Guns and Coffee in the World of Science

Chapter 120: Sneak Attack on "Chen Shuo"

After the results of Mao Lilan's examination came out, it was confirmed that she was not seriously injured. There was no reason for them to stay in the hospital for long, so they returned home together.

On the way back, Mao Lilan was still serious, and kept replaying the details of the murderer's crime in her mind. In the hospital, she had already told Mao Li Kogoro in detail about the murderer's method that she had witnessed.

She calmly recalled every detail of the scene, from the killer's movements to the timing of his shooting, and even how he used the darkness to disguise himself and escape from the bathroom. Although Mao Lilan was never able to see the killer's face, her description still provided the police with a clear outline of the crime.

The police have begun a comprehensive investigation based on her clues, however, the case does not seem to be cleared up by these new clues, and the investigation is still progressing slowly. Mao Lilan sat quietly on the sofa in the living room, her eyes calm and occasionally revealing a hint of murderous intent.

Chen Shuo glanced at her, walked over to her side, patted her shoulder gently, and whispered, "Xiaolan, I will continue to follow up on the investigation. You have done a great job. If it weren't for you, Officer Sato wouldn't even have a chance to save him."

Mao Lilan nodded and forced a smile, but she couldn't let go of the self-blame in her heart: "I hope we can find him as soon as possible... It's all my fault... Officer Sato must not be injured in vain."

---

At night, Mao Lilan tossed and turned, completely unable to fall asleep. She quietly got up, quietly walked out of the bedroom, and went to the attic of her home, looking at the night sky alone. The moonlight fell on her, reflecting her slightly lowered face, her eyes filled with melancholy and endless self-blame.

Her heart was in turmoil, and the scene of Sato Miwako being shot and falling to the ground kept replaying in her mind. It seemed that every time she closed her eyes, the blood-stained image would appear clearly. She clenched her fists, her fingertips turning slightly white, and her lips trembled slightly. She couldn't calm down.

She didn't notice that outside the attic door, Sonoko and Haibara Ai were quietly watching her through the crack in the door, their eyes full of worry. Ever since they learned of Mouri Ran's guilt, they have been worried. They know that none of this is Mouri Ran's fault, but her kindness and sense of responsibility make her carry all the burdens on her shoulders.

Sonoko sighed softly and whispered to Huiyuan Ai: "Xiaolan is too gentle. It's not her responsibility at all, but she just can't let go..."

Huiyuan Ai nodded slightly, staring at Mao Lilan's back with complicated eyes, and responded in a low voice: "We can only accompany her and give her some time... The perverted uncle didn't go home tonight, he must have gone to deal with this matter. We have to trust him."

After saying this, Haibara Ai gently opened the door, walked silently into the attic, and sat down next to Mao Lilan. She didn't say much, but just slowly leaned over and sat in Mao Lilan's arms, silently comforting her with her warm company. Mao Lilan was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously raised her hand and gently put it around Haibara Ai's shoulders, feeling a hint of warmth.

A moment later, Sonoko also walked in quietly, gently put her arms around Mao Lilan's shoulders from behind, and said softly: "Xiaolan, we all know that you feel guilty, but you have done well enough. You are not alone, we are always here."

Hearing this, Mao Lilan's tense nerves finally relaxed. Her eyes were slightly red, and the long-suppressed emotions in her heart slowly dissolved under the comfort of her two friends.

Her eyes were filled with warmth and emotion. She felt so lucky to have such a group of people by her side. She took a deep breath and whispered, "It's so wonderful to have you all here... It's so worth it to have such wonderful friends, such a loving family, and... him in my life."

Sonoko and Haibara Ai looked at each other, with a gentle light flashing in their eyes. He silently tightened his arms around her. The three of them snuggled together in silence, without saying a word, but with a mutual understanding.

---

The three of them snuggled up together, looking up at the starry sky, their moods gradually calmed down as the quiet night fell. The night was gentle and comfortable, and before they knew it, they all fell asleep.

After an unknown amount of time, Mao Lilan suddenly felt a slight weight on her shoulders, as if someone had covered her with a warm blanket. She opened her eyes slightly and looked up drowsily. What caught her eye was Chen Shuo's gentle eyes, which were filled with a bit of heartache and love as he quietly watched them.

Mao Lilan smiled slightly, realizing that she, Sonoko, and Haibara Ai were still cuddling. At this moment, Sonoko woke up, rubbing her eyes. Seeing Chen Shuo, she immediately lowered her voice and asked excitedly, "Brother Shuo! You're back? How's the investigation going?"

Mao Lilan nodded and gently patted Huibara Ai, who was still sleeping in her arms. There was a hint of nervousness and anticipation in her tone, but her eyes never left Chen Shuo. What she cared about most was always the unsolved case and the murderer who was still at large.

Chen Shuo patted her head soothingly, his tone gentle, "It's still ongoing, and the police have stepped up their investigation. Don't worry, I'll let you know as soon as there's any progress."

Mao Lilan and Sonoko looked at each other and nodded silently, but there was a hint of doubt in their eyes.

Mao Lilan gently carried the sleeping Haibara Ai back to her room, carefully tucked her in, and walked into the living room after closing the door. Chen Shuo was sitting on the sofa, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he was lost in thought. The atmosphere was solemn. A faint sound came from the kitchen; Sonoko seemed to be making coffee.

Mao Lilan's eyes flashed with a gleam, and she smiled as she sat down opposite Chen Shuo, breaking the silence in the living room: "Brother Shuo, how are things going with the police? Today you two are working together for the first time in a long time."

Chen Shuo looked up and smiled at her, nodded and said, "Well, the police are conducting a large-scale investigation. After all, the people at the banquet are complicated and there are too many participants, so this will take some time. But don't worry, I believe there will be some results in the end." His eyes were gentle, trying to give Mao Lilan more confidence.

Mao Lilan nodded slightly, picked up a pillow on the sofa, leaned on the sofa, gently hugged the pillow, tilted her head slightly, and looked at Chen Shuo with a solemn expression. Seeing this, Chen Shuo couldn't help but speak, with worry in his eyes: "Xiao Lan, are you okay? You didn't do anything wrong, really, just relax."

She took a deep breath, forced a smile, and gently tightened the pillow against her chest. Mao Lilan responded in a low voice: "I will, thank you, Brother Shuo... With you around, I do feel more at ease."

At this moment, Yuanzi came over with a cup of brewed coffee. She gently placed a cup of steaming hot coffee in front of Chen Shuo and asked with a puzzled smile, "Brother Shuo, why did you come back so suddenly? Didn't you say you wouldn't be back tonight?"

Chen Shuo took a sip of his coffee and explained calmly, "I was a little worried about Xiaolan, so I came back to check on her. Now that she's recovered well, I'm relieved. I'll be leaving soon."

However, Sonoko suddenly narrowed her eyes, leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Really? But we never heard you say you wouldn't come back tonight, fake!" Her voice was soft, but it was a little cold.

Before Chen Shuo could react, Mao Lilan slowly put away the smile on her face. She stared at him with a cold and murderous look in her eyes: "Besides, Brother Shuo has never cooperated with the police." Her voice was low, and her tone revealed an unfathomable deterrent.

A flicker of surprise flashed across Chen Shuo's eyes, but before he could react, he felt a sharp gust of wind coming from behind him. He reacted quickly, dodging the attack. Suzuki Sonoko's dagger instantly pierced the sofa he had just been sitting on, the sharp blade piercing deep into it.

Seeing her sneak attack fail, Sonoko maintained a calm smile, as if she had anticipated his reaction. She calmly pulled a Glock 19 pistol from behind her back and pointed it coldly at his head. At the same time, Mao Lilan pulled an eagle claw knife from her pillow, the blade cold and sharp, and placed it firmly against his neck.

All this happened in a flash. Chen Shuo didn't dare to move, and his expression froze instantly.

"Who are you?" Ran Mouri and Sonoko had cold eyes and their voices were like sharp blades piercing people's hearts. They asked in unison.

After the initial astonishment, the expression on "Chen Shuo's" face gradually turned into helplessness, and the corner of his mouth even curled up into a somewhat charming smile, which made people feel very awkward.

"It seems I really miscalculated," she said softly. Her voice was no longer Chen Shuo's deep male voice, but a soft and charming female voice with a hint of teasing. "Even if he's just a rookie, he was trained by Wu Chen himself. How could he not be alert?"

She smiled softly, seemingly ignoring the two coldly pointed swords and guns at her, and leisurely reached out to lightly scratch her face. In that instant, Chen Shuo's tall figure transformed at a visible speed, as if a mask had been torn off. Her originally rugged features gradually became refined, the lines softened, and in a moment, she transformed into a charming and attractive blonde woman.

Mao Lilan and Sonoko were both shocked by this astonishing change, and their grip on the swords and guns subconsciously loosened a little. They stared at the woman in front of them with wide eyes in disbelief, their minds filled with questions and shock.

"Sharon?!" Mao Lilan stared at the blonde woman in front of her in astonishment, stunned for a few seconds. She recognized her—it was her favorite actress, Sharon Wynyard. However, Sharon looked incredibly young, completely unlike the mature woman she remembered.

"How could she be... so young?" Mao Lilan muttered to herself, her mind in a state of confusion. The last time she had seen Sharon was in New York a year ago. Back then, Sharon had been gentle and mature, the traces of time clearly visible. However, the woman before her, with her beautiful and charming appearance, looked nothing like the fifty-year-old Sharon.

Just as she was confused, an idea flashed in her mind. Mao Lilan's expression changed slightly, and she asked in a low voice: "Are you... Chris Wynyard?"

When the blonde woman heard this, a playful smile appeared on her lips. She narrowed her eyes slightly and looked at Mao Lilan with a hint of mischief, as if she was very satisfied with her reaction: "Who knows?"

Mao Lilan felt her heart sink. The woman in front of her was no longer the star she once admired, but a stranger wrapped in layers of mystery.