America: A Prodigy of Stereotypes

“The police department arranges physical examinations every year, and he’s healthy,” Gwen said.

“Hospitals are scary places,” Stephanie said.

"You're right, hospital bills are frightening."

“It’s best not to go for a physical exam. Even if there’s nothing wrong with your body, the doctor will find something wrong,” Gwen said.

"Which hospital did Dad go to?" Harry asked curiously.

“A hospital abroad. My dad went abroad for Christmas,” Li Qun replied.

“The level of medical care in foreign hospitals is still far inferior to that in New York,” Harry said.

“But the medical expenses also vary drastically,” Li Qun said.

“The more we talk about this topic, the sadder it will become,” Stephanie said.

“Let’s not talk about that. Let’s talk about the exams! We still have a few more to go,” Peter said.

“The AP exams aren’t until April, so there’s still plenty of time,” Li Qun said.

……

……

"There's no such thing as mental illness. It's just spoiled."

"dad!"

Joe stood nervously behind the door, listening. It seemed that the two people inside were arguing.

The door suddenly opened, and Mr. and Mrs. Chen came out.

"Grandpa..." Qiao called out to his grandfather, Mr. Chen, whom he was meeting for the first time, with an awkward pronunciation.

"Ha! This kid can't even speak properly?! Is this what you've taught him?" Old Mr. Chen said sarcastically to his daughter, leaning on his cane.

"This is my fault." Mrs. Chen rarely bowed her head to her father when it came to her son's education.

"You have so many problems, you have so many problems," Mr. Chen continued to mock.

"Dad, why don't you and Qiao go eat first? I've made a reservation at that restaurant over there," Mrs. Chen said.

"I flew here for a day and a night, and I haven't received any good news."

"Let's go, lead the way."

Joe glanced at Mrs. Chen, who gave him a look that signaled for him to obey.

“I don’t speak English,” Mr. Chen said.

“This is Chinatown, so it’s okay if you don’t speak English,” Mrs. Chen said.

Joe brought his grandfather to the Yellow Crane Tower restaurant. The two sat down inside and stared at each other intently.

"Your mother is dying, do you know that?" Mr. Chen said to Qiao without any hesitation.

“No, she won’t die,” Joe said in English.

"No, I do know what that means."

“She called me here because she wants you to work for me from now on,” Mr. Chen said.

"I do not need."

"It's like talking to a brick wall, or playing music to a cow." Mr. Chen shook his head at his grandson who could only speak English.

“Back then, I strongly opposed your mother and father being together, but your mother wouldn’t listen. I had someone calculate your father’s fate, and it turned out he was destined to die young, and it really came true.”

"You're not allowed to talk about my dad like that." Qiao was a little angry and clenched her fists.

“I should also have someone calculate your birth chart to see if you can live a long life,” Mr. Chen said, not backing down.

"Hello, my name is Shuangxi. This is a restaurant my parents own, and I'm also Qiao's classmate." Shuangxi walked over and greeted Mr. Chen.

“You can speak Chinese, which is much better than my grandson.” Mr. Chen looked up at Shuangxi.

"My mom asked me to come and ask if we can serve the food yet?" Shuangxi asked.

"Let's serve the food. We'll pack up the leftovers and take them home later," Mr. Chen said.

"Ok."

Shuangxi came over to interrupt, and Mr. Chen stopped venting his grievances against Qiao. His expression was as gloomy as Qiao's.

After her uncle finished cooking in the kitchen, her aunt asked Shuangxi to serve the dishes, and then quietly told her what she had just overheard.

"That old man is so fierce!" my uncle remarked softly.

“It reminds me of Dad,” my aunt said.

"It's not that fierce, is it?"

"Don't you remember how Dad scolded you in the kitchen?"

"The situation is different."

The grandfather and grandson ate their meal in silence, and didn't speak again until they finished their packed food and left the restaurant.

Shuangxi and his aunt curiously peered out from the restaurant entrance, while his uncle pulled them back inside.

"What? Aren't you curious?"

"Don't be so gossipy," the uncle said to his aunt.

"Son, are you familiar with Qiao?" the uncle asked Shuangxi.

"We're not very familiar with each other, we can only exchange a few words," Shuangxi said.

"How is he doing at school?" the uncle asked.

"Why are you gossiping too?" Auntie slapped Uncle's arm.

"What kind of gossip is this?"

“Joe is being targeted by some people at school,” Shuangxi said.

"How are you?" the uncle asked.

“No one dares to mess with me,” Shuangxi replied.

"I'll make you an extra portion of lunch tomorrow, and you can share some with Qiao," Uncle said to Shuangxi.

"I'm in a bit of a dilemma," Shuangxi said.

What's troubling you?

"That's weird; my classmates will think I'm gay."

“You don’t need to care about what others think,” the uncle said.

"I still care," Shuangxi said.

Chapter 287 Apprentices of the Old Era

While coloring the bodysuit, Peter felt that the spider silk bodysuit could be improved.

The first spider silk bodysuit was a one-piece suit, which Peter found a bit troublesome to put on, like crawling into a spacesuit.

There are two types of spacesuits, and these two types are clearly divided into two camps: the Soviet-style and the American-style. The Soviet spacesuit is a one-piece design, while the American spacesuit is a split, modular design.

After trying on the one-piece bodysuit, he wanted to change it into a two-piece design for easier wear.

Peter began making the second spider silk bodysuit.

Based on the experience gained from the first attempt, the second spider silk bodysuit was made even more perfectly, with some additional decorative elements added.

After completing the second spider silk bodysuit, Peter decided to make the corresponding headgear as well.

Peter thought about the hood for a long time, and he realized that he might be too concerned about his appearance.

What was his purpose in making this outfit?

His answer was: to make it easier to use his spider superpowers in front of others and to conceal his true identity.

The reason is similar to that of The Flash.

In the comics, The Flash created the red suit to better utilize his Speed ​​Force.

Peter had been secretly studying "superheroes" for some time, and he gradually prepared himself mentally for his upcoming debut as a real-life "superhero."

……

Mr. Chen is an old man who speaks very directly.

If this were the place where the old man lived before, speaking directly wouldn't be a problem.

But now that the old man has come to New York, every word he says to his grandson sounds like a verbal attack.

When Li Qun first met Mr. Chen, he exclaimed in surprise.

It's not surprising that Mrs. Chen's father, Mr. Chen, looks like this; like Mrs. Chen, he has the "actor" face that Li Qun remembers.

Mr. Chen was very tall and thin, with a slight hunchback. He walked with a cane and spoke mainly in dialect. He always had a disdainful look on his face, which was the complete opposite of my kind and amiable father.

"Qiao dropped out of school; that old man is too terrifying."

"Shuangxi, are you serious?"

“I saw it with my own eyes at school today,” Shuangxi told Liqun.

“This is truly something to celebrate,” Li Qun said.

"I also heard that the laundry shop is going to be sold, and the old man is taking Mrs. Chen and Qiao back to his hometown," Shuangxi said.

"How do you know everything?" Li Qun looked at Shuangxi curiously.

"The old man was speaking very loudly, and I overheard him."

Auntie picked up something and tapped Shuangxi on the head, scolding, "Stop calling me 'old man'."

“I haven’t seen Mr. Chen smile once during the days he’s been here,” Shuangxi said.

"If someone else were in this situation, who could laugh?" my aunt retorted.

The laundry shop had no intention of being sold, but the news of its sale spread, and many people came to Mrs. Chen's door to discuss the sale. In the end, Mrs. Chen insisted on keeping the laundry shop.