[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-my-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel":3,"chapter-my-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel-my-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel-chapter-145":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","My Life as a Mental Mentor in Marvel",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2322713,4544,"Chapter 145: It Works (Part 1)","my-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel-chapter-145",145,"\u003Cp>In the bustling conference hall, guests attending the unveiling all wore tailored suits, many of them prominent figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the left sat high-ranking military and political officials, even including a White House advisor, while to the right were renowned business figures, including Pepper and Stark, Osborn, the head of Hammer Industries, and the CEOs of over twenty companies large and small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them, in the rear, sat academics—including Shi Ler, Strange, Connors, Ethan, and over thirty other PhD holders or renowned university professors; these two rows alone likely held over a hundred PhDs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange and Shi Ler sat together at the far right, directly behind Stark; both wore suits, sitting rigidly upright. Strange didn’t turn his head, only whispered to Shi Ler: “That theory about the Immortality Factor repairing the nervous system? Absolute nonsense—I can’t even finish reading it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whenever you can’t bear to read it, think of the final string of numbers in the contract.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So for the next few months, I have to stand here every day like a charlatan, reciting utter nonsense?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, you have even more to do in the coming months—resigning, moving, and most importantly, counting money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the host invited Strange to the stage. Strange stood, adjusted his suit and tie, picked up his speech script, and walked to the podium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Just as the Stark and Osborn groups previously announced, as a neurosurgery specialist, after receiving the precious experimental samples, I too discovered the secrets of the human body’s self-repair and reverse aging...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stark, half-asleep in the audience, was nudged by Pepper. He jolted awake, rubbed his eyes, glanced around, and noticed the chair beside Shi Ler was empty. He slipped over and sat down beside him. “How much did you promise him to make him say such blatant lies without blinking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At least ten times his salary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought he’d be the type with some professional ambition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He absolutely is—he claims to be the world’s greatest neurosurgeon, and he’s right. You haven’t heard his nickname? ‘God’s Gift to Human Medicine.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What audacity. I haven’t even called myself ‘God’s Gift to Human Science.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I offered him a number he couldn’t refuse, then hired him as chief physician of the new sanatorium. You know—he’s famous enough to hold the position.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about you? I thought you’d be the chief physician yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I’m the director. I don’t have time to treat patients—I have too much to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You two unethical quacks,” Stark concluded. “Whoever goes to your hospital is in for a world of trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, Strange finished his speech. When he returned, he found Stark had taken his seat. They stared at each other, neither willing to yield. Eventually, Dr. Ethan brought another chair over for Strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange said to Stark: “You better make sure your so-called United Group pays me enough to compensate for the mental damage from listening to these absurd theories.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stark snorted dismissively: “Your annual salary doesn’t equal what Stark Group makes in one minute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t say that,” Shi Ler comforted Strange. “Later, I’ll introduce you to Senator Bolt—he’s very interested in the Immortality Factor and just happens to need a personal wellness advisor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait,” Stark frowned at Shi Ler. “What’s this got to do with a senator?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re not taking money from multiple sides, are you? You two are consultants for United Group—Stark and Osborn both pay you. You’re also employed by S.H.I.E.L.D.—Nick must pay you too. The sanatorium’s construction budget likely includes your salary. And now you’re going to cozy up to senators?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange’s eyes flickered. “I think broadening one’s professional horizons is necessary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Ler nodded firmly. “Exactly. And they’re begging us to do it. The old men on Capitol Hill all want to get early intel on the drug. But you must understand—I’m just a psychologist. I don’t know the medical mechanisms. Someone with real expertise has to help me explain it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, Stephen, go over your story with Dr. Connors. Those senators have their own wellness advisors—they’re your rivals...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange let out a cold laugh. “I’m just pretending to be a fraud. Those wellness advisors? They’re real frauds—completely uneducated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he leaned slightly toward Shi Ler and whispered: “Was Stark telling the truth? Are you planning to take money from multiple sources?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not me—us,” Shi Ler leaned in too, and the two whispered together. “A new technology that can change humanity’s future has just launched. What do you think is most lacking right now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Strange could answer, Shi Ler replied himself: “Every faction wants someone to explain what this thing is—and what changes it will bring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As the ones who actually participated in the research, we hold the clearest authority to explain it. Everyone’s fighting for us—we take money from everyone, and serve whoever offers the most.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I can’t actually explain anything,” Strange said. “I read Connors’s report—we haven’t cracked this thing at all...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need real explanations. Just use the professional jargon you know, and keep repeating one phrase—‘It works.’ Remember: that’s your mantra for the next few months. Repeat ‘It works.’ Over and over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does it really work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t ask stupid questions.” Shi Ler glanced around—at suited senators, at military officers in uniform. “We’re just emotionless harvesting machines. How long these rich, powerful Jiucai  live? None of your business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I like your attitude,” Strange said, tilting his head. “I think I misjudged you before. We do have a lot in common.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t forget—once your resignation from the Elder Council Hospital is finalized, you start at the sanatorium immediately. Your schedule is fully booked for the next two months. You’ll be busy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about the cut?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As we agreed...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stark listened to their low conversation for a long time, curious but too embarrassed to eavesdrop outright. So he feigned disdain: “You two unethical quacks—definitely not talking anything good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange and Shi Ler exchanged glances. “We might be unethical...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...but we’re certainly not quacks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the unveiling, Shi Ler took Strange to S.H.I.E.L.D.’s reception center office. Nick was waiting inside. As Shi Ler stepped in, Nick stepped forward and shook Strange’s hand. “You’re the chief consultant for the Immortality Factor series, right? Hello, I’m Nick Fury.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange scanned the S.H.I.E.L.D. office, his questions ready—but Shi Ler cut in: “The sanatorium’s construction should be nearly complete. When will it open?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The former owner of that old bank took excellent care of it. Few repairs needed. Should be ready in about a week.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about the opening ceremony? Arranged?” Nick and Shi Ler walked to a table and sat facing each other; Strange sat beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem. Everyone who should attend will be there. Also, the next phase of construction is already on the agenda—but you’ll need to negotiate with Stark and Osborn Group directly. They’re the real investors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One more thing,” Nick said to Shi Ler. “What are you naming this sanatorium? You can’t just call it ‘Immortality Factor Sanatorium.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Ler smiled. “How about Arkham Sanatorium?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Arkham? That’s a surname, isn’t it?” Nick paused, then froze. He and Strange both stared at the ring on Shi Ler’s finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Ler continued: “Just a joke. The name doesn’t matter—you pick it...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no, no—sorry, you don’t need to explain. The naming rights are yours. Pick any name you like.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Ler glanced at them. Nick and Strange wore strange expressions. He knew—they’d misunderstood something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When everyone’s reaction to a misunderstanding is “No, you don’t need to explain,” clarification becomes nearly impossible. When they adopt the attitude of “I get it, I totally get it,” forget about clearing it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nick and Strange both knew something about the origin of Shi Ler’s cryo-technology. Shi Ler claimed, “I have a friend.” But the more he said that, the more everyone assumed he was hiding something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a friend”—everyone knows what that means.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, the name was settled so carelessly that on the day Arkham Sanatorium opened, no one knew why it was called Arkham.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Ler had been low-key—he wasn’t as famous in medicine as Strange, and mostly stayed behind the scenes. Aside from a few core figures, most people knew little about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, most assumed the director’s surname was Arkham. Shi Ler lost his real name entirely; everyone called him “Director Arkham,” not “Director Rodriguez.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the day of Arkham Sanatorium’s opening ceremony, the weather was unusually clear. Shi Ler invited all his friends in this world and held a concentrated training session the night before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Yes, I’m certain it works. Though I handle pathology research, I’ve also learned parts of the classified findings. I can certainly tell you that...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, right... yes, I’m a high school student, just assisting Dr. Connors in the lab. What? Did I see the actual reports? I can’t disclose that—it’s classified... Well, I can only say: with so many researchers working on this, it can’t possibly be useless, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, I’m a PhD in physics, but you misunderstand the scope of physics. I did participate in this experiment, especially in developing medical devices targeting the Immortality Factor. Do you think I’d spend so much effort on something useless?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Longevity? You’re underestimating its effects, sir. As a psychology expert, I can confidently tell you—it also regulates human emotions...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In short, don’t ask so many questions. I’m Stark! Stark says it works—it works!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think you heard that...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, exactly—we all say that...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong with that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do I have to repeat it again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course it’s effective...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It works!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1581,"2026-06-20T16:39:12.484Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","54b5610ba4a310339c162dee1a289dae0fc6f9a824790e0a2126bc6c17951c55","my-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel-chapter-146","my-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel-chapter-144",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel-cover.jpg"]