In the blink of an eye, the end of the semester arrived, giving way to the bustling, sun-drenched chaos of Graduation Day.
The air across the school campus was electric, filled with the scent of cheap ceremonial gowns, fresh-cut grass, and the palpable excitement of futures about to be seized. For Westerners, this rite of passage carried immense weight, and the crowds reflected it: parents, grandparents, and siblings strained to find their graduating student, eager to commemorate the milestone.
Every major player in their graduating class had charted their course. Peter Parker, Su Yi, and Gwen Stacy all chose to remain local, enrolling at Empire State University (ESU).
Betty Brant had secured a highly coveted internship as a reporter for the notoriously sensationalist Daily Bugle, and Mary Jane Watson, driven by her dramatic flair, had successfully auditioned for a spot in an elite Manhattan musical theater program.
Su Yi's decision to attend ESU was purely strategic. While his vast, self-taught knowledge (courtesy of his integrated templates) far outstripped any university curriculum, the social environment was invaluable.
If he wasn't constantly engaging, he risked being idle—and idleness, for a mind like his, was a dangerous breeding ground for boredom. Plus, as he mused with a playful smirk, it offered fertile ground to perhaps expand his 'harem'.
The crowd at the ceremony was a testament to the students' close ties. Aunt May was there, beaming with pride for Peter.
Gwen's parents, George and Helen Stacy, attended with warm support, as did Betty's mother. Su Yi, having no relatives on American soil, was the only one alone, yet he was immediately absorbed into the Stacy family circle.
"Mr. Stacy, Mrs. Stacy, congratulations," Su Yi greeted them, genuinely appreciative of their warmth.
"Oh, it's Su! Which school did you choose?" Mrs. Stacy asked, her expression radiating approval.
"The same as Gwen—Empire State University," Su Yi confirmed.
Gwen's mother's smile broadened. "It seems you discussed it! That's wonderful. ESU is an excellent university, and it's close enough that you can still rent an apartment in the city during the week and come home on weekends."
"We do have that plan, actually," Gwen interjected, throwing a complicit, secret look at Su Yi. "Not just us, but Mary Jane and Betty too. They both happen to be working in Manhattan, so we plan to split a place together to make the finances work."
This was the cover story. Su Yi had already purchased an enormous, elegantly furnished Villa in a prime, discreet area of Manhattan, complete with a state-of-the-art security system and a panic room.
The "renting together" narrative was crucial to make the transition palatable for Gwen's humble family and to allow his various partners to coexist without immediate suspicion of his true wealth.
Their chat was cut short when Captain George Stacy received an urgent call. Despite the recent elimination of the Kingpin, the city was still a constant wellspring of crime, requiring continuous vigilance from the NYPD. Even with the persistent, nocturnal activities of heroes like Daredevil, Spider-Man, and Ghost-Spider, crime was an endless tide.
"Gwen, I'm sorry, I have to go again," George sighed, disappointment etched onto his face.
"It's okay, Daddy, it's already great that you could come," Gwen replied, hugging him tightly.
"Allow me to take a quick group photo for you," Su Yi offered, sensing the emotional moment. "It won't take a minute."
After the photograph was snapped, capturing a hurried, precious family memory, George Stacy rushed off. Gwen, her mother, and Su Yi strolled through the crowd, soon linking up with Peter, Betty, and others.
As the parents naturally gravitated toward their own conversations—with the youthful and beautiful Aunt May becoming an immediate focus of inquiry—the graduates huddled together.
Peter, looking characteristically burdened by financial anxiety, was the first to speak about his immediate post-graduation plans.
"Graduation is coming soon, Peter. What are your plans for the summer? Work or immediate enrollment?" Su Yi asked.
Peter shook his head, kicking absently at a patch of dirt. "I don't know. I can't put the full burden of ESU's tuition and the cost of the shared apartment solely on Aunt May. I need to find a way to make some serious money, maybe go to work immediately, or at least during the summer."
Su Yi's mind immediately flashed to the myriad of ridiculous and depressing jobs superheroes often took in alternate universes—Iron Man welding, the Hulk doing demolition, and the Human Torch running a barbecue stand. Peter's natural ability would make him an excellent window washer for skyscrapers, but that was too dangerous and visible.
"I have a better idea than just delivering food or cleaning," Su Yi said, clapping him lightly on the shoulder. "A Food Truck. Are you interested?"
Peter frowned. "A food truck? But my cooking is very average, Su."
"It's okay, we'll just make specialized snacks and small meals," Su Yi countered. "I can also teach you some authentic Eastern delicacies—things people here would line up for: delicious, savory egg burgers and sweet, crispy hand-grabbed pancakes."
Su Yi had spent a few hours integrating the highest-level culinary knowledge into his brain, ensuring the recipes were simple, scalable, and irresistible.
Peter was still hesitant. "But opening a food truck requires buying the truck, permits, supplies... I don't have that much spare cash right now, Su."
"That's where the partnership comes in, Peter," Su Yi explained, leaning in, making the transaction sound like a savvy business venture rather than charity.
"We'll cooperate. I will cover the entire capital investment: the truck, the full permits, and the initial stock of ingredients. You, as the culinary talent and the primary operator, will handle all the daily work, cooking, and service."
He paused for the pitch. "We will split the profits 80/20, with you getting 80%. My capital investment is fully recouped through the 20% over time. You gain 80% of the profits without any risk or initial debt, allowing you to pay for ESU. The food truck itself isn't just for this one time, either. It's an asset. Maybe we'll have a chance to use it again in the future—or if not, I can easily sell it at a low price later, and I still won't lose money. It's a win-win."
The deal was overwhelmingly generous, designed explicitly to be acceptable to Peter's fiercely independent nature. Peter's eyes, usually worried, widened with surprise and gratitude.
"Su, that's... that's too much. I'm getting far too much."
"Nonsense," Su Yi assured him, patting his shoulder again. "You're putting in the sweat equity and the daily grind. That's worth 80%. I'm just an investor waiting for his dividends. Come on, partner. Let's cooperate and open a food truck. We can set up near ESU."
Convinced, and with a huge weight lifted from his shoulders, Peter shook Su Yi's hand with newfound enthusiasm. "Okay, Su. I'm in! Thank you."
Just as the partnership was sealed, the atmosphere shifted. A muscular man in a tailored black suit and dark sunglasses, moving with professional, quiet urgency, appeared on the periphery of the crowd. This was Happy Hogan, Tony Stark's driver and head of security.
"I finally found you, Su," Happy grumbled good-naturedly, navigating the sea of graduates.
"Happy. Did Tony and Pepper coordinate this delivery?" Su Yi asked, amused by the dramatic flair of the operation.
Happy nodded. "Mr. Stark and Ms. Potts both wanted to make sure they showed their support on your big day. We wanted to avoid the scene a live Tony appearance would have created."
Happy presented two separate packages. The first was a ridiculously elaborate bouquet of rare, exotic white orchids. "A bouquet of flowers for you. Congratulations on your graduation."
The second package contained a gift from Tony: a sleek, minimalist pair of stylish dark-rimmed glasses.
Su Yi took the glasses out. He didn't need them, so they were obviously not corrective lenses. "It should be an artificial intelligence interface," he confirmed internally. These were almost certainly a precursor or a variant of the E.D.I.T.H. glasses—a direct, personalized line to Stark's systems, blending AI interaction with augmented reality.
He then opened Pepper's gift: a stunning, elegant men's watch, understated yet clearly high-end—a gift that symbolized not just value, but consistency and commitment .
"Thank you, Happy," Su Yi said sincerely. "Please also thank Tony and Pepper for me. I really appreciate the gesture and the gifts. Tell them not to forget to come to my Villa for a party tonight to celebrate."
Happy smiled, adjusting his sunglasses. "I will pass on the message. And congratulations again, Su. Mr. Stark said to try the glasses in private."
After Happy departed, Peter was practically vibrating with excitement. "Why did Mr. Stark give you glasses? They're not ordinary, are they? An artificial intelligence... that is so cool! Aren't you going to try them on?"
"Not here," Su Yi replied, tucking the box away. "There are too many people, and I don't want to accidentally leak the schematics for an orbital defense system to the local school paper."
The day progressed, culminating in the formal certificate awarding ceremony. Gwen Stacy, recognized for her stellar academic record and her father's position, was selected as the outstanding student representative to give a moving, articulate speech about their generation's responsibility.
It was a lively day, and despite having no family, Su Yi never felt idle, surrounded by his friends and girlfriends.
As the ceremonies wound down and the crowd began to disperse, Liz approached him.
"Su, I'm planning to hold a party three nights from now at my place. Just a few close friends to celebrate our freedom before college starts. Will you come?"
"Thank you for the invitation, Liz," Su Yi replied with a warm smile. "I'd be happy to attend."
As Liz turned and walked away, her vibrant presence prompted a surge of targeted information in Su Yi's mind. He knew exactly who she was.
Her name was Liz Toomes. In the cinematic continuity, she was the daughter of Adrian Toomes, the future criminal known as the Vulture.
The Vulture wasn't a later Blackening; he was a man driven to crime by a perceived injustice, specifically the government (read: Tony Stark's clean-up crew) taking his salvaging business after the Battle of New York. The Vulture's motivation was purely financial necessity and vengeance—a man stealing to provide for his family, including Liz.
If her name is Toomes, the groundwork has been laid, Su Yi thought, his eyes narrowing slightly. The Vulture's existence is a threat to the city and a personal tragedy for Liz. The most effective way to prevent the Vulture from emerging is not to fight him, but to financially neutralize the catalyst for his transformation.
His plan was immediate and clear.
"The Vulture. I wonder what his situation is like now. He's likely still running his initial salvaging business, feeling the pressure. After this party, I can subtly investigate his company's finances and his personal debts. If I can inject sufficient capital—a discrete, untraceable investment or a hostile corporate acquisition that immediately hires him and his crew at high wages—I should be able to stop him from ever resorting to alien tech black market sales. No financial despair means no Vulture."
Su Yi decided the party would be his reconnaissance mission. He would ensure Liz's family was financially secure, thereby eliminating the next major villain on Peter's horizon—a much more elegant solution than waiting for the tragic transformation to occur. The equation was simple: Money + Prevention = Peace.
The stage is set for Su Yi to apply his strategic genius to his personal life (the time management algorithm), his friendships (Peter's food truck), and his nascent superhero agenda (preempting the Vulture).