The Comprehensive Evolution of American Comics.

Chapter 12 Technology Expo

"Please, Harpy, you have to help me."

Yang Le felt helpless as he looked at Peter who was praying to him with his hands clasped together.

"No matter how much I try to help you, Peter, I can't do anything if you don't speak."

Yang Le and Peter were buying lunch at a hamburger shop outside the school, while Gwen and Mary Jane were in the school auditorium.

Back to morning.

Gwen's skills were easily recognized by Mary Jane and the others. In the end, they all agreed to Gwen's joining and told Gwen about their plans. They were going to perform at the next homecoming.

Gwen was overjoyed about this. Just when the girls were chattering about what song to sing, Yang Le interrupted their discussion.

"So what's the name of your band?"

This question is much more important than the choice of music. Think about it, the host announces the show before the performance.

"Let's welcome the band with no name!" Wow, that's ridiculous.

The girls started a discussion.

"How about just calling it the Midtown Band?" suggested bassist Betty Brant. "We're all students at Midtown High anyway."

"That's so uncharacteristic, Betty." Keyboardist Gloria Grant put her hand to her forehead. "Midtown High has had at least ten Midtown bands."

"That's right, and as far as I know, the other band competing with us for the opportunity to perform at the dance is called Midtown." Guitarist and lead singer Mary Jane tapped her fingers lightly on the guitar hanging on her body.

"It's obvious that they chose this name to flatter the principal." Gwen's drumsticks flew up and down.

Suddenly, Gwen stepped forward, raised her drumsticks to her lips as if they were a microphone, and said, "Next, let's welcome the Midtown Band from Midtown High School."

"Ugh! With all due respect, this isn't rock 'n' roll at all," Betty said with disdain, sticking out her tongue.

"So what should our band be called?" Glory scratched her hair in frustration. "This is way harder than a test."

The girls were thinking hard, but Yang Le, who asked the question, ran away at this time.

"It's lunch time. Does anyone want to have a delicious hamburger?" Yang Le's suggestion was quickly responded to.

"You're so nice, harpy!" Gwen cheered, raising her hands. "I want the cheese combo from BEEF MAN."

"BEEF MAN? Gwen's store is a street away." Yang Le frowned. He originally wanted to deal with it at the Burger King outside the school gate.

"Please, harpy." Gwen's big watery eyes flickered as she looked at Yang Le.

"OK, OK." Yang Le raised his hands in surrender. "What about the others? Let's make sure we can only order from BEEF MAN."

Mary Jane and the others looked at the interaction between Gwen and Yang Le and smiled at each other.

"We just want the regular set meal." Mary Jane smiled somewhat ambiguously, leaving Yang Le puzzled.

Yang Le didn't care. He grabbed Peter, who was installing the statue, to do the hard work and left together.

As soon as Yang Le left, Mary Jane and the others immediately surrounded Gwen.

"Gwen, what is your relationship with that harpy?" Betty looked at Gwen with a gossipy look on her face.

"What's the relationship?" Gwen was confused. "Harpy is my friend, right?"

"Please! Stop pretending, Gwen." Mary Jane's disbelief was written all over her face. "I noticed yesterday that he's completely obedient to you, okay?" After hearing what Mary Jane said, Gwen thought about it carefully and realized that Yang Le didn't seem to have rejected her request.

"No way?" Gwen also became a little unsure, but she didn't show it and pretended not to care.

"We're just friends, really. It's just that the hobbit is nicer. You'll know after you spend some time with him." Gwen waved her hand. "Besides that, we haven't decided on a name for our band yet."

Faced with Gwen's abrupt change of subject, Mary Jane and the others did not pursue the matter relentlessly. Indeed, it was more important to decide on the name of the band first.

Back to the present, Yang Le and Peter packed lunch for everyone. Yang Le was also thinking about how to help Peter pursue Mary Jane. Because of the influence of the 94 Spider-Man animation, he has been supporting the couple of Peter and Mary Jane since he was a child.

Just as Yang Le was thinking hard, a flyer was handed to him.

"The New York Expo welcomes you to visit." A person in a doll costume handed over a colorful flyer. After Yang Le took the flyer, he turned around and continued distributing flyers.

Yang Le lowered his head and began to read, and Peter beside him also leaned over to read.

"Oh, it's a technology expo organized by New York City. Many technology companies will participate, even Oscorp and Stark Industries are coming back!" Peter stared at the flyer excitedly, as if he wanted to see through it.

"It would be nice if you could be like this when you face Mary Jane." Yang Le looked at Peter sideways.

"That's right!" Yang Le suddenly had an idea. "How about Peter asking Mary Jane out?"

"Ah? Hobby, are you crazy?" Peter exclaimed, causing passers-by to look back frequently.

"The Science and Technology Expo, what a perfect date place, just right for a nerd like you. The objects that interest you will give you courage." Yang Le ignored Peter's questioning and waved the flyer in his hand.

"Isn't it just right that you want Mary Jane to see your shining point?"

"But how can I ask her out? I wouldn't dare to do it alone." Peter said dejectedly.

"Our Mr. Pi is very bold. He actually wants to ask a girl out on a date whom he has only met twice." Yang Le joked.

"It's definitely not possible to go out alone. Mary Jane will not agree to this request. But group action is different. You can suggest that everyone go together." Yang Le folded the flyer and put it in his pocket.

"That's right!" Peter's eyes lit up after hearing Yang Le's words. "You're such a talented harpy! But will they be interested?"

"You'll have to ask Gwen to help us get our big sister to talk." Yang Le said for a long time before feeling thirsty. He took a sip of Coke from his bag. "And I'm sure Mary Jane wouldn't refuse this first band activity."

"So you want me to help Peter pick up Mary Jane?"

After returning, Yang Le took Gwen aside while distributing food and told her about Peter's plan.

"Help Xiao Bi. The kid has finally mustered up the courage to pursue a girl." Yang Le handed the hamburger and drink to Gwen and whispered in her ear.

"OK, OK, you don't have to be so close for me to hear you." Gwen reached out and pushed Yang Le away, pretending not to care and adjusted her hair to cover her slightly hot ears.

"It's all Betty's fault!" Gwen felt that the previous conversation must have affected her. She now felt that the atmosphere between her and Yang Le was very strange.

"Let me make this clear first. I will do my best to get it, but I can't guarantee whether Mary Jane and the others will agree or not."

Gwen looked at Peter, who was acting as the lunch boy not far away, and she actually felt like her child had grown up.

"Can he really do it?" Gwen looked at Peter worriedly, who blushed even when handing a burger to Mary Jane.

"Oh, that's not something we need to worry about." Yang Le shrugged. "Maybe they've already registered with the God of Love?"

(End of this chapter)