It was a beautiful U.S. morning, the light filtering softly through the nylon of the high-end tent, casting everything in a warm, amber glow.
Jane Foster slowly woke up, her mind sluggish from the most relaxed and deepest sleep she had had in months. The scientific problem that had consumed her mind the night before felt suddenly solved, or at least pleasantly distant.
She found that something was deeply, wonderfully off.
She had actually slept in a tent—not her own cramped space in the beat-up RV, but the spacious, warm one. And Su Yi was right beside her.
She was nestled entirely against him, her head tucked beneath his chin, their bodies aligned in a way that was undeniably intimate. Her clothes were intact, a fact that her rational mind immediately registered, but their posture was that of long-term lovers.
Jane instantly sobered up, her heart beginning to pound a frenetic rhythm against Su Yi's chest. For so many years, Jane had been single, consumed entirely by her research, never having been in love or even properly dated. Looking at Su Yi, who was so handsome, so close, and so intellectually stimulating, Jane was completely smitten and simultaneously terrified.
"Last night, I must have completely collapsed from exhaustion after the tensor discussion," she mused, her internal voice a worried squeak. "He carried me? He slept here beside me to keep me warm. And he didn't do anything to me. He's truly a gentleman."
Although Su Yi was already awake, having registered her breathing changes minutes ago, he feigned sleep, hearing Jane's soft murmurs. He couldn't help but inwardly scoff at her declaration. What gentleman? he thought wryly. It's just that someone else took your place, Jane, and provided the necessary distraction. The timing was simply not right for an academic exchange.
Jane didn't know whether it was better to quietly slip away and pretend nothing happened, or wait for him to wake up and risk the inevitable awkward conversation.
What she worried about came true. Just as Jane was hesitating, Su Yi slowly opened his eyes, their eyes meeting in the dim light. Jane felt the small space of the tent seem to warm up, a flush rising quickly in her cheeks.
"Jane, good morning." Su Yi's voice was low, smooth, and gentle, lacking any hint of awkwardness or apology.
Jane had expected some stuttered explanation or awkward conversation, but thankfully, it was just a normal, sincere greeting. "G-good morning."
"Last night, the gravitational calculus must have been a little too much," Su Yi joked lightly. "You fell asleep midsentence. I carried you inside and decided this spot was safer than the cold floor."
Jane managed a nervous laugh. "I... I was a bit too tired. I think I should leave."
Su Yi, however, did not release her. Instead, he simply sat up, a move that only solidified their close embrace. He held her steady, looking directly into her eyes, cutting through the academic pretense and the social nerves.
"Jane, you should understand my feelings by now. I didn't come on this trip just for the astrophysics, though that is a bonus," he said, his voice earnest. "I like you. Immensely. You are brilliant, passionate, and brave."
Jane was now in a blank state, the universe collapsing down to the small space between them, only able to hear the thunderous pounding of her own heartbeat.
Su Yi waited, quietly looking at her, giving her all the time she needed. A few seconds felt incredibly long, stretching into an eternity of anticipation.
Jane held back for a long moment, then her scientist's courage, the one that drove her to chase cosmic anomalies across the continent, took over. She gave her honest answer.
"Me too."
Hearing this, Su Yi took the initiative, a subtle change from the night before. He held Jane even tighter, tilting her face up, and kissed her. Jane was also a woman who dared to love and hate; at this moment, she actively expressed her bottled-up feelings, returning the kiss with all the energy of a burst-gamma ray.
Su Yi knew it was already full morning. Although Darcy would certainly be sleeping in, Dr. Selvig usually woke up quite early. This meant there wasn't enough time to complete the actual physical part of their academic exchange.
Their relationship would, for now, remain a battle of words and affection. He was a bit dishonorable, having taken the opportunity to launch a sneak attack, but the result was undeniable. Jane was very generous and clearly didn't mind.
Su Yi was quite satisfied with the current progress. Before Thor arrived, he would definitely be able to intercept Jane Foster first, settle the Fate Points, and then go beat up the exiled God of Thunder.
The two were not in a hurry to leave the tent; instead, they lingered, confiding in each other and whispering sweet nothings that, for Jane, were the most wonderful theoretical equations she had ever heard.
It wasn't until Dr. Selvig noticed that everyone was waking up later than usual that he couldn't help but call Su Yi to get up, using the pretext of needing to consult a star chart.
When he saw Su Yi and Jane emerge from the tent together, hands intertwined, Dr. Selvig, an expert in human behavior as much as celestial mechanics, realized he probably should have rested a bit longer.
"Dr. Shavig, last night I was just discussing academic issues with Su Yi, and then I was too tired and fell asleep," Jane explained quickly, still feeling a slight blush but standing tall.
Selvig, though surprised, valued Jane's happiness and respected Su Yi's intellect. He offered only a gentle, knowing smile. "I see, Jane. A fruitful exchange, I'm sure. We should eat something and then leave." He then looked towards the other RV. "Ever since Su Yi joined the team, Darcy has been getting lazier and lazier lately. Now she's still not even awake."
Su Yi pretended not to know anything, just holding Jane's hand and going to eat the high-protein breakfast he had prepared. "I think we can leave some food for Darcy. Anyway, since I'm driving during this time, let her rest a bit more. She's the operational backbone of this whole endeavor; she deserves the rest."
After hearing Su Yi's words, Jane felt that Su Yi was even more gentle and considerate. "I think that's fine. We need her sharp for the data analysis."
This was just a small issue and did not delay their journey. They were a newly formed couple, a team of two brilliant minds and an enthusiastic, helpful intern, driving toward a destiny they couldn't yet imagine.
After traveling all day, they unknowingly reached night and happened to pass through a small, dusty town in rural Oklahoma. Under Dr. Shavig's arrangement, everyone decided to stay in town for a night. They desperately needed to replenish supplies, secure gas, and relax for a night that didn't involve tents or RV engines.
Dr. Shavig, eager for a taste of normal life, even took Su Yi and the others to a local bar for drinks. Fortunately, Su Yi was there to keep a discreet eye on things, ensuring the slightly tipsy Dr. Selvig didn't get into any academic arguments with the locals, and the group returned safely to the local inn.
After returning to the hotel, Su Yi invited Jane to discuss academics—a private discussion this time, securely behind a locked door. Jane naturally would not refuse her new boyfriend.
As Jane settled onto the bed, eager to continue the "discussion," Su Yi activated the System interface in his mind, his concentration focused intensely on the hidden digital display.
"System, I want to settle the rewards," he commanded internally.
The System's notifications were instantaneous and glorious:
[Ding, Host has successfully intercepted **Jane Foster**!]
[Ding, Jane Foster's core fate has been changed, gaining **500,000 Fate Points**!]
[Ding, **Thor Odinson's** core fate has been changed (Interference with Mjolnir arrival sequence), gaining **200,000 Fate Points**!]
[Additionally gained **1 Lottery Chance**!]
Su Yi was completely stunned by the magnitude of the reward. He had anticipated a good amount, but Jane alone provided 500,000. This number was very exaggerated, far exceeding the initial rewards he received for saving Pepper or even stabilizing Tony's life.
Su Yi reviewed the potential events Jane was involved in within the Marvel Universe:
Acquiring the Aether Particle (Reality Stone). (Massive change)
Gaining the recognition of Thor's Hammer, transforming into Mighty Thor, an act that would drain her life away. (Cosmic Heroic Change)
Considering this, Jane could be considered among the ranks of potential Superheroes and a nexus point for cosmic conflict. Changing her fate—protecting her from the Aether, and certainly preventing her heroic, but fatal, transformation into Mighty Thor—provided an immense amount of Fate Points. It seemed reasonable that her interception was worth half a million points.
"This confirms the system's valuation. Major characters with massive cosmic or world-ending potential are worth exponentially more than others," Su Yi concluded.
"System, use the free Lottery Chance!"
[Ding, congratulations to Host for drawing the special ability: **Clone Technique**!]
"Clone Technique?" Su Yi quickly looked into the ability's details, and what he found made him smile. This was not a cheap duplication ability.
The Clone Technique consumes one's own Energy (Lv7) to create a fully autonomous, realistic energy clone. This clone can exist for a long time until its energy is depleted or if it takes too much damage.
Crucially, it possesses independent consciousness, making it perfect for delegation. While it cannot be used for tasks requiring Fate Points (like flirting or acquiring new knowledge for leveling up), it can complete virtually any other physical or logistical task.
"This skill is quite powerful. I can send a clone to handle all the corporate management in New York while I'm in the field. I can use a clone for training purposes, or even scouting. The utility is excellent," Su Yi thought.
He quickly checked his updated status, feeling the subtle, yet powerful, shift in his internal metrics.
[Destiny Evolution System]
[Host: Su Yi]
[Age: 19]
[Fate Points: **2,340,000**]
[Intelligence: **Lv7** (Achieved through focused study and debate)**]
[Strength: Lv7 (**100,000 tons**)**
[Speed: Lv7 (**Mach 30**)**
[Endurance: Lv7]
[Spirit: Lv7]
[Energy: Lv7]
[Combat Skills: Lv5]
[Special Abilities: Teleportation, Flight, Wind Blade, Danger Sense, Enhanced Hearing, Energy Devour, **Clone Technique**]
[Special Items: Kryptonite * 1, Drop of Water of Life * 1]
[Special Tools: None]
Looking at the stats, Su Yi was incredibly satisfied. All core physical stats were uniform at Lv7. But the next step, advancing to Lv8, remained the ultimate hurdle.
"Next, it will be incredibly difficult to raise it to Lv8. It requires 10 million Fate Points."
Su Yi calculated: one Jane Foster provided 500,000. He would need to intercept twenty more Jane Fosters to reach Lv8. How long would it take to save up that much? Even if he brought all the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarriers under his direct control, the non-major characters involved wouldn't provide enough Fate Points to bridge the gap.
While Su Yi was troubled, he suddenly thought of something. He seemed to have fallen into a misconception regarding Fate Points.
Quantity of interceptions was one thing, but quality of enhancement was also very important. He had previously helped Gwen gain superpowers and received Fate Points. Giving the Horse Talisman to Natasha also earned him Fate Points. Helping Tony regain his youth also earned him Fate Points.
If he couldn't passively intercept enough major arcs, the solution was to actively create them.
"With over 2.34 million Fate Points, at 10,000 per draw, I can perform 234 Lottery Draws."
Su Yi's Lv7 intelligence made a quick estimate. Based on the current situation, slowly accumulating Fate Points would not be enough. The best, most efficient method was still to actively invest his massive Fate Point reserve into the Lottery to draw special items (like the Talismans or other unique power boosts) and use them to enhance the people around him—Gwen, Natasha, Pepper, Darcy, and even Selvig.
This way, he could trigger massive Fate Point feedback events, turning his allies into minor nexus points themselves, and potentially hitting the 10 million mark for Lv8 much faster than through simple interception.
Su Yi didn't hesitate. It was time for a calculated risk and a massive shift in strategy.
"Then I'll draw! Let's see what fortune favors the bold.