Lex keenly noticed the change in Shiller's demeanor.
This sank his heart, for he realized that this change was a negative one—Shiller was upset.
Lex immediately put down his knife and fork. He sat down, lowered his head, and said, "Professor, I'm greatly sorry for encroaching on your private time, but I'm afraid the issue of my academic progress is something we inevitably need to confront at present. We might as well sort it out here, after which we can proceed to a restaurant to finish our dinner."
Shiller came back to himself and then glanced at Lex.
He was certain that his look would exert great pressure on the other person. That kind of aloof, focused gaze could almost drag anyone into an abyss of introspection.
"I'm aware that during the entire process of finishing the subject, there's been a lack of communication between you and me. Professor Fries had pointed this out before. The invisibility of a graduate tutor during the graduation process doesn't necessarily indicate the student's excellence and independence. It could also signify that he is arrogantly taking upon himself too much or just going through the motions."
"But I believe it's not too late. You're right that addressing the academic issues with Professor Fries first is a good choice. We still have at least three months to resolve anything related to psychology and sociology. I am confident that I can get your signature on my graduation dossier before December."
Shiller practically wanted to give him a round of applause.
The reaction was perfect from beginning to end.
Previously, in the face of Shiller's fickleness and continual probing, Lex consistently expressed himself with conviction. He was not in the least bit intimidated by the contradictory topics thrown at him by Shiller. He displayed some doubts and confusion, but was completely sober and capable of rational thinking.
Later, his comments on the taste of the dish largely expressed his own feelings perfectly. He didn't painstakingly explain certain unclear things, like why exactly he liked this particular taste, and neither did he gloss over it with excuses of personal preference or privacy.
Moreover, although it seemed like he answered the multiple-choice question thrown by Shiller, in reality, he didn't answer the given options, such as why cooked dishes tasted better. From beginning to end, he didn't provide any explanation.
He simply stated that he preferred the flavor of the spices added to the cooked dishes. This was not any of the options provided by Shiller, but a topic of his own.
Not explaining is the most obvious hallmark of someone not being manipulated.
Then Shiller tried to exert further pressure. Although recalling Bruce did indeed make him somewhat angry, he could very well conceal his emotions. However, he didn't. His intention was to turn the genuine burst of anger into real pressure to further test Lex's resolve.
Lex's performance was impeccable.
He didn't complain about Shiller inviting him here for a meal only to inexplicably show his anger. Neither did he become angry towards Shiller's capriciousness, first asking him not to talk about his academics and then obviously getting angry over some issues not related to the dinner table. His emotions remained stable throughout.
The core of everything he said revolved around only one focus: problem-solving. First, he proposed a solid plan, which was to clarify everything without having a meal. After the professional problems would be solved, they would have a meal in another place.
When Shiller rejected this answer with a glance, he started to play his more crucial cards, admitting a part of his own mistakes during the graduation project. However, he wouldn't express his own feelings. Instead, he discussed the type of mistakes made by certain individuals as pointed out by Victor.
Being unrepentant and good at sophistry are often considered as faults. However, when expressed in a different way, they could be turned into foresight, responsibility, and a positive attitude.
Lex demonstrated this perfectly. He first expressed his proactive attitude towards problem-solving. Then, he elaborated that his decision to prioritize Victor's academic problem was the right choice. He conveyed an impression of, 'this is not a mistake, everything is under my control', and then gave a deadline as assurance. Finally, he subtly mentioned: who was the one who had promised to sign the next day and then reneged?
All in all, it's a classic example of being unrepentant. But his overly stable emotions and perfect responses, as a result, make the party putting forward the blame seem more oppressive and unreasonable.
This is in fact the expected reaction of a normal person who is emotionally stable, has strong self-control, and rich social experience.
What's abnormal, however, is that Shiller didn't sense any inclination to manipulate in it.
Luther indeed seemed a bit more normal than these people from Gotham, but he still was a proud genius, even prouder than Batman. Narcissistic grandees typically have a tendency to manipulate others, irrespective of whether they have actual mental illnesses or not.
Lex Luther being so innocent? Shiller didn't buy it one bit. Even in his analysis, Lex Luther of this cosmos was most certainly no pushover.
So, he might just be hiding his manipulative tendencies, and it wouldn't apply to everyone. Victor seemed to have been manipulated to some extent, as he was all praise for Lex.
That is to say, he certainly concealed this tendency in front of Shiller. Was it out of fear, biding his time, or because he had other plans?
Shiller was unsure whether he should continue probing, as there is a threshold to the level of pressure one can endure in a short period of time. Exceeding the threshold would either lead to a breakdown or numbness. The effect wouldn't be beneficial, and if it's done repeatedly in the short run, it, in reality, would amount to psychological abuse.
To cast bait and see how deep the fish hides.
Shiller sighed, also put down his cutlery and said: "I've told you, this isn't a conversation about your academics. You've disappointed me a little, Lex."
Lex looked at Shiller, and Shiller, looking into his eyes, said: "Perhaps I'm reading too much into it. I thought that your decision to choose Gotham University was at least to some extent influenced by me, or at least it was an appreciation of my academic capabilities."
"In my opinion, your talent and capability are completely sufficient to complete the majority of theoretical learning in textbooks during your undergraduate period, yet it seems you're not particularly interested,"
"Of course, during the process of postgraduate study, there are many opportunities to pursue a more professional path. However, it seems that you value the breadth of a subject rather than its depth,"
Shiller wiped his mouth and said, "Can I take it that the dual master's degrees in physics and psychology have a more significant impact on your future than I've imagined?"
Lex detected the acerbic sarcasm in the statement. Luther couldn't possibly care about dual degrees, just as someone would ridicule Wayne University for bad grades. For them, academic qualifications held utterly no significance, not even as the icing on the cake,"
However, Lex indeed felt stunned by what Shiller said. He had not expected Shiller to say such a thing.
So, was Shiller waiting for him to seek him out?
Upon understanding this, Lex wanted to say, why didn't you come to look for me?
But after giving it some thought, he felt he was being a little excessive. How could the world's top psychology expert come after an undergraduate student, urging him to pursue further studies?
Lex then felt a bit puzzled. Indeed he hadn't studied psychology very seriously, but precisely because of this, he had rarely demonstrated any talent in this area.
Even if Bruce Wayne was terrible in this field, it couldn't be said that a chicken scattering grain was better than him, could it? Or, was it that Shiller wasn't looking to teach a genius but a tycoon instead?
Lex analyzed calmly. Despite part of his emotion rising due to surpassing Wayne and the affirmation and attention from Shiller, it didn't affect his rationality at all.
"I'm very sorry." Lex lowered his head and said, "In fact, I've been planning on this all along. I can't say I'm not interested, it's just that I'm afraid the level of psychological knowledge I've encountered is too far from your professional standard. We cannot expect someone who can't walk to participate in a race."
The fish is cautious, but the fisherman is even more patient.
"If you say your level is just this, then you are telling a lie," Shiller picked up his cutlery again, began to eat methodically, while alternatively cutting food, he said, "Such survival period, amid ruthless struggles reflected by diverse mirrors showing your silhouette, has been enough for you to assess your level. Don't beat about the bush."
"I never meant to, Professor. I've just never been good at simplifying things. This is not something that can be solved by knocking on your office door and expressing my wishes."
"So what difficulties are you facing?"
Lex opened his mouth lightly, inhaled a little, pursed his lips and said, "When I met you back then, your condition wasn't good. I am not sure what happened. The contact information you left me was somewhat helpful, but due to the circumstances at the time, I was never able to dig deeper."
Almost there, Shiller thought, just one step away.
"Lex Luther, you are in no way a hesitant and frightened person. In fact, the more intelligent you are, the more arrogant you become, confident enough to find your place in any situation, anchoring your existence."
"You do something not because you believe it's like this, but because you are sure of what you are. Therefore, no matter what the situation is, as long as you take action, everything would change and be under your control."
"And you wouldn't do certain things not because you don't understand the circumstances, but because you can't find your existence in that environment. If your brilliant wisdom could not even show you where you'd end up, you wouldn't do anything."
The veins on the back of Lex's hand bulged.
"I'm sorry, Professor." After a pause, Lex lowered his eyes and said, "I guess I inadvertently mentioned some identity and position I envisioned but you never responded, then or afterwards."
"I think I take this as a rejection, which is the least mistake-prone choice. At that time, and now, I have no clues to confirm how much disrespect you would tolerate."
Hooked, Shiller thought, revealing a smile in his heart.
Shiller appreciated Lex's expression.
The fear revealed by the faintly knit brows, seemingly masked by eyelashes but actually constantly attracting attention, the hint of sadness in his eyes, the trait of anger shown by the tightly pursed lips, the cheeks raised, the corners of the eyes squeezed tight, a wry smile, reminiscent expression, they all had a common name - mind manipulation.
Too skilled, a pure recidivist. Precisely because of this, his disguise when facing the police is even more perfect. If Shiller didn't bait him purposefully, he could have kept this act going for at least ten years, until no one could challenge his superiority anymore.
Shiller was also bored, deciding not to reel in the line, but to pull it a bit first. So, he first loosened the fishing line.
"Lex, if it was me that made you unable to find your place in a certain environment, then I am sorry,"
"But I request you to answer honestly, do you feel more secure even when you are in an extremely disadvantageous position, controlled by drugs, and hurt, than living in an environment without a fixed point?"
Lex let go of the cutlery in his grasp, his arm gradually leaving the table, his body slightly leaning back on the chair with his head lowered. After a while, he nodded silently in agreement.