Ke Xue: The thief Cao is actually myself

Chapter 724 Xiaolan is a good mother! (Seeking monthly votes!)
Upon hearing Ran Mouri's words, Professor Agasa pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "No, Conan isn't with me today."

He paused slightly, deliberately slowing his speech and trying to make his voice calm and gentle, attempting to soothe Ran's anxious emotions. "But Ran, don't worry too much. Maybe he's just too engrossed in playing with Genta and the other kids and has lost track of time. Why don't you wait and see?"

"Is that so? I understand."

Ran Mouri quietly thanked Professor Agasa, then slowly put down the receiver, her eyes revealing a hint of undisguised disappointment and worry.

Kogoro Mouri yawned and then casually said, "See? I told you that kid would be fine, right? You're such a worrywart."

“But…” Ran Mouri frowned slightly, her face showing worry, “It’s already dark, and he still hasn’t come back. I have a feeling something’s not right…”

Despite the comforting words from Kogoro Mouri and Professor Agasa, for some reason, her worries did not lessen. Instead, she felt that something was amiss, and a sense of unease began to creep into her heart.

Kogoro Mouri shrugged and said nonchalantly, "If you're so worried, why don't you just call the department store and ask them?"

"Hmm..." Ran Mouri stood there in thought for a while, then walked to the table next to her, opened a slightly worn phone book, and began to search carefully.

Immediately afterwards, she picked up the phone at home and dialed the department store's number from the phone book.

With each number key she pressed, her heart skipped a beat, as if the sound of the keys was also striking her tense nerves.

Seeing that Ran Mouri was actually planning to call the department store, Kogoro Mouri's lips twitched slightly, and he put on a helpless and impatient expression. He said irritably, "Ran, you're really going to call? Ugh, forget about that brat Conan, you haven't made me dinner yet! I'm starving, hurry up and make me some food!"

In his mind, the fact that his own daughter was worried that Conan, that mischievous brat, would be in danger was simply needless worry and completely unnecessary.

Conan is fearless and doesn't cause trouble for others. It's already a blessing if he doesn't go around causing trouble. Why would we need to worry about him being in danger?

Ran Mouri ignored her father's complaints, simply took a can of beer from behind her and handed it to him, then focused on the phone.

Feeling annoyed by his daughter's "ignorance," Kogoro Mouri smacked his lips, opened a beer, and took a big gulp, feeling utterly frustrated.

Despite his dissatisfaction, he really didn't have the guts to go against Ran Mouri!

After all, family members know their own business. Ran Mouri may not know what he did today, but he, as the person involved, knows it all too well.

Not only did he not take his work seriously, but he also got drunk and made a mess of the house.

Most importantly, he went to gamble on horse races during the day while his daughter was away, and ended up losing all the commission he had worked so hard to earn.

If his daughter found out, she'd probably be staging a scene of "filial piety and loving father" in no time.

There are so many beautiful women in this world waiting for Kogoro Mouri to meet, and he doesn't want to experience being beaten up by a karate champion before he can meet them.

Just as Kogoro Mouri was feeling frustrated and Ran Mouri was eagerly anticipating news from the other end of the phone, a bland, mechanical voice soon came from the other end: "Hello, this is Maruto Department Store. All business for today has ended. We close at 6 PM. Tomorrow, we will resume normal business hours at 10 AM!"

Hearing the mechanical, automated reply from the phone, Ran Mouri pursed her pink lips, a deep disappointment flashing across her previously expectant eyes. She sighed softly, then pressed the hang-up button without hesitation.

After all, listening to automated replies any longer only adds to the annoyance and has no practical significance whatsoever.

Having witnessed Ran's entire series of actions, Kogoro Mouri, who had already finished a bottle of beer, gently shook the empty bottle in his hand, making a crisp sound, and complained again, "Hey! Ran, forget about Conan, just have pity on your old man and hurry up and cook me some food! Are you trying to starve your old man to death?"

Ran Mouri casually tossed her father another can of beer, trying to shut him up, then turned away without looking back, focusing all her attention on dialing the phone again. A resolute glint flashed in her eyes; it seemed she wouldn't give up until she found Conan.

"Oh, you child, why are you so disobedient! Where are you going to fight this time?"

Kogoro Mouri shook his head helplessly as he drank his sake, muttering to himself.

He really couldn't understand why his daughter wouldn't believe him, even though he had already told her that Conan, that little brat, wouldn't get into any trouble!

Just how little trust does his daughter have in her old father?
And why is she so stubborn, like a little heifer? I wonder who she took after!
Ran Mouri bit her lip lightly, paying no attention to her father's nagging, her attention still highly focused on the phone.

If it were her boyfriend who spoke up this time, she would naturally have complete faith in his judgment.

But this time, it was her father, who was always muddle-headed and had no idea about his own abilities, who spoke up!
She couldn't believe the other person's 'reasoning' under normal circumstances!
Unless, of course, the other party enters the 'Sleeping Detective Kogoro Mouri' form.

However, if the other party could truly enter the 'Sleeping Detective Kogoro Mouri' form, then she wouldn't need to call anyone else to inquire about Conan and the others' situation.

After all, the so-called "sleeping detective Kogoro Mouri" form was actually the result of her childhood friend shrinking and working behind her father's back!
"Hello? Is this the Yoshida Mansion?" Her voice trembled slightly with anticipation, hoping to get some information about Conan from Ayumi's mother, even just a tiny clue. "This is Ran Mouri. Is Ayumi here?"

Before Ran could finish speaking, Mrs. Yoshida's anxious voice came from the other end of the phone, her voice trembling with worry: "Hello, Miss Ran, I'm Ayumi's mother. Do you know where Ayumi and the others are?"

Mrs. Yoshida paused briefly, seemingly trying to control her emotions, before continuing, "The teacher said that the child headed home after school, but it's completely dark now, and I haven't seen a trace of her. I'm so worried!"

Upon hearing this, Ran Mouri's heart tightened, and she couldn't help but be surprised. Her voice unconsciously rose a few decibels: "What? Ayumi hasn't come home yet either?"

An ominous premonition grew stronger in her heart, like the gloom before a storm, weighing heavily on her mind.

Mrs. Yoshida quickly responded, her voice slightly trembling with anxiety, and said with concern, "Yes! And Mitsuhiko's family just called me, saying that Mitsuhiko doesn't seem to have come home yet!"

Upon hearing this, Ran Mouri's unease surged to its peak like a raging tide. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked incredulously, "Mitsuhiko didn't go back either?"

She had been clinging to a sliver of hope that her childhood friend, whose body had shrunk, had simply taken Genta and his group of children out to play and had gotten so caught up in the fun that he'd forgotten the time and hadn't returned yet.

But after Mrs. Yoshida said that, the last bit of hope she had was instantly shattered.

After all, while Genta is usually mischievous and Conan is a near-obsessive detective obsessed with cases, Ayumi and Mitsuhiko have always been well-behaved and easy-going children. They've always been very considerate and would never be so playful as to cause their families such worry and anxiety. Therefore, the fact that these kids haven't come home yet strongly suggests that they've encountered some unexpected situation, and it's likely something quite serious.

Mrs. Yoshida continued, her tone also carrying a hint of worry and unease, but she tried to think positively: "Yes, Mitsuhiko's mother said that Mitsuhiko hasn't come back yet either. He said he went out to play with Conan and the others, but it's so late, those kids should be back by now."

Ran Mouri suppressed her worry and tried to comfort her in a calm tone, "Aunt Yoshida, don't worry too much. Maybe the children just encountered a small problem on their way back and were delayed. Let's wait and see, maybe they'll be back soon."

Mrs. Yoshida quickly replied, "Yes, Miss Ran, please let me know as soon as possible if you have any news! I'm so worried about you."

"Don't worry, Aunt Yoshida, I'll let you know immediately if there's any news. Don't worry too much, the children will be fine."

After hanging up the phone with Mrs. Yoshida, Ran Mouri lowered her head and remained silent, lost in thought.

Seeing this, Kogoro Mouri's already furrowed brows deepened. He leaned closer and asked, "Ran, what did Mrs. Yoshida say? You look so worried. Is Conan and the others really in danger?"

"She said that not only Ayumi, but Mitsuhiko hasn't come back either..." Ran Mouri looked up, her eyes revealing deep worry. "I think Conan and the others have probably been kidnapped!"

Kogoro Mouri nearly dropped the beer can he was holding in shock. His eyes widened, and he asked in utter astonishment, "What? You're saying Conan and the others have been kidnapped? This... how is this possible?"

Ran Mouri nodded gravely, analyzing in a serious tone, "Yes, Ayumi and the others have always been sensible and good children, never causing their parents worry without a reason. But it's so late, and they haven't gone home yet, so they must have encountered some emergency outside. And the only reason they haven't even had a chance to call home is probably that they've been kidnapped!"

Kogoro Mouri subconsciously touched his chin, lost in thought, and said thoughtfully, "Kidnapped? It's not impossible."

The fact that Conan's mother could come up with ten million yen for boarding fees at once is enough to show that her family's economic conditions are quite superior, far beyond those of ordinary families.

Ayumi Yoshida and her family live in a high-rise building in Tokyo. Tokyo is notoriously expensive in Japan, and property prices typically rise with the floor level. Living in such a prime location clearly indicates Ayumi Yoshida's family is extremely wealthy; calling her a "rich and beautiful" woman wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Genta's father runs a sizable pub and a thriving fish shop, with his business empire constantly expanding to include multiple chain stores nationwide. Furthermore, the eel rice that Genta enjoys is a high-end Japanese dish, expensive and unaffordable for ordinary families, yet Genta frequently manages to eat it, demonstrating his family's considerable wealth.

Mitsuhiko's home was always tidy and orderly, with a rich collection of books in his study, exuding a strong scholarly atmosphere—a typical scholarly family. Furthermore, both his parents were teachers, and teaching is one of the most lucrative professions in Japan, so his family's financial situation was naturally quite good.

This group of children, whose families are at least middle-class, are likely to attract the covetous eyes of some criminals due to their wealth and status. They may indeed be targeted by some malicious individuals.

Thinking of this, he paused for a moment, then his eyes lit up as if he had suddenly realized a crucial question, and he said, "Hey! Wait a minute! Xiaolan, have the families of those children received any ransom demands?"

If they did receive the call, it's quite possible that, just as his daughter suspected, they had been kidnapped by criminals, which would explain why the kids hadn't gone home so late.

But if not, then perhaps the children just encountered some other minor troubles that delayed their return, rather than being kidnapped.

Ran Mouri hesitated for a moment before saying, "Well, Mrs. Yoshida didn't mention anything about kidnappers calling to demand a ransom, but..."

But for some reason, the unease in her heart could not be dispelled, and she always felt that something was amiss.

After all, there is still the possibility that the perpetrators are still planning and haven't had time to make the call yet, or that the perpetrators have other plans and don't intend to achieve their goal by demanding a ransom.

All this uncertainty left Ran Mouri feeling anxious and uneasy, her heart constantly in suspense...

(End of this chapter)