Gwen sat inside the car across from the cemetery gate, her gaze towards the gate filled with a hint of worry.
She knew beforehand that Hawk's sister died in the September 2009 battle between Hulk and Abomination.
Gwen even guessed the reason Hawk was working so hard to become stronger.
Although Hawk could get stronger by boxing every day, and even slap Dr. Lizard to death, this method of growing stronger seemed rather unscientific.
But these details were no longer important.
The important thing was that guessing and confirming directly with Hawk were two different matters.
But...
That involved Abomination and Hulk.
Abomination might be manageable since he's dead.
But Hulk?
Could Hawk really take him on? Moreover, Hulk seemed to have fought alongside those superheroes, and if Hawk wanted to challenge Hulk, those superheroes would probably intervene and stop Hawk.
Could Hawk win?
Gwen was a bit worried.
Yes.
She was worried about this, not something else, like persuading Hawk to give up on hatred, to choose love and peace, not vengeance.
Sss!
The one who died was Hawk's only family in this world.
If one should truly give up on vengeance, then why did the Federation retaliate after 9/11 in 2001?
Wasn't it all about love and peace? Why then engage in revenge?
Moreover, speaking of love and peace, wouldn't the Federation stop stoking fires and creating conflicts around the world?
Gwen sneered inwardly, rolling her eyes.
She was not the naive sweetheart that public education produces; she was the kind who had effortlessly won scholarships all the way from elementary school to private high school— a smart sweetheart.
Just when Gwen furrowed her brows, contemplating, a sunglasses-wearing, long-legged beauty with an exquisite face appeared at the cemetery entrance.
It was Anna.
However, unlike the earlier scene where she was smiling and chatting with Hawk, at this moment, Anna had a cold and formidable aura that accompanied her walk.
A black-suited bodyguard with a golf bag slung over his back followed behind her.
Very quickly.
Accompanied by the loud roar of the fiery red Porsche engine nearby, Anna drove the sports car away on the road like a streak of light.
The black-suited bodyguard drove a black Chevrolet SUV away from the cemetery.
After a while.
Hawk also appeared at the cemetery entrance.
Gwen retracted her gaze from the rear-view mirror where the disappearing Chevrolet SUV was, focusing on Hawk, who was pushing a suitcase trolley toward her. She opened the car door and got out.
Hawk opened the trunk and placed the suitcase inside.
Gwen, noticing the car sinking slightly after the suitcase was placed inside, asked, "What's this?"
Hawk stepped aside: "You can take a look."
Gwen glanced at Hawk, then reached out, directly opening the suitcase.
Instantly.
Gwen's pupils widened.
"Sss!"
"Hmm."
Hawk, seeing Gwen gasping, chuckled and said, "I was like this when I first saw it too."
Gwen quickly shut the suitcase and swiftly scanned the surroundings, ensuring there was no one around before turning to Hawk and blinking uncontrollably.
"Where did this come from?"
"Traded for five weapons."
Hawk shrugged, looking at Gwen, his mouth slightly curved: "You should know which five."
Gwen paused, then blinked again.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Wen."
"Hmm?"
"I'm not good at acting, but your method of returning things to their place isn't either."
"..."
The bedside table photo of him and his sister Anya.
The weapons wrapped in sheets under the bed, obviously not his style of packing.
Most likely, Gwen saw the weapons under the bed and, in a moment of shock, opened them and forgot how he had packed them.
Gwen opened her mouth slightly, suddenly having a sense of being caught.
In the next second.
"Bang!"
Gwen quickly pushed down the trunk, then said to Hawk with a serious face, "The people from New York University have arrived; we need to hurry back to school."
After speaking.
She did not even glance at Hawk and turned to walk briskly toward the driver's seat, though not before her earlobe showed a hint of redness at the moment of turning.
It looked quite adorable.
Hawk watched as Gwen appeared as though fleeing, smiling slightly but not saying anything, instead opening the car door and getting in.
Gwen then stepped on the gas, driving away from the spot.
On the way back to school, because of pondering over being exposed, Gwen deliberately kept a stern face, not once glancing at Hawk or giving him any chances to speak.
In one sentence.
Gwen remained silent, focused solely on driving.
Hawk sat in the passenger seat, reminiscing about what Anna had said when she left.
Gift?
What gift?
Quickly, the journey from the cemetery to Midtown High School, which usually takes about forty-five minutes, was completed in just thirty by Gwen's exceptional performance today.
Having just hung up the call from Lady Snow, Gwen swiftly parked the car and said to Hawk, "The people from New York University are already in the office."
Hawk nodded, opened the door, and got out of the car.
A similarly alighted Gwen called out to Hawk and made a gesture of encouragement.
"Good luck, Hawk."
"Okay."
Hawk responded and headed towards Lady Snow's office.
Gwen didn't follow him.
Because it was New York University's interview, not Berkeley's.
And such interviews tend to be formal, not suitable for outsiders to join.
"Knock knock!"
"Come in."
"Lady Snow."
Hawk listened to the voice coming from the office, then entered, his gaze sweeping over a meticulously dressed middle-aged man sitting on the sofa, before looking at Lady Snow: "You asked for me?"
Lady Snow beckoned Hawk over, and once Hawk closed the door, she introduced the middle-aged man standing up from the sofa.
"This is Mr. Gary Cooper, Mr. Cooper is the admissions officer from New York University."
"Gary, this is the Hawk I mentioned."
Hawk quickly extended his right hand.
"Mr. Cooper."
"Hawk."
The admissions officer from New York University, Gary, shook hands with Hawk, smiled, and then returned to a serious expression: "I saw your scholarship application. I'm here today with a few questions that need answering. Please have a seat."
Hawk nodded and then sat on the opposite sofa.
Gary Cooper, having resumed his seat, took up the notebook he had placed beside him when he stood up, beginning today's agenda while looking at Hawk seated opposite him.
Today's session was both an assessment and an interview.
If the assessment is satisfactory, a teacher with considerable autonomy can announce the result in advance.
Of course.
The prerequisite is being exceptional enough.
An hour later.
Gary Cooper closed the notebook he was holding, then, under Lady Snow's somewhat expectant gaze, turned to Hawk and smiled, rising to extend his right hand to Hawk.
"Congratulations, Hawk, welcome to join New York University."
"Sss! That's amazing."
Lady Snow, upon hearing this, was thrilled, covering her mouth.
Hawk was also stunned, then quickly stood up to grasp the right hand Gary extended.
"Thank you, Mr. Cooper."
"Just thank my colleague Anna, she's the one who put your file in front of me."
"..."