Conan: Death is Watching Me

Chapter 315 Gao Yuanyao: It's Not Over Yet
“You make it sound so simple,” Tongjiang Xiangzi stopped crying, but her mood was still very low. “Do you know what billions of dollars in inheritance means to a lonely and helpless woman like me? It means I don’t have to work until my hands are frozen, I don’t have to fawn over men I hate, and I can live without doing humiliating things!”

"I can have endless food, buy lots of beautiful clothes, live in this castle-like mansion, hire many servants, and live like a princess..."

"..."

Gao Mo's thoughts returned, and seeing Tongjiang Xiangzi gesturing wildly in a delusional manner, he didn't know what to say for a moment.

He's just like a little kid.

"Since your father can come up with such ingenious schemes, why don't you give it a try? And to be honest, I don't think someone like Yamanouchi will actually hand over the inheritance in the end. There might be some hidden clauses in the end."

Yes, after completing the character profile of Yamanouchi Tsunesei, he gave up any hope of an inheritance or royalties.

Fortunately, a 5-star book was discovered, so the trip was worthwhile.

"Me? How could I possibly do that?" Tong Jiang thought to himself, stopping his fantasies and wanting to sneer, but he quickly lowered his head and carefully wiped the water droplets from his father's notebook.

"How will you know if you don't try? Besides, you've been through so much. Even if you write it as an ordinary novel, it would resonate with many people. If you need, I can introduce you to an editor at the University Library."

Gao Mo got up and checked the time.

After saying all this, it's only a little past 10 o'clock.

The main reason was that Tongjiang Xiangzi had moved the time on the outside clock forward by 5 minutes.

"By the way, how did you know I was here?" Tongjiang Xiangzi asked curiously. "I found the answer to the riddle in my notebook."

"It's not a complicated puzzle; you can figure it out at a glance."

Gao Mo glanced at the notebook that Tong Jiang Xiangzi was clutching tightly.

Having acquired the talent of "genius of trickery," he can now see through things at a glance.

"Those codes are just word games. The 'beheading' actually refers to splitting the first letter of the doll's name. All you need to pay attention to is the order of the dolls."

Tong Jiangxiang's fingers tightened: "But if we arrange them according to the size of the dolls..."

"That's right. The puppets here are arranged from shortest to tallest, which is actually a trap and very deceptive. The real arrangement requires the puppets to be restored to life-size."

Gao Mo said casually.

"The evidence is that all violins, regardless of type, are 20 centimeters long, while the actual violins placed in the room come in various sizes, including violins, violas, and cellos..."

If you recreate and enlarge the puppets along with the musical instruments, and then rearrange them, you can extract the first letters: TOKEI, meaning clock. Then, following the clues, place the second head to the right of the fifth, resulting in IO... In short, it represents a large clock at 10 o'clock.

"Clap!"

Tong Jiangxiangzi dropped the notebook in her hand again, staring blankly as Gao Mo left, her face a mess.

He actually managed to untie it, instead of secretly following her or something.

What would Father and Yamanouchi think if they knew someone could see through Lucia's doll's code at a glance?
Is this the difference between a novelist and a true master detective?

restaurant.

When Gao Mo returned to the doctor and Ai, the young lawyer had just finished playing the second video of Yamanouchi Tsunehito. The candidates all looked very unhappy, and Kamiji Tadashi even stormed off in a rage.

"I'm going back to my room. I'll have Tongjiang bring dinner to my room!"

"I'm so angry! That guy is dead and he still disgusts us! I knew he wasn't a noble person!"

Gao Mo quietly asked the doctor about the content of the video and learned that it was all meaningless. Yamanouchi talked about his achievements for a long time, and at the end of the video, under the guise of encouragement, he blatantly humiliated the candidates and directly exposed their ugly scars.

Just as he deduced, Yamanouchi was stalling these people so that the maid could see the suicide note.

However, the script for the New Lucia Doll Murder Case can no longer proceed.

Reality is magical and unpredictable; it can't possibly unfold exactly like in a novel.

Even if he hadn't stopped Tongjiang Xiangzi, the maid might not have been able to complete the murder plan.

Even though Yamanouchi made many arrangements regarding messages, codes, dinner times, and room assignments, Kirie Koko, the executor, was only 18 years old and not a professional assassin, so problems could occur at any stage.

Yamanouchi's design was too idealistic.

Even if it eventually turns into the candidates killing each other, it should still deviate completely from the setting of the posthumous work, right?

Or perhaps that old guy is preparing several versions?
That's also impossible; in his deduction, that posthumous work would be published before the Lucia Pavilion incident ended.

Otherwise, once the news spreads, the novel will lose the sensational effect of the preview.

Well, anyway, he's now quite eager to see that posthumous work.

To some extent, Yamanouchi Tsunesei's final efforts were effective.

However, once the truth is revealed, this bestselling author's reputation will likely be ruined.

"Boom!"

The rain outside the villa was getting heavier.

Those who were unaware that the mystery had been solved began to worry.

"Won't the water level rise so high that it floods here?"

"No, it seems that it was specially designed when the villa was built that the villa side is much higher than the lake shore."

"But the phone lines have all been unplugged. What if something happens? Are we really going to have to stay here for five days?"

"That was the teacher's dying wish."

"Mr. Kindaichi!" Editor Takarada shrieked, stopping Gao Mo who was about to leave, and called out anxiously, "Professor Agasa said you went to look for clues just now, have you solved the mystery yet? Don't forget our contract!"

Gao Mo was starting to dislike this man.

Although I had a feeling that this person was two-faced before, I never expected him to be this disgusting.

I was originally planning to tell this guy privately, but he seemed afraid that I would secretly cooperate with others.

Indeed, having the answer to the mystery, he could raise the price on the spot and reap some benefits in advance.

But let's not forget he's not that bored, and he looks down on these guys in dire straits.

"I have indeed solved the riddle."

Gao Mo didn't want to see these people's ugly faces anymore, so he simply nodded, and his words instantly attracted everyone's attention.

Even the god Tadashi, who had already left, sneaked back like a ghost—this guy didn't go back to his room, but hid outside to eavesdrop.

"Really, Mr. Kindaichi?" Tadashi Kamiya swallowed hard. "Tell me! Whatever Mr. Kindaichi promised, I'll give you even more!" Yuzuki Raimu glanced anxiously at Takato Yoichi and couldn't help but stand up and step forward: "Me too, as long as it can save my brother, I'll agree to anything you want!"

"What are you doing?" Umezono Kaoru, who was waiting for dinner, got impatient and deliberately tugged at her clothes, making her two bulging breasts look like they were about to pop out at any moment. "Mr. Kindaichi, I'll agree to anything as long as I pay off my debts!"

The remaining high school detective, Inukai Takashi, was dumbfounded. He realized he didn't have any better promises to make, and he couldn't very well ask others if they were interested in boys.

He himself would never want to sell his integrity.

"that……"

"Mr. Kindaichi!"

Baotian regretted it and, seeing that the others were about to surround Gao Mo, hurriedly stepped in front to block them.

"Don't go too far, Mr. Kindaichi is an assistant I found. According to our previous agreement, as my assistant, if Mr. Kindaichi solves the puzzle, it's the same as me solving it, isn't it?"

Then Baotian hurriedly greeted the young lawyer, "Is that right, Mr. Youtou?"

"Don't worry, Mr. Baotian, now that we have made a contract, we will definitely not break it."

Gao Mo chuckled to himself, and without giving the others a chance to cause trouble, he asked the butler for paper and pen, quickly wrote down the answer to the riddle, and handed it to Bao Tian.

Actually, he somewhat hoped that this guy could actually get the inheritance.

Even those destined to die will not die immediately, and according to the contract, Baotian will receive his share regardless of whether he dies or not.

"Hahaha!" Baotian was overjoyed and ignored Gao Mo, turning to have the young lawyer gather everyone for confirmation.

Gao Yuanyao, who had remained silent, frowned behind his mask as he watched Gao Mo and Professor Agasa leave the restaurant.

Is that the end of it?
……

The next day.

The five-day period was not yet over. After the clock struck 10, Koji Takarada obtained the suicide note hidden under the clock as he had hoped.

After the identity of the heir was confirmed, the deputy editor-in-chief was beaming with joy, completely unconcerned about the envious glances of others. He waited at the dock without even packing his luggage, seemingly eager to complete the final transfer of the estate.

After the heavy rain last night, the mountains were crystal clear, and even the fog had completely dissipated. The lake and the forest looked like a painting.

However, none of Baotian and the others were in the mood to appreciate the beautiful scenery at the moment.

“Mr. Takarada,” Dr. Agasa, seeing the excited editor, had a bad feeling and, as his agent, leaned closer to remind him, “Regarding the agreed-upon fee of several hundred million, could you perhaps have a lawyer provide specific figures…”

"What do you mean by hundreds of millions in commission fees?" Bao Tian's face suddenly darkened, and his tone became distant.

"Didn't we agree on one-tenth..."

"That's one-tenth of my net worth, what does it have to do with inheritance?"

Baotian coldly protected the will written by Yamanouchi.

"The commission fee was only valid at the time of signing the contract. At that time, my net worth... I'm sorry, I was still heavily in debt and didn't have much net worth to speak of."

Dr. Agasa almost laughed in anger. He was the one who helped handle the contract, and how was he going to explain this to Gao Mo?

"Aren't you shameless? If Kindaichi hadn't told you the answer..."

"That's two different things. As a thank-you fee, I'll pay you one million yen when I get back to Tokyo," Takarada said, looking like a miser. "Isn't that about the usual fee for a famous detective's case?"

"Alright, Doctor!"

Seeing the gloating and mocking expressions on the faces of the people around him, Gao Mo grabbed Professor Agasa from behind, whose neck was flushed red.

"If I can't get it, then so be it."

“Amo…”

The doctor became anxious and whispered to Gao Mo.

"Leave this to me. I'll get some friends to help you, and I'm sure I can get your money back."

"Who should we ask for it from?"

Gao Mo shook his head.

He thought Koji Takarada was already dead.

Moreover, he had just confirmed with the young lawyer that Yamanouchi's will did not mention the amount of the estate at all.

They're playing word games again.

What the heirs will actually inherit remains unknown.

"Kuku!"

The familiar sound of a ferry came from the lake.

Kamiji Tadashi and the others stood at the dock, cursing incessantly: "I knew Takarada was a scoundrel. If he had given me the answer to the riddle yesterday, I definitely wouldn't have gone back on my word!"

“Heh,” Mei Yuanxun said, smoking with a troubled expression, “You’re not much better off. At least they signed a contract. If it were you, you probably wouldn’t get a penny.”

"Who said that?"

Kamiji Tadashi flew into a rage again and swung the sake bottle in his hand, taking a swig.

"I always keep my word..."

"careful!"

Suddenly, a scream rang out on the dock.

The maid, Kirie Koko, who was helping with the luggage, watched helplessly as Shinmei Tadashi slipped—the drunkard hadn't even finished speaking before he crashed headfirst into the ferry's engine fan blades, blood gushing from his neck as his large head was cruelly severed.

Koji Takarada, who was closest to the victim, was drenched in blood.

"Dead, dead!"

"Mr. God was..."

The atmosphere on the dock felt like it was being gripped by a giant hand; screams were followed by terrifying silence.

Gao Yuanyao, walking beside Youyue Laimeng, twitched one finger and subconsciously looked at his friend.

it's not finished yet……

(End of this chapter)