"In theory, all emails sent by Electronic Life cannot be replied to. The email address is incorrect, and replies naturally sink into oblivion. But that's only from the human perspective. For an Electronic Life that can navigate the internet freely, whether the email actually arrives somewhere is not important, perhaps it can even see any reply you make in the input field."
Shiller stood in front of the whiteboard, tapped it with his pen, and said, "So all you need to do is reply to its message. You don't need to use sophisticated flirting techniques, just say anything. As long as it feels you're responding, that's enough."
"I just want to know, if as you said, it harassed so many red-haired women, did none of them respond?" Selina was clearly puzzled.
"It just happened to harass those who would never respond to such advances," Shiller said. "This is a paradox. When selecting targets, don't use a love-struck mind. And those who aren't love-struck won't easily fall for someone. Even if Electronic Life orchestrates a hero-saving-beauty scenario, the other party can coolly realize it's possibly a scheme and keep their distance. This has happened before."
"So if I proactively reply, won't it think I don't meet its standards?"
"That's why I said, don't flirt with it. You can totally approach from a position of interest, seeking cooperation with it. Considering your current situation, this demand is legitimate."
"Are you referring to the conflict between my brother and me? Actually, our relationship was never that great, and he can't really do anything to me."
"Then make the relationship even worse," Shiller said. "I don't believe Lex Luther is a very forgiving person. His desire for control can't be completely absent when it comes to you. You dislike his control but lack the ability to break free. Perhaps you once placed your hopes in Batman, but he currently can't fend for himself. You could seize this opportunity to have Electronic Life help you escape your predicament."
Selina shook her head and said, "I placed my hopes in Batman because I know Batman is truly a good person. Of course, Superman is too, but he suffered at my brother's hands and offers less hope than Batman. But an Electronic Life, not even a human, I'd rather choose loving kinship with my brother."
"I'm merely suggesting you use this as a pretext, so you can have topics to talk about. As for expressing your sincerity, you shouldn't need me to teach you that."
"Will it really respond to me?" Selina felt uncertain, "I mean, can it truly comprehend such complex emotions? On what basis is it judging my feelings towards my brother?"
"Perhaps it doesn't understand, but it won't admit that," Shiller laughed and said, "Its actions towards target females aim to show it as a humane Electronic Life. For example, rescuing people, guiding others' emotions. It wants to disguise itself as such and definitely won't shy away in front of you."
Seeing Selina's slightly doubtful expression, Shiller continued, "Do you know how to make others unable to leave you?"
"How?"
"First, make yourself unable to leave them."
Selina widened her eyes slightly as if hearing this idea for the first time. Shiller continued, "Treating someone as your responsibility only makes you look controlling; making yourself their responsibility, they'll most likely be willing to toil tirelessly."
"Sounds like you have quite an understanding."
"Now's not the time to discuss my personal life," Shiller tapped the whiteboard again and said, "So, put yourself in a crisis and then ask it for help, you're likely to receive a response. You might use this chance to communicate and maybe even develop some feelings."
"Someone without true love won't have much fake love," Selina said, "I can only say I'll try my best. But if it doesn't work, you'll have to resolve the issues between my brother and me—not by dealing with the two of us."
"No problem, but first you have to create trouble between you two."
"I'll handle that."
"How do you plan to do it?"
"I have two options," Selina paused for a moment and said, "Option one, I'll hire a killer to assassinate him; option two, I'll tell him I fell in love with Superman and plan to marry him."
"Choose the first one," Shiller didn't hesitate even for half a second, he said, "If you choose the second one, not even Electronic Life will be able to save you."
Selina rolled her eyes slightly. Shiller continued, "Since you're going to hire a killer anyway, why not let me do it? At least I won't be bought by Electronic Life, saving you a commission."
"Think it through, my brother is smart. He could completely recognize it's you from the method. The first assassination could be excused as strategy, but the second time, you'll truly offend him."
But Shiller slowly shook his head, "For the first assassination, I need to consider if I'd offend the target; for the second assassination, the target needs to consider where they offended me."
Selina sighed and said, "Why haven't I heard of someone like you before?"
"Precisely because you don't know, my sudden appearance has unexpected results. Think of it as Batman's hidden trump card."
"Looks like I didn't place my trust in the wrong person after all," Selina stood up and said, "Make it ruthless, otherwise, he'll come to trouble me and I'll have to pretend to fall in love with Superman. I don't want to be a third party."
After Selina left, Shiller stood in thought for a while before calling in his assistant and saying, "Prepare for the trip to Metropolis, and contact the editor-in-chief of The Daily Planet."
The next morning, Shiller stepped up The Daily Planet's stairs, shook hands with the editor-in-chief at the entrance, and said, "Good morning, Mr. Editor-in-Chief."
After the two sat down inside the room, Shiller took a sip of coffee and said, "Actually, it's not a big deal. It's just that Mr. President wants to guide the financial direction of the East Coast. Mr. Luther's policy reserve fund has attracted many financial experts. If we can interview him and complete an article on his economic views, I think it would be helpful."
The editor-in-chief was a middle-aged man with a little mustache, whose face was full of smiles. He nodded and said, "Of course, it is our honor to serve Mr. President. But, The Daily Planet is not a specialized financial publication, and we indeed don't have relevant professional reporters."
"No, no, no," Shiller shook his head and said, "Don't let professional reporters do this. Otherwise, wouldn't we go to the Financial Times? What we want is non-specialist."
The editor-in-chief showed a trace of understanding and said, "It seems you are looking for that kind of non-specialist professional."
"Yes, the less specialized the professional the better," Shiller nodded and said, "It would be best if they have no knowledge of finance but somewhat understand people's livelihood. You know, those who love to say things like 'it's a journalist's duty to reveal the truth,' 'the media's responsibility is to speak for the people,' with great compassion, fearless, and often rescue some stray cats and dogs."
The editor's smile deepened as he listened, saying, "Understood, we happen to have such a professional, he definitely won't disappoint you."
"But..." the counterpart transitioned and said, "If he writes something overly candid and offends the Luther Group, The Daily Planet will also find it difficult to handle."
"You can rest assured, Mr. President absolutely does not allow his own people to suffer losses," Shiller leaned forward and deliberately lowered his voice, saying, "A wise general never mistreats a trumpeter."
There was a flash of insight in the other's eyes, yet he still said, "If it's just us, the bugle might not be loud enough."
Shiller chuckled and said, "Though your newspaper's location is not bad, it indeed cannot compare with the Stagg Group. When I came from there, I passed through the most congested section. But speaking of it, Fifth Avenue is really a nice place, it's a pity there's no way to buy land there even if you have money."
The editor smiled and said, "Yes, unless you have a special approval."
Shiller didn't stay long at The Daily Planet. After he left, the editor's expression gradually cooled down, he cursed once, rubbed his mustache, but dared not say much more, and simply muttered, "Go call Kent for me! He's really getting lucky!"
Soon, a tall and handsome young man appeared in the editor's office. He was holding a camera, with some sweat on his forehead, and as he walked in, he asked the editor, "What's the matter?"
"The crappy article you wrote last week is completely unusable," the editor said coldly, "I originally intended to dock your pay, but I know you're dating a girlfriend and need money now. There's a good opportunity, grab it, and I'll give you a thirty percent raise."
The young man's eyes widened slightly, he asked, "What opportunity? It won't be praising those government officials again, will it?"
"Have you heard of the Luther Group? Never mind, even if you're a hillbilly from a small town, you couldn't have missed it. But you surely don't know, they've recently started some kind of policy reserve fund. We're arranging a special interview for you, you better praise Alexander Luther and his fund well."
The young man furrowed his brows deeply. The editor waved his hand at him and said, "If you still can't write an article that satisfies me, pack up and get out of here!"
The young man stubbornly shook his head and said, "I will only truthfully present the interview report and make objective judgments about its strengths and weaknesses. I won't blather like those people."
"A hillbilly is a hillbilly, if there were anyone else available, I wouldn't let you disgrace us with this task. Go prepare and buy some decent clothes; there's a car coming to pick you up tomorrow afternoon!"
The young man walked away angrily.
At noon, Lex Luther stood in his office looking at the submitted materials, he said, "The Daily Planet wants an interview about the policy reserve fund? Aren't they the Financial Times, what kind of mania is this?"
"Yes, so my suggestion is not to accept the interview. They were probably bought by some people." The assistant said calmly.
"Hold on, The Daily Planet..." Luther read the name aloud, then said, "Is there a reporter named Clark Kent in this press?"
"Do you know him? He's the reporter The Daily Planet arranged to interview you, but he's just an unknown reporter. I think they have no professionals, so they sent someone random. So it's best not to..."
"Make time for it," Luther glanced at his watch and said, "Tomorrow afternoon, I'll have the interview in my office. Have that Kent come over... No, send a car to pick him up."
The assistant looked puzzled but nodded nonetheless.
The next afternoon, wearing a slightly tight-fitting suit and glasses, Clark Kent walked into the Luthor Building, following the assistant's steps, he appeared at the door of Luther's office.
Knock, knock, knock. The office door was knocked on.
"Come in." Luther's deep voice echoed.
The door was pushed open. Equally dressed in a suit, Luther turned from the window, and upon seeing the handsome face that hadn't changed at all, nor covered any traces, he was taken aback.
"Hello, Mr. Luthor." The other nodded lightly, keeping his eyes lowered, never really looking at anyone, appearing reserved and shy, entirely different from Superman. Then, he suddenly raised his eyes, facing the light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, his eyes blue as the sky and sea.
In a split second of being stunned, time seemed to slow down. Shattered glass from a sniper bullet grazed Luther's face, reflecting his shocked expression. Suddenly, a strong breeze blew by, One Hand just inches from his temple, fiercely pinched the sharp sniper bullet like a knife into a fragment.