America: A Prodigy of Stereotypes

"where?"

“It’s all in the past…” Peter said regretfully.

Chapter 380 Saying What Comes to Mind

"balloon!!"

"My balloon..."

Li Qun turned around and saw a little boy looking up at the sky, watching the balloon drift away.

"Honey, let's go get another one."

“But they’ve run out of balloons, they’ve given them all away,” the boy said to his mother.

Li Qun looked around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, jumped up and grabbed the balloon in the air.

"Boy, your balloon."

Li Qun walked over to the boy, squatted down, and handed him the string of the balloon.

"...It's my balloon!"

"Thank you!"

"You're welcome."

Li Qun walked back to his friends, and Gwen smiled at him.

“I saw it,” Gwen said.

"What did you see?" Li Qun asked.

“Your incredible jumping ability,” Gwen said.

“You only see me because you noticed I walked away,” Li Qun said.

“Your abilities are just as good as Peter’s, so why don’t you become a superhero like Peter?” Gwen asked.

"I just helped a boy retrieve his balloon that flew away."

"Balloon?" Peter turned around.

“Peter’s super hearing isn’t as good as mine,” Li Qun chuckled.

“Maybe he just didn’t notice,” Gwen said.

“I see the sign. The Mexican restaurant Tony Stark recommended is right ahead,” Peter said.

“That guy runs really fast,” Stephanie said.

“He has a wealth of experience dealing with frenzied crowds,” Gwen said.

“Let me think, Peter, our training should also include dealing with massive crowds,” Li Qun said.

“I’ll do as you say,” Peter said.

The seven people entered the restaurant, habitually found seats in the corner, and picked up the menu to order.

“These are dishes that Tony Stark said I absolutely had to try, and they look great in the photos,” Peter said.

“There are seven of us, so let’s order their signature dishes, otherwise it won’t be enough,” Li Qun said.

"What would you like to drink?"

“A Mexican tequila cocktail? Want to try it?” Peter said, looking at Li Qun.

“I’m not an alcoholic,” Li Qun said.

“But you’re the one among us who likes to drink the most,” Peter said.

“And Stephanie too,” Li Qun said, pulling his drinking buddies along.

“I feel like I’ve missed out on so much since I didn’t live with you guys,” Harry said with a hint of bitterness in his voice.

“Yes, we did miss out on a lot, like when Li Qun taught Peter a new boxing style called Mantis Boxing,” Gwen said.

"Mantis Fist?"

Harry looked at Peter.

“I’ve only ever seen praying mantises in zoos, documentaries, and books. Praying mantis boxing moves are very different,” Peter said.

"Quickly, tell me what you'd like to drink? I'll have tequila," Li Qun reminded him.

“I’d like a glass of hot milk,” Peter said.

“Give me a glass of tequila too,” Harry said.

"I want sparkling lemonade."

"Me too."

“Liz, Mary Jane, our rule is not to split the bill, but it’s on me today,” Gwen said.

“No splitting the bill? How can that be? We’ll never dare ask you guys out to eat again,” Mary Jane said.

“We take turns treating each other, whether it’s expensive or cheap food, as friends we don’t mind,” Li Qun said.

“If friends are too calculating with each other, it means someone wants to end the friendship at any time,” Gwen said.

"That's not entirely true. Too much pressure in a friendship can corrupt it," Li Qun said.

“I’m starting to reminisce about our high school days, when you guys were just as open and talkative as you are now,” Liz said.

“It hasn’t been that long, has it?” Li Qun said to Liz.

“I want to go home and change as soon as possible,” Mary Jane said.

“Peter will drive you back,” Gwen said.

“I suddenly noticed that the lighting is pretty good where you’re sitting. Let me take a few pictures of you.” Peter held up the Sony camera around his neck.

“Do I need to do anything?” Liz asked.

"Just act naturally, you don't need to look at the camera."

Peter had carefully studied the photography book his uncle had given him and exchanged many photography experiences with a photographer from the Daily Bugle, and now those experiences were coming in handy.

Under Peter's lens, Mary Jane and Liz are in no way inferior to those veteran fashion models.

“I’ll send the photos over once they’re developed,” Peter said.

"Does anyone else feel like Peter's eyes are practically glued to Mary Jane's face?" Gwen complained.

“The most important thing for a photographer is to be able to observe. Peter was simply observing and finding a beautiful angle to express beautiful things,” Li Qun said.

"Uh……"

Peter blushed, and Mary Jane blushed a little too; the two of them turned their faces to the side.

“How come I didn’t realize? Being a photographer has so many advantages.” Harry stroked his chin, as if he was seriously considering something.

“Harry, did you talk to my dad today?” Stephanie asked.

"I said hello to him."

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen him dressed so seriously. He has a more dignified air about him than my dad does,” Harry said to Stephanie.

"That's because he wasn't smiling."

“When he smiles, you think, how can there be such a kind person in the world?” Stephanie said.

“A person can really have several faces,” Harry said.

More than forty minutes later, all the dishes ordered by the seven of them were finally served. For a Mexican-owned restaurant, the service was a bit slow, but after tasting the food, the group forgot about the slow service.

“This is definitely much better than a cheeseburger,” Li Qun said.

"Why are you asking Tony Stark if he likes cheeseburgers?" Gwen asked.

“A cheeseburger, a common food, is a world apart from Tony Stark’s life, isn’t it? His father was the world’s richest man from birth, and he is still the world’s richest man now,” Li Qun said.

“Honestly, I think cheeseburgers are a failure as a mass-market food. They have absolutely no unique features and their flaws are very obvious,” Harry said.

"What's even more unique than a cheeseburger is the double cheeseburger."

"Three slices of cheese, two beef patties in the middle, and of course, lots of sweet and sour mayonnaise, otherwise it will taste dry," Li Qun said.

“I think the key to a cheeseburger is the bread,” Peter said.

Tony Stark pushed open the door and entered, accompanied by his security chief, Happy, who also served as his driver and bodyguard. He looked around the restaurant and spotted a few people sitting in a corner.

“See, I told you so, they’ll listen to me and come here to fill their bellies,” Tony Stark said to Happy.

Tony Stark walked to the dining table and took off his sunglasses. Seven people filled both sides of the table; there was no room for him.

Tony Stark sat down at the table next to him and ordered two signature set meals from the waiter.

“I paid their bill,” Tony Stark said, pointing to Li Qun and his table.

"Okay, sir."

Chapter 381 What I Love Is Life

“Mr. Stark, thank you for treating us to dinner. Would you mind taking a picture with us?” Peter Parker asked, bewildered.

“Sure. Would you like me to sign your shirts?” Tony Stark asked.

"A group photo is fine, we don't have that many requests."

Peter found the right shooting angle for the camera, adjusted the time-lapse mode, and the group posed for a photo with Tony Stark around the dining table.

"Thank you again," Peter said politely.

“Remember to leave a good review for this restaurant on review websites,” Tony Stark said.

"We will."

"We can edit now."

Li Qun took out his phone, and Tony Stark noticed that Li Qun and the others were all using their own phones.

Li Qun noticed Tony Stark's gaze.