bookbashuk Chapter 4339 Body of Steel (44)
Chapter 4339 Body of Steel (44)
Chapter 4339 Body of Steel (Forty-Four)
Dealing with this type of person is quite simple. The best approach is to "ask a question in return." However, the method of asking a question should be tailored to whether the person is a stranger or an acquaintance.
If you don't have much of a relationship with this person, or you've only exchanged a few words or nods, then when they ask you "Why don't you do this or that?", you can simply reply, "How did you find out? Are you paying so much attention to me?"
It might sound a bit sarcastic, but actually, it's shifting the focus to the self, conveying the message, "You're paying too much attention to me, and that's your problem." Since we're not that close, your immediate attention to my changes in personal items is clearly inappropriate, essentially pointing out a mistake. At this point, it's the other person's turn to explain.
This kind of question is actually very difficult to answer. If he affirms it, it's as if he's affirming your charm. After all, even someone you don't know very well pays so much attention to you, noticing even small things like changing household items, which shows that you are valued enough. But if he denies it, it seems a bit guilty. After all, if he notices such small details but insists on saying he didn't, it's as if he did something wrong and is deliberately trying to distance himself. He doesn't please either side.
When asked by acquaintances or close friends, you can counter with, "Don't you usually do this or that?"
Note that this isn't an aggressive question, but rather a natural one. For example, take cycling to work. If you usually take the bus but chose to cycle today, and people ask you, "Why are you cycling today?" you simply reply, "Yeah, don't you guys usually cycle?"
At this point, everyone starts talking to themselves. Some say they don't know how to ride, some say riding a bike is too troublesome, and some talk about the advantages of their chosen mode of transportation.
A closer look reveals that the answer was irrelevant; after all, when asked why you suddenly changed today, you not only didn't answer but also made another assumption, leaving the other person to explain. However, this naturally shifts the topic, drawing everyone's attention from "you" to "cycling," easily relieving the pressure.
This is also a good way to avoid other people's questions. No matter what question someone asks, you can use this trick. For example, instead of "Have you eaten?", you can ask, "What did you eat for lunch?" It seems like you're talking about the same thing, but the focus has shifted from "you" to "eating" itself. It doesn't sound abrupt and avoids answering the question.
Conversely, this can also be used to prevent others from avoiding the issue. If you suddenly find that the topic has shifted from the person you were targeting to a specific issue, it means someone is changing the subject. At this point, absolutely do not go along with their change of topic; directly attack that person. Ignore others' opinions on the issue; only emphasize that person's attitude towards it.
In short, social struggles are always a zero-sum game. If you don't want to exhaust your own emotions, you have to exhaust others'. If you don't completely deplete others' emotions, they will definitely find a way to exhaust yours. So everyone can only rely on their own abilities, first strengthening their own defenses, and then relentlessly attacking the weaker party's strong leg. Once you've exhausted the other person's energy, you'll have peace and quiet.
Schiller roughly understood what Lois was trying to do. It was actually quite simple: Superman was becoming too popular, which wasn't a good thing for him.
It may sound absurd, but if a person is both powerful and assertive, then whatever happens to them will generate a huge amount of discussion.
It could even be said that a person who is strong and independent enough is always someone to be wary of. Whether it's envy or suspicion, the general public will never completely like such a person, because they will feel that such a person is out of control of society.
Ordinary people form societies for mutual support and comfort, but sometimes it's also to control overly powerful individuals, binding them to the group and partially compelling them to contribute to society. However, if someone is powerful enough but lacks social skills, people feel they cannot be controlled by social rules, and consequently perceive such a person as a threat to society.
Conversely, if a person is strong but also socially adept—for example, having a family and children, having hobbies like ordinary people, and having things they desperately want in society, even mundane things like fame and fortune—people will feel at ease because they need this society. Naturally, they won't do anything that excessively harms society.
Superman, in people's previous understanding, was clearly the kind of person who was strong but had little social interaction. No one knew where he came from, whether he had relatives or friends, what his hobbies were, or what he wanted to pursue by joining human society.
So, if his true identity were ever revealed, it would absolutely cause an uproar. People would think, "No wonder you're so socially awkward; you don't belong here at all. You're an outsider, so we can't trust you any more."
For ordinary people, this is a perfectly normal thought, because it is this kind of thinking that has enabled them to build society and develop it into what it is today. This is the primal instinct upon which ordinary people rely for survival, and we cannot deny this instinct just because Superman is not actually malicious. In fact, throughout the long history of human development, this vigilance has helped human society survive several calamities.
In this situation, the best approach is to strengthen Superman's social aspect. Let people feel that he also has concerns, weaknesses, and a desire to continue living in society, rather than being fearless and capable of blowing up the earth at any moment.
Lois wanted something even more extreme. She wanted to diminish Superman's subjectivity, or rather, to label him as someone else's appendage in the public sphere.
Even Schiller had to admit that the idea was quite audacious. This was Superman, a man born to be the protagonist, and now you want to turn him into someone's appendage? That's no easy feat.
However, this can be quite effective. Even if someone is labeled this way only for a short period, things about them won't be taken very seriously. As mentioned before, when someone is seen as an accessory, people won't pay much attention to them.
For Superman to be labeled as an accessory, someone else closely related to him must, within a certain period of time, cause an even bigger stir than him.
This is another version of the open window theory. Superman's origins may be worth discussing, but if there's another, more sensational story, then whether he's human or alien becomes less important.
"I don't believe the military has that kind of news sensitivity; they've made enough fools of themselves already. I bet they won't be able to react. My plan will succeed."
“Well, madam, your wisdom amazes me. So, what can I do for you?”
Louise took a paper packet containing cash from her bag and placed it on the table, then said, "I need a little bit of poison, the kind that's very mild but can cause serious adverse reactions. Ideally, it shouldn't leave any lasting effects."
Schiller looked knowing and then said, "No problem. But do you think it's worth it?"
Lois actually thought about it seriously for a moment, and then said, "Back then, I was also a newcomer with dreams of becoming a journalist. I felt that I could speak out for justice and advocate for the people. But over the years, I haven't done much good and haven't made any real contribution to society. Even if it's just to fulfill one of my dreams from back then, I want to protect Superman. I believe he won't let me down."
These words were somewhat unexpected by Schiller. He had assumed Louise would talk about her feelings for Clark, but upon reflection, he understood. Louise was a woman with an exceptionally strong sense of self, not someone driven by romantic feelings. She was doing these things primarily for her own benefit. It seemed that Clark would have to do even better to win her over.
That night, it snowed in the metropolis. A car pulled up in front of the apartment building, Louise got out, took her things from the car, and went into the building. She could see her mailbox light on in the distance, so she went over, opened the mailbox, peeked inside, and then took out a small paper package.
A small packet also had an instruction manual attached to the back, detailing the ingredients and dosage. Louise took out her phone, dialed a number, and said, "Hello? Dr. Dean? I have something here that I'd like to send to your lab for testing. Yes, it's evidence found in a case. Okay, I'll send it over tomorrow."
The next day at noon, Louise, sitting in her office, opened her sandwich while looking at the test report next to her. Then, while eating, she made a phone call and said, "Happy Dog, you damn bastard, how are you doing lately? Still inhaling that cheating singer's exhaust fumes?"
"Alright, I don't have time to listen to your rambling. Call your buddies, and meet us tomorrow at noon on the rooftop of that building on the street west of the Metropolitan Museum of Art..." Louise said, twirling her pen. "Don't worry, it'll be big news. You know Superman, right?"
"Of course, of course it's tabloid news, otherwise why would I contact you? You just need to set up your cameras and capture his movements and expressions from every angle, and I guarantee you'll make a fortune."
The next day at noon, Louise drove to the vicinity of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was downtown, and even at midday, the traffic was heavy. She looked around the street, and then, looking up, she saw a low apartment building with a dark head peeking out from its roof, next to several telephoto lenses. Louise gave them a thumbs-up.
But then, a sudden change occurred. A terrifying monster descended upon the skies above the metropolis. Just as the group on the rooftop was about to flee, Louise picked up her phone and yelled, "You fucking bastard! If you dare run away, I'll send the evidence of your infidelity to your mobster father-in-law! Let's see if he doesn't skin you alive!!!"
Lois yelled as she observed the situation in the sky, noticing Superman falling several times, and her breathing became rapid. However, Superman quickly turned the tide. Lois hurriedly turned back and ran to the spot she had previously scouted.
Unfortunately, a group of police officers arrived at that moment. Louise quickly hung up her badge, picked up her camera, and went over to chat with them. Most of the Metropolitan Police officers knew her, and they wanted some accident photos to help them with their reports. Louise and they had a pleasant conversation.
Just then, Clark appeared on the street. Louise pretended to have just spotted him and rushed over, throwing herself into his arms.
Of course, when she looked up, she saw the strikingly white eyeballs on the dark head upstairs; the person's eyes were clearly about to pop out of their sockets.
However, these paparazzi were professionals; despite their shock, they snapped photos like crazy. Luckily, there were other reporters taking pictures nearby, which prevented Clark from noticing.
Then, Louise led Clark back to her studio. She sat down at the computer, glanced at the glass of water beside her, but her tone remained calm as she began to explain how to help Clark stabilize public opinion.
She took a sip of water, but several seconds passed without any reaction. Louise sighed inwardly and took another large gulp, only then feeling nauseous and dizzy.
She immediately collapsed and vomited. Seeing Clark's panicked expression, Louise felt a pang of guilt for the first time.
(End of this chapter)