Chapter 18: Sending Medicinal Food! The Charm of Oriental Creations!
Ding Dong~
The doorbell at Gwen's house rang. Ethan Lee stood outside, holding a steaming pot of medicinal food.
The door opened quickly, revealing Gwen's mother, Jenny, who peeked outside before stepping back to let him in. "Oh, Ethan, come in. No reporters outside, are there?"
Ethan stepped inside, shaking his head. "Not yet, but it's only a matter of time. Jessica is really stirring up trouble. She might have to move back to Sunnyvale—there's no room for security detail here."
Jenny sighed with a knowing smile. "So, you've seen the news. Jessica's always full of surprises." She handed him a warm drink. "George is handling it. He's making sure reporters don't harass you too much."
Ethan appreciated the effort but knew that even George's position as Chief of the NYPD couldn't stop all the press. "I brought some special oriental medicinal food for Gwen. It's great for skin nourishment and overall health."
He didn't mention its primary function—restoring blood and helping with wound healing.
Jenny's eyes lit up. "Oh? Skin care, you say? That sounds like a magical oriental creation! Gwen is upstairs. She'll be thrilled."
"Let me serve you a bowl first," Ethan offered.
Jenny hesitated playfully. "Oh~ I couldn't possibly! You brought this for Gwen."
"I'm sure she won't mind," he said with a grin.
Their conversation wasn't exactly quiet, and Gwen, upstairs in her room, heard everything. She groaned internally—her mother was way too easy to win over. How could she just let a boy into her daughter's room so casually?
Not that Gwen minded. She trusted Ethan completely. After all, she'd even given him a spare key to her room.
However, right now, she was hurriedly finishing up bandaging a wound on her forearm. Thanks to her unique physiology, it had already mostly healed, but it still needed to be covered. If her parents saw it, she'd be in big trouble.
Downstairs, Ethan, having successfully won over Jenny, headed up to Gwen's room. Finding the door locked, he knocked lightly.
"Gwen, can I come in? I brought you some food."
Her voice came through the door, teasing, "You have a key, don't you?"
"Alright then, here I come."
Ethan retrieved the key from his pocket, unlocked the door with ease, and stepped inside.
Gwen was sitting cross-legged on her bed, wearing cute long-sleeved pajamas adorned with a chibi-style spider pattern.
Ethan smirked. "Oh, my sweetheart, were you waiting for me?"
Gwen shot back playfully, "Come here, you bastard!"—in Chinese.
They both burst into laughter.
Setting the pot down on her desk, Ethan handed her a package. "Jessica asked me to bring this for you."
Gwen took it, tilting her head curiously. "What is it?"
Ethan spread his hands. "She said you needed—uh—sanitary napkins?"
Gwen froze. "…What?"
Her face turned crimson. She did remember Jessica saying she'd bring her some bandages and antiseptics, but apparently, this was the cover story.
Quickly stuffing the package behind her, Gwen cleared her throat and changed the subject. "So… what did you bring me to eat?"
She eagerly lifted the lid of the pot. "I have no idea what's in it, but it looks delicious."
Ethan chuckled, explaining the ingredients and their benefits.
As Gwen started eating, her expression brightened. She was much more cooperative than Jessica, who was still a picky eater.
Satisfied, Ethan leaned back slightly, letting the conversation flow naturally. Today had been eventful, and there was plenty to talk about.
"I saw the news," Gwen said between bites. "I can't believe Green Goblin was actually Harry's father. Norman Osborn—of all people! Harry must be going through hell right now."
Ethan wasn't particularly sympathetic. "He'll handle it. I'm more concerned about Jessica. The media and government agencies will be all over her. She's too careless. I'm already considering moving back to the manor and hiring extra security."
It wasn't paranoia. Superhumans weren't common yet, and any newly revealed superhero would attract dangerous attention.
Unless, of course, a bigger name emerged to steal the spotlight.
Ethan thought about one man—Tony Stark.
If Stark was already on his Middle Eastern "vacation," it wouldn't be long before he made his grand return as Iron Man. That would shift the media frenzy.
Gwen paused, her spoon hovering over her bowl. "Ethan… If you move back, I'll miss you."
Ethan softened. "I'd miss you too. That's why I'm considering all the options."
"Actually, Dad's been talking about moving to a better neighborhood."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you all move closer to me? My house is huge."
She smiled. "Dad wouldn't want to live in someone else's house. But… if it's nearby, I think he'd consider it. I'll talk to him."
Time passed quickly.
A single man and a single woman in a room together.
As their conversation went on, they naturally inched closer—until they were side by side, lost in each other's company.