Andrew's soul, which had finally caught up a step late: ".." Ah, it feels as if it has been sublimated.
"So this is what a sunrise looks like." Max's eyes also reddened as he gazed at this moment with profound emotion.
So it turns out—
When you are willing to wait quietly for the moment dawn breaks, the world will give you such a grand surprise.
Peter's gaze fell unconsciously upon Finn.
The morning light fell upon his exquisite profile, his long eyelashes, like translucent butterfly wings, trembled gently with his breath.
Those beautiful green eyes reflected the golden morning sun, brimming with vibrant vitality and shining so brightly.
As if sensing his gaze, Finn suddenly turned his head, his eyes falling upon Peter, who was also bathed in the light.
The young man curled the corners of his mouth, his voice wrapped in the warmth of the morning light as he spoke softly:
Peter, you're like the sun.
Chapter 58: Dinner Party · Scepter
"You thought of this idea?" Noah looked at Andrew with some surprise.
The new video Andrew posted on Finn's social media platform was gaining popularity at an astonishing speed, it looked like it was about to go viral again.
The young man listened to the proposal Noah had mentioned before. This time, the video was no longer a video that he had painstakingly edited frame by frame in front of a computer, but rather a clip of Finn dancing. Since the dance was performed in the early morning, the video could be posted before noon, making it appear more casual and vibrant, it also passed the Osborn Group's legal review much faster.
Waking up so early and traveling so far to watch a sunrise, Andrew felt it would be a real waste if he didn't film something to post.
Then, using the sunrise on the beach as a natural backdrop, he had Finn and Max film a dance together.
It was that electric breakdancing performance by Max that had shocked everyone at the Halloween Party and was being repeatedly shared by the crowds; only this time, Max was wearing a sharp black suit, while Young Master Finn, who was dancing alongside him, was dressed in a cool biker outfit.
The wonderful partnership between the two—the Young Master and his bodyguard—was also eye-catching enough. On the coastline at sunrise, their synchronized dance steps were crisp and neat, their clean movements were filled with an unrestrained sense of power, blending into a breathtaking scene with the stretching coastline behind them, the surging waves shimmering with fragmented light, the vast expanse of dawn's golden radiance.
As soon as the video tagged with #Chasing The Sunrise was pushed, it rapidly climbed to the top, becoming the focus of a new wave of traffic.
Noah watched the rapidly climbing data, almost able to foresee that before long, a trend of people flocking to dance in front of the sunrise beach would sweep across the entire internet.
At first, Noah didn't have much expectation regarding Andrew acting as a secretary.. he just thought Finn had simply found a high schooler companion who looked decent to him. Now, he suddenly felt that Andrew actually possessed some talent; he was very skilled at using the camera to discover and record the most endearing moments of Finn, was willing to patiently and tirelessly polish the footage time and again to produce the best videos. Clearly, Andrew was capable of creating value for Finn.
Moreover, this kid was so obedient to Finn that he had truly reached a point of complete submission.
Even if he didn't want to work hard, he would still be forced to struggle through the bitterness just for Finn.
Yes." Andrew nodded, adding an explanation, "But going to see the sunrise wasn't my idea.
With you looking so listless, as if you're running on minimum battery, how could that possibly be your idea?" Noah smiled as he glanced at Andrew's exhausted and sleepy face, his tone carrying a hint of teasing. "If it wasn't a whim from Finn, it must have been that guy Peter instigating it.
Noah felt like he was getting old now; instead of waking up early to watch the sunrise, he would rather sleep a little longer in his warm bed.
"If you're really tired, then don't bother with the two of them. You know perfectly well they're both the type of people who have so much energy they could go for a stroll in the middle of the night," Noah advised Andrew. He had previously heard Andrew mention that the stray dog Finn couldn't find had actually been picked up by Peter in the middle of the night that very day.
Thinking about it now, Noah felt that not only were Finn and Peter both high-energy individuals, but there also seemed to be some inexplicable, wonderful sense of fate between them.
"I think.. it's quite meaningful," Andrew Damon said, shaking his head.
"It's quite interesting to hear such things from your mouth." Noah couldn't help but laugh. He could already imagine Andrew reluctantly dragging himself out of bed in the middle of the night with a look of utter despair, wandering toward the seaside in the cold night air, questioning the very meaning of life.
Andrew felt a bit awkward again.
He actually couldn't explain this feeling himself; he wouldn't take the initiative to do those things, even when he was pushed by others to do them, he felt no motivation in his heart, simply executing them because they had been triggered. However, once these things actually came to fruition.. he would also experience a sense of complete fulfillment.
Just like the days of the past, he used to live in a daze, devoid of emotion and vitality, living through day after day in a numb state, like a stagnant pool of dead water. But ever since he met Finn, he has been running around following Finn; even if he was only doing everything passively, the moment he saw with his own eyes the sun leaping from the sea, saw Peter carrying Finn as they ran wildly along the coastline, watched Finn and Max dancing vibrantly before sunrise.. that sense of fulfillment was real.
He seemed to suddenly understand; this was perhaps the meaning of life.
Go and experience it firsthand, feel it with your heart, be moved by the beauty encountered along the way. Instead of regretting one day in the future that you never even went to see a sunrise, which was something you had the chance to see every single day.
Someone like you needs someone to give you a push from behind." Having grown accustomed to Finn's straightforward and impulsive nature, Noah couldn't help but chuckle when he saw Andrew, who seemed perpetually listless and constantly hesitant, yet possessed a stubborn streak deep in his bones. "If you don't push yourself, you'll never know just how capable you truly are.
Andrew came to Noah's place this time because Finn had helped Andrew customize a suit.
At this moment, the black suit fit him perfectly. Andrew gazed at himself in the mirror. The sharp shoulder lines and the well-fitted waistline made the young man, who used to always slouch, appear much more upright.
Andrew stared blankly, feeling a sense of trance-like strangeness, as if he were sizing up a complete stranger.
—This didn't look like himself at all.
"Not used to it?" Noah asked with a smile.
"It doesn't look like something I would wear," Andrew said trepidatiously, as if it were something he could never afford in his entire life.
Andrew had also worn a suit when he performed magic on stage before, but it was borrowed from Montgomery. He had never even imagined that he would have a custom-made suit of his own, which gave him a sense of unreality, that feeling of self-deprecating uneasiness was beginning to surface once again.
Since you are Finn's secretary now, I won't bother you about your usual attire, but if you are accompanying him to important occasions, you must dress more formally, shouldn't you?" Noah reached out and gave Andrew a firm pat on the back to make the young man straighten his spine. "Keep your back straight; don't always look so timid. You have to accompany Finn to a cocktail party tonight, so wear this.
Andrew pursed his lips and nodded slowly, feeling a bit uneasy about whether his suit would get dirty.
"You know how to tie a tie, right?" Noah reached out and handed a tie to Andrew.
"I can." Andrew nodded and took the tie.
"How have Finn and Harry been lately?" Noah asked casually.
They are both very busy." Andrew also knew that Noah had always been concerned about Finn's affairs. "Young Master Finn spends most of his time working at the New Energy Base in Pennsylvania now; a round trip takes nearly four hours by car.
With such an intense work schedule of leaving early and returning late every day, being completely immersed in the Osborn Group, Andrew felt that even if Young Master Finn and Harry lived in the same house, they would have virtually no opportunity to develop any brotherly bond.
Instead, they were like the best business partners.
"Now we're both workaholics." Noah knew, of course, that Finn had already declined all social activities and entertainment outside of work, leaving only the Rat Challenge, even then, he only participated during recording sessions.
Noah did not know if this was ultimately a good or a bad thing. It was a good thing that Finn had such professional ambition; after all, with his top-tier intellect and ability at such a young age, it would be a great shame if he did not take over the family business. Yet, Noah also felt that the previous Finn, who spent his days surrounded by friends and living a lively life, seemed to have been much happier.
—But who could live their whole life relying solely on eating, drinking, playing?
—But if it's Finn, why shouldn't he?
Noah curled his lips in a self-deprecating smile, feeling exactly like an overthinking, conflicted parent.
Do you think Finn is happy like this right now?" Noah asked Andrew, "Do you think he chose to inherit the affairs of the Osborn Group because it is what he has always wanted, or simply because Harry Osborn needs him?
Andrew was stunned.
It's just like how you feel Finn needs you, you'll do things you never even thought of doing before. Finn will also be happy because Harry needs him, he will strive to meet Harry's expectations." Noah felt conflicted, but he found it difficult to pinpoint exactly what the conflict was. "You know, this isn't a bad thing, but..
Are you saying that if I leave Young Master Finn, I am nothing, that Young Master Finn is the one who gave me everything I have now?" Andrew paused, trying to understand Noah's meaning, "But Young Master Finn is not a dependent.
"That's not what I meant.." Noah said subconsciously, clearly implying that his words might have been belittling to Andrew.
It's alright, I can understand," Andrew said candidly. "We can all see that whether Young Master Finn leaves Harry Osborn or leaves the Osborn Group, he can still showcase his dazzling brilliance, live more freely, create even greater value for himself, rather than just being confined because he is needed.
Noah frowned slightly; indeed, Andrew had spoken the words from his heart.
He knew about Finn's volatile condition; the boy seemed as if he had never established a complete sense of self, his life's trajectory revolving around nothing but play and Harry Osborn. Yet, he played with great seriousness. He would approach every person with immense passion, planning every party with utmost enthusiasm, vibrantly developing a social circle that could only be described as all-encompassing.
Even Noah thought that the channel for Finn's Party was just the beginning, but it came to an abrupt halt.
Even Finn's drawing account went stagnant starting from that day.
Noah did not doubt that Finn and Harry had the same brain structure; once they had established the priority of a plan in their minds, they would execute it with precision according to that priority.
"He doesn't paint anymore," Noah said softly, but he felt it was a pity that Finn had given up that world of painting filled with childish innocence. He didn't know if Finn just lacked the energy for it right now and would return to it later, or if he had truly given it up.
It seemed as if simply because Harry needed him, he could unhesitatingly cast aside the life path he had chosen and loved in the past, without even showing a hint of reluctance.
So easy, yet so terrifying.
That was what made it truly terrifying.
If in the future, Finn learns about Harry's condition..
What terrible and extreme things would Finn, feeling as though he would be abandoned again, do?
Noah didn't dare to think too deeply about it, but the thought was like a time bomb buried deep in his heart.
Andrew silently watched Noah, whose expression kept changing, but he didn't know what to say.
"Forget it, your condition is about the same as Finn's; I can't get any real answers out of you." Noah looked at the silent Andrew, feeling almost as if he were talking to himself to a gloomy mushroom.
"Feeling needed isn't actually such a bad thing; at least the two of you are indeed very driven right now." Noah then began to comfort himself, couldn't help but think of Peter; if that young man were here, he would certainly offer firm comfort while looking toward the future with optimism.
Andrew: ".." Excuse me, am I the only one who is sick?
By the time Andrew saw Finn again, it was already five o'clock in the afternoon. Finn was still on his way back to New York from the New Energy Base. Even in the car, Finn did not look relaxed; his fingertips pressed against a tablet, his brow slightly furrowed, as if he were lost in some complex problem.
It wasn't Max acting as the driver today, but a bodyguard specially arranged by Harry.
As for Max, he had been summoned by S. H. I. E. L. D. earlier; having undergone mutation previously, Max had received significant assistance from S. H. I. E. L. D. Therefore, Max and S. H. I. E. L. D. had already agreed upon the terms of their cooperation: when S. H. I. E. L. D. required Max's assistance, Max would provide his strength. In order to better fulfill his duties as "Young Master Finn's Gold Medal Bodyguard," Max had specifically bargained with S. H. I. E. L. D. at the time, ultimately settling on an assistance frequency of once a month.
It was quiet in the car; neither Andrew nor the new bodyguard dared to speak up and disturb Finn's thoughts.
Andrew only felt that when Finn was deeply focused on handling matters, the young man's expression did not look serious; instead, he looked like a precision instrument operating with unerring accuracy, possessing a sense of focus that was almost cold. That face no longer held any of its previous vivid expressions, his green eyes were calm without a ripple, as if he were in a state of decomposing data with extreme rationality.
Finn looked at his phone at this moment; the Dr. who had previously made plans to meet with him recently still could not find time to see him. However, this Dr. was reliable; he had immediately commissioned a messenger to deliver the developed genetic disease inhibitor, the one who came to hand it over was a stunning red-haired beauty.
Although he had obtained the serum, Finn still didn't know how to use it..
He couldn't exactly just run straight into Harry's office and say it bluntly—
“My dear brother, are you having an episode?”
Don't worry! I spent a lot of money to find an online friend I've never even met to help me develop a very powerful injection! He said it could suppress the Osborn Group's genetic disease, so I believed him!
Come on, let me give you a shot and see if it works?
Finn felt that if Harry knew about this, there was a 99% chance he would feel he had been tricked again.
Scholar with Seven Doctorates: New York is not safe lately; I suggest you leave New York first.
Finn looked at the message, his brow furrowing even tighter.
To be honest, Finn felt that today carried an aura of danger.
Even without mentioning that Max had been temporarily summoned by S. H. I. E. L. D, even Peter had warned him, telling him to stay in Pennsylvania today and not come back, now Dr. also gave such instructions. However, there was a banquet tonight; during these days, whenever there was an occasion requiring a public appearance, Finn had always attended side by side with Harry, he could not simply abandon Harry.
Finn thought again; even if there were danger, his secretary Andrew was also an empowered individual.
And he also—
System PP suddenly became alert: 【Host, you also what?】
It's nothing." Finn immediately cut off the thoughts in his mind. "I also have you, System PP.