gwen and Luke. "See you tomorrow!"

With those words, the two of them left the restaurant and began walking home.

Just a few steps from the shop, May pulled Peter ahead and said quickly, "Peter, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Have you ever met Gwen's mom?"

"Gwen doesn't have a mom. She was adopted by Uncle Mike."

"That's great!"

"Huh?"

Peter looked at her, confused.

"Uh—I mean, that's really unfortunate." May quickly placed a hand on her chest and looked down, then said, "How about I come with you again after school tomorrow?"

"Come with me?" Peter tilted his head. "Why? I can go with Gwen. You don't need to come."

May crouched down to his eye level. "What do you think of Uncle Mike?"

"He's great!" Peter raised a hand and began counting. "He's handsome, he cooks delicious food, he's really gentle, super kind, and he even plays with us."

May cleared her throat. "Do you think I could... maybe win him over?"

"Huh?" Peter froze for a moment, then blurted, "Huh?!"

He stared at his Aunt May in disbelief and gasped, "You want to be Gwen's mom?!"

May blushed slightly and said, "That's moving a little fast... I just think Mike is a really good man."

Peter thought for a moment, looking conflicted. "But I heard from Gwen that her dad is close with some other lady. They even went on a trip together and stayed in the same place."

May: "…"

So short-lived.

She had just started catching feelings, and now her hopes were already shattered.

Peter clenched his fists. "I support you, Aunt May! Don't give up! Gwen said they haven't talked in a long time!"

"Good, that's useful info!" May ruffled Peter's hair. "Then I'll give it a shot!"

"I'll ask Gwen more about her dad!"

"Peter, you really are a good kid."

(End of Chapter)