At H City's central square, the crowd was packed to the brim. The city's super idol group, the Shishen Family, prepared for their brand-new concert here.
Backstage, inside a makeup van, the Shishen Family members chatted with their agent.
"This time, we've hired D-class criminal Man-Eater," the agent smiled at Shishen. "Don't worry—nothing like last time will happen again."
"Are you sure?" Shishen asked cautiously, recalling his painful memory of being soundly defeated by a hired criminal before.
"He's only D-class," the agent said. "Even if he rampages, your strength should handle him easily." He paused, listening to the growing cheers outside. "Time to take the stage."
"Understood. Brothers, let's go!" Shishen and his members walked onto the stage together.
"Hello everyone! We are the Shishen Family!!"
"Shishen! Shishen! Shishen!" Cheers surged below, mixed with young girls' screams.
As the concert peaked, a man in the front row—face hidden under a hat—suddenly swelled. A giant shark head emerged from the crowd.
Instant chaos erupted.
"Shishen Family? I hate you all! Today, you'll be my next meal!" Man-Eater roared at the stage.
The crowd didn't flee. They switched to spectator mode.
In this era, super heroes were everywhere and super villains as common as stray dogs. People were used to seeing heroes fight minor monsters on their commute. District C was worse—once, a villain fled from fearless onlookers before heroes arrived.
On stage, music played on. Shishen leaped down with a suave move. His companions kept playing energetic tunes.
"Dare to show here? Prepare for righteous Judgment!" Shishen shouted into the mic.
"I've heard Shishen is powerful. Today, I'll test you," Man-Eater growled.
"My turn to perform!" Shishen yelled to the audience instead.
"Shishen! Shishen! Shishen!" Fan cheers intensified wildly.
"Think this scares me?" Man-Eater charged. Shishen calmly struck a pose that would make girls scream.
"Witness Shishen's power!" He readied his move.
But as he lifted his leg, a giant spike mace crashed down on Man-Eater's head.
Man-Eater lay unconscious on the ground.
"Done," Lin Jie said, glancing at the fallen villain.
"Him again!" Shishen stared blankly, frozen mid-kick. *Last time too, he ruined my show!*
"Fight's over. Time to go home and watch new anime," Lin Jie called, running off. He turned back, flashing Shishen an eerie smile.
*He gave me that look on purpose! But I never offended him... Why does he always appear at my H City shows?* Shishen's mind churned.
"That's Mace Warrior from the Stain Remover Team!" a spectator recognized Lin Jie.
"The D-class member?" another asked.
"Exactly. See that spike mace? Only he uses it in H City."
Their words made Lin Jie stumble mid-run.
*Screw "Mace Warrior"! Your whole family are maces!* he fumed inwardly. *And "Stain Remover Team"? When did we get this lame name? Has Xiao Zhan's censored Stain Remover Rod become our symbol? Will we endorse adult stores next? ...Actually, not bad...*
While Lin Jie's imagination ran wild, Shishen—still frozen—also spiraled.
*D-class hero? Malicious competition! He's sabotaging me for faking fights with hired criminals. Definitely.*
But Shishen's thoughts meant nothing to Lin Jie. He only craved anime at home.
...
Home, Lin Jie entered his room.
"Watching new anime alone with cola is pure bliss," he sighed, sipping his drink.
Lin Wan worked at a research institute, busy with doctoral exams. She was often out early and back late. Little Mu Mu attended a special academy for superpowered children.
Time slipped by as Lin Jie idled.
"Time to pick up Mu Mu," he checked his watch.
At the academy, he saw a scene.
"Mu Mu, look—this puppy's so pitiful," a little girl said to Lin Mumu.
"Yeah," Lin Mumu replied.
A cardboard box sat beside them. Inside, a months-old puppy gazed with heart-melting eyes. The box read: "Seeking adoption. Keeps you warm at night."
"It's so sad," the girl said. "Mu Mu, can you adopt her?"
Lin Mumu hesitated. "Sister Lin won't agree. She's exhausted. Bringing a dog home would anger her."
"My mom refuses too—says it's troublesome," the girl pouted. "Adults are the worst."
"What do we do?" Lin Mumu asked.
"I don't know. We can't abandon it. Boys might bully it," the girl fretted.
Seeing her friend's distress, Lin Mumu placed her hand on the ground. She pulled out an earth-made longsword.
"Brother Lin says: when things get too troublesome, chop first," she declared, aiming at the puppy.
"Mu Mu!" the girl grabbed her arm. "What are you doing?"
"Chop it," Lin Mumu said cutely. "Then we won't worry about adoption or bullies."
"Mu Mu! How heartless! What's your zodiac sign?" the girl cried. "Chop it, and I'll cut ties!"
"Tch!"
"You tched! Girls don't do that," the girl scolded. "Being heartless makes us villains."
"But Brother Lin acts like that," Lin Mumu said, confused.
"Adults are scum! Don't copy them," the girl insisted.
*I get why Lin Wan limits Mu Mu's time with us. She's infected badly. I should tone it down... Her worldview might still be fixable. Maybe...* Lin Jie muttered from behind a tree. He stepped out.
"Here to pick you up, Mu Mu," he said.
"Brother Lin!" Lin Mumu ran over happily.
"Troubled about the puppy?" Lin Jie asked.
"Mhm! It's so pitiful," she replied.
"Let's adopt it," Lin Jie said.
"Really, big brother?" the other girl asked.
"Of course. You're Mu Mu's new friend? Please look after her at school."
"Absolutely! We'll form a super team someday!"
"But Sister Lin is tired from work and cleaning..." the girl lowered her head.
"Our Mu Mu is so thoughtful!" Lin Jie patted her head. "Worrying for your sister. Don't fret—we'll keep it at Xiao Zhan's place. No cleaning worries."
Lin Jie casually sold out Xiao Zhan.
"Great!" both girls cheered.
"Not all adults are scum—though many are," Lin Jie told the girl. "Don't label all as scum."
"I know," she beamed, the puppy secured. "Big brother, you're the good kind of scum."
"... 'Good scum'? What even is that?" Lin Jie was speechless.
"Goodbye, Qingqing," Lin Mumu waved, walking home with Lin Jie and the puppy.
"Bye, Mu Mu," Qingqing called back, climbing into a luxury hovercar.
