Detective Conan: The Literary Genius is Actually a Great Scientist

weekend.

After lunch, Lin Ran planned to take a nap to replenish the energy she had used up the night before.

Unfortunately, he and his little maid were so engrossed in "playing games" in bed last night that they didn't come downstairs until almost noon today, under the almost tangible gaze of a certain tea-haired loli.

Kids are tough and can handle missing a meal.

However, precisely because he slept so much, he is not sleepy at all now, but full of energy.

"The weather is nice."

Looking out at the bright and sunny sky, Lin Ran hummed a song, found a backpack, picked out a book from the bookshelf, and also took a copy and a pen, preparing to go out to gather inspiration.

Writing is a form of scholarship; one cannot work in isolation.

Snow Country is nearing its end.

However, Lin Ran wasn't very satisfied with the words she had written, feeling that they were still lacking something.

He wasn't just a plagiarist; he wanted to write "Snow Country," a work set in the late summer, incorporating his observations and understanding of the world. Therefore, he had been revising and polishing it repeatedly these past few days, and the revised manuscript alone had almost filled a drawer.

Standing on the shoulders of giants, he aims to do even better.

A meticulous attitude is a very important quality for a writer.

As Lin Ran walked downstairs with her bag, her gaze was drawn to a small figure on the living room sofa.

The tea-haired loli was leisurely leaning against a cushion, her fair legs, clad in cute house socks, swaying in the air. She was holding something in her hands and looking at it, looking serene and content.

Seeing this adorable scene, Lin Ran's mischievous side kicked in again. He tiptoed over, stretched out his wicked hand, and pressed it towards that brown little head, preparing for a surprise head pat.

But just as it was about to land...

"Wait a minute!"

A clear, decisive voice rang out.

Xiao Ai didn't even raise her head, but simply raised one hand and placed a wallet that looked quite valuable between Lin Ran's hand and her own head.

Did you top up your account? You just want to touch it.

Lin Ran's hand froze in mid-air as she noticed three brand-new women's wallets, clearly from luxury brands, neatly arranged on the sofa next to Xiao Ai.

The latest design by Fusa.

She was just admiring her spoils there.

"Tsk..."

Lin Ran regretfully withdrew her hand and casually asked, "Where did you get this from?"

Ai glanced at him, turned her head, picked up the magazine, and indicated that she refused to answer the question.

With new bags, and three of them at that, the privilege of occasionally patting her head that Lin Ran had given her in exchange for the bag he bought her while shopping before naturally expired.

Want to touch it again? Please renew your subscription first.

Although she didn't get an answer, Lin Ran had already guessed who it was.

Ai has been staying at home or going to school these past few days. Her sister's salary is definitely not enough for her to squander like this. Even if the three little devils in the school who are always causing trouble pooled all their pocket money together, they probably couldn't afford even a fraction of the price of one of the bags.

With that money, Yuan Tai said he'd rather buy an eel rice bowl.

Eliminating all impossible answers, the truth is—

It was bought for her by a famous detective.

This guy is definitely not short of money.

"So it was that sucker..." Lin Ran stroked his chin, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes, but then a surge of displeasure welled up inside him.

Now I can't even touch the cute little girl's head anymore!

This debt must be pinned on Big Head Detective. Just wait, they'll attack your spawn point sooner or later!

......

After leaving the villa, Lin Ran, carrying her schoolbag, strolled leisurely through the streets of Beika Town.

As the city center, Mihana's streets are very lively.

The street is lined with restaurants and cuisines from all over the world, but having just finished lunch, he didn't have much of an appetite to try them, though there were exceptions.

"Young man, would you like to try our special milk tea?" A pretty young woman standing by the roadside handing out flyers and attracting customers blocked Lin Ran's way with a big smile.

"Oh, it's free?"

Even after being stopped, Lin Ran wasn't in a hurry to leave.

"Hmm..." Upon hearing Lin Ran's words, the young lady hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on Lin Ran's face for a second before smiling and saying, "Of course, it's free to try. If you like it, you can come and patronize us more often in the future."

Free milk tea, might as well drink it.

Lin Ran decisively followed the young lady into the store and got a cup of milk tea.

Before leaving, the person wanted to ask for his contact information for customer research. Since he had been asked to do so, Lin Ran didn't hesitate and gave them Xiao Ai's phone number. He told them to tell the little girl what they wanted to say.

Getting a free milk tea just by being pretty sounds so exciting.

"Slurp~"

While sipping her milk tea, Lin Ran strolled around the bustling commercial district, soaking in the lively weekend crowds and vibrant urban atmosphere.

Finally, he turned his feet at a street corner.

Once inside, you'll find yourself in a rather unique area—the traditional flower town.

This is what is known as the "customs area".

Japan has a long history of folk culture, and geisha and maiko are a unique feature of its traditional culture. Almost 80% of tourists, especially male tourists, will visit them to make their trip worthwhile.

Of course, don't get me wrong.

He didn't come here with any ulterior motives; he was purely there to gather inspiration and create art.

Komako is one of the key characters in Snow Country.

She was a geisha who lived in a hot spring inn, possessing a touch of wildness and pure vitality.

She is also a girl who loves reading novels, writing diaries, and even though she is forced to work as an entertainer in brothels to repay a debt of gratitude for treating her master's young master, she still yearns for love.

To write a good character that is both illusory and futile, it is far from enough to just read books and consult materials; knowledge gained from books is ultimately superficial.

Lin Ran needs to observe and experience the atmosphere of this special profession up close, and try to understand the mindset of the people in it. Even if it's just a fleeting glimpse, it's more real than just imagining it.

So, he really didn't want to visit the brothel district!

A scholar of my caliber, even back in ancient times, would have been entitled to touch the hands of the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai while strolling along the banks of the Qinhuai River. But for a courtesan of this caliber, even a free ride wouldn't be considered classy.

Walking on the relatively outlying streets, Lin Ran observed silently.

The architecture here is more traditional, with lanterns hanging and curtains half-drawn. Geishas dressed in kimonos and heavy makeup can be seen hurrying by from time to time.

Most of them are actually tourists like him.

I came here not to enter the ryotei with noren curtains, but mainly to broaden my horizons so that I can brag to my friends and family who haven't been here before.

"It has a very real, everyday feel to it..."

With a sigh, Lin Ran found a bench on a street corner, took out a notebook and pen, and casually jotted down some fragments of inspiration.

He was also the first person to write in a folk customs district.

However, after writing only a few sentences, he heard a slightly hesitant voice beside him.

"Um...this gentleman..."

Lin Ran stopped writing and looked up.

Before me stood a young woman who looked no more than twenty-five or twenty-six years old, dressed in an elegant kimono, with light makeup. Her eyes lacked the worldliness and allure of someone who had seen it all, instead carrying a clear sense of panic and feigned composure.

Standing a few steps away, his hands were clasped nervously in front of him.

"Heh~"

Lin Ran was somewhat surprised.

Then I quickly realized that this person... is probably a newbie.

Any experienced geisha would never actively solicit a young man like him, who looks like a student. He's not a client with stable, high spending power.

Instead of wasting that time, it's better to take a break.

Although their work is not physically demanding under normal circumstances, they inevitably encounter some customers who have strange or even perverse requests, or who want them to do things themselves.

Lin Ran put away her pen and smiled, "First time?"

Seeing that she had been exposed, the young woman's cheeks flushed red, but she still bit her lower lip and nodded.

"Yes...yes, I...I'm very clean...Today...is the first day."

The young woman was flustered, afraid that Lin Ran would refuse.

Compared to giving her virginity to those disgusting old men, she felt that giving it to this clean-cut and handsome young man in front of her might not be so unacceptable.

Upon hearing this, Lin Ran shook her head and closed her notebook: "I'm sorry, you misunderstood. I'm not here to spend money. I'm a writer, and I'm just here to find inspiration and observe."

The young woman was clearly disappointed by this answer.

But then she breathed a sigh of relief, realizing she wasn't really ready to "start".

"A writer?" she repeated softly. "I...I also like reading."

"Oh? What kind of books do you like to read?" Lin Ran asked, following her words, patting the empty seat on the bench next to her, indicating that she could sit down and chat.

Perhaps it was Lin Ran's non-aggressive, scholarly air, or perhaps she needed a moment to catch her breath before immediately throwing herself into "work," but the young woman hesitated for a moment before finally sitting down at the other end of the bench.

The two chatted casually like that.

The conversation gradually moved from the books at the beginning to a deeper level.

It was rare to encounter a young man in this unfamiliar environment who was willing to listen and had clear eyes. The young woman also seemed to have a lot to say to Lin Ran.

She originally had a happy and fulfilling family.

But in the past six months, her husband suddenly lost his job, and her daughter was implicated in a murder case. She was the one who was killed. Although the case was solved by the detective, the murderer was only arrested by the police. There was no money to make compensation, let alone the large sum of money her daughter needed for surgery.

The entire burden of the family suddenly fell on her shoulders.

With nowhere else to turn, she reluctantly stepped onto this street after being "introduced" and persuaded by a so-called "friend".

Lin Ran listened to her story, seemingly lost in thought.

In 90s Japan, many housewives were forced into the adult film industry because their husbands suddenly lost their jobs and they had to support their families. This led to the flourishing of adult film culture in later generations.

but……

Why does he feel like there's a Grim Reaper elementary school student in there?

Throughout the conversation, the young woman remained optimistic.

According to the calculations her seniors had made for her, she could quickly raise enough money for her daughter's surgery if she worked hard. She even asked about Lin Ran's pen name, saying that if it could be published, she would definitely buy a copy to support her.

Lin Ran listened quietly the whole time, without interrupting or showing any sympathy or pity.

He was merely a listener, sensing the almost suffocating sense of "futileness" in her words, and beneath that futility, the stubbornly shining light of a mother.

Before they knew it, the two had been chatting for quite a while.

Having gained a lot, Lin Ran knew it was time to leave.

Before leaving, he took out a sample copy of "The Devotion of Suspect X" from his bag.

He took out a pen and wrote his pen name, "Summer's End," on the title page.

"Here, take this." He handed the book to the somewhat surprised young woman.

"This is……"

"My book." Lin Ran smiled. "If... you haven't completely made up your mind yet, and you feel that this path is too painful, you might as well take this book to the Yomiuri Shimbun, find an editor named Endo, and tell him that 'Summer' sent you. He will help you solve your current troubles."

The young woman took the book in a daze, looked at the cover, and then looked up at Lin Ran. She was first shocked, and then confused.

"Why...why..."

"For no reason."

Lin Ran stood up, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and stretched. "Consider it a reward for keeping me company for chatting for so long and giving me valuable inspiration. Also, consider it an author's help to potential readers."

He paused for a moment before continuing:

"Life may be tough, but don't let yourself get hurt too."

After saying that, Lin Ran nodded slightly to her, turned around, and left.

……

We left the folk-customs street.

Lin Ran was in a particularly good mood at this moment.

He found the inspiration he needed in that young woman—the futile attempt to remain optimistic even in despair.

The great man was absolutely right.

Theory must be combined with practice; theory divorced from practice is empty theory, and the same applies to writing.

As for helping her?

It just means we sold a few fewer books.

Editor Endo could arrange everything with just one phone call. Using a manuscript fee to save a young woman who might be on the verge of going astray was a worthwhile deal.

Most importantly, nothing is more valuable than my own happiness.

"What Mr. Lu Xun said is also very true. Dragging good women into prostitution and persuading prostitutes to reform themselves are indeed two of the greatest hobbies of men."

Lin Ran is now full of a sense of accomplishment, and she walks with a swagger.

He glanced at the time; it was only 4 p.m. Before it got dark, he found a coffee shop on the side of the road, prepared to order a coffee, and jot down the inspiration he had just gained. A bad pen is worse than a good memory.

Lin Ran had just stepped into the coffee shop.

A stunningly beautiful woman with a neat bun, wearing glasses, exuding both elegance and strength, was carrying a file folder and talking on the phone as she pushed open the door of the coffee shop.