Ke Xue: Xiaolan delivers goods to your door at the beginning

Koizumi Akako coordinated with Lin Xiaofeng by performing various maneuvers in the air, allowing Lin Xiaofeng to gain as much experience as possible.

After a series of attempts, Lin Xiaofeng learned how to ride a broom. Although he had learned, Lin Xiaofeng felt it was a bit silly; why ride a broom instead of a flying sword?

……

Young composer Fuji Maruo is very popular among young women due to his handsome appearance and his genius talent. His studio and residence are built on a small hill overlooking the houses of Teitan Town.

The mansion's tall, airy living room was built like a church chapel, complete with a fireplace piled with firewood and a roaring fire.

Sweating profusely, Fujimaru was playing the grand piano in the center of the living room with all his might, but his body was as thin as a withered branch, and his face was as white as porcelain from England, without a trace of blood.

"No way! This piece isn't even as good as Chopin's!"

Standing by the piano, a woman of about thirty-five years old named Hideko Nakajima spoke with a fierce expression, while roughly slapping the keys with her hand.

The piano then emitted a deafening, discordant clang, and Tomioru stopped playing in surprise at the sound.

"What's wrong? You're releasing a new song next month?" Hideko glared at Tomioka with a fierce look.

"Th-that is..." Large beads of sweat rolled down Fujimaru's forehead.

"Do you even understand the situation? My record company is packaging you as the 'Chopin of the 21st century'! And you write such terrible pieces?"

"I...I've tried my best...but I've been having auditory hallucinations for the past two weeks..." Tomotomaru muttered, head down, as if making an excuse.

"What hallucinations? What effort? Chopin was in much worse health than you, yet he still wrote one masterpiece after another!" Rinchiko raised his eyebrows, his expression becoming even more terrifying.

"Xiong, look at that painting."

As she spoke, she pointed to a painting of Chopin hanging high on the wall.

"Chopin's homeland, Poland, was under Russian rule at the time, and the Polish military governor's students launched an uprising in response."

Fujimaru nodded as he listened to Hideko's words.

"But the uprising was suppressed by Russia, and a large number of insurgents were killed. Chopin then lamented, 'Is God a Muscovite?' Thinking of the tragic fate of his friends and himself, he poured his sorrow into his works, thus composing the 'Revolutionary' Etude."

“Indeed… I also think that piece of music powerfully expresses the pain of people tossed about by the times… No one can express people’s loneliness and powerlessness as exquisitely as he could, and I am far from that level,” Fujimaru replied listlessly.

“You’re like this again, and you immediately fall into self-doubt.” Hideko frowned.

"No. Chopin lived in a turbulent era. But Japan today is a peaceful and comfortable society. It's not that Japan is bad, but it's impossible to compose music as stirring as Chopin's in such an environment."

"What? Is it going to be a tearful confession this time?" Hideko looked down at Fujimaru with an expression of utter disbelief.

Fujimaru couldn't stand that stern gaze and lowered his head even further.

"I'm saying that the reason why Chopin's music is so loved by the Japanese today, no, by people all over the world, is precisely because the Japanese and people all over the world today, like Chopin, are suffering under the turmoil of the times."

"..." Hideko's words left Fujimaru looking bewildered.

"There's a saying in Buddhism, 'There's no other way,' meaning that regardless of the era or place, diligent practice will lead to enlightenment. You're simply blaming the times for your own lack of effort."

"You...you mean I'm running away?" Fujimaru glared angrily at Hideko upon hearing this.

"You are indeed running away. Just as some people have said, different countries have different climates, and different countries have their own melodies. Chopin was able to transform the melodies of his homeland, Poland, into one Polonaise and Mazurkas after another. Can't you incorporate the anxieties of the Japanese into your melodies and keep creating new pieces?"

Hideko kept talking in a forceful tone.

"No, no... Someone like me definitely couldn't do that..."

Fujimaru suddenly deflated and lowered his head again. Just then, Hideko bent down, looked directly at the sitting Fujimaru, and, as if teaching a spoiled child, suddenly said in a gentle voice:

"No problem, you're a genius even I admire. You can definitely write it. Besides, two years ago, didn't your song become incredibly popular with my production and distribution?"

"Uh-huh."

"Come on, listen to that piece of music and get back to your best."

As she spoke, Hideko picked up the CD from the player, put it in, and pressed play.

The stirring melody played on the piano immediately echoed in the living room, which felt like a vast meeting hall.

“No matter when I listen to this piece, it’s always so moving…” Hideko turned the volume up to the maximum, then sat on the comfortable leather sofa and quietly closed her eyes. Meanwhile, Tomioru shifted his still empty gaze from the music stand to the late October scenery outside the window.

It was a window that jutted outwards, and on it sat a pumpkin lantern, a common sight on Christmas Eve. The flickering candlelight in the hollowed-out eye sockets of the pumpkin created an eerie atmosphere.

575. Heiji decides to duel with Lin Xiaofeng for the sake of his childhood friend.

In the autumn night sky, amidst the dazzling brilliance of the stars, a bright full moon hangs in the sky. A tiny, adorable ghost-like figure, covered entirely by a white sheet, is bathed in moonlight as it runs past door to door in Beika Town, asking for Halloween candy.

They carried pumpkin lanterns with lit candles, making small holes in the white cloth just to reveal their eyes and noses, and wandered from house to house.

“Ayumi, do we really seem to have the power of ghosts?” The chubby, round, white dwarf ghost seemed quite pleased as he spoke to the smallest ghost in front of him.

“It’s true, Genta. As long as you say, ‘Jack-o’-lantern is here, or we’ll play a trick on you,’ no matter which store it is, they’ll just put the candy in this bag without hesitation.”

"Hmm, I was planning to play a prank if I didn't get the candy, but it seems there's no need for that now."

"This wasn't our strength; it's regrettable, but I certainly saw it."

"Hey, what did you see, Mitsuhiko?" Ayumi asked a slightly taller ghost next to her, who was also covered in a white cloth.

"I saw the notice that was sent to the parents of Teitan Elementary School in advance, which said, 'Please give candy to the children who visit on Halloween.'"

"Oh, I see." Ayumi said with a hint of disappointment.

"Tch, Mitsuhiko, don't say things that ruin your dream, it's so discouraging," Genta complained.

"I'm sorry..." Mitsuhiko, dressed as a ghost in a white cloth, lowered his head apologetically.

"Fine, I forgive you. But if that's the case, I really wish every day was Halloween."

"Hmm! But, Genta, you might gain weight again if you do that."

"Haha, Ayumi is right." Mitsuhiko couldn't help but laugh out loud, and Genta and Ayumi also laughed happily. However, not far from the three children, a young man dressed as a werewolf was watching them and was getting a little angry.

"Damn it, why do I have to dress up as a werewolf?"

"But it suits you perfectly, Heiji."

Beside Heiji, who was dressed as a werewolf, a young girl wearing a large black hat and a cloak, dressed as a witch, chuckled.

"Kazuha, you better be more concise." Heiji glared at her.

"Oh, how scary, Heiji, being glared at by someone dressed like this..." Kazuha was startled by the werewolf-like face and couldn't help but swallow.

"Hmph, it's all your fault."

"Don't say that, it's Halloween today, there's nothing we can do about it."

“I know. But I was only invited by the president of the Beika Town Children’s Association to teach kendo. Why am I dressed up like this and acting as a babysitter for these kids?”

Heiji looked at himself again, dressed up as a werewolf, and said somewhat angrily.

“I’m saying that even in the United States, which is the home of Halloween, if children go door to door on their own, they are at risk of getting involved in criminal cases. So of course, adults need to protect their safety.”

"Since it's so dangerous, let's not have Halloween. Besides, Halloween was originally a religious activity of the Celts in England more than two thousand years ago, to give thanks to God for the harvest and to remember deceased relatives."

"Hey, doesn't that look a lot like Japan's Obon festival?"

"Yes, Japan has the Obon festival in August. If that's the case, why celebrate it twice a year? Isn't that strange?"

"Now that you mention it, you're right... But the fact that they specifically invited you from Kansai proves you're very famous. And the kids are so happy, so what's the big deal?"

Kazuha watched Genta and the others wander around from house to house, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I'm quite happy to be able to make up a look that's rarely seen in everyday life."

Kazuha looked at her hooked nose through her long eyelashes and smiled happily...

"She's already scary enough, there's no need to dress up as a witch..." Heiji muttered to himself.

"What are you saying, Heiji?" Kazuha, who had overheard the words, immediately glared at Heiji with a terrifying expression.

· ······Requesting flowers· ····

"N-nothing... But it's really infuriating. What? These high school students who promised to take care of them suddenly have an emergency? They're just high school students, yet they act so high and mighty. Even Kudo and I wouldn't dare to act like this..."

Heiji, as if trying to change the subject, put on an angry face again.

“You’re just a high school student, you can’t become a big star even if you want to. Only celebrities like Brother Lin Xiaofeng can…” Kazuha couldn’t help but laugh.

"Idiot! I may be a high school student, but I am Japan's number one high school detective."

"Japan's number one... I think so, but don't forget about Lin Xiaofeng..."

.... ...... ....

"Idiot!" Kazuha's words made Heiji roll his eyes.

"Listen up! I, Hattori Heiji, am the only number one high school student in Japan. Although I haven't settled the score with Lin Xiaofeng yet, I'm brimming with confidence. Besides, I have to take care of that brat today. I originally came here to challenge Lin Xiaofeng because my reasoning skills have improved recently!"

"I see, so that's how it is..." Kazuha smiled wryly, as if she could read Heiji's mind.

"W-What? 'I see'?" Heiji's face suddenly hardened.

"I was wondering why you suddenly accepted the invitation to give kendo instruction to the kids in Tokyo. Turns out you wanted to have a deduction duel with Brother Lin Xiaofeng..."

"So what? Is it not allowed?"

"Isn't there any other reason?"

Kazuha Toyama continued to ask, and Heiji suddenly blushed.

"It's all because He Ye has fallen for Lin Xiaofeng and doesn't like me anymore."

Hearing her childhood friend's words, Toyama Kazuha couldn't help but roll her eyes at Heiji: "You've never liked me. What's wrong with liking Lin Xiaofeng?"

"That's true. But I'm still not happy!" Hattori Heiji felt something was missing. "Anyway, I'm going to duel Lin Xiaofeng!"

576. Halloween Costume

Just as Heiji and Kazuha were arguing, two young men and women who were talking emerged from the darkness.

"Hongzi, your makeup is way too scary..."

"Isn't it all to teach you magic!" Hongzi raised her eyebrows angrily.

"Thank you for your hard work..."

"Besides, I am a real witch, shouldn't I dress up to be more frightening?"

"Oh, is that so?"

"Of course! Halloween costumes are meant to scare away evil spirits that want to haunt humans, so they have to be as scary as possible. I'm a real witch, so it would be beneath me if my makeup wasn't frightening!"

"Oh, I see... But this outfit is so different from your real witch makeup..."

As Lin Xiaofeng spoke, he took another look at Hongzi dressed as a witch and frowned. Hongzi was happily dressed up as the witch that the "497" people were talking about—wearing a black pointed hat that witches are known for, wearing bright lipstick, sticking on long eyelashes, and even carefully covering her hooked nose.

"Your real witch makeup is so beautiful...why did you have to make it look so scary..."

"This is actually quite ordinary, okay... Besides, if you're going to put it that way, Lin Xiaofeng, your vampire disguise is truly terrifying." Hongzi said, looking at Lin Xiaofeng's face.

Indeed, Lin Xiaofeng, dressed in an evening suit and cloak, looked very much like a vampire gentleman at first glance, with his face painted blue and his mouth fitted with sharp teeth.

"It's because once Yukiko starts doing her makeup, she predictably can't stop, and gets more and more into it," Lin Xiaofeng said with a helpless shrug.

"Hahaha... Right, is this the area? The residential area where Ayumi and the others asked for candy?" Akako said, looking around.

"Now that you mention it, it really is around here." Lin Xiaofeng looked around as well.

"Ah, is that them?" Akako saw three people in front of her dressed as ghosts, their bodies covered with white sheets. It was Genta's trio, and they were walking out of the entrance of a two-story house.

"Oh dear, whose family is this? They even put the cake in a bag... and now all the candy is covered in cream..."

Mitsuhiko, dressed as a ghost, looked at the bag of candy in his hand and made a dejected sound. However, the chubby ghost Genta immediately chimed in, "Oh, if you don't want them, give them all to me. They'll all end up in my stomach anyway, so they'll all end up together."

"Genta, really, you're eating way too much."

Just as Ayumi was talking about Genta, Lin Xiaofeng, dressed as a vampire, approached them while greeting them.

"Looks like you had a good haul."

"Wow, vampires and witches!" Genta and Mitsuhiko were so shocked by Lin Xiaofeng and Akako's realistic makeup that they couldn't help but take a few steps back.

"They are Brother Lin Xiaofeng and Sister Hongzi!" Bu Mei said with a smile.

"W-what?" Ayumi's words relieved Genta and Mitsuhiko.

"I didn't expect you two to be dressed so uniquely!" Lin Xiaofeng smiled as he looked at Heiji and Kazuha, who were dressed as a werewolf and a witch.

"Well, none of that matters." Heiji waved his hand. "What matters is, Lin Xiaofeng, you promised me you'd have a deduction duel with me! I feel like my deduction skills have improved a lot lately..."

“No problem, we’ll go to the Metropolitan Police Department tomorrow to see if there are any unsolved cases, or if we can’t find any, we’ll borrow Conan…” Lin Xiaofeng smiled.

Just then, Kazuha came to Lin Xiaofeng's side and said happily, "Xiaofeng, I'm here too. Do you think my witch outfit looks good?"

"It looks good, much better than someone's old witch costume." Lin Xiaofeng gently stroked He Ye's face.