014. A Friend of Jesus? The Big Boss Fell to His Knees

Harry was itching to have a conversation with Su Ye about aesthetics, hoping to correct some of his misguided ideas and help him better integrate into society here. But seeing how engaged Su Ye was in his conversation with Gwen, leaving no room for anyone else to join, Harry decided to let it be.

Fortunately, there was an empty seat behind Mary Jane, so he sat down without hesitation. That idiot Su Ye, chasing after that beanpole and leaving this fiery girl behind—well, this voluptuous bombshell is just my type.

Noticing Harry settling behind her and striking up a conversation, Mary Jane gave up on maintaining her brooding pose, turned halfway around, rested her arm on Harry’s desk, and started chatting with him warmly and enthusiastically.

As soon as Thompson entered the classroom, he saw his seat occupied by some fresh-faced boy, who was not only in his place but also flirting with his girl. Everyone in Midtown High’s senior class knew Mary Jane was his. Who did this unfamiliar brat think he was, courting death?

After days of being tormented by Su Ye, Thompson had a bellyful of anger and nowhere to vent it. Now, with this guy serving himself up, Thompson wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip by.

Before making a move, Thompson instinctively glanced at Su Ye’s seat. Seeing him busy flirting with Gwen and paying no attention, Thompson felt reassured and strode confidently toward Harry.

“Hey, kid! Who told you to sit here? Do you even know whose seat this is?”

Facing the menacing Thompson, Harry’s gaze flickered for a moment, but he didn’t flinch. Instead, he looked him straight in the eye.

“I sat here myself. When I arrived, the seat was empty, so I took it. Is there a problem?”

As the son of a wealthy family, Harry wasn’t the kind to be easily pushed around. He didn’t like conflict, but that didn’t mean he was afraid of it.

“Oh? Tough guy, huh? Don’t even know who I am, do you? You must be new here—your first day at Midtown High. Don’t you know who really runs this school—cough, if you know what’s good for you, get out of my seat!”

Thompson almost claimed to be the boss of Midtown High, but caught himself just in time, lest he incur Su Ye’s wrath. These days, who else but Su Ye could claim the title of top dog?

He wouldn’t dare show off in front of Su Ye, but reclaiming his seat from a new transfer student should be no problem.

“What if I refuse?”

If Thompson had spoken calmly, Harry might have yielded—after all, it was his first day at a new school, and getting into a fight over a seat would only give Norman Osborn something to laugh about. But with Thompson’s aggressive attitude, Harry couldn’t keep his cool. Conflict it would be, then—at least his new classmates would see that Harry Osborn was no pushover.

“Do you even remember your own name, kid? How dare you talk to me like that!”

Thompson stepped forward, thrusting his muscular chest toward Harry. Using your pecs to intimidate is effective, though it can backfire and look a bit ridiculous.

“He’s Harry Osborn—a friend of Jesus,” Mary Jane drawled before Harry could reply.

As Thompson’s girlfriend, Mary Jane had witnessed all his recent humiliations and knew exactly how much Su Ye’s name rattled him. If anything could make him back down instantly, it was that name.

Thompson practically had a PTSD reaction, but only when it came to Su Ye.

Sure enough, at Mary Jane’s words, Thompson’s bravado deflated, his chest collapsed, and he couldn’t even stand up straight. He turned mechanically to look at Su Ye.

The classroom wasn’t large, so Su Ye had heard everything. Seeing Thompson look over, Su Ye smiled and nodded. “That’s right. He’s a friend of mine—the only male friend I have in America at the moment.”

At Su Ye’s words, Thompson unclenched his fist, the malice vanished from his face, and his anger toward Harry evaporated. Without a word, he turned and trudged to the back of the classroom, looking for all the world like a defeated stray dog.

But before leaving, he spoke to Mary Jane. “Come on, let’s sit in the back.”

Yet, for the first time, Mary Jane refused him outright. “I like this seat by the window. I’m staying here.”

A critical hit—DoubleKill.

He’d just backed down in front of Su Ye, and now he’d lost his girlfriend to Harry. For Thompson, this was truly the darkest moment of his life.

He slumped into the last seat in the corner, isolated and alone. The classroom buzzed with noise again, but the lively atmosphere no longer included him.

“What did I do to deserve this?” he wondered.

Speechless and choking on his own misery, Thompson found no comfort, no salvation. This loneliness was the reward for his years as the school bully—a hard-earned glory, but one he would have to savor alone.

“Is Harry really your friend?” Gwen nodded in greeting to Harry across the room, then whispered to Su Ye.

After humiliating Thompson and then letting his friend steal the guy’s girl, Gwen found it hard to believe Su Ye would plot such ruthless revenge.

Su Ye nodded. “He’s a real friend. I met him back in the Dragon Kingdom. It’s been three years since we last saw each other, but meeting again feels just the same as before.”

That was as much as he could say. He couldn’t exactly admit, “I got this friend as a bonus after activating your card in the system.”

“But I never expected him to take an interest in Mary Jane, let alone start flirting with her as soon as he walked in.”

“Oh, really? Do you know who he is?” Gwen asked again.

Su Ye remembered what Gwen had mentioned earlier, that she was interning at Osborn Corporation.

“Harry Osborn—his family owns the company where you’re interning. Want me to use my connection with Harry to get you a better internship?”

Gwen smiled proudly. “A better internship is something I should earn on my own merits, not through my boyfriend’s connections. Are you doubting my abilities?”

Su Ye surrendered at once. “Not at all! I was just wondering if I could use my own abilities to land an internship in your lab—so I could be closer to you.”

She laughed. “Honestly, using connections would be faster, Mister Second-Place.”

“Second? You conceited girl, don’t you know I was just letting you win?”

“Oh please, don’t hold back on my account.”

[Character: Gwen Stacy.]

[Current favorability: 80 (Adoration).]

[Kind Reminder: Young man, here’s a girl who’s truly fallen for you. What are you waiting for? Go for it—right now!]