Be Yourself

Listening to the students still discussing Kara, Li Ang felt an indescribable rage burning inside him.

He even went so far as to think that all these people deserved to die.

The thought startled him.

This must be what they meant by "bearing a sharp blade stirs the urge to kill."

Li Ang never used to have such extreme thoughts.

But Kara had clearly saved them, only to be repaid with ingratitude... That made Li Ang furious.

Even Kara was confused. She lowered her voice and said, "Godfather, I won't disobey you again."

"I was wrong. I shouldn't have revealed my power."

Clearly, she felt she shouldn't have saved them.

Even if she alone floated up while everyone else drowned, no one could blame a little child—they'd just think she was lucky.

Hearing this, Li Ang immediately calmed down.

Though he too entertained thoughts of slaughter, that wasn't the right way to think.

Or rather, Kara shouldn't think that way.

No one wants their child to become a murderous maniac. Even if in his heart he thought she could be selfish, at least on the surface he would openly guide her to be a 'good person.'

So he immediately said to Kara, "No, Kara, you didn't do anything wrong."

He cupped her face in both hands, making her meet his eyes.

"They're the ones who are wrong, not you."

"But they all see me as a monster."

Kara said, her voice filled with grievance.

Even without her Super Hearing, she could catch their unabashed conversations.

It weighed heavily on her heart.

In that moment, the light in her eyes seemed to fade.

She was no longer that radiant, spirited girl.

Li Ang felt an inexplicable ache in his chest. He said solemnly, "Kara, don't care about what others think."

"In my eyes, you've always been the best. So never stop fighting, never stop being yourself."

Gradually, light returned to Kara's eyes.

In that moment, Li Ang seemed to understand why people wanted Superman to be a sunny, cheerful boy rather than the God of Man.

Countless times before, Li Ang had pondered what kind of person Kara should become, how to shape her character.

So he told Kara to learn restraint, to hide her abilities, to try to blend into this world.

But now, he realized he was wrong.

Kara should do what she wanted—whether that meant being sunny and cheerful or the God of Man.

As long as that was what she wanted.

Li Ang shouldn't force his own expectations onto Kara; that would only stop her from being herself.

"Mr. Li Ang, could you come here a moment?"

At that moment, Teacher Emma walked over.

Teacher Emma was a middle-aged woman in her forties, said to teach math.

Li Ang patted Kara and said to Teacher Emma, "Can you get them to quiet down?"

Li Ang's stern demeanor made Teacher Emma inexplicably nervous, so she quickly shushed those smelly kids.

Then the two of them stepped aside.

"Mr. Li Ang, I'm so sorry."

Teacher Emma's expression carried apology.

"You should be grateful."

Li Ang said in a low voice, already sensing what was coming.

"We are all grateful. Without Kara, we would have—"

"But I'm sorry, this was Principal Juliette's decision. We can no longer teach Kara."

Teacher Emma looked apologetic.

Li Ang wanted to get angry, but he knew taking it out on a teacher was pointless.

This was the principal's decision.

They were ignorant, afraid, terrified of the unknown—so much so that they didn't even dare let Kara continue attending school.

"I understand."

Li Ang said coldly, "Actually, your school is pretty bad, and it's no use for Kara."

"Sorry, Mr. Li Ang."

Teacher Emma said this and walked away.

Returning to Kara's side, Li Ang had also come to terms with it.

It wouldn't be good for Kara to keep studying here either, since everyone already knew about her specialness.

If Kara continued, she'd feel uncomfortable too.

Seeing Li Ang come back, Kara looked up and glanced at him. With her sharp ears, she had heard everything.

"It's okay."

Li Ang patted Kara.

Just then, someone else walked over.

An old acquaintance.

"Kara, how are you? I heard you did something amazing. What a good girl."

James Gordon walked straight over, crouched half in front of Kara, and patted her head.

"Really?"

Kara still had a good impression of Commissioner Gordon, because he had helped them both.

"Of course. You saved so many people. You're a hero."

Commissioner Gordon said with a smile, encouraging her.

"Thank you."

Kara spoke.

Commissioner Gordon then chuckled. "I'll borrow your godfather for a moment. I'll have Officer Judy here look after you."

He nodded toward a female officer following behind him.

So Li Ang followed him to the side.

James Gordon looked at Li Ang with a complicated expression.

"I didn't know she had that kind of ability."

Before, he had only thought Kara was cute, obedient, and sensible.

He never expected...

"This will bring trouble."

Li Ang replied.

James Gordon naturally understood, so he said, "I'll do my best to ask them not to talk about it, but it's hard to say how effective that will be. Too many people saw."

"Kara might need to change schools soon."

"I know."

Li Ang nodded.

"I'll see if I can pull some strings to get her into Louis Memorial Middle School. It's the best middle school in Gotham, but... it's best if she doesn't act special anymore."

James Gordon continued, "By the way, you don't have an identity, do you? I figured as much. You're not like those stowaways."

Gotham was a port city, and every year a steady stream of people came by ship as stowaways.

"Yes."

Li Ang nodded. He had burned all his documents.

All to avoid being tracked.

He hadn't known if it would work back then, but it seemed it had.

At least no one had come looking for him in Gotham.

Then James Gordon said, "I'll do my best to get you an identity too. And... protect Kara. Don't let Gotham corrupt her."

Gotham was a city of sin.

Even though James Gordon was the commissioner here, it was still hard for him to change much.

"But I believe Gotham will get better."

"When I first came to Gotham, it was even worse than it is now."

Commissioner Gordon spoke, giving Li Ang some confidence.

Back then, the entire police department was filled with people from the Falcone family and other gangs. The whole city, from top to bottom, was in cahoots with the mob.

At least now, the officers were much cleaner, no longer afraid of those gangs, and dared to fight back.

Li Ang knew this all too well, but they didn't have many options.

They had fled here from Ohio, and only here were they somewhat safe.

Gotham's chaos gave them convenience.

And, to some extent, they had grown accustomed to everything about Gotham.

Though Gotham was always overcast, with heavy air pollution, walking the streets meant worrying about criminals, and going out at night was out of the question...

Li Ang and Kara had no desire to leave.

They were tired of a life spent fleeing.

"Thank you, Commissioner Gordon."

"Jim."

James Gordon immediately extended his hand. "Call me Jim."