[{"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-41":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},2322609,4544,"Chapter 41: Cat and Bat (Part 1)","my-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel-chapter-41",41,"\u003Cp>Bruce lay on the hospital bed, Harvey adjusted his upper body slightly, then poured him a glass of water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce said, troubled: “She’s moody and unpredictable—she’s just like a cat. I can’t understand her, and now I only worry that her temper will hurt others. After all, I have the best medical resources in all of Gotham, but others don’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should be glad your kidneys didn’t rupture—that dagger was short and only left a shallow scratch on your organs; otherwise, you’d be down to one kidney right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey put down the water pitcher and said: “When I was in school, there was a girl I liked—I was crazy about her. I pursued her fiercely. One day, on our date, she deliberately threw a bottle far away just to tease a janitor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At the time, I thought: How could she do that? She was so cruel, unworthy of my affection. But later, I realized it was my love that shaped her into a perfect person in my mind. In truth, she’d always been this way—bad-tempered, mocking, looking down on anyone in service. She never changed. But I, blinded by intense love, held endless expectations for her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I broke up with her. She thought it was insane. Back then, I didn’t realize how much I must’ve seemed like a lunatic—first chasing her relentlessly, confessing my feelings, then suddenly and cleanly ending it. To anyone, that’s humiliation. So she was furious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looking back now, it was normal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce felt a little ashamed to say it, but he added: “That girl’s problem is far worse than your ex’s—and she might hurt others physically.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The issue isn’t that. The issue is: when you met her and fell for her, didn’t you already know about this flaw?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce thought: Did he not know? He knew better than anyone—he’d even met her during her crime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t help thinking it absurd: How could he fall for a criminal? Right at the scene of her crime?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Harvey left, Bruce fell asleep from exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his dream, the dazzling lights of the jewelry store illuminated the pearl necklace scattered on the ground—then all the lights went out, as if everything had returned to that dark alley, leaving only the necklace glowing faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Batman never liked jewelry, especially anything that shimmered—like a real bat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his mind was filled with the girl holding glittering gems, smiling slyly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his drowsiness, the glow of the pearls in his memory no longer seemed so repulsive. And the dream’s final image remained a flock of shadowy bats slicing across the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Shiler was surprised to see Bruce in his counseling room. He looked Bruce up and down and said: “Your injuries are already healed? You’re walking so soon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It still hurts a little, but it’s fine. My internal organs weren’t badly damaged—they’re nearly healed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiler said: “Then I guess you won’t be wasting my coffee.” He poured himself only a cup of hot coffee. Bruce stared blankly and said: “Give me some water.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After they sat down, Bruce said: “Harvey doesn’t know my real identity—I think it’s better not to tell him yet. But I’m troubled. The woman who stabbed me keeps appearing in my dreams.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m even starting to resist putting on the Batsuit. When I meet her, I don’t know what to say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiler never imagined Batman’s first open-hearted counseling issue would be Bruce’s teenage romantic troubles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone knows, in the comics, Batman and Catwoman are soulmates. Writers pour endless ink into their love story. Indeed, a Dark Knight burdened by blood feuds and a cunning, beautiful criminal—even against Gotham’s darkest backdrop—still draws legions of readers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiler said: “It seems Harvey already tried to counsel you—but it didn’t help?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Harvey’s right. I knew she was a thief before I fell for her. I even met her while she was stealing from the jewelry store. I don’t understand how I could fall for a criminal—it’s ridiculous…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiler said: “What do you think made you become Batman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce thought a moment and said: “Many things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what do you think made her become a thief?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re sulking over a woman’s past and family without knowing a single thing about them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you sure you truly like her—or are you just craving a romantic one-night stand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I haven’t even slept with her,” Bruce said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I applaud your innocence?” Shiler said, then his gaze dropped to Bruce’s side. “You haven’t slept with her, and she already stabbed your kidney. I’m starting to worry about your safety.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I talk to her?” Bruce asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiler sighed: “You like the thief—so why talk to me? If you like someone, go talk to them. Understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiler said, exasperated: “What do you think dating is? Two people running around Gotham’s rooftops for days without even knowing each other’s parents? You don’t sleep with her, you don’t date her, you know nothing about her—if I were her, I’d stab you too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce paused, then said: “Fine. I’ll go talk to her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Batman caught Catwoman again at an exhibition hall. Though he knew nothing of her past or family, he had a perfect grasp of her habits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Catwoman saw him, cursed under her breath, and tried to flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn’t escape. Batman grabbed her cape again. She cursed, took a deep breath, and turned: “Let go of me, you freak! Don’t make me use my knife!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Batman said: “Let’s talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s there to talk about? Don’t interfere with my work!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten minutes later, they stood on the exhibition hall’s rooftop. Catwoman waved her hand helplessly: “Alright, alright, my little boy. What do you want to talk about? Give me a lecture? I’ve memorized all your moralizing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. I just want to hear your story.” Batman said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Catwoman was surprised. She paused, glanced at the pointed ears atop his cowl, and said: “Fine. Since you’ve got some taste in costumes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I come from the eastern slums—you know, the biggest, messiest one. My mother drank, my father used drugs. But I was lucky—I never got hooked. I grew up with an old madam, a retired acrobat. She taught me a lot. Of course, she had a terrible temper—I got beaten often—but I learned real skills.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When she tried to sell me to some stinking middle-aged man, I ran away. I was twelve.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then some nosy orphanage insisted I live there. I said fine, I’ll go. Later, someone wanted to adopt me—but I angered the staff, and he tried to abuse me. So I stole his diamond necklace and ran again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I met a thief boss—we called her Lucky Mom. She trained girls like me to steal for her. I had acrobatic training and decent skills. She loved me best.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it didn’t last. She found the diamond necklace I’d hidden on me—you know, it was worth a fortune, enough for her to retire. She demanded I hand it over. I refused. So I ran again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Later, I met a sister named Maggie. She was kind to me. But her boyfriend beat her and wanted to kill her. When he moved to do it, I killed him—and became wanted. I didn’t want to drag Maggie down, so I wandered alone. But sometimes, when I made money, I sent some back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s it. A plain story. Not exciting. Probably not as thrilling as yours, right, Big Hero?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Batman was silent. He said: “Not exciting? Not exciting enough?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Catwoman shook her head. “Oh, I forgot—you grew up in the rich district. Your people probably all went to school in order, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But not where I’m from. In a whole neighborhood, there weren’t two or three students. My mother loved me, but alcohol controlled her. She spent more time on her cats than on me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My parents couldn’t afford to send me to school. My neighbors were the same. If one parent was sober, that was already good—barely kept you from starving. I heard of parents both drunk, their child climbing onto the stove and getting burned alive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, our childhoods were all similar. The lucky ones, like me, learned a trade. Best outcome? Work for the mob. If you became a casino dealer? That was a prestigious job. Maggie’s boyfriend was a casino enforcer—he was wildly popular. Several hostesses clung to him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, Lucky Mom wasn’t bad to me. Sometimes she acted like a real mother. When I brought her lots of jewels, she praised me—even gave me candy. Of course, she beat or yelled at kids who failed to steal. But to me, they were just young. A few more years of training and they’d be fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Catwoman spoke in a light, lively tone, her story broken but vivid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like when she practiced acrobatics and first fell off a rooftop, landing on a man. The unlucky drunk had just stolen fifteen dollars from someone—and now it was in Catwoman’s hands. She used it to buy food for her mother’s cats and got a kiss in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Batman said nothing. He listened quietly. Catwoman paused, then looked at him: “Alright, alright. I know this story disappoints you. I didn’t have a fancy college life, don’t understand your career goals. We’re from different worlds. Rich people probably find slum life disgusting, right? Sounds filthy and chaotic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Batman’s voice was low. “No. This is the most fascinating story I’ve ever heard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Catwoman raised an eyebrow. “You’re sweet. You’re making me blush. Honestly, I’m glad. Few people want to hear this. Maggie’s health is poor—she can’t go out. When we talk, she prefers hearing about my adventures in the rich districts—about the dresses and necklaces of wealthy ladies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Batman asked: “Do you really love jewelry so much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I knew you’d ask that,” Catwoman said, winking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At first, it was just because these jewels got me better treatment from Lucky Mom. I didn’t want to get beaten.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But when she demanded that diamond necklace, I realized—I loved the glow itself, not how much money it could bring. The thought of her selling these treasures made me ache.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That enchanting shimmer—especially under light—is the most beautiful thing in the world! My lifelong dream is a giant castle, filled with nothing but these dazzling gems…” Her voice grew lighter, as if bubbles of joy were rising.\u003C\u002Fp>",1721,"2026-06-20T16:39:12.484Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c342f820d62582f0b19473ad26b41722d66178b8cad71b46815cbefa80a96687","my-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel-chapter-42","my-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel-chapter-40",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel-cover.jpg"]