Traveling back thirty years to Conan, intercepting Princess Eri

"You're smart enough to let this happen," Ruri said, shaking off Kogoro Mouri's hand. "If you dare do that again, I'll never talk to you again!"

"Okay, okay! I won't do it again!"

Kogoro Mori nodded vigorously, a relieved smile spreading across his face.

Seeing Kogoro Mouri's surprised, delighted, and bewildered expression, Ruri's anger had subsided considerably, but she still maintained a serious demeanor.

She stepped forward and carefully straightened Kogoro Mouri's collar, which had become slightly crooked due to his earlier panic. Her movements were gentle, a stark contrast to her earlier angry demeanor.

"Alright, the delivery's done. I need to head back now."

She lowered her voice, glancing warily at the restaurant entrance as if someone might jump out at any moment.
“If I stay any longer and Eri sees me sneaking off to bring you something, she’ll laugh at me for the rest of her life! She’ll definitely say I’m ‘indecisive’ or ‘blinded by love’ or something like that…”

Just imagining Eri Kisaki's knowing yet teasing gaze made her cheeks flush.

"Aren't you afraid I'll tell her?"

Lin Xiuyi, who had been quietly observing, couldn't help but tease Liuli when he saw her being so cautious.

"Okay! Go ahead and tell them!"

Upon hearing this, Liuli immediately glared at Lin Xiuyi, her beautiful eyes flashing with cunning.

She slightly raised her chin and retorted in an equally low but threatening voice.
"Perfect timing. I'd also like to share with Eri where those two mysterious blankets on some people came from. Which 'kind person' was so thoughtful as to prepare everything for you? If Eri knew, do you think she would laugh at me first, or show some 'concern' for you?"

She specifically emphasized the words "kind-hearted person" and "concerned".

"cough……"

Lin Xiuyi was speechless for a moment, then awkwardly touched his nose and quickly lowered his head in defeat.
"……forget it."

He didn't want to get himself into trouble and expose the "good Samaritans" under the table.

It's best not to get involved in this mess.

Seeing Lin Xiuyi's discomfiture, Liuli gave a smug snort.

She turned to Kogoro Mouri again, stood on tiptoe, and gently kissed him on the cheek.

The moment the soft lips touched his skin, Kogoro Mouri's face flushed red. He stood there grinning foolishly, his eyes almost squinting into slits.

Looking at his expression, Liuli couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Then, without lingering, she mouthed "take a good rest" to Kogoro Mouri, and then, turning back every few steps, tiptoed out of the restaurant as carefully as she had come, thoughtfully closing the door slightly behind her.

The restaurant returned to silence.

Kogoro Mouri was still immersed in a huge wave of happiness.

He raised his hand and touched the cheek that had just been kissed; the soft touch and faint fragrance seemed to linger there.

Looking towards the doorway, Kogoro Mouri couldn't help but break into a silly grin, chuckling incoherently as if he were surrounded by pink bubbles.

The overwhelming, cloying scent of romance practically permeated the entire restaurant, making Lin Xiuyi, who was standing to the side, feel extremely uncomfortable. He couldn't help but rub his arms, as if he had genuinely developed goosebumps.

"Hey, snap out of it." Lin Xiuyi said irritably, interrupting Kogoro Mouri's silly grin.
"Do you still envy me now?"

He pointed to the thin blanket beneath him and the thick blanket covering him.

Why should I envy you!

Kogoro Mouri straightened his back, his face beaming with unprecedented pride and satisfaction.

He patted the soft pillows and warm blankets his girlfriend had brought him, his voice becoming louder.

"I have a girlfriend who cares about me now! See? The pillow and blanket are the best! Why would I envy you!"

He looked just like a dog that had just received the most delicious bone in the world, his tail practically wagging in the air.

Kogoro Mori deftly arranged the pillows and unfolded the blanket, then lay down contentedly, adjusting himself into a comfortable position and letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Ah... I can finally get a good night's sleep tonight!"

The Kogoro Mouri of today is a completely different person from the one who complained and wallowed in self-pity just minutes before.

Seeing his friend's attitude completely change, Lin Xiuyi was about to say something sarcastic like "his face changes faster than turning the pages of a book" or "he's heartless when it comes to women," but before he could even utter a word...

"Tap...tap..."

That curse-like sound of footsteps, which seemed to foreshadow someone approaching again, rang out once more from the corridor outside the restaurant!

Lin Xiuyi's words caught in her throat. This restaurant was really packed tonight.

"Hey, Shuichi,"

Kogoro Mouri also heard the footsteps. He turned to the side, propped his head up with his hand, and his face was full of curious anticipation, as if he were about to witness a good show.

"Who do you think will be coming this time? Haven't they all arrived by now?"

"Who else could it be?" Lin Xiuyi rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache. "It's either Eri or Yukiko, right? There can't be anyone else, can there?"

He glanced subconsciously at the dining table that now held three "secrets".

"Why can't it be Ms. Ikenami?"

Kogoro Mouri winked and gave a knowing smile. "Her attitude towards you is quite 'special'! It's obviously 'ill-intentioned'! Maybe she feels sorry for you and is just using this as an excuse to come and check on you?"

Lin Xiuyi rolled her eyes at the other person, annoyed: "Have you forgotten who told us to sleep in the restaurant? If she secretly comes over to offer help again, wouldn't that be contradicting herself and contradicting herself?"

"Hmm...that's true."

Kogoro Mouri stroked his chin, agreeing with Hideichi Hayashi's analysis.

He thought for a moment, then said with great certainty, "Then I bet the person coming this time is Yukiko! Eri has always been shy. Even if she wants to come and care about you, she'll probably hesitate in her room for a long time, find a bunch of reasons to convince herself, and only come when no one else is around."

“Yukiko is different. She’s bold and... well, she’s more open-minded. She comes whenever she wants.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuyi's face showed surprise, and he looked his good brother up and down.
"Tsk tsk, not bad, Kogoro! After being kissed by Ruri, his analytical skills and intelligence have practically skyrocketed!" (End of Chapter)