As Long as Everyone's Happy

Qi Li left, Kate left, but Luke and Andre were still standing in place. Andre thought this was stupid. He unnaturally rubbed his chin, breaking the awkward silence: "Who was that guy?" Luke didn't want to seem awkward either; upon hearing this, he immediately turned his head, though he hadn't caught what Andre said: "Oh, oh... what?" Andre understood perfectly and repeated himself: "The guy who just dropped from the sky, looking real smug." Luke had by now recovered his composure. He thought for a moment and recognized the newcomer: "He's Bronze, a very famous superhero in Los Angeles. His first movie recently broke the 100 million box office mark. Heard he's one of the top candidates for the Super Seven." "Wow!" Andre exclaimed immediately. "How did someone like that end up here?" Luke's expression was somewhat complex: "Because he and I are both freshmen." "F—ck!" Andre gaped, face full of disbelief. After a moment, as if he had finally worked himself up to it, he couldn't hold back any longer, saying over and over: "So the guy you call 'Bronze' not only starred in a hundred-million-box-office movie! He might even fucking join the Super Seven! Are you sure he's our age?" Andre couldn't help but think about what he himself had been doing at eighteen. Oh, he'd been signing up for university. Before that? Nothing but fooling around, using his superpowers to pick up girls, throwing parties, and occasionally doing interview shows arranged by his father. Of course, nothing like *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon* or *The Ellen DeGeneres Show*. Although he had some popularity on social media, he couldn't compare to Bronze, who was already in the running for the Super Seven. "Fuck! I don't even know if I'll get to star in a movie before thirty, let alone gross a hundred million." Andre experienced for the first time what it meant to be "someone else's child," and he was thoroughly frustrated. Luke instead comforted him: "Bronze is just an exception, Andre. Queen Maeve and A-Train both made their names after graduating from Godkin University. We'll be just like them." Andre clearly took it to heart. He smiled and bumped fists with Luke. "Thanks, bro." Luke, smiling, suggested his repayment: "Just remember to buy me a Vought Burger deluxe meal." "No problem." Andre agreed, then thought of something and sighed again: "Luke, your love rival is really strong!" "No, I haven't..." Luke stopped halfway, then suddenly stopped himself. Seeing his new friend go quiet, Andre understandingly patted his shoulder: "Luke, like you said, Godkin University is a new start. If you like her, why not just go for her?" Luke sounded uneasy: "I don't even know her name." Andre thumped his chest: "Don't worry, there are only so many people at school. I'll find out for you within a day." Luke hugged him again: "Thanks, bro!" Andre returned the hug: "Who made us brothers!"... A pair of close brothers was being born on the Godkin University campus. Meanwhile, after asking the right person, Qi Li finally made it smoothly to the president's office. He politely knocked on the door. "Come in." A pleasant, steady female voice came from within. Qi Li pushed the door open. To call it an office would be less accurate than to call it an office suite occupying an entire floor, yet used by only one person. Looking at the decor and furnishings, all manner of decorations and furniture were present, and even an exquisitely crafted wine cabinet stood in the corner. If this had been his old hometown from his previous life, it might well have drawn an anti-corruption investigation. But this was a capitalist society, so everything seemed perfectly reasonable. "Bronze — or rather, Godkin University freshman Qi Li, welcome to our family. When we first heard you were enrolling, you had no idea how happy we were." Just as Qi Li stepped through the door, President Indira Shetty had already risen from behind her desk. With a friendly manner, she came forward to welcome him personally. She was a woman of graceful bearing, clearly well educated. Following her was a white-haired professor with the air of an English gentleman. Seeing this, Qi Li extended his hand and returned her smile: "Joining Godkin University is my honor as well, President Shetty. Also, just call me Qi Li." Indira Shetty's eyes flickered with surprise, her tone sincere: "I have to say, Qi Li, your first impression on me is remarkable. After all... you know, energetic teenagers are always trouble, and superhuman teenagers even more so. Not to mention someone as young and famous as you." After speaking, Indira Shetty made another joke: "To be honest, if right now you patronizingly patted my hand, lifted your chin, and said, 'Godkin will be proud to have me,' I wouldn't be surprised at all." The old professor beside them praised: "This shows Qi Li has already set foot on the path of a mature superhero." Qi Li spread his hands, lightening the mood: "Do you want me to do it over exactly as President Shetty said? Although I'm not studying at the College of Performing Arts, I think my acting is still pretty good." The mood did indeed lighten. Indira Shetty smiled even more broadly: "No one would doubt the acting skills of the star of a hundred-million-box-office film. Right, I almost forgot — this is Professor Brink." She turned sideways, extended her hand, and solemnly introduced the person at her side: "Professor Brink, dean of the College of Crime Fighting. For many years he has researched the superhero industry and holds three PhDs. For four consecutive years he has topped the New York Times Bestseller list. The Hero Within Us, essential reading for every superhero, is his. You should have heard this famous saying." Professor Brink smiled: "To be a true hero is not for glory, but rather..." Qi Li took up the words: "...for sacrifice?" Indira Shetty snapped her fingers with an "as expected" expression: "Exactly." Professor Brink looked at Qi Li with growing admiration. Both assumed Qi Li had read The Hero Within Us. In truth, he hadn't read a single page. As for why he could answer that last line — well, he'd seen too many superhero movies. After all, isn't the highest state of a hero sacrifice? Black Widow jumped off a cliff to obtain the Soul Stone. Quicksilver died under gunfire covering Hawkeye and a boy's escape. Iron Man finally snapped his fingers... Except Quicksilver's death was pretty lame. Getting shot dead, placed in today's world, would make speedsters like A-Train die laughing. The others' deaths could be called heroic tragedy. Professor Brink's famous saying wasn't wrong — it was just that, in this day and age... Heh heh. Qi Li thought he himself was kind of lame too. Of course, already integrated into this era, he wouldn't stand up to contradict them. As for local superheroes, whatever else might be said, they are first-rate at maintaining a bright and beautiful public image. Everyone's happy as long as they're happy.