He's in Detective Conan, and he's the mastermind behind everything.

He clearly yearned for love with an insatiable hunger, even to the point of feeling like he would die without it. However, he didn't understand what love was at all; he weighed and considered everything based on the simplest and most straightforward self-interest.

It is indeed strange of me to say this, since things are also a mess on Shinichi's side.

but……

I want to help him, just as he helped me.

He said he was simply appreciating the scenery, watching an orchid bloom, and so am I.

I hope fireflies will no longer wander aimlessly.

I hope to help him find his lost heart.

Chapter 85 There is also a gap in intentions

Sonoko couldn't remember her expression or whether she responded after hearing Ran's words.

The only thing she remembered was the midday sunlight filtering through the glass window, dappling Xiaolan's body.

Outside the window was a bustling street, while her lake-blue eyes were so deep and bright.

Do not know why.

Sonoko suddenly felt the late spring sunshine on her face was unusually hot.

Even though the same sunlight shines on Xiaolan's face, it only adds a different kind of brilliance to her eyes.

Why does that light seem vaguely familiar?

Sonoko searched through her memories for a long time, and finally, in a daze, she saw that it seemed to be somewhat similar to the look in Attorney Ki's eyes at a certain moment when she was helping the Suzuki family with their lawsuit and making a generous statement in court!

Is that so?

Xiaolan is doing what she wants to do.

For some inexplicable reason, Sonoko had a strange feeling.

In an instant, all the words in my heart vanished, leaving only a distant sigh.

What else could she say?

When Xiaolan, whom she always thought needed her care, suddenly found a goal and made such a decision, what use would it be if she said anything?

"So what do you want to do, Xiaolan?"

When Sonoko asked that question, she suddenly realized that the Ran she knew had returned.

Xiaolan gently scratched her earlobe with her index finger and said somewhat unsure of herself, "Actually, I haven't thought about it yet. Besides, Shuiyue-kun is very capable in every aspect. When we're together, he completely dominates the conversation."

Sonoko had already given up trying to persuade him, but now she saw hope again and snorted, "That scumbag really knows how to deal with girls, after all, he's very experienced."

Xiaolan remains silent...

Sonoko, slightly annoyed, pressed on, "Why aren't you speaking up for him now?"

Xiaolan looked completely innocent: "Because it is indeed the truth, and Shuiyue-kun himself admitted it."

"..."

Sonoko leaned forward incredulously: "So you knew all this, and you still dared to approach him?"

Xiaolan said timidly, "Actually, I think it's fine..."

Seeing Sonoko's pained expression, Ran quickly added, "Don't worry, Sonoko, I'll definitely be more vigilant!" She paused for a moment, "Um, Sonoko, were you trying to give me some pointers earlier? Like, how to get along with Suigetsu-kun or something?"

"puff--"

Sonoko nearly coughed up blood: "Ran, do you know what you're saying?"

Ask your best friend for advice on how to get along with your ex-boyfriend?

Ah? ? ?

Xiaolan, are you alright?

As Xiao Lan gazed at the treasures in the garden, she stood up, walked to the side of the chair, and bowed deeply to her.

"sorry."

Seeing this strange scene, the dessert shop fell silent, and Sonoko, slightly taken aback, also remained silent.

Xiaolan didn't get up for a long time either.

a long time……

Sonoko finally shook her head and chuckled, "It seems I was overthinking it. Ran had already made up her mind to say those things before. Well, Ran can be quite stubborn sometimes; nothing anyone says will change her mind."

Xiaolan raised her head, but didn't say anything. Instead, a knowing smile between best friends appeared in her eyes.

The dessert shop has finally come back to life.

Sonoko slumped into a chair with a look of utter despair.

"I have absolutely nothing to say to you, Xiaolan. The guy you know sounds like a completely different person from the scumbag I know. Your side seems closer to the real him, but who knows what it really is? Sigh, Xiaolan, I just hope you won't regret it in the future."

Xiao Lan smiled gently: "Even if you regret it, that's something for later."

"!!!"

Sonoko's heart skipped a beat. Looking at Ran's calm expression, she suddenly understood something.

The next second, she flashed a big smile, as if she were as carefree as ever.

"That's enough about that scumbag. Don't mention him again when we go shopping this afternoon."

Xiaolan smiled and nodded: "Okay."

………………

Memories rush by, yet time seems to pass in the blink of an eye.

On Tuesday noon, as Sonoko Suzuki left the classroom chatter and went to the rooftop to eat her lunch alone, she couldn't help but let her mind wander.

Xiao Lan seems to actually be able to do it.

Fireflies... Hmph, they should be kept in a glass bottle.

What are they doing now?

Teitan High School playground, on the steps of one of the stands.

"That roughly confirms it, Xiaolan."

After Xiaolan hung up the phone with her mother, Yingsheng, who had overheard the whole thing, gave his summary:

"Attorney Kisaki isn't the type who can't live without love. On the contrary, she has her own career and ambitions to pursue, and she's actually quite satisfied with her current life. To put it mildly, the time isn't right for her to go back to Mr. Mori."

Xiaolan's eyes were complicated: "To put it more bluntly, is this destroying her value in life?"

"correct."

Ying Sheng calmly said, "So-called happiness is not limited to just love and family; that would be too narrow a view."

Attorney Fei is now working in her area of ​​expertise and passion, doing what she wants to do. The sense of authenticity she feels, the happiness of self-realization, far surpasses what her family life ten years ago brought her.

Similar to her is someone you're currently sulking about; he's also on the right path, walking fast and steadily, and the scenery along the way is incredibly captivating to him.

Xiaolan muttered under her breath, somewhat unwillingly, "Then aren't other things important?"

"If you insist on objectifying yourself as an object in someone else's world, yes, you're just an object. No matter how exquisite it is, how can it compare to the love in your heart? Isn't that future full of infinite possibilities far more captivating?"

Xiaolan was speechless. She suddenly realized that what Yingsheng said last night was very true.

In terms of psychological maturity, compared to Ying Sheng, she is indeed like a seven-year-old child who has not grown up.

Mom is happy now.

After reaching this conclusion, she thought she would feel happy and relieved.

But as a result,

Instead, a myriad of complex emotions welled up within me.

In that case, what about all her persistent persuasion over the years?

Just as Mizuki-kun said, it was a demonic hand trying to drag Mom into the mire, an ignorant accomplice?

"It's just background noise."

As Ying Sheng's calm words reached her ears, Xiao Lan's eyes trembled slightly, but she did not look up:

"You're being too scary."

"Sorry, it's just that the expression on your face was too easy to understand. Don't worry too much about your previous actions. Just think of it as a trial for Attorney Fei. Every time she rejects you, her will becomes stronger. You're like a whetstone."

"..."

Xiaolan was speechless: "So how should I apologize to my mother?"

Chapter 86: Xiaolan persuades her parents to divorce.

“When Attorney Fei showed weakness, help her strengthen her resolve and tell her that the path she was on was right and that she had no reason to regret it.”

Ying Sheng said, "For example, what we overheard at Beika Central Hospital that night was that Mr. Mori only said some conciliatory words and she surrendered. Alas, it's fortunate that she only went to assist the police in their investigation and did not fall back into the trap, otherwise it would have been a real pity."

Is your own father really that bad?

Xiaolan hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Dad's words that day seemed quite sincere, and he mistook Miss Toko for Mom, which is why he hit her..."

"Stop!"

Ying Sheng raised his hand to interrupt: "First of all, this is only his side of the story, and it cannot be verified so far. Who knows if he is just making excuses for himself? Secondly, when judging people and things, you have to look at the whole picture. You can't just see his sincerity. What about the background?"

Even if that wasn't an excuse, there really was a mastermind targeting him. When he went to Ginza to find Toko, was it because the mastermind kidnapped him?

He got so drunk he was barely conscious. Was someone forcing him to drink?

He mistook the nightclub madam for lawyer Fei and started a fight. Was someone holding his hand and controlling him like he was fighting a street fighter?

None.