America: A Prodigy of Stereotypes

"There probably won't be many shots of us here. The TV stations prefer the Lunar New Year events in Manhattan, where there are float parades."

The Queens event emphasizes a down-to-earth atmosphere, while the Manhattan event emphasizes a wealthy and powerful one.

"Anyway, I'm so envious of you, being able to take several days off," Harry said wistfully.

“Gwen, do you want to take a few days of sick leave?” Harry turned to look at Gwen, who was wearing a mask.

"I'm considering it." Gwen seemed somewhat interested.

She was learning Chinese on her own, while Li Qun and the others were away. Her Chinese teacher had been teaching her about various aspects of the Spring Festival culture.

Gwen thought to herself that she was already half a Aurora, and she loved these traditions very much.

……

……

Two weeks ago, on the second day of lion dance practice, Li Qun performed a segment in front of the other masters along with Master Zhang and Master Li, which reassured them. Today is the day for Li Qun to showcase the results of his special training.

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Li Qun got up very early to prepare, put on full gear and waited quietly at the end of the street. After the firecrackers finished, the lion danced from the end of the street to the beginning.

Amidst the rousing drumbeats and continuous cheers, Liqun was completely immersed in the joy of the Spring Festival, his spirits soaring.

Throughout the morning, Li Qun's performance was nothing short of perfect, and his partner, Master Zhang, also felt incredibly relaxed this time, feeling young again as he partnered with the young man.

Lion dance performances are not limited to street performances; there are also indoor performances.

The street performances take place in the morning, while the indoor performances are in the afternoon. The lion dance performances in the afternoon are close to evening, and Liqun can enjoy a banquet after the performance.

"Such a thick red envelope!!"

"Keep it safe, don't lose it."

After performing at the community's Spring Festival event, Li Qun received many red envelopes, each one more substantial than the last.

The delicious banquet food gave Li Qun physical strength, and the red envelopes he received also filled him with energy.

The lion dance performances will not be limited to one day; Liqun will also have a larger-scale lion dance performance on the weekend of the 27th and 28th.

The weekend games will be even grander, with plum blossom poles set up for competition with other lion dance teams, specially arranged to accommodate working people.

"Make sure you get plenty of rest, don't let your health suddenly collapse." Master Zhang was very concerned about Liqun.

"I'm not a child."

“You’re just a kid!” Master Zhang laughed.

This Spring Festival, my father also followed Li Qun to various performance venues, helping Li Qun manage interpersonal relationships.

My uncle and aunt were so busy that they almost forgot they had a baby named Shuangxi at home.

In Saturday's grand lion dance performance, Liqun unsurprisingly defeated all the other lion dance teams to take first place, standing proudly on the plum blossom poles with Master Zhang.

The lion dance performance during the weekend parade was broadcast live on television, and Peter and Gwen saw the rebroadcast on TV, deeply moved by the grand atmosphere of the Chinese New Year in Aurora.

On Sunday evening, Li Qun was finally able to rest and return home, where the family had a rare reunion dinner together.

"My lower back and shoulders are so sore."

Li Qun took off his shirt, and his uncle rubbed medicinal wine on his body.

According to my uncle, you should never take advantage of your youth and push yourself too hard when you're young. You have to take care of yourself, otherwise you'll develop a lot of hidden injuries when you get older.

After Uncle helped Liqun apply the medicated wine, Liqun then helped Uncle apply the medicated wine. Uncle had been working intensely at the stove throughout the entire week of the Lunar New Year holiday, and he had also suffered muscle damage.

Li Qun sincerely hopes that this warm and harmonious life can continue to last, and that no strange, violent, or chaotic events will occur.

The possibility of a 9/11 attack has always hung over Li Qun's mind like a mountain, along with various other major disasters that may occur in the future.

Compared to the local Americans, Li Qun's moral values ​​were very different from those of the locals, which made him feel confused from time to time.

Knowing about these possible events, Li Qun felt a strange responsibility, a need to protect innocent people from these terrible disasters.

After a period of continuous physical labor during the Spring Festival, Li Qun lay down and a thousand thoughts flooded his mind. Post-holiday syndrome was intensely impacting his brain.

A portal appeared beneath Li Qun, transporting him to Bruce Banner's side.

"Dr. Banner, I have some questions and would like your guidance."

In the meditation room on the third floor of the Sanctuary, Li Qun and Bruce Banner sat cross-legged.

"You have a premonition that a very serious disaster will occur in the future, sometime within this year..."

The Eye of Agamotto on Bruce Banner's chest slowly floated up, and a green gem appeared before Li Qun's eyes.

Chapter 109 Peeking into the Future

Bruce Banner is using the power of the Time Stone to glimpse the future.

Dr. Banner said nothing, and Li Qun asked nothing.

Li Qun knew that the green gem in the Eye of Agamotto was the Time Stone, and he was even clearer about what Dr. Banner was doing at that moment.

Dr. Banner was unaware that Li Qun knew, and Li Qun's behavior revealed that he was unaware.

"The disaster happened in Manhattan, New York?" Dr. Banner asked, squinting.

“This is what I saw in the future,” Li Qun replied.

“I didn’t see anything happen. Everything is normal in New York,” Dr. Banner said, looking up.

"Dr. Banner, are you sure?"

"The time magic I use can see what will happen on Earth in the future, and not only can I peek into the future, but I can also look back into the past."

“In Manhattan,” Li Qun emphasized.

Bruce Banner cast the spell again, this time making many adjustments and observing various possibilities, but he still did not see the scene described by Li Qun.

“Liqun, you have a very strong spiritual perception.”

"The scene you are seeing does not belong to our world; it is a scene from another world."

"Tell me, you saw more than just this one disaster scene, right?"

Li Qun nodded to Bruce Banner.

"You need to forget these things."

"They will disrupt your life and impair your judgment."

"Another possibility is that you are being seduced by demons from other dimensions. Because you have a sense of responsibility, you feel guilty, and they are gradually leading you down the path they want you to take."

"Don't worry."

Bruce Banner patted Li Qun on the shoulder and tossed him back into his bedroom.

"Okay, let's forget about these natural and man-made disasters."

Li Qun lay in bed, still unable to stop thinking. 9/11 was a man-made disaster; perhaps the future plan had failed, and the Shimao Twin Towers were safe and sound. After all, this world's America had the "powerful" S.H.I.E.L.D., while the "old world" did not.

……

On Monday, after a week's absence, Li Qun returned to school. When she met Peter in front of the teaching building, Peter warmly put his arm around Li Qun's shoulder.

“I will never forget this week you took leave,” Peter said to Li Qun.

I know what you're missing.

Li Qun pointed to his backpack, which contained insulated lunch boxes for three people.

“You would never guess, Gwen actually cooked Chinese food at home and brought it to school,” Peter said.

"Really? How did it turn out? Have you tried it?" Li Qun's curiosity was immediately piqued.

“It’s alright, at least better than the lunches sold in the school cafeteria,” Peter replied.

Aunt May used to give Peter money for lunch every day so he could buy lunch at the school cafeteria. But after Gwen unexpectedly won a prize and paid for lunch for all three of them, Peter started saving his daily lunch money. However, Peter usually couldn't save the money; he'd buy a couple of books he liked, and the money would be gone.

Good morning, Gwen.

Li Qun and Peter waited for Gwen next to the locker, and Gwen took a lunchbox out of her backpack.

"Gwen, what's this?" Li Qun asked knowingly, pointing to Gwen's lunchbox.

“I made Chinese food at home myself. You can try it at noon.” Gwen’s tone was full of anticipation; she really wanted Li Qun to comment on her cooking skills.

“Okay,” Li Qun said to Gwen.

"Wow, look! The big star is here!"

Harry appeared behind Li Qun and teased him.

"I'm not a big star."

“I’ve been on TV, so I’m practically a celebrity now,” Harry laughed.

“I’ve recorded and saved all the TV programs from the entire Chinese New Year in Aurora City. Liqun, do you want them?” Harry asked.

"You should keep it yourself. We'll come to your house to admire it when we have time," Li Qun said.

"Were you scared jumping around on that stake?" Harry asked with great curiosity, referring to the lion dance competition during the weekend parade.

“My position is the lion head. I’m holding the lion head and looking straight ahead, not down at my feet.”

“Peter would be terrified if it were him,” Harry said, giving Peter a light elbow strike.

“I’m not necessarily afraid,” Peter objected.

“Peter may have a lot of courage, but he just hasn’t had the opportunity to use it,” Li Qun said.

“How about we go to the haunted house this weekend? It’ll be a good opportunity for Peter to prove he’s brave,” Harry suggested.

"Just the few of us?" Peter asked.

“Who else can we call?” Gwen asked.

“Mary Jane? Liz? Frye?…” Harry rattled off several names.

There are very few people who would play with them; they have to invite key figures from other circles to summon other people in those circles.

"Too many people go to haunted houses, and they turn into party venues, so they don't scare anyone anymore," Li Qun said.

“Liqun is right,” Peter said.