Ke Xue: The thief Cao is actually myself

Chapter 603: I won’t pretend anymore. I’m going to show my cards! (Please give me a monthly ticket!)

"Stop preaching these truths to me here!"

When Maori Kogoro heard this, his ferocious expression froze for a moment, and a barely perceptible waver flashed across his eyes, but he soon hardened up again, crossed his arms, curled his lips, and said with dissatisfaction and doubt, "That brat Kudo Shinichi and I are both detectives, but I always feel that a detective should not only find the truth, but also protect the people around him."

"Over the years, I have never left my family alone to worry and fear just to investigate a case."

"Every time before I go out to investigate a case, I always explain everything clearly to Xiaolan and the others, telling them not to worry. Unlike that kid, he just ran away without saying a word."

Kogoro Mori became more and more excited as he spoke. The veins on his neck bulged out, beads of sweat the size of beans rolled down his forehead, and his voice became hoarseer with anger.

"What's even more infuriating is that he disappeared without a trace. We called him but no one answered or he just hung up. Xiaolan was so worried about him that she couldn't eat or sleep, but he was out there, happily investigating the case. He didn't care about Xiaolan and our concerns, like a deaf person. What did he think of us? As his free babysitter or his attendants who would come whenever he called?"

Kogoro Mori slammed his fist on the table again, causing the teacup on the table to bounce high and splash hot tea everywhere, just like his uncontrollable anger that was overflowing at the moment.

"Also, it's true that the truth is important, but are Xiaolan's feelings worthless and can be ignored at will? Over the years, how many tears Xiaolan has shed and how much grievance she has endured behind her back, have you really seen it? She always pretends to be strong in front of me, but as a father, how can I not see the pain in her heart!"

Why can't I just stand by and watch?

Oh, in the final analysis, it was Kudo Shinichi's passion for solving the case that was at work! In his heart, the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction brought by solving the case probably surpassed his concern for Xiaolan. In the face of the attraction of the case, Xiaolan's joy, anger, sorrow and happiness became insignificant.

In other words, from the moment the case occurred, Xiaolan, as his childhood sweetheart, was destined to stand alone in a corner forgotten by him, guarding the little bit of hope that was about to go out during the long wait.

Moreover, no matter how important the case was, couldn't he first properly settle his Xiaolan, or take a moment to explain everything to her before rushing to the scene?

However, whenever Kudo Shinichi heard about a case, he would be like his soul was taken away, and he would abandon his Xiaolan without a second thought and rush to the crime scene, leaving Xiaolan alone to face the empty surroundings, with her full expectations gone, silently enduring loneliness and worry.

What’s even more infuriating is that if his daughter doesn’t call him, that guy doesn’t even bother to reply. It’s as if he has disappeared from the face of the earth, as if Xiaolan is just an insignificant passer-by in his life.

"Also, you said he has feelings for Xiaolan. Ha, I don't think so!" Maori Kogoro became more and more excited as he spoke. He clenched his fists suddenly, his knuckles turned white due to the force, and veins on his forehead popped out. "Xiaolan was so good to him and gave so much for him, but what did he get? It was disappointment again and again! How can you really like someone, but always be so careless and hurt him wantonly? If he had any conscience, he should know how much Xiaolan has suffered for him! Even if he had considered Xiaolan a little more, Xiaolan wouldn't be so sad! I wouldn't be so angry!"

As he spoke, his voice became hoarse with anger, and his eyes became redder, showing the deep love a father has for his daughter.

"If Kudo Shinichi is really capable, and if he really cares about Xiaolan as much as you said, he should find a way to balance it, instead of letting Xiaolan endure these grievances again and again, and be sad and upset alone during the long and tormenting wait!"

As he spoke, Kogoro Mori's eyes became red again, crystal tears welled up in his eyes, his shoulders trembled slightly, and his voice was unconsciously choked with sobs. His heart was filled with heartache and pity that almost overflowed. It was the purest and deepest love a father had for his daughter, but at this moment it turned into accusations and dissatisfaction towards Kudo Shinichi.

Conan stood aside, his head lowered, his hands nervously grasping the corners of his clothes, his face full of guilt, wishing he could hide himself. His lips trembled slightly, and he wanted to open his mouth to explain, but his throat seemed to be strangled by a pair of cold and invisible hands, so dry that he could not make a sound, and could only make a few weak breaths.

At this moment, every word of Kogoro Mori was like a sharp steel needle, piercing straight into his heart, hurting him so much that he could hardly breathe.

In his mind, he couldn't help but recall the scenes of breaking his promise to Xiaolan because he was obsessed with the case, as well as Xiaolan's lost eyes and the loneliness behind her forced smile. All of this surged in his mind like a surging tide, drowning him in endless self-blame and regret.

He knew very well that in his pursuit of the truth, he had cruelly ignored the feelings of his childhood sweetheart time and time again and deeply hurt her heart. This was a mistake that he would never be able to easily erase in his lifetime.

Every moment of being let down was like a knife, leaving difficult-to-heal scars in the relationship between him and Xiaolan.

Thinking of this, Conan subconsciously clenched his fists, his eyes full of regret and guilt. While feeling regret and guilt, he also secretly made a vow in his heart.

He will never make Xiaolan sad again, and he will definitely find a way to balance everything.

However, even though he said this, he knew in his heart that it would be easier said than done to fulfill this promise.

Because, putting aside the fact that he was not sure whether he was favored by the God of Detectives or what, after he became a detective, cases came one after another like a tide, one after another, with no signs of stopping.

For example, the threat of the Black Organization is still looming over his head. Their existence is like a bomb that may explode at any time, putting him and the people around him in danger all the time.

If he doesn't solve this problem, it will be a luxury for him to even restore his original identity, let alone be with his childhood sweetheart, Mouri Ran!

However, this time, no matter how difficult and dangerous the road ahead is, he is determined not to let Xiaolan swallow the pain and grievances alone. This time, he must become Xiaolan's real support. Thinking of this, Conan slowly raised his head and looked at Maori Kogoro firmly. His eyes revealed a maturity and firmness that was inconsistent with his age, as if at this moment, he was no longer that little child, but a man who could take responsibility. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady, and said sincerely: "Uncle Maori, I understand your anger and worries. Brother Shinichi does have some shortcomings in dealing with the relationship with Sister Xiaolan, but please believe that Sister Xiaolan's weight in his heart is unmatched, and everything he does is to give Sister Xiaolan a stable future."

At this point, Conan paused, his Adam's apple unconsciously rolled up and down, and a hint of hesitation flashed across his eyes. He knew that once the next words came out, they might calm Kogoro's anger, but they might also cause more trouble. But at this moment, it seemed that there was no other choice. "Besides, the reason why he lost contact for such a long time this time was actually for a reason."

At this point, he can only reveal part of the truth to Kogoro Mori. Otherwise, Kogoro Mori's anger will only grow, and Xiaolan will remain trapped in the quagmire of worry.

Of course, although we have to tell the truth, we must not reveal it all without reservation.

After all, the existence of the Black Organization is too dangerous and sensitive.

Once all the relevant details are confessed, let alone whether Kogoro Mori can accept such a shocking truth, this high school detective himself may be involved in bigger troubles and may even be closely watched by some evil forces hidden in the darkness.

As a result, those people around him whom he cherishes so much will be dragged into an abyss of no return.

Conan subconsciously licked his lips that had become dry and chapped due to nervousness and anxiety, and quickly organized his words in his mind, and then continued: "Because, when he was investigating a case, he encountered a particularly troublesome case. The forces involved were intricate and intertwined. If he was not careful, Sister Xiaolan and everyone else would fall into an irretrievable situation."

Conan became more and more excited as he spoke, and he unconsciously gestured with his hands, trying to make Kogoro Mouri more aware of the seriousness of the situation.

"He didn't contact you for such a long time, and he was so focused on the case. Firstly, he was driven by the sense of mission in his detective's bones. Facing such a serious case and the evil hidden in the darkness, he couldn't just turn a blind eye and stand idly by. Secondly, he also wanted to solve this deadly threat as soon as possible."

Conan paused, his chest rising and falling violently, and he took a deep breath, as if to absorb all his courage into his body, before continuing: "Because only by completely eradicating this trouble can he truly let go of his worries and stay with Sister Xiaolan without any worries, giving her a stable, happy future without any haze."

As he spoke, Conan's eyes flashed with determination and sincerity, and he looked straight at Mouri Kogoro. He hoped very much that Mouri Kogoro could understand that he, Kudo Shinichi, did not care about Xiaolan, but was protecting her in his own way.

Maori Kogoro listened to Conan's explanation, but his originally twisted brows did not relax immediately. His eyes were still full of suspicion and scrutiny. He stared at Conan, as if he wanted to find traces of lying on his face. "Humph, you talk very nicely, but can a case make him disappear for so long, without any news at all? I think he was obsessed with the case and forgot about Xiaolan completely!"

Although I am reluctant to admit the abilities of high school detective Kudo Shinichi, it is undeniable that he is indeed very capable as a detective. Otherwise, he would not have been hailed as the "savior of the Japanese police" and the "Sherlock Holmes of the Heisei era" at such a young age.

Would such a highly acclaimed detective, with a national reputation, really be forced to cut off contact with his friends and family for such a long time because of a mere case?

He expressed deep doubts about this.

"Also, you said that the case he encountered might bring danger to himself and the people around him?"

Maori Kogoro took a step forward, his face full of doubt, and pointed his index finger at Conan, "Then why didn't he ask us or the police for help, but told you a little brat?"

Even if they really encounter a difficult problem, the other party should, in theory, seek help from an adult like him or the police as soon as possible.

After all, as a veteran detective, he has been in the detective business for so many years and has been through many battles, is experienced, and has extensive connections. If we can get his and the police's help, there is no trouble that cannot be solved.

But unfortunately, Kudo Shinichi chose to tell the little boy Conan about the matter instead of them.

Such a choice really made Kogoro Mori a little confused.

Could it be that, in Kudo Shinichi's mind, these adults who have been in the world for many years are not as good as a child who is still wet behind the ears?
Or maybe, this set of rhetoric was actually made up by some little brat at the instigation of that high school detective Kudo Shinichi to fool him?
Thinking of this, Kogoro Mouri's face became even uglier, and the nameless anger in his heart suddenly rose up again. The look in his eyes when he stared at Conan became more dangerous and unfriendly.

Conan faced Maori Kogoro's suspicious and angry eyes. Although he was a little nervous, he still tried his best to stay calm. He licked his dry lips and continued to explain: "Uncle Maori, calm down first, but don't get angry and get sick. If you get angry, Xiaolan will be very worried."

"Brother Shinichi didn't look for you because this case is really very special."

As Conan spoke, he opened his eyes wide, his watery eyes were full of innocence and sincerity, and he looked harmless. He tried to use this attitude to make Mouri Kogoro believe his words.

"Not only are the forces behind this intricate and complex, but also the bad guys are extremely cunning and are keeping a close eye on the police and great detectives like you. They will be alerted immediately if there is any movement. Brother Shinichi is worried that if he asks for help, it will alert the enemy. By then, not only will the case not be solved, but it will also completely alarm them, causing danger to come early and putting everyone in an irretrievable situation."

"It's okay for him to face danger alone, but what he fears most is getting in trouble for the people he cares about!"

(End of this chapter)