Chapter Twenty: The Crooked-Mouthed Dragon King? (Double-Length)

Peter Parker?

Hearing that name, Zhong Shenxiu was momentarily stunned. He recalled that in The Amazing Spider-Man, Peter Parker became Spider-Man only after being bitten by a mutated spider at Oscorp. Yet in the Marvel movies, there was never a detailed explanation about where he was bitten.

But isn’t this timeline a bit too early? He remembered that Peter Parker didn’t become Spider-Man until at least after entering high school.

It must just be a coincidence.

After all, no one ever said that Peter Parker would definitely become Spider-Man just by visiting Oscorp once. No one knows, before he gained his powers, whether Peter had already visited Oscorp many times; it’s all a mystery.

“But that bookworm, as soon as he heard we’d be staying in the forest, didn’t dare to go,” Gwen continued.

“Shenxiu, you don’t know how awkward that bookworm is. Our class has a bully named Thompson, who’s been picking on him since first grade. He was a bit subdued recently for some reason, but now he’s acting up again. He even gave Peter a nickname: ‘Peter Pooper.’”

“Everyone in school knows about it. I tried to stand up for him, and he yelled at me for meddling. It made me furious!” Gwen crossed her little arms over her chest, biting her silver teeth, an expression of frustration and indignation.

“If it were me, I’d just kick Thompson right where it hurts. So what if he’s taller, just has a bit more meat on him…”

Smack—

Jinsha appeared behind Gwen, holding a compressed biscuit, restoring the increasingly outspoken little girl to her proper form.

Gwen whimpered, hugging her head.

Zhong Shenxiu watched and said, “Actually, I think Gwen is right. That’s how it is—the weaker you act, the more others walk all over you.”

“See!” With Zhong Shenxiu’s support, Gwen immediately jumped up, flaunting to Jinsha, “Look, Shenxiu supports me! Auntie, you keep saying it’s childish logic.”

“Well, it’s not wrong, but you’re both still so young…”

“School bullying doesn’t care about your age,” Zhong Shenxiu said calmly.

Listening to Gwen, he finally understood why little Peter had cried so hard last night.

Thinking about it, Peter really was quite pitiful. He lost his parents young, was raised by his uncle and aunt, and because of his small stature and timid personality, he was always bullied at school.

He finally gained superpowers, only for his beloved Uncle Ben to die because of those very abilities.

And even so, he became the selfless, justice-seeking, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man of New York.

Truly, a little angel.

Zhong Shenxiu thought of his side quest. He decided:

Let me help him change things—

“Seeing all the things you’re buying, does the summer camp last a long time?” Returning to himself, Zhong Shenxiu noticed Jinsha pushing a giant shopping cart, now stuffed full.

“Summer camp has two sessions, each lasting a month,” Jinsha answered.

“And I signed up for both!” Gwen said, sneaking a delicate doll into the cart.

Of course, Jinsha noticed the trick right away, sternly scolding, “Buying another doll? How many do you already have at home?”

“Ugh—” Gwen pouted, staring at her in pitiful protest.

Her big sky-blue eyes seemed to say, If you don’t buy it, I’ll cry!

Jinsha, almost immune to such cuteness, didn’t budge, keeping her face stern.

The two stood off like that…

Even when Zhong Shenxiu casually picked up the cheapest bedding and hugged it over, they were still locked in a staring contest.

“Sigh, fine, fine, you win. Buy it,” Jinsha finally gave in with a sigh and a wave of her hand.

Gwen leapt with joy: “Yay!!”

———

The three had just finished waiting in the long line, paying for their cartful of goods at the hands of a sweaty, busy, plump African-American cashier.

But before they’d taken two steps, they saw chaos erupting not far away.

That was…the manager’s counter.

A crowd had gathered there, with the previously queued homeless now hesitating, not daring to step forward.

Their faces showed conflict and terror, some even turning to leave altogether.

The reason…was that the white man who’d slunk away earlier had returned—and not alone. He’d brought four equally strapping companions.

Most notable was the African-American at the back, built like a bodybuilder, his face adorned with fierce, dark tattoos writhing like dragons. He stood arms folded, exuding an unrestrained, intimidating aura.

The white man glanced back at the tattooed African-American, his confidence soaring.

This was the Don of First Street in Queens, a prized asset under the big boss in New York. To have him here today was a stroke of luck, and the white man’s earlier frustration had turned to satisfaction.

“Why aren’t you arrogant now? Why aren’t you throwing me out?” He stepped forward, pointing at the manager and cursing.

The manager, having run the store for years, surely knew the identity of the tattooed man.

He responded coldly, “What do you want? I haven’t missed a single protection payment.”

At the mention of protection fees, the tattooed Don finally spoke, his voice gravelly. “Protection is protection. Today, you made my brother lose face. Naturally, there’s a price to pay.”

The white man chimed in, “Yes, our demands aren’t high. Cover all our expenses today, and we might consider letting you off.”

“Yeah, cover all our expenses!” the other three echoed.

Only now did their true intent become clear.

Looking for face? It was just a pretext for a blatant robbery.

“You’re nothing but thieves! Shameless!” Gwen burst from the crowd, her face flushed with anger as she shouted at them.

Raised under her police chief father’s careful protection, Gwen had never seen such darkness. Her sense of justice propelled her forward without a second thought.

“Who let a brat like you speak?” The white man, incensed at being called shameless by a child, stepped forward and swung a slap at Gwen.

Crack—

Jinsha acted swiftly, skillfully twisting the white man’s wrist outward, producing a bone-crunching sound that made everyone wince.

The white man’s face reddened, pain causing him to shake his arm several times, but pride kept him from crying out.

Jinsha quickly glanced sideways, noticing Zhong Shenxiu had somehow ghosted over to Gwen’s side. Surprised, she quickly said, “Take Gwen and leave. I’ve already messaged my brother, he should be here soon…”

She didn’t finish.

The white man, angrier than ever, charged at Jinsha like a maddened bull!

The other three, sensing trouble, abandoned the manager and rushed toward Jinsha as well. These thugs were notorious for their lawlessness in Queens—no one had ever dared to embarrass them like this.

Only the tattooed African-American remained, arms folded, his narrow eyes quietly assessing Zhong Shenxiu, who stood protectively beside Gwen.

His eyes flickered with unknown thoughts.

Zhong Shenxiu eyed the charging four and Jinsha’s silhouette before him. He clenched his fists, ready to use his gun skills if things turned dire—these thugs would be easy enough to handle.

But just then—

The tattooed African-American barked, “Wait!”

The four thugs immediately stopped, turning to him in confusion.

He offered no explanation, instead stepping forward, the echo of his footsteps heightening the tension as everyone held their breath.

He stopped a short distance from Zhong Shenxiu, looming over him.

Gwen, frightened pale, realized the trouble her impulsiveness had caused.

“Are you Shenxiu Zhong?” came the gravelly voice.

He knows me?

Zhong Shenxiu placed Gwen behind him, raising his chin to meet the man’s gaze. “You know me?”

He remembered Peter saying last night that his original self was respected by the Queens gangs.

If so, perhaps there was a way to avoid this sudden confrontation.

After all, twelve agents were still monitoring him outside. He didn’t know if his original self had martial arts skills; if he suddenly took on five at once, wouldn’t that expose him?

So unless absolutely necessary, Zhong Shenxiu preferred not to intervene.

But…

With Zhong Shenxiu’s reply, the tattooed African-American’s demeanor shifted dramatically. His stern face broke into a respectful smile as he answered,

“Of course, Mr. Zhong. A year ago, when you met Mr. Fisk, I was right there. Of course, I’m a nobody—you wouldn’t remember me. To meet you here again is truly an honor.”

At these words, the four arrogant thugs were dumbfounded. They’d never seen the Don so deferential.

Not only them—Zhong Shenxiu was stunned.

What??

He actually knew Fisk?

What kind of story was this? The ultimate Dragon King, strongest soldier and son-in-law, Zhong Shenxiu?

But Zhong Shenxiu quickly recovered, responding, “Oh, I remember now—you’re that… someone…”

“Yes, sir, I’m Donald. Just call me Don.” Donald’s attitude grew even more respectful, then he looked at Gwen behind Zhong Shenxiu and asked,

“And what is your relationship to this young lady, Mr. Zhong?”

“She’s a friend,” Zhong Shenxiu replied.

Upon hearing this, Donald straightened up and barked at the white man, “Come here. Kneel and apologize!”

The white man, a coward at heart, had never seen the Don act like this. He hurried over, terrified.

With a thud, he knelt and muttered, “I’m… I’m sorry.”

Seeing Zhong Shenxiu’s still furrowed brow, Donald’s eyes flashed coldly. He raised his leg and stomped hard.

“Ah—!”

With the white man’s wailing and the sound of bone breaking, Donald crushed the hand that had tried to slap Gwen.

Zhong Shenxiu quickly shielded Gwen’s eyes, then beckoned Jinsha, indicating they should leave.

“Oh, by the way—the manager’s a decent person,” Zhong Shenxiu said, turning after a few steps.

“Yes, sir!” Donald replied as if receiving an order, bowing deeply to Zhong Shenxiu’s retreating figure.

———

“Gwen! Do you realize what you did wrong?!” No sooner were they in the car than Jinsha couldn’t contain herself, scolding Gwen.

Gwen lowered her head meekly. “I… I know…”

“I don’t know what to say. If you want to play hero, you need to use your brain, okay? You just rushed out—those men are built like bulls! What if you got hurt, huh?”

“Couldn’t you have waited and called Dad… I mean, called the police first? Wait for them to arrive, then play hero all you want!”

After the scolding, Gwen lowered her head even further, not daring to speak.

“Honestly, if not for Shenxiu today, you’d regret it!”

Jinsha then turned to Zhong Shenxiu, her attitude changing instantly. “Thank you so much today.”

Zhong Shenxiu shook his head, replying, “It’s nothing.”

He pondered the appearance of one of the major players now brought into the open—Fisk, and how he might affect the current situation.

Fisk was a notorious supervillain, head of United Construction, secretly controlling the criminal underworld of New York and even the entire United States.

A ruthless man.

But by the timeline, Zhong Shenxiu remembered that Fisk wasn’t yet so powerful; his true rise came after the Battle of New York, when he frantically bought up real estate.

That was how he soared to become the strongest crime boss in America.

And his original self’s relationship with Fisk…

Judging by the tattooed man’s behavior earlier, it seemed rather favorable—