HISD Chapter 23 Leaving the Stark Family
"How did you know?"
Yi Meng froze.
Pan Hu's eyes widened like giant bells. "It's not just me. The whole school—no, the whole world knows!"
He whipped out his phone, scrolled quickly, and pulled up the morning campus news. "Look."
Yi Meng glanced at the screen, the corner of his eye twitching.
Things like: "Dream Century's Little Princess, Tifa, Goes Public With Her Romance."
Or: "The Boyfriend Is a Violent High School Student."
Or: "Top Student Girl and Failing Nerd Boy's Secret Early Love Affair…"
What the hell—was someone writing a novel here?
Yi Meng exhaled. Looked like he'd been too immersed in his dream explorations lately, so much that he was falling behind on current events in the real world—even events that involved him directly.
A reminder.
After all, just yesterday, he hadn't even realized a video from three years ago had been leaked before the supernatural department dragged him off into containment.
From now on, every time he woke up, he'd have to check the news immediately.
Yi Meng's thoughts churned.
Pan Hu stared at him. "So, what do you say?"
"What else can I say?" Yi Meng spread his hands calmly. "Fine, Tifa really is my girlfriend… We met privately after that incident three years ago."
"It's real?!"
Pan Hu was shaking with excitement. "That's Dream Tifa! The pride of our school, the face of Dream Century! And you got her?!"
"This even hit the trending charts of the Eastern District. Well, though it caused Dream Century's stock to hit the floor at market open this morning."
At that, Pan Hu cast a sheepish glance at Yi Meng. "Of course, Boss, that's not your fault. Tifa's popularity online is just too insane. She's the face of the entire company, after all…"
His words trailed off as he looked past Yi Meng.
Yi Meng turned too, just in time to see a black-haired girl in a school uniform skirt step through the gates. This time, instead of pretending not to know him and walking by, she came straight toward them.
Under the stares of the entire campus.
"I remember—you're Pan Hu, right?"
Tifa stepped lightly, her glossy black hair flowing as her graceful figure swayed. She smiled brightly. "Yi Meng often mentions you."
"H-hi!"
Pan Hu scratched his head nervously. It was the first time he'd ever seen the famously aloof school goddess show such a warm, approachable side.
Of course, he knew perfectly well—that dazzling smile was meant for the boy beside him.
"Boss, uh… I'll go first! Catch you later!"
The big guy fidgeted awkwardly, then bolted toward the teaching building before Yi Meng could respond.
"He's a good guy," Tifa giggled softly, eyes warm as she looked at Yi Meng.
"Let's go."
Yi Meng didn't say much more, just lifted his elbow outward.
Tifa's cheeks reddened slightly, but she didn't hesitate. She thought this would show her a flustered state of his, but he stayed calm as usual. With practiced movement, she slipped her hand around his arm.
They walked into the campus together. In terms of looks, Yi Meng easily matched her—side by side, they made a striking pair.
The schoolyard fell silent, the sound of countless hearts breaking almost audible.
The teachers pretended not to notice.
Even though Eastern District law was conservative and forbade high school romance, the national exams were only two days away. After that, youth would end and futures would split into different paths.
Who had the heart to ruin such a beautiful curtain call to their teenage years?
…
In a corner of campus, a tall, handsome student's face was twisted in fury. The whole school knew he had pursued Tifa for three years. But she had already belonged, for just as long, to some "nobody" he'd always looked down on.
For him, born with a silver spoon, this was the greatest humiliation of his life.
Especially remembering the driver Chen Hong returning those secretly snapped photos—and the message she'd delivered along with them.
Wang Xuan felt so stifled he could vomit blood.
…
The school day passed in exam prep. That evening—
Yi Meng returned home in Tifa's car.
Chen Hong sat in the driver's seat, face tight. She coughed. "Miss, because of your impulsive announcement this morning, Dream Century's stock not only tanked, but our rivalry with Dynasty Tech has worsened."
Tifa frowned, displeased. "Aunt Chen, why bring that up now?"
Chen Hong sighed, glancing in the rearview mirror at the silver-haired boy sitting beside her.
His face was undeniably striking, but what good was a pretty vase?
Too bad the young miss liked him.
…
The car stopped at the house. Chen Hong waited outside while Yi Meng and Tifa went in.
"Aunt Chen is actually a good person, just…" Tifa murmured.
"I get it, really," Yi Meng shrugged. "Three years ago, even I didn't believe I deserved to stand at your side, to hold you."
Tifa smiled softly. "And now?"
Yi Meng looked troubled. "You're not asking me to spit out what I've already eaten, are you?"
"You… you deserve a beating." Tifa blushed, landing a playful punch.
"Damn, you've been training?" Yi Meng clutched his chest with a hiss. That punch packed more than expected.
She quickly rubbed the spot with her hand, then asked curiously, "Aren't you going to ask why I suddenly went public?"
"You must have had your reasons. Besides, high school's ending anyway. No need to hide anymore."
Yi Meng's voice was steady.
Since learning the true nature of this world, his mindset had shifted. Once, he'd followed society's rules. Now, all he wanted was extraordinary power.
Money, status, reputation, opinions—
In a world constantly threatened by multiversal invasion, they were meaningless.
With enough power, he could protect himself and those beside him. Rules would no longer bind him.
Tifa gazed blankly at the confident silver-haired boy, as if seeing another familiar figure in his shadow. Her heart trembled with longing, her lips curling into a radiant smile.
Yi Meng continued. "I've developed a new technology. It could greatly improve the projection tech your Dream Century company uses."
"Alright." Tifa nodded.
Yi Meng blinked. "That's it? I thought you'd be more excited. I'm serious—I've really created an advanced virtual imaging tech. It could pull your company out of its current troubles."
Tifa's eyes curved into crescents. She threw her arms around him, hugging tightly, as if not the least bit surprised.
"I'm already more than happy."
Her face pressed against his chest, pale and lovely, while tiny tears shimmered faintly in her crimson eyes.
…
That night, in the Marvel Dreamscape.
Inside the Stark family's cabin.
In a small room—
"Morgan, congratulations."
"You've finished learning all high school-level knowledge. With your current grasp, just some review and you could enroll directly into university!"
Yi Meng's AI avatar spoke warmly through the computer audio, giving praise for the first time without holding back.
It was well deserved. At only six years old, Morgan had mastered high school material. A true prodigy.
But this time, the little girl didn't respond. Instead, she gazed out the cabin window at the summer forest glowing with sunlight.
"Teacher, summer vacation's here," Morgan whispered, lips pursed.
"Yes. Tomorrow it begins."
The AI Yi Meng replied.
And tomorrow was also the day his "cooperation" with Mysterio would begin.
It marked the moment he, as Stark's household AI, would betray and depart from the Stark family.
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