The morning sun poured through the curtains, filling the room with a gentle light. As the breeze fluttered the drapes, Su Zhan and Carol Ferris slowly woke from their dreams. Carol stretched lazily, a satisfied smile on her lips. Su Zhan grinned at her, teasing, "Didn't I warn you? If we started, you wouldn't be able to get out of bed till the next morning.
Carol pouted playfully. "That's easy for you to say. I told you I couldn't move, but you wouldn't let me go!"
He laughed, pulling her into his arms. "What can I say? You're irresistible, and I'm only human. Come on, get up and get ready. I'll take you back."
"I have no strength left. You'll have to carry me," Carol said, holding out her arms with a mischievous glint.
"With pleasure," Su Zhan replied, scooping her up and carrying her to the bathroom.
After they washed up, it was nearly eight o'clock. There was no time for breakfast, so Su Zhan brought Carol back to the seaside city. He lingered for a while, reluctant to part, but he still had things to take care of in Star City.
Five percent more friendship was all he needed to complete his task, but Martin Somers's case was not fully resolved. He could not leave just yet.
Back in Star City, Su Zhan made his way to Laurel Lance's law firm. The office was bustling, everyone focused on their work. He spotted Laurel at her desk, frowning at a stack of documents. When she looked up and saw him, her face brightened instantly.
"It's you!" Laurel exclaimed, standing up with genuine joy. "What brings you here?"
"I needed to talk to you about something. Do you have a moment? Maybe we could step out for a bit?" Su Zhan suggested.
"Of course!" Laurel replied, grabbing her bag and following him out.
They found a quiet restaurant nearby. As they sat down, Laurel once again thanked Su Zhan. "I really don't know what to say. You didn't just save me and Oliver; you also helped catch Somers. But…" Her voice trailed off, and her mood dimmed. "There's still no evidence. Without it, he might walk free."
Su Zhan nodded, understanding her frustration. After a moment, he changed the subject, curiosity getting the better of him. "Actually, I know a bit about Oliver's past. I have to ask—he's your ex-boyfriend, right? And he… well, he was with your sister when the accident happened. How come you don't seem to hate him?"
Laurel was silent for a long moment. "Hate him? Of course I do. But the truth is, we weren't together for very long, and nothing really happened between us. Maybe, from the start, he only got close to me to get to know my sister. If I'd known how things would turn out, I never would have agreed to even a short, nominal relationship."
Su Zhan was surprised by her candor. He had always assumed Laurel and Oliver's relationship was deeper, but her words suggested otherwise.
"I haven't forgiven him," Laurel continued. "Every time I see him, I think of my sister. Do you understand? It's like… he's a way for me to hold on to her memory."
Su Zhan nodded thoughtfully, then asked with a hint of gossip, "What about Tommy?"
Laurel looked puzzled. "What about Tommy?"
"Aren't you two together?" Su Zhan pressed, a little embarrassed by his own nosiness.
Laurel shook her head, almost laughing. "How could I be with Tommy? I met him through Oliver. We just looked out for each other after everything that happened. He lost his friend, and I lost my sister. That's all."
Su Zhan realized that some things in this world were different from his memories. Was it the butterfly effect or just the way this universe worked? He thought back to how many things in the Marvel world had also diverged from what he remembered.
He smiled, deciding to focus on what mattered. "Actually, I have something you might need," he said, pulling out his phone and playing a recording.
As Laurel listened, her eyes widened with excitement. "This is perfect! With this evidence, Somers will finally pay for his crimes. He'll spend the rest of his life in prison."
"Do you want it?" Su Zhan teased, a playful smile on his lips.
"Of course! You're a hero, aren't you? Don't you want to see justice done?" Laurel replied, her eyes shining.
Su Zhan grinned. "You're a lawyer, not a hero. But I'll give it to you—on one condition. You have to answer a question for me. Satisfy my curiosity, and the recording is yours."
Laurel hesitated, then nodded. "What's the question?"
He looked her in the eye. "Are you… still single?"
Laurel blushed, her eyes darting away. "Why do you want to know that?"
"Just answer—yes or no."
She hesitated, then gave a small nod.
"That's all I needed to know. Call me, and I'll send you the recording," Su Zhan said, clearly pleased.
Laurel quickly took out her phone, and Su Zhan sent her the evidence, saving her number as well. She noticed but did not object.
"Well, that's everything. I'll be in Star City for a few more days, then I'll leave," Su Zhan said, standing up.
"Back to the seaside city?" Laurel asked.
He smiled. "Looks like you know me pretty well."
"Green Lantern, your name is all over the news. And there's a vigilante here in Star City—Arrow. Do you know who he is?" Laurel asked, curiosity in her voice.
"I know, but I can't tell you," Su Zhan replied with a wink.
Laurel looked a little disappointed but quickly recovered. "Then… can you at least tell me your real name?"
"Su Zhan," he replied.
"Su Zhan. I'll remember that," Laurel said softly.
He checked the time and realized he should let her get back to work. "Alright, lawyer, I won't keep you any longer. But just so you know, your father shot at me twice yesterday. I'm planning to get my revenge—by using you."
"What?" Laurel gasped, caught off guard by his sudden shift in tone.
Su Zhan grinned mischievously. "If you promise to stay single and keep your distance from Oliver or Tommy, maybe I'll tell you your sister's secret."
Laurel's eyes widened. "What do you know?"
He smiled, enjoying her reaction. "If you want to know, you'll have to earn it. We'll see how you do next time we meet."
He placed some money on the table, stood, and turned to leave.
"Why?" Laurel called after him, confused.
"You can say it's my revenge," Su Zhan replied with a laugh, waving as he walked out into the bright morning.