Stay away from Conan.

By analyzing the content posted on Sumire Shindo's social media accounts and her recent internet browsing history using her IP address, we can determine her recent lifestyle and preferences. Based on this analysis, we can then create a trip specifically designed for her that she is highly likely to participate in...

Then, based on her browsing habits online, a "normal" message was sent to her, and she was "extremely lucky" to win the prize...

Thus, the online actions are complete; all that remains is to deliver the "prize tickets" in the real world and actually use money to smooth things over at every stage of this so-called "trip."

That's not too difficult.

However, there is at least one thing I need to worry about: once Shindo Sumire falls into the trap and begins this journey I've woven for her, she can't be found by the murderer beforehand.

Therefore, it's still necessary to make an in-person trip.

Thus, the initial operation was basically completed. For Gao Yuan, as long as he could ensure the safety of Xintang Jin and achieve this goal without arousing suspicion from other parties, one of the constraints on his actions was removed, and he could then proceed with some more freedom.

Having calmed his nerves, Gao Yuan finally emerged from the room, feeling a sense of utter disbelief, as if he had just returned from another world.

Finally, I am back to a normal life, instead of that dream where I was fighting against the organization with all my might for a single goal.

But, to be honest, it seems...

Aside from not having to worry about being directly targeted by the organization now, the ultimate goal remains unchanged; it's just that in this real world, I still have a home...

With a slight sense of melancholy, Gao Yuan looked at the mansion in front of him and sighed softly, thinking back to when he was in the dream world, he didn't choose to take this mansion from Nishikawa Taijo, but instead directly exchanged it for wealth, which eventually turned into a bunch of drones to deal with the organization's armed forces.

Only in this way could he barely manage to fight the organization's armed forces to a standstill in the dream, by taking them by surprise.

Therefore, this can be considered a form of verification.

This proves that my previous plan to go abroad was feasible.

In reality, I cannot directly come up with such a huge amount of funds to build a drone swarm's combat power. Therefore, I have chosen a slow and steady approach, waiting for the company I have established in the neighboring country to quickly promote civilian intelligent drones to the market. In this way, the combat power of the drone swarm I can obtain will be immeasurable!

At this point, my long-term idea became even more solidified, and then I returned to reality—

"I am back."

As Takato went downstairs and was rummaging through the refrigerator for food, preparing to eat something, Ai, who had just finished school, walked in from outside the mansion with her schoolbag on her back. Hearing the noise inside, Ai couldn't help but say something habitually as she entered, and then went to the living room and asked Takato, who was in the kitchen:

"What's for dinner tonight?"

Upon hearing this commotion, Gao Yuan was momentarily dazed, as if only now realizing the transformation from "Shiho Miyano" to Ai Haibara. He quickly recovered and smiled in response to Ai:
"What do you want to eat?"

After placing her schoolbag on the sofa, Ai habitually walked to the dining area and glanced at the instant curry and a few simple ingredients that Gao Yuan was taking out of the refrigerator. Her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"that's it?"

Her tone was calm, yet carried a subtle hint of concern:

What did you have for lunch?

As she spoke, Ai subconsciously glanced in the direction of the kitchen trash can.

Thus, Gao Yuan paused slightly, thinking that he had only been dealing with Shindo Sumire's matter since waking up from his dream, and was only now preparing to eat something. Faced with Ai's question, Gao Yuan was momentarily stunned.

Gao Yuan looked down at the box of chilled curry in his hand, then at the few eggs beside it, and smiled somewhat sheepishly.
"I was thinking... never mind, how about we go out to eat?"

As he said this, Gao Yuan prepared to put the ingredients back into the refrigerator.

Turning to look at Ai—

The setting sun slanted in through the kitchen window, casting a faint golden edge on her short, brown hair.

Seeing this, Gao Yuan suddenly felt that this kind of everyday, down-to-earth conversation was more reassuring than the thrilling life-or-death battles in his dreams.

However, it also makes people more easily confused.

Ai didn't answer immediately, but instead walked into the kitchen, glancing casually at Gao Yuan's slightly tired face—

Although his eyes were clear, they revealed an undisguised weariness, as if he had been concentrating intently on dealing with some thorny problem all day.

"You've been at home all day investigating that case, haven't you?"

Ai walked to the sink, turned on the tap, and began to wash her hands, her voice calm:

"You look even more tired than yesterday."

Gao Yuan was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening—

Although she had spent nearly a month mentally battling wits with the organization, from Ai's perspective, yesterday she attended a meeting at the Metropolitan Police Department, realized that the organization was lurking within, and then used some methods to directly expose Kyosuke Kazato, the murderer in the previous police shooting case, to the police, thus temporarily resolving that troublesome matter. Today, she should be at home, focusing entirely on investigating that new serial murder case...

So Gao Yuan nodded in agreement, replying without denying it:

"It is a bit of a hassle. There are too many regions involved, and the clues are scattered."

Xiao Ai dried her hands, took the rice container out of the cupboard, skillfully measured and rinsed the rice, put the inner pot of the rice cooker back and pressed the switch. This series of actions was smooth and efficient, completely unlike the daily routine of an elementary school student.

With her back to Gao Yuan, she continued:
"Edogawa was picked up by Professor Agasa after school today. He seems to be having a headache about this too." "Did the professor take him to the scene?"

Seeing Ai cooking, Gao Yuan was momentarily at a loss for what to do. He simply leaned against the kitchen doorframe, watching Ai prepare the ingredients he had originally planned to use as a makeshift meal, pondering the meaning behind Ai's words—

Conan was picked up by Professor Agasa?
In the original work, after the murder occurred, Conan was very concerned about it and investigated it seriously, so it is highly likely that this will be the case again.

"It should be."

Ai's tone carried a subtle hint of helplessness:

"Have Professor Agasa drive to pick him up... He probably wants to see it in person. Although I think given the extent of the police investigation and how much time has passed, they probably won't find out much more, but that Edogawa guy..."

As she said this, Ai was clearly a little annoyed by Conan's behavior, but ultimately she couldn't stop him, since Professor Agasa was on his side.

As Gao Yuan listened to Xiao Ai's words and watched her busy figure in the kitchen, he suddenly felt that the scene was somewhat unreal—

It feels like just a short while ago he was commanding drones to fight armed helicopters in a dream, but now he's standing at his own kitchen door, watching a shrunken Shiho Miyano preparing dinner.

"It would be good if he could discover any new clues."

Gao Yuan spoke softly, then helplessly rubbed his forehead—

The feeling of fatigue really came over me like a tidal wave, not only physically but also mentally.

The tension I felt for nearly a month in my dream still requires time to fully relax, even now that I'm awake.

Seeing Ai busy in the kitchen, processing the ingredients he had taken out, Gao Yuan thought for a moment, then walked to the refrigerator, rummaged through some other semi-prepared food, and joined in the preparation of dinner by using the various kitchen equipment.

And so, after the two tacitly prepared the ingredients, while waiting for the food to cook, they returned to the restaurant and sat down to rest for a while—

"So, what did you find out today?"

Xiao Ai suddenly asked, looking up with a hint of concern.

Gao Yuan considered his answer for a moment before replying:

"We've found some potentially relevant information... but it still needs to be verified. The people involved in this case have more complex backgrounds than they appear on the surface."

This is not lying.

Shindo Sumire was indeed the information he "found" today, and the background of the case—

It involves a list of spies organized by the organization.

This is indeed complicated, but he omitted the most crucial part.

Ai glanced at him, a knowing look flashing in her grey-blue eyes, but she didn't press further, simply nodding.
"Be careful. Since this case has alarmed police forces in so many regions to conduct a joint investigation, there's probably more to it than meets the eye."

As she said this, Ai paused for a moment, then added:

"It's the same with Edogawa... He was staring at his phone the whole time in class today, probably looking up information related to the case. Knowing his personality, he won't stop until he gets to the bottom of it."

Gao Yuan smiled wryly; he knew, of course, that Conan wouldn't give up.

In the original work, Conan was almost besieged by the organization at Tokyo Tower.

But now, with my early intervention, at least Shindo Sumire's safety is guaranteed, so the subsequent chain reaction will be different.

only……

"Of course... you should be careful too."

"A little worried," Ai added.

"I will be careful."

Faced with this situation, Gao Yuan finally said this, his tone serious—

As for Sumire Shindo, the lottery tickets should be delivered to her tomorrow.

Based on her personality as portrayed on social media, she's highly unlikely to refuse such "luck." Once she leaves Hachioji City, the killer's actions will be hindered, and then the police and the organization...

As he was thinking this, Gao Yuan's phone suddenly vibrated.

He pulled his phone from his pocket. A new text message appeared on the screen; the sender was "Inspector Megure"—

“Brother Akechi, there’s some progress in the investigation of that case tomorrow morning at nine o’clock. I hope you and Brother Mori can come and provide some guidance. I wonder if you’re available? —Inspector Megure.”

Will there be a new round of case analysis?

Gao Yuan stared at the screen and let out a soft breath—

It looks like I won't be able to get away tomorrow morning... (End of Chapter)