Conan: Above all force, there is truth!

Longye and Xiaolan also looked over and saw a slightly chubby man wearing a khaki suit walking over.

A middle-aged man who looked like a subordinate followed behind him.

"Hey curator, it's the same as usual, there are very few people here! But it's okay, this place will be closed in about ten days."

"Please take good care of this place during this time. You can take good care of these rusty pieces of scrap metal! Hahaha! Mr. Designer, where are the design drawings? Let's go take a look at the site."

After mocking Director Ochiai, Boss Manaka left with the designer behind him.

Director Ochiai watched his departing figure, remaining silent for a long time.

Upon seeing this scene, Longye covered his face with a wry smile. He remembered everything.

No wonder he always felt something was off; this was clearly a childhood nightmare!

If nothing unexpected happens, the man from the shop, Mr. Manaka, will soon be subjected to "divine punishment" by the Ochiai Museum Director.

It's safe to say that the way this boss died ranks in the top ten among all incidents!

The artistic flair and satire are off the charts!

—In the pitch-black hall, he was stabbed to death by the armored curator, Ochiai, with a longsword. The scene mirrored the painting beside him.

The scene of Boss Manaka's death left a deep impression on Tatsuno.

In his past life, when he was still a primary school student, he was afraid to turn off the lights when he slept for three days after watching this episode.

It's definitely one of those harmonious and heartwarming cases that kids should watch late at night!

Recalling this, Longye suddenly realized that from the outside, the art museum seemed to cover a very large area.

Maybe... we can build a secret base or something in the basement of the art museum in the future?

Thinking of this, his eyes lit up, and he asked in his mind, "Xiao Jia, what is the approximate market value of this art museum?"

[The survey is underway... The average market value of the land and buildings is 8 million yen. Adding the estimated value of the artwork and land, the total estimated value is approximately 15 billion yen.]

"Okay. You can access the funds I've put under your management at any time, right?"

【Can. 】

……

At the same moment, after seeing Mr. Manaka leave, Ran asked regretfully, "Director, is this art museum about to close down?"

Director Ochiai lowered his head and said helplessly, "Yes... the previous owner's company went bankrupt, so he had to sell this place to Mr. Manaka. Mr. Manaka originally agreed to continue operating this place, but as soon as the previous owner transferred it at a low price, Mr. Manaka immediately changed his mind."

Seeing the sad look on Director Ochiai's face, Ran didn't know what to say for a moment, so she could only watch in silence as the director's figure continued to walk away.

At this moment, Longye suddenly spoke up: "Xiaolan, wait here for me for a moment, I'll be right back."

After saying that, he walked in the direction that Mr. Zhenzhong had just left.

……

Looking at the boy smiling and greeting him, Boss Manaka asked suspiciously, "Is there something you need?"

"Actually... Mr. Manaka, I came here to make a deal with you. I've taken a liking to this art museum and hope you can part with it and give it to me."

“I will buy this art museum from you at a price 30 percent higher than the market price.”

Boss Zhenzhong: "???"

Seeing the doubtful look on Mr. Manaka's face, Ryuno smiled again and said, "Name your price."

Although the boy in front of him didn't seem to be joking, Boss Zhenzhong still mocked, "Kid, do you know how much this place is worth? You couldn't earn this much money in your entire life!"

"You want me to name my price? Well, here's yours: 50 billion!!! If you can come up with 50 billion, I'll transfer this place to you!"

After saying that, he burst into loud laughter: "Hahahaha!"

Chapter 51 The Prelude to the Devil (Part Two)

Seeing Mr. Manaka smiling so happily, Ryuno smiled along with him.

"Hahaha!"

—"Bang!"

Just as Longye's laughter stopped, a dull yet crisp sound reached the ears of the three people present.

A bright silver steel pipe "accidentally" fell out of Longye's shirt.

Upon seeing the suddenly appearing steel pipe, the smiles of Boss Zhenzhong and the designer froze, and big question marks appeared in their eyes.

"…Um?"

Amid their puzzled gazes, Longye bent down and picked up the steel pipe from the ground, casually tapping it a few times to produce a dull "clang" sound.

Afterwards, Longye scratched his head and said apologetically, "Sorry, I accidentally dropped the steel pipe. It was because it was too long after all..."

After saying that, to the astonishment of the two bosses, he easily broke the straight steel pipe in two.

Boss Zhenzhong:? ? ?

Designer: ? ? ?

“Mr. Manaka, as far as I know, this art museum is worth at most 15 billion yen. But since I'm the one who took the initiative to buy it from you, how about I offer 20 billion yen?”

"With this money, you could even build a restaurant in a more upscale area, couldn't you?"

"If you agree, I can transfer the money to your account right now. But if you want to go even further..."

At this point, Longye gripped the broken steel pipe in two, his killing intent surging forth: "Well... what will happen in the future, I have no idea~"

"Crack!!"

Seeing the steel pipe in Longye's hand go from two sections to four, Boss Zhenzhong choked up, his arm, which was about to wipe his sweat, hung in the air, and his hand trembled.

……

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Xiaolan!"

"Longye, where did you go? I think I heard you laughing."

Longye patted Xiaolan's head and whispered in her ear, "It's nothing, I just went to discuss a business deal."

"Business?" Xiaolan asked, puzzled.

Just then, Director Ochiai suddenly strode over from a distance.

"Bo-boy! Is this true? You...you really bought this art museum from Mr. Manaka!?"

"Did Mr. Manaka tell you? Please take good care of me from now on, Director Ochiai!"

Upon hearing the boy's affirmative answer, Director Ochiai paused for a moment and cautiously asked, "Then... what do you plan to do with this art museum?"

"Hmm? Of course, we'll continue to run it! I'll be counting on you to continue running this art museum for me from now on."

Ryūno understood the old man's thoughts and spoke up to reassure Director Ochiai.

Under the delighted gaze of Curator Ochiai, Tatsuno spoke again: "However... I heard from Boss Manaka that there seems to be an employee here named Kubota who is not only rough with the artworks, but also has some shady dealings with them. If this is true, I don't want him to continue working here."

"besides…"

Ryūno leaned close to Director Ochiai's ear and whispered, "I don't want this place to be tainted with blood, nor do I want to see the old man turn into a demon..."

Upon hearing these words, the previously smiling Ochiai Museum Director revealed a shocked expression. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he did not utter a word.

"..."

"Young man... no, boss! I really am so grateful!"

To Ran's astonishment, Director Ochiai grasped Tatsuno's hands tightly and bowed to him.

Ryūno helped Ochiai Kōshū up and said with a smile, "No need to thank me. I may have something else I need your help with."

"Tell me, as long as it's within my power, I will do my best!"

Seeing the solemn look on Director Ochiai's face, Tatsuno smiled and waved his hand: "It's nothing serious. I just might bring you a few new employees in the future. I hope you can accept that."

“No problem! Of course, no problem! As long as these works of art can be protected, I’ll even replace you!” Director Ochiai answered sincerely upon hearing such a simple request.

"Alright, then Director Ochiai, you can continue with your work. Ran and I will continue our tour. I'll come back another day to formally meet with you and the staff."

"Alright, alright, you can go ahead and look around!" Director Ochiai excitedly shook Tatsuno's hand, then turned and walked towards Kubota, who was touching the paintings without wearing gloves.

After the curator left, Xiaolan's eyes turned into tiny dots. She tugged at Longye's sleeve: "Longye? You really bought this place!?"

Although she knew that Ryūno seemed to have plenty of money, but... buying an art museum?

No matter how you look at it, buying an art museum wouldn't be cheap, would it?

Seeing Xiaolan's dazed expression, Longye smiled and gently patted her head: "Well, after all, you really like this place and don't want it to disappear, right? Don't worry, after all these years, I still have a little savings. I won't let you go hungry~"

Xiao Lan realized that Long Ye was teasing her, so she puffed up her cheeks and turned her head away.

……

Evening

Ryuno and Ran left the art museum and walked down the street.

"Xiaolan, are you hungry? What would you like to eat?"

"Hmm...it's been so long since I've had ramen, let's go get some ramen!"

"Okay! Now that you mention it, it seems like it's been a long time since I've had ramen."

After deciding to have ramen for dinner, Ryuno and his companion began looking for a nearby ramen shop.

Just then, a disheveled woman stumbled toward them.

After walking up to them, the woman suddenly extended a black and white hand and handed a flyer to Longye.

"Have you seen my child? Please, take a look!"

Longye took the flyer and read it with Xiaolan.

The flyer featured a color photo of a little girl, clearly stating her name, age, last known location, and her family's address and phone number.

After looking at it, both Longye and Xiaolan shook their heads. Neither of them had ever seen the little girl in the picture.

Seeing Longye and the others shake their heads, the woman whispered her thanks and then staggered away.

Her eyes were dull and lifeless, seemingly unsurprised by the outcome.

Looking at the mother's thin back, Longye and Xiaolan felt very complicated emotions.