66. The Upcoming Clash Between the Saints and the Hulk! (A Sensational Quadruple Update!)

In a small yet cozy bedroom.

Hawk and Gwen embraced each other.

Their eyes met.

Do not be a bad person; instead, try to be a kind one.

Gwen’s words echoed in Hawk’s mind like the temptation of an angel.

Hawk pressed his lips together.

"I never intended to be a bad person."

"I know."

Gwen said without hesitation, holding Hawk tightly while continuing to look into his eyes. "So please keep it up, and continue being a kind person, Hawk."

The definitions of a good person and a bad person are perhaps determined by the perception of the majority.

Take Spider-Man, for instance. He is considered a good person because most people like him.

Take Hydra, for example. They are standard bad people because most people hate them.

Yet, good and bad are defined by the perceptions of others. Just as there are people who like Spider-Man, there are naturally those who hate him. For instance, the New York Police Department profoundly detests this New York vigilante.

Similarly, while some people detest Hydra, there is a certain faction of people who actually like them.

However...

Being a kind person requires no such validation.

A person who remains true to their own conscience, lives without regret, and never wakes up terrified in the middle of the night from nightmares about past deeds is a truly kind person.

Meeting Gwen’s gaze, Hawk nodded.

"Alright."

"Thank you."

Seeing Hawk nod, a smile bloomed on Gwen’s face like an angel. She pulled him into a tight embrace, burying her face in his chest...

Just at that moment.

The ajar bedroom door was pushed open from the outside.

"Gwen, dinner is—"

"Oh..."

Pushing the door open, Helen looked at the two youngsters inside practicing their embracing posture. She blinked, watching Gwen break away from Hawk’s arms like a startled fawn, and smiled until the corners of her eyes crinkled. "Sorry, you two carry on. But Gwen, you really should hang a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on your door."

With that, Helen smiled and reached to pull the door shut again.

A slight blush crept up the tips of Gwen’s ears. Hearing her mother’s tease, she murmured "Mom" speechlessly and hurried after her.

Hearing Helen’s teasing remark, Hawk couldn't help chuckling, then followed Gwen out of the bedroom.

Tonight's dinner was primarily to celebrate Gwen and Hawk's start of vacation, and more formally, to celebrate both of them receiving invitation letters from their dream universities.

Unlike Hawk’s very first time dining here—

When he first came over, dinner was served in individual portions, whereas now it was served family-style.

Moreover, compared to the somewhat tense and reserved atmosphere during that first meal, the atmosphere at the table now was extremely joyous and lively.

Though the two younger brothers of Gwen were the most animated, followed closely by Helen and Gwen.

As the head of the household, George maintained his serious, stern expression to uphold his patriarchal dignity.

The two youngsters, nine-year-old Howard and eight-year-old Simon, were excitedly discussing where they hoped to travel for their holiday this year.

After all, on the salary of a precinct captain for the Nineteenth Precinct, George Stacy could comfortably afford the family's expenses while also treating them to two or three family trips a year.

Resting her chin on one hand, Helen listened with a smile to the cheerful chatter of Howard and Simon. Then, seeming to recall something, she looked over at Hawk. "Hawk, do you have any plans for the holiday this year? If you don't have anything special planned, you can join us. Right, George?"

Meeting Helen’s gaze, George glanced at Hawk and replied with a stern face, "I have no objections."

His prejudice against Hawk amounted to little more than watching a wild boar root up his prized cabbage.

Putting that aside, however, Hawk was exceptional.

This was not just polite talk.

Hawk’s background as an orphan might have been a disadvantage previously, but after securing a full scholarship to New York University, that was no longer the case.

To use a popular phrase, Hawk had started life on "Hell difficulty," yet he had carved out a bright and promising path for himself with his own bare hands.

A full university scholarship was more than enough to ensure Hawk wouldn't have to worry about exorbitant tuition fees while studying law. Once he passed the bar exam after graduation, a brilliant future would lie right before him.

Of course.

Unless Hawk lost his mind and decided to become a pro bono lawyer after passing the bar, or devoted himself entirely to litigating for the underprivileged classes, he could easily buy a car in half a year, a house in a year, and achieve financial freedom in three years simply by leveraging New York University School of Law’s alumni network.

Therefore, George’s stern demeanor toward Hawk wasn't directed at Hawk himself, but rather at his "wild boar" tendencies.

Hearing Helen’s invitation, Hawk was just about to decline when—

Gwen, sitting beside him, spoke up first.

"Mom, Hawk probably doesn't have time, and neither do I."

"Why is that?"

"Mary invited me and Hawk to go on a trip together during this break, though we haven't quite settled on the destination and dates yet."

"Mary..."

"She's in a relationship. The guy is Peter."

"Peter, I know. It seems like you..."

Helen was momentarily stunned, then recalled that this Peter seemed to be Mary’s neighbor. The topic was successfully derailed, and Gwen began gossiping with her mother about Mary and Peter's story.

As expected.

When it comes to gossip, women know no age limits.

Helen chatted enthusiastically with Gwen about the details.

Hawk was more than happy to let it be.

Soon.

Dinner came to an end. Just as before, because Hawk had to catch the subway, Gwen walked him down to the lobby of the apartment building.

"Didn't you say you were going to get your driver's license? Still haven't taken the test?"

"I'll take it when I get back."

Hawk said with a smile. The most important matter for him this Christmas break was the Hulk.

If he didn't deal with the Hulk and deliver him to his sister before this Christmas break, he wouldn't be able to sleep or eat in peace, let alone handle anything else.

Gwen nodded. "Alright then. When are you planning to head to New Jersey?"

Hawk shook his head. "I don't know. I'm waiting for a call."

Anna had been keeping an eye out for him on that front. Since she hadn't called yet, it meant that Bruce Banner and Betty Ross’s itinerary was still proceeding according to plan.

To a certain extent, no phone call was the best news possible.

He hoped the Hulk would appear at Culver University as expected, because the scenery there was genuinely nice, making it quite a suitable place for a long slumber. Moreover, there were fewer bystanders around, meaning the possibility of collateral damage to innocent civilians during a fight would be very low.

Hawk had lost his sister because of the collateral damage from the battle between the Hulk and the Abomination.

Treating others as he would wish to be treated.

He did not want any other innocent lives to be lost because of a battle between himself and the Hulk.

Just at that moment.

His phone rang.

It was from Anna.

Hawk raised an eyebrow, glanced at Gwen, and answered the call.

"Hello."

"Ready? No problem, where?"

"Got it."

"See you then!"

"..."