125. Four women, eight eyes.

Women are strange creatures, their thoughts often inscrutable.

When the mood strikes, they can become instant best friends in a heartbeat.

But if they don’t see eye to eye, it’s just as likely they’ll become enemies in an instant.

Gwen wasn’t the type to be overly domineering—she never tried to chain Su Ye to her side, forbidding him from going anywhere or seeing any other woman.

Sharon was a prime example. This female secretary was always by Su Ye’s side, and Gwen knew this, yet she felt perfectly at ease.

Because Sharon projected the aura of an independent, strong-willed, and powerful woman—qualities that made it impossible for her to willingly share a boyfriend with another woman.

To Gwen, if Sharon had any interest in Su Ye, she would have shown at least some sign of hostility toward her. Given her keen sensitivity, Gwen would have noticed the slightest trace.

But there was none. Not even a hint.

Sharon, fully aware that Gwen was Su Ye’s girlfriend, showed no hostility or resentment whatsoever. This meant, quite simply, that their relationship was purely professional.

So Gwen and Sharon hit it off immediately, becoming fast friends who could talk about everything under the sun.

Gwen even teased Sharon occasionally about Su Ye’s behavior to gauge her reactions, and the more she tested, the more reassured she felt.

Sharon not only had no intention of getting involved with Su Ye, but she also inadvertently revealed subtle signs of a lesbian inclination in her words and actions.

This only put Gwen further at ease.

LGBT culture was well-established in America—many same-sex couples even legally married and adopted children, forming complete families.

Of course, Americans might not have the tradition of bride price; otherwise, two women demanding it from each other might cause frequent upheavals.

In short, Sharon, a professionally trained spy adept at disguising herself, was deliberately performing this role so well that Gwen regarded her as a true confidante.

Sharon didn’t like men—how could she possibly fancy Su Ye?

But Hinata was a different story.

This twelve-year-old girl, with a delicate, meek-looking face, surprisingly harbored ambitions to challenge adults—an illness in need of cure.

Watching Hinata hold her head high like a scrappy little hen, Gwen chuckled softly, turned around, approached Su Ye, pulled him close, and kissed him on the cheek.

The surrounding Great Wall defenders and Avengers were unfazed. In this open and honest land, a kiss was a common greeting, especially after a fierce battle—it was only natural to offer comfort to one another.

Even if they were openly a couple, no one would be shocked.

But Hinata blushed deeply.

“You… you…”

Her eyes trembled as she stared at Gwen for a long time without uttering a coherent word, finally finishing the sentence in her heart:

“You shameless woman!”

To a twelve-year-old, such a public display—biting someone on the cheek and sticking out one’s tongue—was a shock too great to bear.

Gwen smiled back, “This round’s mine. You’ve still got a long way to go before you turn eighteen, little sister!”

Su Ye noticed Hinata’s expression but pretended not to understand. In this situation, saying too much could only cause trouble, so silence was best.

Thankfully, Sharon stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Hinata and gently stroking her hair.

“You must have been scared by what just happened. It’s a good thing the boss arrived in time; otherwise, you and your brother might have been in serious trouble.”

Truly dedicated to becoming Su Ye’s most attentive secretary, Sharon’s words instantly dissolved Hinata’s embarrassment and deftly gave her a graceful exit, turning her jealousy of Gwen into fear of the explosion.

Nearby, Neji nodded in agreement and secretly wished that the elder sister holding Hinata could also console him—or at least help tend to his wound.

When Su Ye had carried the two away from the blast zone, Hinata was unharmed, but the injury near Neji’s leg was still bleeding.

Everyone had been too busy earlier to notice, but with Sharon’s mention of the explosion, someone finally spotted Neji’s wound.

As the only available female hero present, Black Widow smiled and stepped forward, taking Neji’s hand.

“Come with me, I’ll help you clean it up. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt much and will be over quickly. There’s no need to be afraid.”

At that moment, Neji’s young heart tightened inexplicably. His reason urged him to keep away from this red-haired woman—she felt entirely different from the sister cradling Hinata.

The sister holding Hinata was like a big sister, or even a mother.

But this one felt like a big sister, yet also like a stepmother.

The kind of big sister with a certain prefix, or a young stepmother with an ominous undertone…

Neji had never encountered such a thing before and was simultaneously timid, frightened, and curious as he followed her.

The so-called hero assassin Black Widow truly lived up to her reputation.

Of course, she wasn’t leading Neji into anything improper—just to tend the wound and sterilize it. If pus appeared, that would be cleaned as well.

Otherwise, urinary tract infections or wound infections could easily develop.

Neji’s departure didn’t affect Hinata, who poked her head out from Sharon’s arms and called out to Su Ye from afar.

“Brother Ye, it’s too dangerous here. We should go back to our country. Uncle and Auntie are waiting for you at home. We Dragon Country people believe in returning to our roots—you can’t stay here forever. Sooner or later, you’ll have to go back.”

“Didn’t you say before that you hate those ungrateful ‘banana people’ who forget their families and homeland once they leave the country?”

“Let’s hurry back. The people here don’t share our hearts. No matter how much you do here, they might never appreciate it.”

Long-distance relationships have no happy endings / Those not of our tribe always harbor different intentions!

Gwen heard the implied message—it was directed at her.

Su Ye was only studying abroad in America and would eventually return home. What would Gwen do then? Follow him to Dragon Country?

If she went, could she adapt to the language, food, and lifestyle changes?

If she didn’t, how could their relationship survive?

Over the phone?

That was meaningless—talking over the line achieved nothing. It was like scratching an itch through a boot.

And if Su Ye stayed in America indefinitely, that was simply impossible.

From their time together, Gwen had already discerned Su Ye’s deep love for his homeland through his words and actions. He was here just to see, but ultimately, he would return.

Hinata’s lethal words struck right at Gwen’s heart.

The delicate, frail-looking girl wore a victorious smirk.

“Even if you’re arrogant now, when I grow up, with the right timing, place, and support, you’ll lose to me in every way. Just wait and see how you can compete with me!”

Watching Gwen’s expression darken rapidly, Su Ye felt a headache coming on.

In “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” Gwen and Parker faced an inevitable relationship crisis because one was heading to England and the other staying in New York.

Was he about to live through Spider-Man’s dilemma himself?

Was this the burden one must bear when becoming Spider-Man? A debt unpaid, awaiting its time?

Seeing Hinata’s triumphant little hen look, almost ready to giggle, Su Ye couldn’t bring himself to scold her—both were dear to him after all.

But if they kept up this bickering, wouldn’t the Great Wall defenders and Avengers be watching in amusement?

Resigned, Su Ye gave Sharon a meaningful glance.

Sharon smiled and gently stroked Hinata’s hair. “Little Hinata, are you hurt? Do you need to get checked out?”

Before Hinata could refuse, Sharon continued, “The woman who took your brother away earlier isn’t harmless. She’s very strong, and your brother might have gotten the short end of the stick. Let’s go check on him.”

Hinata instantly dropped her defiance and eagerly grabbed Sharon’s hand. “Sister, let’s hurry and see. Brother Neji’s so clumsy—we can’t let him suffer here.”

Was Neji truly clumsy? Probably.

Hinata left, but Gwen’s expression remained sour as she stood by the window, staring blankly outside.

Su Ye sighed and stepped forward. “What should we have for dinner tomorrow?”

Gwen blinked. “Tomorrow? We haven’t even eaten lunch today. Why think about dinner tomorrow?”

Su Ye nodded. “Right, no lunch yet—thinking about dinner tomorrow is pointless.”

Gwen turned to look at Su Ye, her worries fading, her smile returning.

“You’re right. I’m yours today. Tomorrow’s matters can wait till tomorrow.”

Perhaps by then, America would no longer exist, just like New York now. Maybe Gwen’s family would have to move back to Dragon Country, the safest place in the world.

Having reached this realization, Gwen brightened up again, though her wariness of Hinata hadn’t lessened.

“By the way, what exactly is your relationship with Hinata?”

Su Ye shrugged with a casual expression. “Her father and mine are comrades-in-arms. Didn’t I tell you?”

Gwen narrowed her eyes, shaking her head. “It’s definitely not that simple. There’s more to your connection.”

Su Ye rolled his eyes. “What else could there be? She’s only twelve!”

“Hmph! Don’t think I’m clueless,” Gwen crossed her arms, adopting a detective-like expression.

“I read online that Dragon Country still has some feudal customs—arranged marriages, child betrothals, parental matchmaking…”

Su Ye: “…”

How could a foreigner be so familiar with Dragon Country’s traditions? What on earth was going on?