Conan: The Romantic Daily Life of a Ghost Detective

Upon opening the door, he was surprised to find two somewhat familiar men standing there: "Are you Mr. Jinqu, who lives in room 503 downstairs?"

The middle-aged man with a thick beard, who was at the head of the group, greeted her very politely: "Hello, Mrs. Kanno, I apologize for bothering you, but I would like to talk to you again about that painting."

Setsuko Kanno looked troubled: "Didn't my husband already refuse you about that?"

“That’s true.” Tsugumi Mizuki smiled broadly. “But I really love that painting, so I want to give it another try.”

Because the other party was her downstairs neighbor, Setsuko Kanno couldn't say anything too outrageous: "Actually, my husband makes the decisions about this at home, but he hasn't gotten off work yet."

“It’s alright, we can talk first.” Jinqu Shuigui turned to the man with round-framed glasses behind him. “This is the antique appraisal expert I specially invited today. I hope he can offer a price that you can accept.”

The bespectacled man bowed slightly: "My name is Yoshiharu Mie, and I currently work at the largest antique auction house in Tokyo. You don't need to worry about my professionalism."

Seeing that the other party was so stubborn, Setsuko Kanno had no choice but to lead the two to the Japanese-style room where Nukumizu and the others were.

Mrs. Setsuko gave a brief introduction to both parties.

The appraiser from the Tokyo Grand Auction House, however, first focused his attention on the Girls' Day dolls that hadn't yet been put away: "These dolls are really beautiful. They're clearly made by a famous master. Miss Kanno, were your husband's ancestors of nobility?"

“No, that’s not it.” Setsuko Kanno shook her head. “These dolls and that hanging painting were actually collected by my mother-in-law and father-in-law. But I heard that these dolls were made by a master craftsman in Kyoto.”

At that moment, Genta suddenly blocked the appraiser's way: "Uncle, you're not going to buy these Girls' Day dolls, are you? Aunt Kanno has already promised to give these dolls to Ayumi."

The other kids also glared at the two older men.

The appraiser, Mie Fangchun, never expected to be misunderstood, and couldn't help but chuckle.

Standing at the door, Jin Qu Shui Gui hurriedly explained, "Little brother, you've misunderstood. I don't have a daughter, so there's no use in buying these dolls."

Our goal today is that painting on the wall. I happen to have another hanging scroll, 'The Wind God,' so I'd really like to complete the set."

Jin Qu Shui Gui said very sincerely.

“The painting on the wall…” Genta turned around and looked at the wall, and sure enough, there was a painting of a monster. “It’s so ugly, this monster.”

However, this explanation immediately relieved the members of the Junior Detective League.

At this point, Mrs. Kanno finally found an opportunity to interject: "My husband has told me several times that he will not sell this painting, and we don't think it's that valuable."

“You’re wrong about that,” Jin Qu Shui Gui said confidently. “I recently discovered that your late father-in-law insured this painting for 2000 million yen.”

"Huh? So many?" Setsuko Kanno was startled.

Genta Kojima: "Wow, that monster is worth so much! How many eel rice bowls could you buy with 2000 million yen?"

"Genta, don't talk nonsense," Mitsuhiko couldn't help but advise.

Ran seemed startled by the news, glancing curiously at the painting on the wall. It was fortunate that Sonoko Suzuki wasn't here; otherwise, given the Suzuki Group's power, she might have accidentally said something shocking.

Seeing Setsuko Kanno's shocked expression, Mizuki Tsugumi couldn't help but reveal a smug smile.

He walked over and held up four fingers: "Forty million. I'll offer that price if you agree to sell."

“But my husband said he would never sell it,” Setsuko Kanno said, looking troubled.

At this moment, the appraiser, who had examined the painting with a magnifying glass, put the magnifying glass into his pocket and turned to advise, "Mrs. Kanno, if I may be so bold, hanging this painting here is really a waste of its preciousness."

With the way you're preserving it, the painting will probably start fading soon, and then its price won't be as high.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a strong voice came from the doorway: "You can forget about it! No matter how many times the price you offer, we will not sell this painting."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

It turned out to be elderly Mrs. Kanno Yayoi, who was standing at the door of the room, leaning on a cane.

Her expression had lost its previous kindness and she looked a little unhappy: "Alright, Setsuko, go see these gentlemen off. I'm tired and need to rest."

Yayoi Kanno's words were clearly a signal to send the guest away.

Because the old man had acted very aggressively during his last visit, Jin Qushui Gui did not choose to provoke him.

Since the price has already been stated, Mr. Kanno, who works at a department store and recently suffered heavy losses in the stock market, will probably not refuse this huge sum of money.

"Then we'll take our leave now. We'll come back to bother you when your husband returns." Jin Qu Shui Gui smiled and walked towards the entrance.

Setsuko Kanno and the appraiser from Kyoto also left the room.

As Yayoi Kanno watched the group disappear, she couldn't help but sigh, then turned her gaze to the few Girls' Day dolls that hadn't been put away yet.

"It really brings back memories. Although I see these dolls often, they always remind me of that old man who has passed away." Yayoi Kanno picked up a doll with a nostalgic expression.

"Grandma, did you collect these dolls when you were young?" Ayumi asked curiously.

Yayoi Kanno: "I wasn't young anymore, but my husband was still alive at the time. He loved collecting these kinds of things, so seeing this reminds me of his face."

Ayumi bit her lip: "Then I think I'd better not take these dolls. These things are all your memories."

Yayoi Kanno shook her head: "Silly child, these dolls will only gather dust here. I think if my old man knew, he would definitely give them to you."

"Is this really a good idea?" Ayumi seemed a little hesitant.

Setsuko Kanno, who had just returned from seeing off a guest at the entrance, also advised, "My mother-in-law is right. Dolls only shine when they are in the hands of people who cherish them. We are getting old and don't have much energy left to take care of these dolls."

Ayumi nodded and thanked the Kanno family again.

Then, Yayoi Kanno said that the delivery person might be a little late, so she decided to let Wenshui and the others stay at home a little longer to help watch the house, as she had some errands to run at the community center later.

Setsuko Kanno originally intended to treat everyone to her homemade sweet rice wine as a reward, but when she went to the kitchen, she found that it was all gone. However, by this time, the boys in the Junior Detective League were already looking forward to the sweet rice wine.

So, in order not to spoil everyone's fun, Setsuko Kanno took out a banknote and gave it to Genta, telling them to go to the nearby convenience store and buy sweet rice wine themselves.

Wenshui and the others went out together with Kanno Setsuko.

Then they each went off in different directions, leaving only an old woman at home to look after the house.

As Wen Shui crossed an intersection, she glanced back at the apartment building behind her. If she wasn't mistaken, the "thief" should have started making his move after they left the apartment.

The convenience store that Setsuko Kanno mentioned wasn't very close to the Kanno family home; it took about 10 minutes to walk there.

The kids felt a little embarrassed being treated like this, so they decided to take out their pocket money to buy some ice cream to share with everyone.

Wen Shui found a secluded spot near the convenience store and called Vermouth: "Hey, I need your help with something."

"What's up? I've been really busy lately, I don't have time for a date with you~"

Vermouth's voice was still as charming and alluring as ever, making people imagine her graceful figure as soon as they heard it.

Wen Shui cleared his throat: "Are you safe around here?"

"Wait a minute." Vermouth seemed to understand what Wen Shui meant, and a piercing crackling sound of signal interference came from the other end of the phone. "Okay, you can talk now."

Wen Shui smiled and said, "Is Mingmei alright? I was thinking that the day after tomorrow is Girls' Day, so could I ask her to record a video for Xiao... um, for Shirley so she can help me with my work without worry?"

Chapter 245 Long time no see, Sato-senpai! Welcome to the Shura Field, Sato-senpai!

Vermouth chuckled softly on the phone, a laugh that sounded somewhat mocking.

Wen Shui: "What are you laughing at?"

Vermouth kindly reminded her, "I advise you to be more rational. The Miyano family has a mysterious power of fate that can bring misfortune to those around them. Don't get involved with her."

“I know what I’m doing.” Wen Shui didn’t continue on the topic, because it was pointless. “Anyway, I’m leaving this to you. Calming her down will help us fight the organization, won’t it?”

Vermouth: "I never had any intention of destroying the organization; I just wanted to take back what was rightfully mine."

"Yes, yes, yes." Wen Shui shrugged, but unfortunately Vermouth on the phone couldn't see it. "The day after tomorrow is Girls' Day, and I need you to send me the video no later than the night after tomorrow."

"I can send it to you tomorrow, but you have to keep it a secret. If word gets out, we'll probably have to hide in some remote mountain valley." Vermouth's tone became unusually cautious, indicating that she was still somewhat wary of the Black Organization.

Wen Shui: "Of course, I wouldn't joke about my life."

After discussing Ai Haibara's sister's matter, Vermouth asked him questions such as whether Gin had contacted him recently and whether any strange people had appeared around him.

After hanging up the phone, Wen Shui walked back to the entrance of the convenience store.

Seeing that the kids had already sold out of sweet rice wine and a bag of ice cream, and that everyone, including Xiaolan, had an ice cream in their hands.

After all, who wouldn't want to enjoy a cool, refreshing ice cream on a sweltering afternoon on the street?

Before Wen Shui could even get close, Xiao Lan took an ice cream from the shopping bag Yuan Tai was carrying, quickly tore off the packaging, and then, mimicking a fencing thrust, stuffed the cantaloupe-flavored ice cream directly into Wen Shui's mouth.

Wen Shui mumbled, "Stop fooling around, it's so cold~"

Xiaolan smiled with her eyes narrowed: "It's so hot, we should eat something cold! Let's go back and put the ice cream in the freezer, or it'll melt."

The group walked together toward the Guanye family's apartment building.

Ai Haibara walked at the back of the crowd, taking small bites of the ice cream in her hand.

Although she didn't speak to Wen Shui or even give her a glance, Wen Shui, who knew Haibara Ai well enough, guessed the inner reflection of Haibara Ai's subconscious behavior.

Taking advantage of everyone's inattention, he walked up to Ai Haibara and used the "ice cream disappearing technique," leaving only half of the ice cream in Ai Haibara's hand.

Ai Haibara glared angrily.

With a smile, Wen Shui stuffed the ice cream she had already taken two bites of into Ai Haibara's little mouth.

Because of the rather forceful movement, Ai Haibara's cheeks were pushed up, and she stared at him incredulously, saying, "You bastard, who wants to eat your saliva?"

"Didn't I just eat your saliva too? It's a tit-for-tat exchange, so neither of us loses out," Wen Shui said with a smile.

Ai Haibara pouted: "That's what you wanted to eat, what does it have to do with me!"

Ai Haibara subconsciously made a aiming motion, her gaze fixed on the shinbone of the lumbering water.

Before Ai Haibara could get angry, Wen Shui jumped out of her attack range and ran to the front to chat with Ran about the literature club.

No matter how angry Ai Haibara was, she wouldn't confront Wen Shui in this situation. She could only endure it for the time being and wait until night to settle the score as well.

Ai looked down and found that half of her ice cream had been bitten off with warm water.

That jerk! He actually tried to steal snacks from a child.

Ai Haibara treated the remaining half of the ice cream as a substitute for warm water and took a big bite of it.

However, after eating several pieces, Ai Haibara suddenly noticed that the ice cream in her hand had turned into a cylindrical shape covered with cream, which easily reminded her of the thing she had accidentally stepped on at the tennis court earlier.

Ai's face immediately turned red.

Fortunately, she was still at the back of the crowd, and no one noticed anything unusual about her expression.

After Wen Shui's outburst, Ai Haibara's negative thoughts, such as "I really am a woman who brings bad luck to others" and "A shark is a shark wherever it goes," which arose because she couldn't openly feed Wen Shui ice cream in public, dissipated considerably.

All Ai could think about right now was whether she should smear chili sauce on his favorite underwear while she took a warm bath that night to make that bastard behave himself.

But Ai was also a little worried that she might ruin the warm water.