Catherine

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Catherine (凯瑟琳)
Alias(es)	“Shining Girl”; “Flower of the Common People”; “Lizard Catherine” 725 934 2863
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Federal Government; Progressive Party; York Gang 2575 2847
Occupation/Role	Politician; former Presidential Palace intern, City Councilor, Mayor, Governor, Senator, Federal President, and Consul 725 1912 2575 2855 2973
Status	Alive 3233

Political Career

Office / Stage	Chapter	Notes
Presidential Palace Intern	725	Selected after a screening process and began an internship lasting from three months to one year; the public quickly labeled her the “Shining Girl.”
Sabine City Councilor	1074 1399	Began her political career through the Angel Education Fund and later learned the practical complexity of local politics, lobbying, and competing interests.
Campaign Office Staffer	1440 1462	Accepted a role in Mr. Truman’s Campaign Office while retaining her City Councilor position, gaining access to senior political figures and campaign experience.
Mayor	1912	Served three years as a City Councilor and then at least three years as Mayor, building a record in education, environmental protection, and employment.
Governor of the Federal Second Special State	1970 2087	Governed the reconstructed Nagaril special state centered on Slem; initially struggled with local resistance and an insufficient political team.
Federal Senator	2575	Became the first female Senator in Federal Congress after her four-year gubernatorial tenure.
Federal President	2855	Won the General Election by a wide margin as the first female President in Federal history; survived a shooting during her victory celebration.
First Consul	2973	Was unanimously elected First Consul after the Federal Government centralized its remaining authority.

Background / History

Catherine grew up in a poor family in a dangerous neighborhood. When her father lost his job, her salary of 225 dollars became the household’s only reliable income. She understood that her family’s limited education and social position had narrowed their opportunities. 126

When her mother sought help from Luo Mu, who offered Catherine’s father warehouse work in exchange for Catherine’s companionship, Catherine rejected the arrangement. She accused her parents of contradicting the values they had taught her and left home rather than be treated as a bargaining chip. 127

She later sought Lin Qi’s help. Lin Qi arranged for her father to work, encouraged her to continue studying, and offered to fund her education. Catherine chose an agreement under which she would work for him for ten years after graduation; he also gave her a gold ring marking their friendship. 128 131

Catherine entered university as a diligent, thrifty student and completed a year-long internship at the Presidential Palace. Her modest family background and work ethic made her a prominent public figure, though she remained aware that many people approached her for access to the power associated with her position rather than for herself. 725 790

Appearance

Catherine’s presentation changes with her social position, but she retains practical habits from her earlier life. As a student, she favored casual clothes; as a Senator and national politician, she adopts serious, neutral formalwear suited to the expectations placed on women in Congress. 935 2710

• Wore jeans, a pink cartoon-print T-shirt, and a white silk hair scarf tied into a bow at a youth party. 935
• Later appeared in a camel coat and high-necked wool sweater that emphasized her curvy figure. 2505
• Wears neutral, dignified clothing in Congress rather than ornate or revealing fashion. 2710
• Retains a naturally aging appearance and has not undergone the digital-life surgery chosen by her parents. 3233

Personality

Catherine is strong-willed, restrained, and unwilling to sacrifice her dignity for financial security. Even while her family faced poverty, she refused to become dependent on Luo Mu’s favor or to let her parents decide her future for her. 126 127

Her entry into politics makes her more ambitious and pragmatic. She learns to value public image, authority, political language, and alliances, but she remains troubled by corruption, gender discrimination, and the possibility that enterprises could replace public institutions without accountability. 821 2689 2783

Despite becoming accustomed to power, Catherine retains concern for ordinary people. She chooses to remain with the population during a crisis rather than leave for safety, believing she should help those most in need. 2757

Abilities & Skills

Political Communication and Public Image

Catherine’s greatest political asset is her credible grassroots identity. Her disciplined public life and willingness to speak plainly make her relatable to voters who distrust elite politicians. 821 934

• Maintained a tightly controlled routine of library study, exercise, home cooking, and avoiding nightlife while under media scrutiny. 934
• Defused rumors about her school years and education during a televised interview, helping her campaign reach more than 90% public support. 2831
• Reframed the “Lizard Catherine” conspiracy meme into a public bridge rather than rejecting it, making herself more approachable without abandoning political distance. 2863 2864
• Her public persona relies heavily on her status as an ordinary woman from the lower class; opponents repeatedly attempt to undermine it through rumors about Lin Qi’s support. 2829 2831

Governance and Political Judgment

Catherine develops from a politically inexperienced Councilor into an officeholder able to handle state and federal responsibilities independently. 1399 2051

• Learned to distinguish political messaging from literal disclosure, such as emphasizing case-clearance rates rather than crime rates. 821
• Addressed veteran employment by proposing that military service be recognized as work experience, earning increased prestige among veterans. 2820
• Developed and defended a three-line management model dividing authority among the Federal Government, enterprises, and the people. 2845
• Made independent decisions as Governor after Lin Qi deliberately refused to direct her work, allowing her to establish her own authority. 2051
• Initially lacked the political network and experienced staff available to figures such as Ms. Tracy, leaving her dependent on outside assistance during Nagaril’s reconstruction. 1971

Courage Under Pressure

Catherine repeatedly faces hostility as a woman in politics, including protests, attacks, kidnapping, and an assassination attempt. 2603 2855

• Faced five or six attacks from opponents of women entering Congress and gradually learned to endure the threat. 2603
• During the Capitol hostage crisis, used Lin Qi’s coded instruction about medicine to reach her office and help create an opening for the rescue operation. 2675 2676
• Attempted to negotiate with the hostage-taking officer and insisted that problems should be solved rather than escalated. 2670
• Survived being shot during her presidential victory celebration and returned before the public in a wheelchair. 2855 2857

Equipment / Personal Items

• Gold ring — Given by Lin Qi after she accepted his education-and-employment agreement; it bears an inscription and is slightly too large for her. 131
• “Lizard Catherine Lizard” brooch — Worn publicly after conspiracy theories portrayed her as a lizard person; the brooch became a popular symbol among the public. 2864

Relationships

• Lin Qi — Former schoolmate, long-term partner, benefactor, and political mentor. He funds her education, guides her political rise, and publicly states that she would be his only choice if he marries. 131 821 2830
• Catherine’s parents — Her father’s unemployment triggers the family crisis that reconnects Catherine with Lin Qi. Later, her father works for Lin Qi, while her mother retires and operates a small neighborhood shop. 126 2051
• The Professor — Catherine’s teacher, mentor, political adviser, and closest political ally. Their relationship lasts more than a decade and is described as familial. 1462 2505 2643
• Ms. Tracy — Feminist political figure and early supporter whose influence helps Catherine establish a female political constituency; later runs against Catherine in the presidential election. 821 2800
• Senator Landon — Senate colleague and York Gang associate who recognizes Catherine’s importance to Lin Qi’s long-term political plans. 2575 2603
• President Conner — Political ally who supports Catherine’s presidential campaign and later discusses her future position with Lin Qi. 2689 2800
• Penny — A former romantic rival who recognizes Catherine as Lin Qi’s foremost partner; their later interactions remain polite but strained by their shared history. 2505 2596

Story Role / Major Arcs

Family Crisis and Return to Lin Qi

Catherine’s story begins with her family’s economic collapse and her refusal to exchange her autonomy for Luo Mu’s assistance. Her decision to seek out Lin Qi becomes the turning point that gives her access to education and a path beyond her original circumstances. 126 127 128

Education and Presidential Palace Internship

With Lin Qi’s support, Catherine studies, enters university, and earns a Presidential Palace internship. Public attention transforms her from an unknown student into the “Shining Girl” and later the “Flower of the Common People.” 725 934

Entry into Politics

Lin Qi steers Catherine toward a Sabine City Councilor position, arguing that her ordinary background and support among feminists give her a political base unavailable to most newcomers. Catherine learns how power, image management, and capital influence local government. 821 1080 1399

Mayor and Governor of Nagaril

After accumulating experience through a campaign office and mayoral service, Catherine becomes Governor of the Federal Second Special State. She confronts reconstruction delays, local elites seeking additional benefits, and the burden of governing without an established political machine. 1462 1970 1971

Her tenure in Nagaril establishes her national credentials. The state’s tax revenue reaches 7% of total Federal tax revenue in its final year under her administration, strengthening her position before entering Congress. 2572

Senator and Presidential Candidate

Catherine becomes the first female Senator in Federal history and faces escalating misogynistic opposition, including repeated attacks. As a presidential candidate, she uses her grassroots persona, feminist support, and televised debates to counter attacks from the Conservative Party. 2575 2603 2831 2845

Federal President and Consul

Catherine wins the General Election as the first female Federal President, survives a shooting at her victory party, and turns the resulting public mythology into the “Lizard Catherine” persona. She is later unanimously elected First Consul during the Federal Government’s transition toward enterprise-led rule. 2855 2863 2973

Later Years

As a former President, Catherine remains involved in high-level corporate and political affairs. She argues that Aurora’s artificial nature may make its use of power more predictable and humane than that of human rulers. 3181

As she grows older, Catherine considers—but has not committed to—the surgery that would preserve her consciousness digitally, despite both of her parents having undergone it. 3233

Notable Quotes

“You've told me since I was little not to sell my body for money, but today you've done something shameful.” 127

“I just did what I was supposed to do, and I can only represent myself, not others.” 2665

“No matter how many times I am knocked down, I will get back up, for our Dream!” 2571

Trivia

• Catherine’s five-dollar bag and her family’s salvaged furniture emphasize the poverty of her early life. 126
• She originally planned to complete a local media internship, receive a favorable evaluation, and spend the rest of the year studying in the library. 719
• Her relationship with Lin Qi began in school after she first positioned herself as his “brother” and confidante. 937
• Catherine was thirty-five years old when she served as a Federal Senator. 2596