Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics-Chapter 4593 - 3674: New Christmas Atmosphere (11)

Selina's mental state is indeed very good, possibly because compared to Hollywood, she's definitely more suited for Gotham.

After the war began, Hollywood basically disbanded on the spot. Some of the more famous stars were persuaded by Brainiac to do propaganda work on various media: in the early stages, it was to calm people's hearts and prevent the human race from panicking too much; later, it was war mobilization, encouraging ordinary people to work hard.

Selina wasn't much of a superstar, not even considered first-tier in Hollywood, more of a newcomer, so she wasn't arranged to participate in any public opinion work and returned directly to Gotham's theater troupe to participate in plays encouraging workers and warriors.

Selina's singing voice is quite good, with a very powerful tone. The musicals she participated in were well-received, achieving even more in the theater field than in Hollywood.

The human relations in Hollywood are quite complex, and Selina was unwilling to get involved in those complications, making it naturally difficult to get ahead. But after the war started, the environment for artistic work became very pure, instead highlighting her personal abilities. Currently, every theater show she participates in is sold out, and tickets are very hard to get.

And those wealthy wives who used to trouble her and make her feel anxious, can't feel smug anymore. Most of them were housewives before, and while some had husbands with slightly better skills that could support the family, the vast majority weren't very capable. Based on abilities, they could only become physical laborers.

And they themselves are even worse off. Although wealthy wives don't need to do housework, they've been disconnected from social labor for years and are out of tune with society as a whole.

They can appreciate artwork, participate in auctions, and buy luxury goods, but asking them to work is practically a fantasy. Some have even regressed to the point where they need a calculator to figure out addition and subtraction within 100, unable to even work as cashiers, only capable of performing the simplest physical labor.

In this world, there are not that many beautiful fairy tales; the vast majority are nothing more than ordinary people. While the wealthy may have more leisure time to manage their appearance, appearance largely depends on talent; plastic surgery isn't necessarily effective, short stature doesn't get taller, and baldness genes are hard to reverse.

When their husbands had money, flaws in appearance and age could be tolerated, but once everyone became proletarians, the disparity became somewhat difficult to accept.

With the leveling of wealth disparities, innate advantages become prominent. Even Bruce can only perform the simplest physical labor, but he's young and handsome, so it's no wonder Selina is so pleased.

Shiller thinks Selina might enjoy her current life more because, under Brainiac's control, everything has become simplified: going to work according to schedule, receiving reasonable labor compensation, no need for exhausting social interactions, having a boyfriend who loves her and an adorable child; it's practically a perfect life.

Unlike the usual image Selina presents, while interacting with this famous Catwoman, Shiller noticed she's actually an introvert. All the external traits she displays are to cope with society. Considering her personality, she's the type who feels solitude is the best form of freedom.

"Are you ready to embrace married life, ma'am?" Shiller asked, looking at Selina.

"What's the difference?" Selina said a bit puzzled, "Although we aren't married yet, isn't it just a matter of legal procedures? The two of us even raised Aisha together to this age."

"It's something to consider separately." Shiller rested his arms on his knees, clasped his hands, and said, "Firstly, do you plan to have children?"

Selina thought about it and said, "I am not opposed to childbirth; if all conditions are met, then I think I could have a child."

"It seems Aisha has brought you much good memories," Shiller smiled and said, "Many people I know initially intended to have several children, but after raising one, they all gave up."

Selina immediately laughed, "Then they are very wise. Actually, when we started taking care of Aisha, she wasn't a baby anymore. We've never taken care of a baby; I don't know how terrifying it is, but I've occasionally heard some stories from my colleagues and friends."

"Do you think you're prepared?"

"Yes, I think so. If I intend to have children, I would definitely be a good mother. The poverty and danger of former Gotham didn't defeat me, so what should I be afraid of?"

"Indeed, you and Bruce don't seem to be as inexperienced as other new parents. Taking care of children might not be the most difficult thing for you. But what about Aisha? Have you considered her? Balancing the relationship between two children is not easy."

"If we decide to have a child, we would definitely seek Aisha's opinion. If she doesn't want it, then forget it; if she agrees, I will give her more love and ensure she never feels neglected. I believe Bruce would do the same."

"Moreover..." Selina hesitated for a moment, but still said, "We've been living with Aisha for so long; our relationship is better. I don't think I could establish a deeper connection with a newborn than I have with Aisha. After all, it just arrived, I don't even know it yet."

"Very interesting thought, ma'am." Shiller smiled and nodded, "If we don't consider hormonal effects, perhaps that's the case."

"Do you think I'm someone easily influenced by hormones?"

"I can't judge." Shiller said truthfully, "Pregnancy hormones and postnatal hormones are a fascinating thing; they can even make you become a completely different person in a short time. Since I'm not a woman and lack this experience, I can't jump to conclusions. But if you ever struggle with this, perhaps I can help you analyze the specific situation."

"Are you saying it'll make me unlike myself?" Selina appeared slightly worried, she said, "Will it drive me crazy, or make me very weak?"

"Generally speaking, there will be some changes, but they are based on your original personality. Many ferocious female assassins have also had children, and so have female heroes. Clearly, this hasn't changed their nature drastically. So I think you don't need to worry too much."

Selina breathed a sigh of relief: "I'll be careful, I'll try not to let hormones affect me. I don't want Aisha to think I'm biased."

"And then, are you ready for long-term cohabitation?"

"Wait, shouldn't that question be first?" Selina said, "Isn't it cohabit long-term before having kids?"

"What I mean by long-term cohabitation is: after having children, your family of three, or four or five, living together long-term, forming a complete family, and spending the latter half of your lives in this form."

"Isn't that what we're doing now?"

Shiller shook his head and said, "Your current situation is special—Bruce's adopted children are relatively older and independent; Alfred hasn't entirely aged and doesn't require your support or care; Aisha is young, but isn't fully human, not as fragile, and doesn't need to take all your energy."

"But once you decide to have a purely human infant and raise it from the beginning to adulthood, it is bound to occupy the majority of your time. And when you manage to come out of raising the child, Alfred might have already aged and need your care. Considering you two are currently proletarians, all of this depends on you. This will require you to invest most of your energy into the family, leaving less and less personal time for yourselves. Can you accept this?"

Selina didn't seem startled or upset; she only fell into thought, then said, "Actually, when I agreed to help Bruce take care of Aisha, I had already sacrificed most of my personal time. If the earlier version of me imagined this lifestyle, I might have slapped myself. I'd think this isn't what I want, I should forever be free and unrestricted."

"Thus, at some point, I seriously reflected on why I could accept this life—I think it's because the happiness I gain from them is greater than the happiness I could get from spending all time on myself."

"I don't know if I can accept spending more energy on others and compressing my personal time even further in the future. I only know, even if I don't do this, I may not be happier than I am now."

Selina spread her hands and said, "If I choose to continue being self-centered, can I continue being a thief? Or should I honestly find a job, earn money, and support myself? Whenever I think maybe things will turn out that way, I feel so regretful. Without Bruce, without Aisha, without all of you, I'd certainly be bored. Maybe I can't go back to how things were before."

"It seems you've thought this through clearly," Shiller said.

"Then can you issue me a marriage certificate, Professor?" Selina asked with a smile.

"Now that we've talked about philosophical matters, we must consider the practical ones," Shiller said, "How are you planning to get married?"

Selina was taken aback: "What do you mean, how to get married?"

"Where is the wedding going to be held? Who to invite? How to get time off work? After the wedding, should you go on a honeymoon? If you go on a honeymoon, should you take Aisha?"

Selina rubbed her face vigorously and said, "Oh my god, there are still so many things! Isn't it just registering for marriage enough?"

"Don't you want a wedding? But I think Bruce might want one, and Alfred might want to see you in a church..."

"Bruce definitely wants one!" Selina said fiercely, "He's always trying to seize every opportunity to trap me in that damned white plastic bag! It's been like this from the start!"

"There's also a more practical issue: no matter what, to complete these things, it requires cooperation from Brainiac. Will he be willing?"

"Uh, are you willing, Brainiac?" Selina asked her phone.

"I don't mind holding a wedding, but I will tailor the best wedding plan for the users to ensure the ceremony proceeds normally, with resources not wasted. Additionally, I will provide each couple with a three-day wedding leave, but no honeymoon leave. If you want a honeymoon, you'll need to use your annual leave."

"Do I have annual leave?" Selina asked.

"Yes. Your industry allows for 12 days of basic annual leave each year, which you can use now. Mr. Wayne, who is currently the Chief Scientific Research Consultant at Wayne Enterprises, has 23 days of basic annual leave..."

"Wait, his annual leave is twice as much as mine?!"

"Yes, because his work intensity is higher, the working environment is more dangerous, and the mental stress caused by labor is greater. Additionally, breaks during scientific research are more irregular. The extra annual leave days are compensation for that."

"Alright, looks like we need to discuss this seriously," Selina said, thinking, "But I need to see how he plans to propose first. If he tries to wing it, I'm not agreeing!"