Traveling back thirty years to Conan, intercepting Princess Eri

Upon hearing Takagi Wataru's question, Miwako immediately huffed angrily, her face puffing up like a pufferfish: "Since you care so much about her, then you can go to the movies with her next time! I'm never going to go with you again!"

She turned away angrily, leaving Takagi with only the back of her head.

"I did not mean that."

Takagi Wataru explained timidly, reaching out to tug at Miwako's sleeve, but she shoved him away.

The little boy was immediately at a loss, and his eyes began to redden.

Lin Xiuyi found it quite amusing.

Because of him, the two, who were supposed to become colleagues twenty years later, actually met ahead of time.

If things continue like this, they'll obviously become childhood sweethearts again.

Lin Xiuyi cleared her throat, deciding to end this childish farce.

"You're both wrong. It's not her, it's him. Cheng Shi is a boy."

"Ugh?"

The two children exclaimed in surprise, their little faces filled with disbelief.

"No way?"

Takagi Wataru looked utterly incredulous, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"She...he's so cute, how could he be a boy?"

The little guy's worldview seemed to have been shaken, and his voice trembled.

Miwako was also somewhat skeptical, tilting her head and questioning, "If Narumi is a boy, how could she look like a girl?"

Lin Xiuyi briefly explained Chengshi's situation, and after listening, the surprise on the two children's faces gradually turned into sympathy.

“Next time I see him, I’ll definitely ask him to play together,” Miwako said earnestly. “It must be so hard for him to be alone in the hospital.”

"You just..."

As soon as Takagi Wataru opened his mouth, Miwako glared at him.

He shrank back, his face full of grievance, and swallowed back the words that were about to come out.

After the movie ended, the lights in the screening room came on.

Lin Xiuyi watched as the two children skipped and hopped towards their respective mothers before slowly standing up and stretching.

"It's been a long time since I've watched a tokusatsu show. It's nice to reminisce about my childhood once in a while," Lin Xiuyi said with a satisfied sigh as he stretched his stiff neck.

His gaze inadvertently swept over his friend beside him, and he noticed that Kogoro Mouri was looking miserable, constantly staring at the watch on his wrist.

It's only a little past four o'clock! Why is time passing so slowly?!
There's still an hour and a half left, how am I supposed to stall for time?!

Lin Xiu glanced at his silent friend and immediately understood what he was thinking.

He could imagine that at this moment, Eri and Yukiko were busy at home, either blowing up balloons, hanging ribbons, or preparing cakes and gifts.

"Let's go buy Liuli a gift. We can't let this trip go to waste," Lin Xiuyi suggested.

"Yes, yes," Kogoro Mori nodded hurriedly, as if grasping at a lifeline, "I know a shop that makes really nice accessories!"

He couldn't wait to start walking, afraid that Lin Xiuyi would change her mind.

The two wandered around the shopping street for over an hour. Kogoro Mouri kept checking his watch, and seeing that it was almost 5:30, he quickly made an excuse to leave.

"...I suddenly remembered I have something to do. You go back first, I'll be there shortly!"

After saying that, without waiting for Lin Xiuyi's response, Kogoro Mouri disappeared in a flash.

Lin Xiuyi wasn't in a hurry. He put his hands in his pockets and walked home slowly, giving Kogoro Mouri plenty of time to run back.

Judging that it was about time, he returned to the Mori family's small house.

As soon as Lin Xiuyi got downstairs, he noticed a figure flash by the second-floor window; it must be Lingzi keeping watch.

Lin Xiuyi could even imagine the little girl rushing off to deliver the message in a panic, and couldn't help but chuckle.

Although he had already guessed what day it was, he still had to act surprised and delighted so as not to disappoint his friends.

Lin Xiuyi deliberately stood downstairs for a while longer, pretending to tidy her clothes and hair, but actually giving the people upstairs more time to prepare.

Upon arriving at the door of her home on the second floor, Lin Xiuyi took a deep breath, deliberately inserted the key loudly, and then slowly turned it.

"Happy birthday!"

The moment the door opened, cheers and confetti erupted simultaneously.

The living room was full of people, the walls were decorated with ribbons and colorful balloons, the dining table was laden with various delicacies and a large two-tiered birthday cake, with "Happy Birthday, Xiuyi" written in chocolate on top.

Lin Xiu instantly got into character, feigning surprise, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly agape: "This is..."

"Onii-chan, this is a surprise we prepared for you!"

Reiko skipped over, holding a paper birthday hat in her hand. "Onii-chan didn't notice at all, right? We planned this for so long!"

The little girl's eyes sparkled as she looked at her brother expectantly, just like Wangcai waiting for his master's praise.

Yukiko walked over and handed Lin Xiuyi a drink: "We went to great lengths to fool someone as observant as you."

She glanced at Kogoro Mouri, who was panting heavily behind her, and a mischievous smile curled her red lips.
"Especially that guy with terrible acting skills."

Kogoro Mouri was panting heavily, wiping the sweat from his forehead. The back of his shirt was soaked, making him look like he had just been pulled out of the water.

"I'm working so hard, you know? Trying to hold off Shuichi isn't that easy!"

Although his tone was aggrieved, his eyes were full of a sense of accomplishment, clearly pleased with himself for having fooled Lin Xiuyi.

"Okay, I know you've worked hard," Liuli smiled and patted her boyfriend's shoulder, handing him a towel. "You're the biggest hero today, alright?"

Lin Xiuyi looked around and felt a warm current welling up in her heart as she saw the sincere smiles on her friends' faces.

The calendar that Kogoro Mouri hid this morning has been hung back up. Today's date is marked with a big red circle, surrounded by little hearts and smiley faces, clearly Reiko's handiwork.

"Thank you everyone," Lin Xiuyi said, bowing his head as his sister put the birthday hat on him. His voice was slightly hoarse with emotion. "This is the best surprise I've ever received."

His gaze lingered on everyone's face, imprinting this moment deeply in his heart.

Reiko pulled her brother to the dining table, pointing excitedly at the cake with her little finger, and said, "Come on, blow out the candles! I specially chose Onii-chan's favorite chocolate cake!"

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Lin Xiuyi closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, made a wish, and then blew out all the candles in one breath. Applause and cheers rang out again.

Looking at this lively and heartwarming scene, Lin Xiuyi suddenly felt that it was really nice to be treated with such care.

Even though I guessed the surprise beforehand, the sentiment and friendship are the most precious birthday gift. (End of Chapter)