"Ugh..."

Luo Mang gradually regained consciousness, feeling utterly weak.

As he tried to move, a sharp pain shot through his body.

However, compared to the agony of bullets piercing his flesh, this pain was much more bearable.

Just as his mind was still hazy from the intense pain, a voice filled with emotion suddenly sounded in his ear.

Despite the fullness of emotion in the voice, Luo Mang could still detect the coldness hidden beneath it.

It was as if it were mimicking a person with feelings.

"Sir."

At the moment this "sir" reached his ears, a flash of realization crossed Luo Mang's mind.

What a coincidence?

Collecting his thoughts, Luo Mang, with a pale face and weak voice, asked, "Where am I?"

His face showed a fitting confusion, as if he truly had no idea.

"Sir, you are currently in Mr. Stark's private hospital."

"Would you like me to call Miss Pepper for you?"

A quick look at "paw𝑟ead.com" will leave you more fulfilled.

"It was she who found you by the roadside."

Luo Mang slightly opened his eyes, looking in the direction of the voice.

He saw a speaker in the upper corner of the wall.

As soon as Luo Mang looked over, the camera above also moved at the same time, looking at him and even nodding slightly, as if acknowledging him.

Seeing this, Luo Mang confirmed his suspicion.

This voice, which clearly wasn't human yet tried hard to imitate one, was indeed from JARVIS.

Tony Stark's personal AI butler.

Even the armor developed later was handed over to JARVIS.

For Tony Stark, JARVIS was a meticulous and loyal right-hand.

"Please do."

"I need some more rest; my thoughts are still a mess."

Luo Mang closed his eyes, but his mind kept racing.

The idea of using JARVIS to contact Peter was immediately dismissed.

If JARVIS caught even a whiff of something unusual, it would be as good as letting Tony know.

He had no connection with Tony at the moment.

According to the current storyline, Tony Stark hadn't even developed the first few generations of Iron Man Armor.

He hadn't experienced life-and-death trials or the epiphanies that come from survival.

If Tony found out what Luo Mang and Peter were up to, they might end up living under government control.

The downfall of the previous life was still fresh in Luo Mang's memory.

Just as Luo Mang was lost in thought, a familiar crisp sound echoed in the room again.

A brisk pace approached, bringing with it a fragrant breeze.

Luo Mang slowly opened his eyes and was met with a pair of bright, beautiful eyes.

"Sir, are you alright now?"

Seeing Pepper's concerned and kind expression, Luo Mang smiled.

"I should thank you, I..."

But before Luo Mang could finish, a light-hearted voice came from the doorway, interrupting him.

"Yes, yes, you're Luo Ma, grew up in an orphanage, nothing remarkable in life, now working at Midtown High School. To be precise, if it weren't for Pepper, no one would have saved you, so you really should thank her."

A man with a small mustache swaggered in, removing his sunglasses, his mouth running like a machine gun.

"You are..."

Luo Mang wasn't angry at Tony's words.

Instead, he maintained his smile, about to correct Tony's mistake, but was interrupted again.

"Yes, that's right, you're looking at the famous Tony Stark!

Just as you thought, Stark of Stark Industries. Lucky you, now you have a chance to work at Stark Industries, which pays much more than a high school teacher, doesn't it?"

Tony exuded an unparalleled confidence, as if it were second nature.

Tony didn't care what Luo Mang, this nobody in his eyes, would say.

In fact, even if it were a recognized rival of Stark, this genius wouldn't care.

After speaking, Tony didn't wait for Luo Mang's reaction but turned to Pepper, speaking in a playful tone.

"Hey~ hey~ hey, isn't this the famous Pepper Potts?

How does it feel to personally save someone?"

At this, Luo Mang finally understood why Tony suddenly showed kindness to him.

Yes, kindness.

Don't be fooled by Tony's annoying way of speaking; it's just a facade.

Just like Luo Mang habitually uses a smile to hide himself.

So Tony's goal wasn't to please Luo Mang, but someone else...

Luo Mang's gaze followed Tony's to Pepper.

"I remember your flight was supposed to be an hour and a half ago?"

Pepper didn't answer Tony; instead, she crossed her arms, revealing a perfect slender waist, her suit making her look like a teacher catching a student.

"I thought my plane would naturally wait for me to arrive before taking off."

"Otherwise, what's the point of having a private jet?"

Tony's words, which might sound pretentious from anyone else, seemed perfectly natural coming from him.

"But I'm curious, since when did Miss Pepper enjoy helping others?"

Tony raised an eyebrow, finally revealing his true intentions.

He didn't care about Luo Mang, but he cared about Pepper, which is why he came personally.

But this made Luo Mang curious.

Tony was here for Pepper, but what was Pepper here for?

It couldn't be for him, could it?

Luo Mang's exceptional memory allowed him to recall everyone he had met.

But Luo Mang was sure he had never met Pepper before.

"A birthday gift for myself, isn't it?"

"Your birthday? Today?"

"What's so strange? It's the same day as last year..."

Watching their harmless banter, with an unspoken understanding between them, Luo Mang couldn't help but cover his face and turn away.

Too fucking sweet.

"... Luo Ma."

Until he heard "Luo Ma" from Tony's mouth again.

Luo Mang couldn't help but turn back with a smile and say.

"Mr. Stark, my name is Luo Mang, but you can call me Luo.

It's a pleasure to meet you, and I'm grateful for you and Miss Pepper's help; you saved my life."

"Luo Ma... Luo Mang, why can't I hear the difference?

But it doesn't matter; today might be the last time we meet."

Hearing Tony's confident words, even Luo Mang's expression management almost failed.

"No problem, maybe we'll meet again?"

Luo Mang's words were filled with meaning.

The 'Controlled Hyper-Memory' ability, formed by the permanent liberation of his mind, would never forget.

Pepper's birthday, Tony's delayed flight...

If nothing unexpected happens, Tony's trip to sell weapons will encounter the Ten Rings.

Luo Mang's gaze moved from Tony to Pepper, thinking to himself.

"Madam, you wouldn't want your man not to return, would you?"