Detective Conan: The Literary Genius is Actually a Great Scientist

The case was settled, and even faster than the police cars retreated were the ambulances with their sirens blaring and lights flashing.

We have to hurry!

If they had arrived any later, the police officers could have directly contacted the funeral home, skipping the rescue phase and moving on to the grieving process of "collecting the body" and "notifying the family."

Attorney Fei's outburst was clearly an expression of the anger she had been holding back in the library and the pent-up frustration she had accumulated from Lin Ran's provocations earlier that day. She vented it all on this clueless culprit, nearly killing him instantly.

As for whether it involves excessive self-defense...

Are you sure you want to delve into the delicate line between "self-defense" and "excessive self-defense" with a top lawyer who is an expert in criminal law, a force to be reckoned with in court, and who can make black seem white and white seem colorful?

Police officers present: Forget it, forget it, we didn't see anything. The culprit slipped and fell unconscious! Yes, that's it!

"Thanks to the two of you, the case was solved so quickly, but..." Inspector Megure wiped his sweat as he walked up to the two men, hesitating to speak.

"But what?" Eri asked.

"However, could you two perhaps visit fewer public places in the future?" Inspector Megure said with a wry smile. "This is the second time I've encountered you at a crime scene this month."

He really didn't want to run into these two troublemakers again. If you want to have your love affair, could you please find another place?

Lin Ran and Fei Yingli exchanged a glance.

"This can't be blamed on us, can it?" Lin Ran shrugged. "We were just having coffee, taking a walk, and doing some research. How can you attribute the evil thoughts of criminals to us?"

"Yes, Inspector Megure." Eri Kisaki also reverted to her aloof and elegant lawyer demeanor. "The crime had nothing to do with us; we just happened to be there."

Inspector Megure's lips twitched, and he finally sighed, giving up on continuing the debate with the two. The main reason was that these two were a famous writer and a famous lawyer, both top-notch critics, and he really couldn't think of anyone who could out-argue them.

"Alright, alright... Anyway, thank you both for your help. Let's call it a day!"

After the police left, the coffee shop returned to calm. Although all the customers had left, leaving only the owner sitting dejectedly behind the counter, well... that's just how it is with Mihana. Everyone will come back again tomorrow.

It's just that someone died, it's not a big deal.

Lin Ran checked the time; it was six o'clock in the evening.

"So..." He turned to Eri, a smile playing on his lips, "I won, right?"

Eri Kisaki raised an eyebrow: "I don't think I agreed to bet with you on who the murderer is."

"Trying to back out?"

Lin Ran's eyes widened, revealing a shocked expression that said, "You're such a lawyer?!" "The undefeated queen of the legal profession, the embodiment of justice, the paragon of morality—you actually want to cheat on me, a naive and kind eighteen-year-old? If this gets out, what will become of your reputation?"

Eri Kisaki was silent for a few seconds, looking at Lin Ran's childlike expression, before slowly revealing a smile: "Alright, a bet's a bet, but..."

She stood up, picked up her bag, and looked down at Lin Ran:

"It's too late today, there's no time to prepare the ingredients. I'll cook you a big meal myself when your new book is released another day, at my house."

A top lawyer cooking himself?

At her house? Just the two of them!

Upon hearing this suggestion, a series of images flashed through Lin Ran's mind: a secluded private space, a slightly tipsy atmosphere, a mature and beautiful older woman... and some terrifying legends from her past life about the "culinary skills of top lawyers"...

The man's expression changed.

"Ahem, I think it doesn't matter who pays, as long as the sentiment is there. How about this, as a repayment for saving my life as a lawyer, this meal is on me!"

He patted his chest, looking like he was loaded with money.

"No, a bet's a bet. I said I'd treat, so it's my treat."

Eri Kisaki interrupted Lin Ran with a smile.

Lin Ran waved her hand, her face full of righteousness: "Respecting the elderly and caring for the young is a traditional virtue of our China. You see, you are older than me, more experienced, and a senior! As a junior, I should respect you... ah, no, I should treat you to a meal! So, it's my treat!"

Eri readily agreed, nodding and saying, "Caring for the young is indeed a virtue. You're young and still in school, so as your older sister, it's my duty to take care of you and treat you to a meal. So, it's my treat."

"My treat!"

"I'll treat you..."

The shop owner, who was silently cleaning up the mess and feeling sorry for his floor, couldn't bear to watch any longer and timidly interjected, "Um... how about... this meal is on me?"

The two looked back at the shop owner, then looked back at each other.

Lin Ran read the words "no room for negotiation" in Eri's smiling yet unwavering eyes.

He finally sighed helplessly, his face showing a tragic expression reminiscent of "The wind howls, the Yi River is cold, the hero departs, never to return," as if he were not going to eat, but to a banquet at Hongmen.

"Alright..." he drawled, with the resolve to accompany a gentleman even at the cost of his life, "Since you, esteemed lawyer, are so kind as to accept, then I... will humbly comply. I look forward to your... skill."

Eri Kisaki smiled with satisfaction. "You're a smart kid."

……

Get out of the coffee shop.

Although it was already past six o'clock in the evening, it gets dark more slowly in summer than usual. The sun was still on its way home, and the setting sun was turning the streets golden.

Eri walked ahead, carrying a bag in one hand and casually crossing her other arm over her prominent chest. A few strands of hair fluttered in the wind, and the slanting sunset shone on her face, casting a warm glow that softened her icy aura.

It's beautiful and moisturizing.

The sight of the passersby and tourists was breathtaking.

But no one dared to approach her. They all hesitated, simply admiring the beautiful scenery. Although she was beautiful, the icy aura emanating from this mature woman made her seem unapproachable. If they dared to approach her, they might just get themselves killed on the spot.

Lin Ran followed her at a leisurely pace, just one step behind, allowing him to admire her elegant back view, perfect waist-to-hip ratio, and those long, straight legs that looked exceptionally slender and straight against her OL skirt and high heels.

As he watched, he suddenly spoke:

"The top lawyer."

"Um?"

"You originally came to see your family today, right?"

Eri Kisaki paused for a moment, but did not stop.

"...How did you know?"

"I'm just guessing." Lin Ran quickened her pace to walk beside her. "When you sat down and looked at your phone, you looked very guilty. Who else could make Attorney Eri Kisaki feel guilty besides her precious daughter?"

Eri Kisaki did not answer, but simply continued walking.

Lin Ran didn't press further, but instead said, "However, I don't think your daughter will blame you, after all..."

He paused deliberately, and when Eri looked puzzled, he flashed a bright, irritating smile and continued:

"Compared to having afternoon tea with your mother, which might involve a generation gap, I'm sure your daughter would much rather see her mom on a romantic, artistic date with a young, handsome, talented, charming, and incredibly promising guy like me!"

Eri Kisaki was startled by his narcissistic words and stopped in her tracks.

I turned to look at him.

In the setting sun, the boy's profile was bathed in a warm golden light, and her figure was reflected in his dark eyes.

"Lin Ran," she suddenly called his name.

"Um?"

"Sometimes you are really annoying."

"Thank you for the compliment," Lin Ran said with a grin. "But, lawyer, the corners of your mouth were turned up when you said that, weren't they?"

Eri Kisaki was taken aback and subconsciously touched the corner of her mouth.

Then she smiled.

It wasn't a polite, professional smile, but a truly relaxed smile, tinged with a hint of helplessness and indulgence.

That smile instantly softened her appearance tenfold, making her breathtakingly beautiful. Even Lin Ran, who was used to seeing beautiful women, was momentarily stunned.

She laughed like that for a long time before shaking her head and looking at Lin Ran, asking, "By the way, didn't you say you didn't want to meddle? Then why did you stand up in the shop?"

Hearing her ask that, Lin Ran also started walking to follow.

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he raised his arm, stretched towards the crowd of people whose lights were just coming on in the distance, then withdrew his hand, put it in his pocket, and said in a seemingly casual tone:

"Because, you, the great lawyer... are not just doing trivial matters~"

Eri Kisaki abruptly stopped, staring at the boy's languid yet earnest demeanor. Her calm, unperturbed mind, honed by years of experience as a lawyer, was suddenly stirred.

Ripples begin to spread, circle after circle, uncontrollably expanding and growing larger and larger, increasingly difficult to calm.

"Heh~"

A soft laugh escaped from her red lips.

"Let's go."

"Okay~"

The coffee shop owner, watching the figures walking side by side in the distance through the glass window, muttered to himself, "These young people nowadays, I just don't understand them. Maybe I should open a couples' coffee shop someday..."

He shook his head and began to tidy up the mess in the shop.