A new doctor walking among the poor in New York, providing free medical services, not charging a cent, not using anyone for drug testing, and even providing free prosthetics for the disabled.
It sounded like idealism, perhaps even magical realism. Peter chatted with them a bit more and discovered it was actually just an urban legend. Although one homeless man insisted it was true, he couldn't produce any evidence, to the point where his companions just laughed it off.
Peter made a mental note of the matter, planning to check it out when he had the time. He turned to see Gwen asking some homeless individuals if they needed help. When she saw Peter, she walked over to call him over to assist, while asking, "Where did you run off to slack off?"
"I wasn't slacking off. I was in charge of the front desk, recording what people needed, helping them coordinate housing, and finding work. I just went to the restroom," Peter said, looking at Gwen. "Do you need any help over there?"
"No, nothing much. Felicia and Cindy are inside making cookies and bread... Honestly, I was planning to join them, but Aunt May said we were needed more out here, especially since many seniors need assistance."
Gwen scratched her head and looked behind her. She had guessed that the soup kitchen would be busier than usual today, but she hadn't expected it to be this busy. Even the community doctors employed by the soup kitchen had already been called over four or five times, and a significant amount of the medical supplies had already been used.
As the two were chatting, Aunt May walked over. "What's wrong? Did something happen? Why are you two just standing here?"
"No, it's precisely because nothing is happening that we're standing here. At least, apart from cleaning up, there isn't anything special that needs doing," Peter said, glancing toward the front desk. It was nearing evening, and many people were heading off to dinner. A lot of those who came to the soup kitchen were just looking for cheap housing or work and didn't intend to actually stay, so they had already left.
"It has been really busy these past two days. I imagine it'll be quite busy for a while..."
As Aunt May spoke, she looked around. Peter took the opportunity to ask, "Aunt May, I heard from others that a doctor has appeared in Manhattan who provides free medical services. Is that true?"
Aunt May looked at Peter with a strange expression. "Aren't the doctors at the soup kitchen providing free service as well?"
"Uh, no, not Dr. Zhang, a different doctor."
"Don't listen to those kinds of rumors. It's likely just some pharmaceutical company's test-subject advertisement. Where would you find such a kind-hearted doctor in New York? Even Dr. Zhang is paid by Rand Enterprises."
Aunt May grumbled with clear dissatisfaction, and Peter could only sigh and return to the front desk to continue helping.
Gwen returned to the kitchen. The semi-open kitchen was still very busy. Besides Felicia and Cindy, who were busy making the main course, there were others as well. Gwen didn't pay much attention to the others; she walked between the two and looked at Felicia, who was using a bread knife to slice a tray of bread.
"Do you come to the soup kitchen often?"
"No, not often. After all, I haven't been back in the country for a year yet, and I haven't come here that often during this year, just occasionally to help out."
Gwen said "Ah" and asked curiously, "Does that mean you used to come here often before?"
"I didn't even know this place existed before. Come to think of it, the reason I found out about the soup kitchen and started helping here was because of a very cute little boy. Are you interested in hearing about that?"
Gwen laughed and carried the bread Felicia had baked out. She didn't want to hear stories like that. Felicia smiled as she watched Gwen walk away. She knew exactly what Gwen wanted to ask, or rather, what she was concerned about. Although there was actually nothing between her and Peter Parker, that didn't stop her from teasing the young girl.
Besides, that was indeed the truth of how it started. Felicia had no reason or excuse to approach Peter privately to discuss matters, so when she discovered he occasionally came to the soup kitchen to help, she simply came over to create an encounter. It was just that her choice of words was a bit... targeted.
Having finished dealing with the inquisitive Gwen, Felicia let out a long breath, took off her oven mitts, and prepared to start the next batch of bread. Just then, Cindy leaned in, asking curiously, "Can you tell me about it?"
Felicia was dazed for a moment. "...Tell you about what?"
"What you just said. You know, about the cute little boy that led to you finding out about the soup kitchen and helping here. I'm actually quite interested."
Felicia stood there, stunned, then looked around at the other soup kitchen staff and gave a rather awkward laugh. "This really has nothing to do with you, but now isn't really the right place..."
Cindy understood. "Is it about his internship?"
"...Yes."
Felicia, who understood what Cindy meant by "internship," nodded. She fell into a long silence, quietly kneading the butter into the dough, and then continued working. She had originally thought that Cindy, like Gwen, would definitely not continue to press the matter after hearing her comment. She hadn't expected the two of them to have completely different trains of thought.
And after kneading the dough for a while, she heard Cindy's follow-up sentence.
"Then, if you have time, can you tell me about it later?"
"...For sure, for sure."
On the other side, Peter continued to help others find housing at the front desk. While explaining the changes in Hell's Kitchen to them—telling them that security in Hell's Kitchen was much better now—and discussing the rent issues that they were more concerned about, Gwen appeared at his side just as he was wrapping up, tapping him on the shoulder.
Peter turned back to look at Gwen and then looked around; there was indeed no one else there.
"Did you use your ability to stand there the whole time?"
"No, I was just standing here."
Fine, let's just say you were standing here the whole time. Peter looked at Gwen with some curiosity. "So... is there something you need?"
"Nothing special. It's just... do you plan on going to patrol Hell's Kitchen after this is over? I can tell you're quite concerned about that area."
For a moment, Peter wanted to agree, but his expression quickly became troubled. "That might actually be... not very convenient."
"..." Gwen's expression suddenly became stunned. "Do you have a date?"
"No, it's just that Aunt May said if there's nothing else tonight, we should go home in her car. Besides, Hell's Kitchen is managed by the entire Defenders, nothing should happen there."
Gwen breathed a sigh of relief. So that was it. She and Peter were neighbors anyway; they could just go back together.