Tony Stark from Another Universe

Careless. Lin Yi had grown so used to looking after Morgan Stark in another universe that he'd forgotten this universe's Morgan didn't know him. What he'd just done was a little too familiar. Would she suspect something?

He hurriedly cut off a piece of steak and put it in his mouth. Fortunately, Morgan didn't seem to think much of it. Her attention had already shifted!

He ate it. He actually ate it!

Morgan stared at Lin Yi without blinking. That expectant little expression looked so familiar that his spirits suddenly sank.

When the Morgan in his own universe was three, she'd once decided on a whim to bake a tray of cookies. All she'd done was shape them and add the seasonings; Pepper had handled the rest. But when she'd asked him to try one, she'd worn that same expression.

The taste was better left unmentioned. The moment Lin Yi had seen that old bastard Tony's gleeful look, he'd known not to expect much.

And now, the Morgan from his universe was still asleep under the influence of the Infinity Stones.

The steak tasted excellent. This universe's Morgan hadn't lied. It was also Lin Yi's first time eating food made by an Alien Chef, and before he knew it, he'd cut off a few more pieces.

One bite, two, three. Morgan, who hadn't taken her eyes off him, grew more excited with each one.

The fifth bite, the sixth... By the time Lin Yi had finished the entire steak, her excitement had turned to hesitation, then outright bafflement.

Lin Yi set down his knife and fork, wiped his mouth, and smiled at her. "It really was delicious. You didn't lie to me, Miss Morgan."

Morgan clearly hadn't recovered yet. Lin Yi laughed to himself. He'd already removed the little something she'd put in it, though it probably wouldn't have hurt him even if he'd eaten it.

"Ah... huh? Oh! Sorry, I was thinking about something." Morgan came back to herself and tried hard to control her expression.

Why hadn't he passed out? Morgan wondered.

What she'd added was the strongest stuff in her stock. It wasn't lethal, but just 0.1 grams could put her Uncle Hulk to sleep for most of a day. Her hand had slipped, and she'd put three whole grams in that steak!

Her little head was full of questions. Was this man the equivalent of thirty Uncle Hulks?

Lost in thought, she drifted off again.

"What do you mean, he didn't pass out? Are you saying the steak was so good it could make someone faint?" Lin Yi suddenly spoke. Morgan jumped, sat bolt upright, and clapped a hand over her mouth.

Oh no. Had I said that out loud?

She looked away awkwardly and gave a dry laugh. "Haha, yeah! The first time I tried it, it was so good I fainted. You're amazing! You didn't react at all!"

Lin Yi nearly laughed. As if you said it out loud. With that look on your face, how could I not know what you were thinking? One little bluff and you gave yourself away.

Interesting.

"S-since you've finished eating, it's time for you to go back and sleep! That's all for today's Morgan fan perks!" Morgan quickly gathered her thoughts. If even enough to knock out thirty Uncle Hulks hadn't brought him down, she'd underestimated him. She needed a new plan.

"A car will take you home. I'm leaving now, or Daddy will worry!" With that, Morgan prepared to make a quick escape.

"Wait, Miss Morgan," Lin Yi called.

Morgan slipped a hand into her pocket. "What is it? Is there something else?"

"If you're still hungry, you can ask the chef to make another serving!"

Lin Yi paid no mind to her reaching for the weapon in her pocket. He simply smiled, looking utterly harmless.

"Didn't I tell you I came from somewhere far away? I've only just arrived, so I'd like to look around. And I have a few questions I'd like to ask you, Miss Morgan."

After spending half a day with her, he had a fairly good read on this Morgan. Praise her, and she'd be happy to go along with him.

Morgan's little brows drew together. She was on high alert around Lin Yi now. After all, even enough to knock out thirty Uncle Hulks hadn't felled him.

"Look around? Ask questions? How about I arrange for someone to show you around?"

Why does he have so many questions? Come to think of it, he's already asked me a lot on the way here!

"Huh?" Lin Yi shook his head. "But you're the only one I trust, Miss Morgan. I'm your fan! I promise I won't take up much of your time. Please? You're the best!" Even Lin Yi found his own tone embarrassingly syrupy.

"I'm the best..." Morgan's little face reddened at the praise, and she unconsciously puffed out her chest.

That's right. I am strong, and I have the Nano Suit Daddy gave me. I don't need to be afraid of him!

"W-well, all right. Come find me tomorrow, and I'll show you around!"

"And if you have any questions, you can ask me now!"

Morgan had changed her mind and agreed to Lin Yi's request. It had occurred to her that getting close to him was the best way to learn about him and catch him. By making this request, he'd practically delivered himself to her!

Though it was hard to say which of them had delivered themselves to the other...

Morgan returned to her chair and hopped up onto it. Folding her arms, she struck the pose of a well-read young lady.

She looked so adorable that, if it wouldn't have been too obvious, Lin Yi would have taken out his phone for a photo.

He cleared his throat, ready to speak. But before he could, he seemed to sense something and looked toward the door.

"Morgan needs to rest. If you have questions, ask me!" The dining room door opened, and a middle-aged man in a sharp suit walked in.

Morgan froze in her chair. The joy of being praised vanished. Oh no. Daddy caught me!

The newcomer was Tony Stark of this universe.

He walked up to Lin Yi. His face looked a little older than the Tony Lin Yi knew. The features and voice were familiar; the only difference was the far more intense, razor-sharp air about him.

This Tony had a sharper edge.

Tony narrowed his eyes and looked the seemingly harmless Lin Yi up and down. Then he turned to Morgan and said sternly, "Morgan, it's time to go home. The adults need to talk."

Morgan's little nose twitched. Without a word, she hopped down from her chair and left the dining room.

Oh? Was this universe's Tony a strict father?

Tony watched Morgan until she was gone, then turned back and swept his sharp gaze over Lin Yi once more.

"What are you looking at? You stood by the door for half an hour. Still haven't seen enough, Mr. Tony?" Lin Yi leaned back in his chair with an amused smile, sizing Tony up in return.

With Tony, he didn't need to bother with all those tricks for coaxing a child.

"Kid, tell me your name, where you came from, and why you approached Morgan!"

With that, Tony walked over and sat in Morgan's chair, waiting for an answer.

Lin Yi couldn't help rolling his eyes. "You really have no manners... And don't you already know my name?"

"Manners?" Tony scoffed.

"You're an alien. What would you know about human manners?"

Lin Yi clicked his tongue. "Come on, that's way too obvious a probe."

"You've had a satellite pointed at me for half the day. Can't you tell whether I'm human?"