The dinner at the Stacy household had been a success, with Helen Stacy thoroughly charmed by Su Yi's manners and honest tale of misfortune. However, the calm was shattered by an urgent call that pulled Captain George Stacy away.
When George returned, his face was set in a thunderous scowl. "My dear, what happened?" Helen asked, immediately noticing his sour mood.
"That Daredevil has appeared again," George growled, tossing his napkin onto the table. "Causing major property damage and disrupting an ongoing operation. I swear, that vigilante causes more chaos than he prevents."
"Are you going out to deal with it?" Helen asked, concerned. "I can entertain Su Yi here."
"No need. It's just minor clean-up now. But mark my words, we will catch him sooner or later." George was clearly fed up with the rise of masked individuals in New York, finding them a direct insult to the authority of the NYPD. He even seemed to prefer the low profile of the Spider-Bully to Daredevil's public disruptions.
Gwen, still processing her newfound powers and the reality of becoming a vigilante herself, felt compelled to defend the unseen hero.
"Daddy, I don't understand," Gwen said, her voice rising slightly. "I think Daredevil is a good person. Why are you so focused on catching him?"
George kept his tone gentle for his daughter, but his conviction was firm. "He's not a hero, Gwen. He's an anarchist. He might save a few people, I'll grant you, but he operates outside the law, using extreme violence. His actions invite retaliation and undermine the very foundation of justice."
"But he's helping others! Isn't that what matters?" Gwen countered, her anger building. "Just like the Spider-Bully saved me! If he hadn't appeared, I can't imagine what would have happened to me!"
George had no answer to that personal truth. "Yes, he does good deeds, but he doesn't have the right to do our job."
Su Yi decided to intervene, offering a philosophical counterpoint that supported Gwen without directly attacking George.
"Regarding this topic, I fully support Gwen," Su Yi said smoothly. "Doing good isn't restricted by profession. Anyone can, and should, do good deeds, provided they consider their own capabilities."
He paused, invoking a classic mantra. "With great power comes great responsibility. In my country, we strongly support ordinary people who step up to help. When a situation is dangerous, ordinary citizens often become heroes. Those with special abilities, naturally, become Superheroes."
He looked directly at George. "I believe that if you, Mr. George, encountered a person in mortal danger, even outside of your official capacity, you would lend a hand, wouldn't you?"
George nodded, unable to deny his core moral nature. "Of course. But Daredevil isn't just a passerby. He has an agenda, and he uses violent, aggressive means. His reckless actions undo weeks of police work. And while he's called a hero, the rest of us are left to clean up the mess and deal with the fallout. It makes us look like we just sit around eating donuts and drinking coffee," he finished, bitterness evident in his voice.
The debate ended in a stalemate. Gwen stood up, clearly frustrated. "Oh, I'm going to go cool off."
"I'll go comfort her," Su Yi offered, quickly following Gwen upstairs. Helen took the opportunity to quietly lecture her husband on his 'interrogation tactics.'
Su Yi found Gwen already in her room, pacing.
"Daddy, he never used to be this intense," Gwen fumed. "If he ever found out I was going to be a Superhero, he wouldn't just disapprove—he'd probably try to arrest me!"
Su Yi put his hands on her shoulders. He could feel her raw, heroic conviction. "It's okay, Gwen. We'll keep it a secret. Besides, you're graduating soon. Once you're in college, you'll have your own space, and it'll be easier to keep the Ghost-Spider a mystery."
"Right," Gwen agreed, calming down.
"It's getting late. I should probably leave before your father decides to join us," Su Yi said. "Are you really going to stay cooped up in here and not walk me to the car?"
"You're leaving already? I really wish you could stay," Gwen confessed, closing the distance and expressing her desire with a passionate kiss.
"I want to stay too," Su Yi whispered against her lips. "But I'm afraid your father might grab a knife and come at me, yelling, 'You little brat! You're the one who ran off with my daughter! I'll cut you to ribbons!'" Su Yi mimicked George's stern voice with a comically exaggerated gesture.
Gwen giggled, her mood instantly lifted. "He wouldn't do that. Maybe he'd just arrest you."
"Even worse!"
The joke worked, and the two walked downstairs hand-in-hand.
"Mr. George, Mrs. Helen," Su Yi said, nodding to them. "Thank you for the wonderful dinner. It's time for me to go."
Gwen used the opportunity to walk Su Yi to his car, ensuring they had a few final private moments. They strolled along the quiet street.
"Su, good night," Gwen said finally.
"Good night."
They paused, sharing a lingering embrace. "Su," Gwen whispered, a hint of desperation in her voice. "Are you absolutely sure these powers have no side effects? Because I find myself unable to leave you."
"Perhaps," Su Yi countered, his voice husky, "that's not a side effect of the powers at all. Because I don't want to leave you either."
Su Yi watched her walk back inside, only allowing himself to drive away once he saw her light turn off. "Phew," he sighed, "meeting the parents is seriously hard work."
Su Yi arrived home, but the quiet villa suddenly felt empty. He missed Gwen, and he knew she missed him. Why wait? he thought. He had the perfect ability to bypass protective fathers and locked doors.
He activated his Teleportation ability and appeared silently outside Gwen's bedroom window. He tapped gently on the glass.
Gwen, who was just settling down, was instantly alert thanks to her new Enhanced Hearing. She turned, saw Su Yi outside her second-story window, and gasped in shock and excitement. She quickly unlocked and opened the window, pulling him inside.
"Su! You were still here? I thought you left!" she whispered, her voice a mix of joy and urgency.
"I had already returned home," Su Yi confessed, pulling her close. "But I missed you terribly. So, I teleported back to secretly see you."
"I missed you too."
After a brief, passionate reunion, the inherent danger of their location kicked in. Gwen pulled away and rushed to lock her bedroom door, her actions deliberate and rebellious.
"Su, stay," she pleaded, her eyes shining with both affection and a thrilling sense of adventure.
"Are you sure, Gwen?" Su Yi asked, amused. "Will your room's soundproofing hold up? We wouldn't want to disturb your father."
Gwen's face broke into a knowing, mischievous smile. "Su, you're so incredible—it makes me want to cheer and scream. I promise I'll try my best to control my volume. We should be fine."
Su Yi had initially planned to simply teleport them both back to his secluded villa, where they'd be safe from discovery. But the look in her eyes—the gentle, goddess exterior overlaid with a new, wild Ghost-Spider spirit—was utterly irresistible. He realized he was seeing the beginning of her heroic duality: the responsible student and the adventurous vigilante.
"You know," Su Yi said, his voice dropping, "I can never, ever refuse you."
Gwen's smile was triumphant. She actively pounced on him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Hey, Gwen," Su Yi chuckled, catching her easily. "You're a little too excited. Maybe we should calm down first?"
Su Yi and Gwen have successfully bypassed George Stacy's security, and Gwen's Ghost-Spider spirit is fully embracing the adventure.