Chapter 19: Band-Aids and the Old Butler
The simplest and most direct way to trigger the "Master of Familiars" ability… was probably a kiss, right?
It satisfied the condition of intimate contact, and there was also the medium of fluid exchange.
With that thought in mind, Xi Nian leaned forward toward the quietly sleeping Gwen, his hands braced lightly on the bed.
He moved in closer.
Facing the doll-like delicate face just inches away, Xi Nian could feel her warm breath brushing against his skin, carrying a faintly sweet scent that made his heart stir.
At this moment—
Our Gwen was pretending to sleep.
Last night, when she had returned home late from the battle with Abomination, she nearly got caught by her mother while still wearing the Spider-Woman suit. Thankfully, she had quickly made up an excuse about not feeling well and locked the door. This morning, she used the same excuse to stay home from school.
Although she had sustained some injuries in the fight, with her physiology they weren't life-threatening and would soon heal.
What she hadn't expected was…
Xi Nian showing up to check on her during school hours. Worse yet, her mother had pushed him directly into her room. With no way out, Gwen had no choice but to play along and fake being asleep.
As for the flush on her forehead resembling a fever, it was because—ever since Xi Nian had entered her room alone—her body temperature had been rising uncontrollably.
Right now—
Though she couldn't open her eyes, Gwen's heightened senses made her perfectly aware of Xi Nian sitting on her bed. Even without using her Spider-Sense, she could feel him leaning closer, his focus fixed not just on her face but specifically… on her lips.
What?? What's happening?!
Her mind went blank. Beneath the blanket, her small hands clenched tightly into fists.
Meanwhile, Xi Nian hesitated for a moment. Then he finally lowered himself further.
Gwen's body stiffened.
A warm, fleeting touch brushed her forehead—gone in an instant.
Xi Nian quickly sat upright again, looking guilty as he glanced toward the closed door. His fingers brushed his own lips, still carrying a faint heat that was hard to ignore.
"What am I even doing?" he muttered.
He gave a wry smile. Even if Gwen was his childhood friend and sworn buddy, she was still a girl. Kissing her lips was crossing the line.
Still, the extra heat radiating from her forehead proved one thing—she really did have a fever.
Feeling guilty, Xi Nian gently adjusted the blanket to tuck her in.
That was when his eyes caught sight of something.
Band-Aids.
Three of them, which had been hidden under the blanket but slipped out when he moved it.
"What's this?" Xi Nian picked them up. They had clearly been used, but were clean, without blood or dirt.
He suddenly remembered something from when they were kids.
Gwen loved sticking Band-Aids on herself, especially across her nose, pretending she was hurt. She would puff out her little chest and declare she'd be the boss who protected him.
"Band-Aids don't cure colds, you little fool," Xi Nian chuckled. He pocketed the three strips and quietly left her room.
"So soon?"
Outside the door, Mary—who had clearly been eavesdropping—looked surprised.
Xi Nian's forehead darkened with exasperation. "Auntie, I really was just checking on her."
"Really?" Mary sighed, clearly disappointed.
Lady, just what are you expecting to happen here?!
Xi Nian didn't bother arguing. After exchanging a few polite words, he excused himself and left Gwen's house in a hurry.
Neither of them knew that the very moment he shut the door, the "sleeping" Gwen suddenly sat bolt upright.
Her face was burning red, her breath ragged. She pressed her hands against her cheeks, which felt hot enough to steam—literally, as faint wisps of vapor rose from her forehead where Xi Nian had touched her.
She froze for several seconds, then frantically threw off her blanket and searched around.
"The Band-Aids—they're gone…" Gwen nearly burst into tears.
Those three Band-Aids were the ones she had peeled off last night when she changed out of her Spider-Woman suit.
Wearing a skintight combat uniform while sweating made it unbearable to wear regular undergarments. But going without was also… awkward.
So every time she wore the Spider suit, she used three Band-Aids instead.
In her rush last night, she hadn't destroyed them as usual and accidentally left them on her bed.
And now Xi Nian had taken them!
The thought of those Band-Aids being in his pocket made her want to bury her head under the pillow. Steam hissed from her hairline.
No way… no face left to show him ever again!
…
Back at his own apartment building—
Xi Nian had barely stepped out of the elevator when he noticed several uniformed workers moving in and out of his place. None of them wore company logos, but they worked with terrifying efficiency, renovating the apartment and replacing furniture.
In the middle of the organized chaos stood an elderly man with graying temples, dressed in a formal suit, calmly directing the workers.
When Xi Nian walked in, the old man immediately removed his hat, bowed slightly, and greeted politely.
"You must be young master Prince, correct?"
"Young master?"
Xi Nian blinked. In his whole life, no one had ever called him that.
"I'm Xi Nian," he said uncertainly.
"Then it's correct." The old man's deep eyes softened as he smiled kindly. "My name is Alfred Pennyworth. A bit hard to remember, so you may simply call me Butler Alfred."
He introduced himself while pulling a black business card from his suit pocket, handing it over with both hands.
Xi Nian accepted it, struck by the man's impeccable manners. Though he was "just" a butler, Alfred exuded a noble, refined air that could not be faked. The calm dignity he carried was something only decades of service to a great family could cultivate.
And the card in Xi Nian's hand confirmed it.
Clearly printed on it were the words: Wayne Enterprises.
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