Conan: The Man Behind the Romance

Chapter 363 Yuanzi takes the initiative to join the game, Xuantian is being eroded!
Xiaolan was choked and shook Yuanzi's hand, "No way, I have suffered a lot from that kind of reputation."

She whispered, "We really don't need help. Everything right now is actually within Ying's expectations, including the police's hostility towards him. I don't know if you, Sonoko, have secretly investigated him, but don't interfere, otherwise it might disrupt his arrangements."

Sonoko raised an eyebrow and asked, "Being locked up in a mental hospital is also part of the plan?"

"Based on this, we have reached a cooperation agreement with the police, of course." Xiaolan thought for a moment, "Since you have really investigated Ying, you should know that he is indeed somewhat different from ordinary people in terms of his mental state. According to the hints he gave me, he seems to be pursuing a certain balance."

"What balance?"

"Firefly desperately craves love, and without it she withers and dies. So what is the opposite of love?"

"Of course it's hatred, this..." Yuanzi looked strange, "Does he want someone to love him while also hating him?"

Xiaolan sighed, "I'm afraid that's it."

When the moon hides the jade rabbit and the black crow, it has its own tortoise and snake entanglement.

Xiaolan heard Yingsheng say this to Haibara Ai once in the early morning of Friday, and Yingsheng told her again in a text message on his mobile phone at noon on Saturday.

Xiaolan didn't care at first, but when the "trapping of Vermouth" happened, she had a new understanding of the extent to which Yingsheng's words were ambiguous, and naturally she thought about many of the things Yingsheng had said before again.

Especially what Hotaru said during that time after Gin arrived at Beika Central Hospital.

Therefore, this sentence, which contained a mysterious meaning in its literal meaning, immediately caught Xiaolan's attention. After she made a guess, she went to ask Masayo Aida for advice.

Masayo Aida thought for a moment and told Xiaolan:
“Jung emphasized that the self is the personality that we realize is different from others. It is constantly developing and improving through interaction with the outside world. The external environment, social culture and other factors are invisibly shaping our self-cognition.

What if Mr. Shuiyue's heart is extremely empty and he has not found the meaning of life.

Then, driven by the instinct of life's desire to continue, he will inevitably pursue something to prevent the "self" from seeking an end one day.

Without guidance, this instinctive pursuit of life will inevitably lead to high stimulation.

Cigarettes, alcohol, addictive substances, sex...

and many more.

According to Miss Lan, Mr. Shuiyue was quite fond of drinking in the past, and this might be the reason.

In addition, as he said, God guided him, in order to prove his "self" through constant collision with the outside world, he would pursue love greedily.

This greed comes from life itself.

As for your current guess, whether Mr. Shuiyue will continue to pursue hatred while pursuing love.

I think it's very likely.

The first is his suggestion to you. He seems to be a big fan of Yin-Yang philosophy, so the formation of 'self' will certainly be related to it.

Secondly, from a psychological point of view, any extreme emotion cannot shape a healthy mind; it must be balanced in some way.

Love and hate.

If Mr. Shuiyue can find a balance between the two, perhaps he can truly establish his "self".

From now on, he will never be lost again."

This conversation took place yesterday afternoon. When Xiaolan fully understood what Aida Masayo meant and compared it with Hotaru's performance, she became more and more certain of this guess.

And she also confirmed once again that the "love" that Yingsheng talked about was definitely something real, not just a pure feeling.

It is absolutely true that Yingsheng will die without love, because at that time, there is no meaning for him to live.

So, Xiaolan bowed deeply to Aida Masayo.

Before she left the hospital, she hesitated for a while and finally asked another question that concerned her a lot.

"Hina seems to... like hurting herself. What's the reason for this?"

"Nature is also seeking excitement, seeking a sense of reality." Aida Masayo said calmly, "Without pain, there is no awakening of consciousness. In Mr. Suigetsu's understanding, it is probably both mental and physical."

She paused, “There is another possibility, Mr. Shuiyue’s spiritual appearance, that is, his willpower is too strong.

His mind could hardly handle the real pain, so it externalized it as physical harm.

But on another level, unless that pain involves death, he would probably be insensitive to it and not care about it.”

Xiaolan was stunned.

Suddenly, a sentence that Yingsheng had said to Yuanzi and Yuanzi had told her came to her mind.

——"Love, the feeling it brings me, has not even one ten-thousandth of its limit."

What Hotaru has always been pursuing is a certain sense of reality.

Love and hatred are actually secondary.

I didn't provide love to Ying, could it be...

Aida Masayo smiled and said, "Ms. Lan, you seem to have thought of something. Do you have any other questions?"

Xiaolan shook her head. "No, I just thought, no wonder Ying was able to survive the torture at the winery and by the police. So that's how it is."

Xiaolan bowed to Aida Masayo again, "Thank you very much, you have answered many of my questions."

Aida Masayo shook his head slightly, picked up the Diamond Sutra beside him, and said no more.

Xiaolan left.

Time flies, back to the present.

At 5:30 p.m. on Monday, after the police confirmed that no maple leaf gold coins were lost, they finally went downstairs in groups of three with the gold coins.

Xiaolan followed the police and tried to pull her hand out of Yuanzi's arms, but failed. She could only comfort him softly: "Okay, everything will be fine. I will let you know that you are safe all the way. I will call you as soon as I leave the police station. This will make you feel relieved."

Yuanzi still didn't let go, "Since it's okay, take me with you. We can have dinner together later."

"Well, if something really happened, I could have escaped by myself, but I died because I wanted to protect you, Sonoko..."

"Don't say that."

Yuanzi raised her hand to cover Xiaolan's mouth, "If something like that happens, you should protect yourself first, don't worry about me."

Xiaolan pulled Sonoko's hand away, "How can that be possible? Sonoko is much more important than myself."

Xiaolan leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I'm not worried that you, Yuanzi, will hold me back, but the police are now suspecting me and think that I may have committed embezzlement. If you were also in the car, what would that mean?
Even if nothing happened along the way, they would think that maybe I gave up the robbery because I cared about you.

This makes it impossible for me to prove my innocence.”

Sonoko paused for a moment, but immediately retorted, "I think that with me here, the police won't have these strange suspicions. The Suzuki Group doesn't care about these small amounts of money."

Xiaolan sighed softly, "What if someone really robs someone on the road later, and their goal is not the maple leaf gold coins, but the police officer who is escorting the gold coins?"

Sonoko suddenly thought of what Xiaolan had said to her before, that Hotaru might still be pursuing the hatred of others, and her eyes immediately widened.

"Are you luring the snake out of its hole?!"

"........."

Xiaolan raised her hand and slapped Sonoko on the head, "I mean, those guys in the police force who have paranoia might think so. After all, Officer Shiratori has been attacked before. Why should we bother the police for no reason?

Really, do you think that Hotaru and I are some cruel villains?"

"Sorry sorry."

Yuanzi covered her forehead with her hands, her eyes full of grievance, "Then will anyone come to rob the police car? Xiaolan, why did you offend the police?"

"How could I possibly know the answer to the previous question? I'm not a fortune teller."

Xiaolan rolled her eyes at her and said, "As for the latter question, I have already said enough. Yuanzi, if you still want to go deeper, I have to ask about your attitude."

"Eh? What's your attitude?" Sonoko snorted. "Is there anything wrong with me caring about my friend? Besides, Mizuki-kun has a business partnership with the Suzuki Group. He is now locked up in a mental hospital, so we can't even sign a contract."

"Ms. Aida is outside."

"For something that important, of course we have to meet the real owner." Sonoko whispered, "Without the help of the Suzuki Group, it will be easy for Mizuki-kun to come out."

"I told you before, don't interfere." Xiaolan stared into Sonoko's eyes, "I think there is something wrong with you. What do you think of Hotaru now?"

"What do you mean? It's just... a scumbag." Sonoko avoided Xiaolan's sight.

"Well... do you mind if I assert my sovereignty?" Xiaolan pinched Sonoko's chin, turned her head back, and looked her straight in the eyes. "This scumbag is a heartless person. He will not fall in love with anyone else except me. Sonoko, I think you should understand this very well."

Yuanzi simply closed her eyes. "I know that a guy like me who is neither good nor bad will only get hurt if I get close to him. Xiaolan, you don't have to worry about me. I really just treat him as a friend. You can't completely forbid me to say this name, right?"

"What if we go a step further and say that he will never fall in love with anyone, including me?" Xiaolan asked.

"That's not possible. Aren't you living together?" Sonoko muttered.

"...Sonoko, you are no longer a best friend."

"Eh???"

Sonoko quickly opened her eyes and hugged Xiaolan, "I'm not investigating you, Xiaolan. I just found out about this when I was investigating Suigetsu-kun. I haven't told anyone."

"That's not what I'm talking about. I'm being thick-skinned now. Look, I didn't even blush."

Xiaolan pushed Yuanzi away and touched her cheek.

In fact, there was a wisp of red cloud floating on the white jade just now, but after I noticed out of the corner of my eye that a certain unlovable little kid was secretly glancing at this side, it immediately disappeared.

That guy is really annoying.

Xiaolan sighed, "I mean, your feelings for Hotaru are a little distressing."

"You are not worrying about yourself, are you? Or are you still worried about me? Don't worry, I'm just bored." Sonoko whispered, "Was the Kudo Shinichi from yesterday Mr. Kidd?
Is the Kudo who confessed to you today real or fake?

I am also very interested in him now.”

"..."

Xiaolan was speechless: "I hope what you said is true."

"It's absolutely true, and don't worry, love is not everything in life, I can distinguish the priorities." Sonoko's eyes sparkled, "I'm more inclined to believe that Kudo Shinichi has been Kidd-sama these past two days, right?
He has changed a lot compared to before, he is more polite and gentlemanly. "

"So what?" Xiaolan asked.

"Hehe, of course I have to pursue him fiercely and try to win him over. I don't know how long he will pretend to be Kudo, so I have to hurry up."

"…No, he is actually Kudo. He just went through some things and changed a little."

"Eh? Is that true?" Sonoko looked doubtful, "That egomaniac will also change?"

"Uncle Yusaku told me, and there was no disguise on his face." Xiaolan said.

Sorry, Sonoko.

It's okay for you to pursue Kuroba Kaito, but it's not a good idea during the time when he's using the identity of "Kudo Shinichi".

Not only would it be strange, but there would also be a risk of being killed by Vermouth.

"Is that so... forget it then. Chasing Kudo Shinichi or something... hehe, who knows when he will revert to his old ways." Sonoko was frustrated. "Besides, he's pursuing you, Xiaolan, so I can't possibly get involved in this weird love triangle."

"..."

Xiaolan was silent for a while, then her eyes suddenly lit up, "Sonoko, how about you give Kudo a probation period? If he stays like this in the future, without the problems he had in the past, and gives up pursuing me, then it's totally fine for you to pursue him."

When Kuroba Kaito gave up pursuing her, it meant that things with Vermouth had been settled and there would be no more hidden danger.

At that time, if Kuroba Kaito continued to use the identity of Kudo Shinichi, then it would have nothing to do with Sonoko dating him.

Sonoko thought for a moment and said, "It's a little strange, but it doesn't seem unacceptable... Well, I actually still like Kidd-sama more. I can use Kudo as a substitute when the time comes."

“…Good idea.”

Xiaolan didn't want to continue this strange topic. Just then, a police car appeared in front of her, so she changed the subject and said, "I've said so much. Now you can let me go alone."

Yuanzi shook her head. "According to your logic, if you were in the escort team, then if the journey was safe, the police would think that it was because they had you as a hostage and your companions were afraid to act rashly. If an accident really happened on the way, they would definitely think that you were the one who tipped off."

"...I have thought of this possibility, but if I am not in the escort team and the police car has an accident, wouldn't it be even more difficult to explain?"

Xiaolan feels that the main crux of the problem lies in the incompetence of the police.

If the police were able to ensure that all accidents could be avoided, she wouldn't need to consider so much.

Secondly, the police are too shameless. Without any evidence at all, they just made random accusations and carried out all kinds of illegal operations.

Really, if it weren’t for Ying’s good temper, I would have found it unbearable.

Yuanzi frowned, "It's really blocked from both ends, and considering the unreasonable police, I guess they won't allow you not to be in the escort team."

Xiaolan sighed, "That's right, so..."

"So let's help the police escort them, using a method that is absolutely safe and will not cause any accidents!"

"Eh???"

Sonoko gave Xiaolan a look that said "watch my performance", took her arm and walked a few quick steps, then called out to Shiratori Renzaburo who was standing in front.

"Officer Shiratori, what will the police do with the Maple Leaf gold coin after it is recovered?"

"This set of maple leaf gold coins is a commemorative coin that was recently launched by the Royal Canadian Mint and has not yet been sold on the market. Of course, they will be returned to their original owners," said Shiratori Renzaburo.

"It's not on sale yet, so it's rare enough." Sonoko smiled and said, "I have a request, Officer Shiratori, my uncle, Mr. Jirokichi, likes to collect treasures. Can I let him come over to see this set of gold coins?

The Suzuki Group can assist the police in negotiating with the Royal Canadian Mint. Perhaps they will be willing to sell it directly for a good price, and the police will not have to worry about the follow-up.

Moreover, for this transportation alone, he could also send a helicopter to assist, as the riverbank is wide enough to land a helicopter. "Shiratori Rensaburo was stunned.

Xiaolan was stunned.

Conan, who was eavesdropping secretly from behind, was also stunned.

"Can I?"

Yuanzi smiled gently, "I think this is a way to have the best of both worlds, what do you think?"

Shiratori Renzaburo took a deep breath and smiled, "Then I'll leave it to you."

It's a complete loss.

Although his family background was quite good, it was nothing compared to the Suzuki family.

Xiaolan turned to look at Yuanzi in a daze, "Poverty has limited my imagination."

Since being with Hotaru, Xiaolan thought she had never thought about money again, but Sonoko's actions...

Sure enough, it’s the difference in perspective.

The matter was settled like this. Thirty minutes later, when Xiaolan looked out the helicopter window at the city rapidly receding below, she couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

“The police are a bunch of jerk.”

Shiratori Renzaburo was sitting opposite Xiaolan, turning a deaf ear to these words and just staring at the scenery outside.

The weather is really nice.

"Hahahaha, this set of gold coins is really good. Thank you so much, Sonoko."

At the back of the cabin, a bald old man in a black kimono grabbed a handful of gold coins and laughed, with his thick gray beard and eyebrows raised high.

"Uncle, I'm glad you're happy. I just happened to see you."

Yuanzi responded with a smile and tilted her head to look out the window. Suddenly, a building that she was interested in passed through her sight.

Rice Flower Mental Hospital.

Sonoko turned around and said, "Officer Shiratori, can I check the surveillance footage on your phone?"

Shiratori Renzaburo was slightly stunned, and also looked over there, then nodded in sudden realization. He called up the surveillance video in the Firefly soft pack, and after confirming that he was still sitting cross-legged in meditation, he handed the phone to Sonoko.

Yuanzi took a quick look and handed the phone back to Xiaolan.

That guy is really a weirdo.

Xiaolan took the phone and looked at it for a few seconds. When she was about to return it, she suddenly realized something and continued to watch the surveillance video, paying special attention to the rise and fall of Yingsheng's chest and abdomen.

About half a minute later, Xiaolan sighed and returned the phone to Shiratori Renzaburo.

Shiratori Jinzaburo said nothing. He had been in the hospital for more than half a month and only had a general idea of ​​what had happened during that time. He also felt that Megure Jusan's behavior was quite excessive.

Sonoko thought Xiaolan was worried about Hotaru, so she held her hand.

Xiaolan responded with a peaceful smile, but in fact, her heart had already started beating faster.

At midnight on Friday, Xiaolan, who had been mentally prepared, found that Yingsheng had fallen asleep. She was quite annoyed for a while, and then she just looked at him quietly until she slowly fell asleep.

Therefore, she was very familiar with Yingsheng's breathing rate, and even more so the degree of the rise and fall of Yingsheng's chest and abdomen at that time.

After Yingsheng meditated yesterday, she also watched for a while, and it was exactly the same as what she knew.

But the footage from the surveillance just now doesn’t match at all!
In other words, as long as Yingsheng has not completely stopped breathing, the surveillance footage is just a picture!
Xiaolan suddenly remembered that Qingliu Chisu said she had something to do and left early.

She originally thought it was only related to the maple leaf gold coin.

It turned out that he went to look for Yingsheng!
Xiaolan had a lot of thoughts in her mind, but she said nothing after all. She took the helicopter all the way to the Metropolitan Police Department and nothing happened.

After saying goodbye to Shiratori Renzaburo, Xiaolan wanted to rush to the mental hospital immediately.

It's no secret that she now feels as if her home has been robbed!

Moreover, the surveillance footage has been replaced, who knows what is happening in there!

Then she was called.

Megure Jusan stepped forward with his cane, "Xiaolan, the police are conducting an experiment and need the assistance of some warriors with strong willpower. Can you help?"

Xiaolan frowned slightly, "There are countless warriors in Tokyo who are more powerful than me, why are you looking for me?"

"This one……"

Megure Jusan scratched his head, "There don't seem to be many warriors who are more powerful than you, Xiaolan. Don't worry, Xiaolan, we have also invited other people, masters like Kyogoku Makoto, Maeda Satoshi, and the elite of the police, all of whom are on their way. Some have already arrived. They are not specifically targeting you."

Xiaolan smiled and said, "One more or one less doesn't make a difference. I don't want to accept this kind of inexplicable invitation."

Megure Jusan was stunned.

Conan suddenly spoke up: "Brother Shinichi told me that Maeda-senpai is Ran's idol in karate. Ran doesn't even want to see him. Is there something urgent?"

"I don't know what experiment you are going to do, but since you mentioned willpower, could it be related to hypnosis or truth serum?" Xiaolan sneered, "You police officers have no trust in me now, I dare not let you do anything dangerous to me."

"Sister Xiaolan, don't you dare?"

"Heh, interesting."

Xiaolan smiled and said, "Officer Megure, if you really don't know how to educate children, I can help. In addition, what has Uncle Yusaku been doing these days? Doesn't he have any time at all? Doesn't he even know that his son is mentally retarded?"

Megure Jusan quickly covered Conan's mouth and said with a wry smile: "It's my problem. Sorry, sorry. I will never let Conan come to the Metropolitan Police Department again. Yusaku has been busy with other things these days, and it will be fine later. Um..."

Megure Jusan said weakly: "It's just hypnosis, and the tactics are all the same. Let you do a few math problems. There is no risk."

"Oh, who is the hypnotist?"

"Sorry, this is confidential right now."

"Then why can I believe him? Officer Megure, you guys are conducting experiments on such a large scale, which means his hypnosis skills are very powerful, right? This makes me even more worried. Not only that, I will also advise Senior Kyogoku not to participate, lest he be turned into a psychopath by you guys."

After saying that, Xiaolan called Kyogoku Makoto on the spot, and no matter how Megure Juzo tried to persuade her, it was useless.

After Kyogoku Makoto agreed and expressed his gratitude, Xiaolan asked him if he had Maeda Satoshi's contact number and asked Kyogoku Makoto to inform him not to accept the invitation.

Kyogoku Makoto borrowed someone else's cell phone to call Maeda Satoshi on the spot and told him about this. Only then did Xiaolan hang up the phone.

Then Xiaolan took Yuanzi's hand and turned away.

"I'm going to have dinner with Sonoko. Whoever wants to do the experiment can do it. I hope he can still be alive and well tomorrow."

Looking at their backs, Shiratori Renzaburo sighed in his heart and suddenly had the idea of ​​resigning.

Megure Jusan's eyes trembled, but he didn't say anything. After they left, he patted Conan on the head.

"I'm sorry, Conan. You used provocation with good intentions, but Xiaolan is not going to fall for it anymore."

Conan shook his head, "Send someone up to follow her, she's overreacting, maybe she has other secrets."

Megure Jusan nodded, "Ran was definitely not like this before, maybe..."

"Inspector Megure."

Shiratori Renzaburo suddenly spoke up: "When I was at the police academy, Mr. Furuya told me that for a case or a suspect, you have to be at least 30% sure to be considered a reasonable suspicion. May I ask, how sure are you now?"

Megure Jusan remained silent.

Shiratori Renzaburo continued, "And from what you said just now, it seems that you do have bad thoughts about Miss Maori. It seems that her concerns are not unreasonable."

Conan looked at her dimly, "Is it too much to just ask her some questions and give her a hint that she won't be able to kill anyone again?"

Shiratori Renzaburo sighed, leaned over slightly, and ruffled Conan's hair.

"You make me sick, little brat."

Conan lowered his head and said nothing.

Shiratori Renzaburo looked at Megure Jusan and said, "Inspector, you may be a little too doting on Conan. Sorry, it's time to get off work. I have to leave first."

After saying this, he left without looking back.

Megure Jusan sighed softly, patted Conan on the shoulder, and walked towards the inner lounge.

Leon Law, dressed in a gray and white suit, was sitting on a large sofa with his eyes closed. When he heard the noise, he turned his head to look.

"How is it, have all the experimenters arrived?"

"Maeda Satoshi and Mouri Ran will not come, and the one you praised, Kyogoku Makoto, will not come either. The others are halfway here and are in the reception room," said Megure Juzo.

Leon frowned slightly. "Kyogoku Makoto is the person I think has the best chance of withstanding my hypnosis. Didn't he agree before? Is there something urgent?"

"There was a little accident. Come on, I'll take you there."

"Well, that's a shame."

Leon stood up and straightened his suit.

If I could hypnotize Kyogoku Makoto into hating karate from then on, then the Fist of Blue Sapphire would be in my pocket.

Tsk, I don’t know who messed up everything.

On the other side, Yuanzi slammed the dining table with a bang, his eyes full of worry.

"I really didn't expect Inspector Megure to be such a person. And that Conan, although he lacked fatherly discipline since childhood and it's no wonder he has no emotional intelligence, it's just so annoying to watch him. I can't help but want to punch him."

"Don't worry, Sonoko, why are you angry with a child?" Xiaolan lowered her voice, "I'll tell you in secret, I guess Conan's hatred is very useful to Hotaru."

“Eh??? This…”

Yuanzi looked confused and didn't know what to say.

After a while, the steaming ramen was served. Xiaolan ate the noodles slowly while chatting with Sonoko.

Since it has been delayed for so long, there is no need to rush.

Moreover, rushing over there in a hurry would attract the attention of the police.

At 6:50 in the evening, Xiaolan and Sonoko came to the Beika Psychiatric Hospital together and entered hand in hand.

Xiaolan originally wanted to come alone, but Sonoko insisted on coming, so she had no choice.

"Hello, I want to visit..."

In front of the information desk on the first floor, Xiaolan paused as soon as she opened her mouth to speak, her eyes fixed on somewhere.

The pattern on the nurse's notebook, isn't it...

Big Dipper?!
The nurse smiled and said, "It's you, Miss Lan. The police have informed the hospital. You can go there by yourself."

Xiaolan nodded and leaned close to the nurse's ear, "Do you also believe in Xuantian?"

The nurse was stunned for a moment, "What is Xuantian?"

Xiaolan felt relieved, "Nothing."

She thought she was just overthinking it and went to the monitoring room along the old route. The two security guards in the monitoring room were eating box lunches and chatting casually.

"You said spring is for growth, summer is for growth, autumn is for harvest, and winter is for storage. Who sets these rules?"

"Who else could it be? God."

"There are so many gods, which one is it?"

"I really don't know. Search it online."

dong dong——!
Xiaolan's expression was inexplicably stiff. She knocked on the door and said, "Can I come in, please?"

"Of course, of course."

A security guard stood with his back to the door, blocking the screen with his body, clicked the mouse twice, and then stepped aside.

Xiaolan walked over and looked at the surveillance footage in the Firefly soft bag. At first glance, it was no different from what she had seen on the helicopter before. She looked carefully for a moment before she was sure that it was a real person.

"Mr. Shuiyue will move when he is about to eat, and it is the same at other times," said a security guard.

Xiaolan thanked him and sat down with Sonoko beside him, waiting quietly.

At exactly seven o'clock in the evening, the surveillance camera in the corridor showed that a bearded man went to deliver food to Yingsheng. He left without a word.

Yingsheng was still in a trance, and his eating movements were like a zombie.

Xiaolan frowned slightly, was she really thinking too much?

Sonoko looked at him for a few seconds, then felt it was too awkward, so she turned her head away. "Xiaolan, do you have a way to wake him up?"

Xiaolan shook her head. "I have a guess, but I can't guarantee it, and there's no need to wake him up now."

"Then...shall we go?"

"Let's go, and ask Qingliu-san if she has finished her work."

Xiaolan took out her cell phone and was about to make a call when a news pop-up window suddenly popped up on the top.

[Shock! The peerless demon child! A major murder case at the Metropolitan Police Department! ]

Sorry, I couldn't find where it was broken...orz
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(End of this chapter)