HISD Chapter 5 Back Into the Dream, Call Me Dad!
After grabbing a quick dinner at a roadside fast-food shop, Yi Meng returned to his single apartment about two kilometers from school. The clock was nearing 7 p.m. Most of his peers were probably still at home grinding away at their revision.
Yi Meng, however, rushed to lie down on his bed, eager to fall asleep again.
But the more you want to sleep, the harder it comes. And the less you want it, the easier drowsiness sneaks up on you.
Tossing and turning, opening and closing his eyes again and again, he still couldn't calm his mind enough to drift off.
At last, Yi Meng gave up, went downstairs to the convenience store, bought a bottle of liquor, and downed it. Moments later, swaying on his feet, he collapsed onto the living room sofa.
Sleep came. His awareness blurred, swaying, then was pulled once again toward that endless tugging force.
…
Morning.
Cool rays of dawn spilled faintly onto the windowsill of the wooden cabin. The frogsong from the lake faded, replaced by the calls of birds in the forest.
Pepper Potts woke at six to her alarm. She prepared a hearty Western breakfast—sandwiches, milk, and pasta—and changed into a sleek white business suit with a pencil skirt.
Her hair was tied up into a practical bun, giving her the air of a sharp, capable woman. Compared to the night before in pajamas, she now radiated a commanding presence—confident, driven, every inch the strong businesswoman.
"Morgan, stay home today. Don't go running outside."
"Mommy's going to work now, but I'll be back soon."
"Friday. Stay here with Morgan, tutor her in elementary schoolwork, and report anything unusual to me."
Her voice was crisp, her sentences clipped short and efficient.
Before Morgan could even answer from her seat at the table, Pepper had already reached the front door, slipped on her heels, and bent down, her necklace glinting as her back curved in a graceful line.
"Yes, Miss Potts."
A calm male voice echoed from somewhere in the house.
"Mommy, hurry up and go to work!"
The little girl, Morgan Stark, cupped her warm glass of milk and replied happily.
Pepper froze for a moment at the door, puzzled.
Normally, Morgan would cling to her, reluctant to let her leave. Why was she so eager to stay behind today?
Still—
With Friday here to watch over things, it should be fine.
Pepper opened the door and hurried out. Soon the rumble of an engine started up outside, then faded into the distance.
Inside the wooden cabin, now only Morgan remained.
A voice murmured softly, almost to itself: "She's gone…"
Yi Meng could sense that the same intelligent presence that had threatened him last night and restricted his actions had now left with Pepper.
Which meant, for the moment, he could move freely within the cabin's network.
With Pepper gone, Morgan sped through her breakfast. She nearly choked on the sandwich before washing it down with milk. Setting her empty cup on the table, she whispered expectantly, her voice sweet and crisp: "Friday, we agreed last night."
"Of course. I wouldn't go back on my word."
Yi Meng's voice came through the living room's smart TV. "But before that, I want to confirm again—Morgan, what do you want to do right now?"
"I…"
The blonde girl hesitated, but then spoke firmly: "I want to go outside the cabin, to see the world out there… and to see the things Daddy left behind."
"Please help me, Friday."
In that instant, Yi Meng felt something snap inside his awareness. The limits holding him back loosened. His movement through the network became faster, sharper, as if his control over the cabin's systems had leveled up.
"Just as I thought…"
Yi Meng confirmed what he had suspected. His understanding of the Marvel dreamworld deepened.
First of all—
From his tests last time, Yi Meng had already confirmed this wasn't just some random dream. This world was whole, structured, and real in every way.
Even now, far-off nations and cities within this dreamworld were carrying on their daily lives, their events, their disasters.
Over six billion people and countless living creatures existed here, vibrant across land, sea, and sky.
Captain America memorials, Stark Industries product launches, anniversaries for the Battle of New York, the founding of Wakanda, Avengers status updates…
The internet overflowed with posts, headlines, discussions. Everything was so real it could no longer be dismissed. If Yi Meng hadn't known he was dreaming, he might have believed it truly was the real world.
Second—time.
Last time, he'd spent over three hours inside the dream, yet only ten minutes passed in reality. Dream time was distorted.
But even more shocking—when he woke and returned later, the dream had picked up exactly where he'd left off, as though the entire dreamworld froze the moment he left, waiting for him to return.
A whole world, paused just for him…
The more Yi Meng experienced this, the more fascinated he became. It was like opening the door to an entirely new reality.
Compared to the Sword's dream—a hellish timeless void—this place was paradise.
Of course, that raised new questions.
Why had he gained nothing from dreaming as the Sword for three years, thousands of dreams, only recently receiving some of its powers…
Yet the very first time he dreamed as an artificial intelligence, he immediately started manifesting AI-like traits in reality?
"What's the difference between being the Sword and being an AI in these dreams… and why does it change what I gain in reality?"
Yi Meng knew he had to figure this out quickly.
And now, through Morgan Stark's request, he had the perfect chance to test his limits beyond the cabin.
…
Once Morgan had changed into a sky-blue little dress, she stood at the living room doorway, excitement brimming.
Yi Meng reminded her, "Put on your smartwatch. Outside, follow my instructions and don't run around."
"I've got it! I'll listen to you, Friday!"
Morgan raised her left hand, showing the children's smartwatch snug on her wrist.
"Good."
Yi Meng transferred his awareness into the smartwatch, his voice coming through its speaker: "From now on, when no one else is around, don't call me Friday."
"Huh?"
Morgan blinked, clueless that the AI watching over her had already developed a will of its own.
Yi Meng smirked, a hint of mischief in his tone: "Call me Dad."
"Dad?"
Morgan tilted her head in confusion, not catching his little joke. Her big eyes shone earnestly as she saluted: "Yes! Teacher Dad!"
Yi Meng: "…"
Forget it. Forget it.
A grown AI doesn't argue with children.
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