[{"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-43":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},2322611,4544,"Chapter 43: A New Job Offer","my-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel-chapter-43",43,"\u003Cp>In a small bar on the edge of Gotham City’s southern wealthy district, Schiller squeezed a dash of lemon juice into his prepared gin, raised the glass, and said to Gordon, “Congratulations, Detective. At least now you can act according to your own will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce, across the round table, also raised his glass; Harvey lifted his and added, “Definitely worth celebrating—you’re the most upright cop I’ve ever met.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four clinked glasses; Gordon took a sip, his face flushed—whether from excitement or alcohol, he couldn’t say—and said, “The more I think about it, the more I realize how far I still have to go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce said, “Progress is always good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schiller smiled, covering his mouth with his glass before saying, “Is that so? Seems our recent innocent little boy has made great progress?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce set down his glass and replied, “I recall you once told me you had no advice to offer on my personal romantic life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I also warned you to take care of your kidneys—I mean, protect them, not just avoid getting stabbed. The view on Tricke Street is quite nice; those neon lights are famous all along the East Coast...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gordon’s gaze flicked between the two, then he raised an eyebrow. “What are you two hinting at?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing. I just advise you to mind your own business in the future—some people have excessive confidence in their kidney function.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gordon understood at once. “So Bruce’s romantic life has been lively lately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schiller put down his glass and smiled. “Quite the opposite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey knew some of the details; he nudged Bruce. “Looks like you’ve made rapid progress with that girl you mentioned—how’s it going? Have you two officially gotten together?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gordon perked up instantly. Bruce rubbed his temple, meeting the three expectant, gossip-hungry stares, and said, “Stop it, stop it—what does it matter? It’s my private matter. Tonight’s celebration is for Gordon’s promotion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think the Commissioner position at Gotham PD is less worth celebrating than your world-famous billionaire friend landing a new girlfriend,” Gordon said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a bit exaggerated—after all, the world’s richest man has had too many girlfriends,” Schiller said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the Commissioner is no more useful than any ordinary cop,” Gordon scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce was exasperated. “Fine, I admit it—I’ve fallen for a girl... No, not like that—not because of her looks or figure... Oh, she’s certainly beautiful, and her figure is amazing, but it’s not...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gordon and Harvey both wore expressions of “you don’t need to explain.” Harvey added, “At your age, I thought every girl I liked wasn’t because of her looks—but now I know that’s bullshit. Every man in the world says that, and it’s all bullshit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gordon tugged at his tie. “So there really is a girl who’s made Bruce fall truly in love? I’d really like to see who this mystery woman is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce said, “She’s not special at all—just a girl from the slums, like any ordinary girl, fond of shiny jewels and trinkets, dreaming of a castle piled high with gems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schiller asked, “Do you prefer German or French castles? I think Neuschwanstein isn’t bad—should we buy it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce snapped his glass in frustration. “I’m not courting her! I’m serious—don’t look at me like that. I admit I used to be... well, not just a little... but I truly intend to marry her—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re not facing her now. No need for pretty words.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schiller quickly cut off Bruce’s flag—could anyone say that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t really matter—Batman was the protagonist. If the protagonist said it, it probably wouldn’t backfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce took a sip of his drink, unusually excited. “We’ve officially gotten together. We’ve been dating for several nights straight. She gave me a beautiful gem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about you? Didn’t you give her anything?” Harvey asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce said, “I’m still thinking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a bit rude,” Harvey said. “Are you looking down on her slum origins? Forgive me, but not everyone is as lucky as you. I think, at least for you, class shouldn’t block love...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t think that at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if you don’t quickly give her a meaningful gift, she might think that,” Schiller said. “Any slum girl dating a world-famous billionaire would naturally lack confidence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine,” Bruce said. “What should I give her? I’ve thought for hours and can’t decide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey didn’t know Catwoman’s true identity—he didn’t know Bruce was Batman, nor their history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Schiller knew everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schiller said, “How about a string of pearls?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruce tightened his grip on the glass, took a sip, and said, “I must admit, I don’t care much for pearl necklaces—but if she likes them, I’ll give her the finest one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the gathering ended, Schiller returned to his apartment and cleaned himself up, removing the stench of alcohol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schiller’s Chuansuo  between DC and Marvel wasn’t without reason. Coming to DC, he wanted to let Marvel’s plot unfold naturally, but also to timely resolve matters here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a cautious man—he preferred every matter to have a beginning and an end. Though the old headmaster’s escape from prison surprised him, his original purpose in returning was to clean up the loose ends left by the Jonathan case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old headmaster had become Batman’s target; Schiller had no intention of interfering—for now. But there was another person: the missing Commissioner Victor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schiller knew Sal Maroni had kidnapped him. Still, Maroni wouldn’t necessarily kill him. A former police commissioner could yield plenty of useful information. With Maroni’s massive losses, he wouldn’t let Victor die easily—unless he could recoup his losses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Schiller had to kill Victor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early in the Jonathan case, Schiller lacked power. When stealing the fear toxin, he’d used only the simplest method: burglary. But he couldn’t make it entirely traceless. Though he erased 99% of the evidence, he had to eliminate the remaining 1% chance of discovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor had entered the evidence room multiple times trying to clear Jonathan’s name. This old cop was the only person who might expose Schiller’s theft of the fear toxin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Jonathan was locked in Arkham, the classic version of concentrated fear toxin had become extinct. But due to Maroni’s massive losses, many gangsters now coveted this weapon. If anyone revealed who stole the fear toxin, the gangs would swarm like sharks smelling blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schiller had planned to visit Maroni—but before he could, an unexpected person came to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schiller followed a black-clad man into a car. A man in a suit in the front seat said, “Professor Schiller, you needn’t fear. The Don summoned you because he needs your help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The extended luxury car soon arrived at a manor just south of the district. Schiller followed his guide inside. The manor’s decor was old-fashioned. He ascended to the third floor, where the guide knocked. A deep voice replied, “Enter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schiller stepped in and saw a tall man—or rather, an elder. His hair was silver-gray, dressed in a proper suit with a bowtie, a red poppy pinned to his breast pocket, radiating quiet authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He traced his ring and said to Schiller, “Professor Rodriguez, I apologize for the intrusion. I’ve asked you here because I need your help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am honored to serve you, Don Falcone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schiller stepped forward, stopping a table’s length from Falcone. Behind him stood a floor-to-ceiling window; on either side stood two black-clad bodyguards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Falcone said nothing, merely nodded, then stated his request directly: “I have a son. He’s old enough now. My family and business require him to inherit. I wish to hire you as his tutor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Schiller could ask anything, Falcone added: “His previous tutor was shot three times in the chest and didn’t survive. I heard you can make Bruce Wayne turn in his homework on time—you seem like a good candidate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, I’m not threatening you. I know you’ve caused minor trouble in Metropolis. Some people followed the scent here—but they’re all in the sewers now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this my sincerity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schiller looked at Falcone—he resembled the early DC comics’ portrayal of this mob boss. Falcone’s inspiration came from Corleone in The Godfather, the character portrayed by Marlon Brando.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the jacket-wearing, odd-sunglasses-wearing Falcone of films and TV, this elder truly looked like the patriarch ruling Gotham’s vast criminal empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. But I have one condition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The former police commissioner has gone missing...” Schiller said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want to find him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. I want to kill him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Falcone sat down, took a cigar offered by a servant, lit it, exhaled smoke slowly, and said, “Victor... I know him. A clever old conman. What grudge do you hold against him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In Gotham, you don’t need a grudge to kill someone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Falcone smiled, cigar in hand. “You’ll make a fine tutor.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1445,"2026-06-20T16:39:12.484Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","544687d23711946fd48c29a0fba5243004a1b029fa5f173a3c0aae3e7e308d10","my-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel-chapter-44","my-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel-chapter-42",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-life-as-a-mental-mentor-in-marvel-cover.jpg"]