Isn't it very scientific to use the Death Note to kill people?

Even though it's not night yet—

The curtains in Lin Jiashu's room blocked out most of the outside light, leaving only a warm, dim bedside lamp.

The dim light filling the bed creates a warm yet ambiguous feeling.

When she was brought here, Xiaolan's heart was pounding like a drum, almost bursting out of her chest.

This wasn't the first time she had entered this room.

However, every time I get flustered and embarrassed by this atmosphere, I feel a mix of excitement and embarrassment.

She almost covered her face.

"Brother Jiashu..."

"It's fine."

Lin Jiashu's gentle voice was so close to her ear.

After hearing his voice, Xiaolan actually relaxed and followed his advice... but in reality, she was even more nervous.

Lin Jiashu placed his hand on her fair legs.

The sixteen-year-old girl's skin was already incredibly smooth, and with Xiaolan's constant practice of karate, her fair legs were firm but not taut... and this was easily revealed to him.

Xiaolan subconsciously pursed her lips.

Although I had already taken a shower before coming here, almost as if by some strange twist of fate...

But at this moment she still wanted to tell her to go take a shower first, but Lin Jiashu didn't seem to give her a chance to speak.

Like a kiss, Lin Jiashu lowered his lips.

The girl immediately let out a soft hum.

Yoshiki-san is always like this...

They've started bullying people again—

Her misty eyes seemed to convey her emotions, but her tightly pursed lips could only utter soft sobs.

Xiaolan couldn't quite describe her feelings at that moment.

She was mainly shy, a little lost, and seemed to be in a slightly happy mood... but also vaguely a little scared.

Because this was really too outrageous for her.

But when she saw Yoshiki's gentle yet earnest face, she gradually lost her nervousness.

"Brother Jiashu..."

Her calls gradually became wet and slightly nasal.

Lin Jiashu paused.

He lifted his incredibly handsome face, then sat up and gently embraced her from above.

Xiao Lan was somewhat bewildered.

Her watery eyes gazed at Lin Jiashu with a slightly dazed expression.

"So cute, Ran."

"..."

The girl opened her mouth, but was too shy to speak. The next moment, she suddenly felt Lin Jiashu getting close.

Very abrupt...

Just like how it was so abrupt when she suddenly touched Eri's lips while she was on the phone with her earlier—

The firm touch made her instinctively let out a high-pitched cry: "Wait, wait... Yoshiki-nii..."

She seemed to snap out of her daze and tried to turn away, her voice trembling with panic, her cheeks burning red.

Lin Jiashu stopped moving. He looked down at her, his dark eyes filled with a tenderness that could almost drown a person, yet the dark flame deep within them had not been extinguished: "Did I scare you?"

His voice was low and hoarse.

Xiaolan's heart was pounding, and she avoided eye contact with him.

The words of refusal were on the tip of his tongue, but... looking at Yoshiki's face so close to his, feeling the warmth from his fingertips on his face and that careful restraint, thinking of everything he had done for his father and for his family... those words of refusal seemed to be stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word.

Because he always made sacrifices for her countless times...

Yoshiki is a guy who won't disappoint.

Xiaolan has always been very clear about this.

Not only did her mother fully support her relationship with Jia Shu, but even though her father hadn't said anything or even thought about it, Xiao Lan knew he definitely supported it too.

Because no matter the angle or whose perspective it is.

It seems like there's nothing to criticize about Jia Shu Ge.

Perfect--

He can almost only be described with this word.

On this basis, his time disorientation disorder and hormonal problems... these minor flaws actually made Xiaolan feel at ease.

The moment the television broadcast showed him being taken into custody by the police, Xiaolan gained a deeper understanding of her own feelings.

Even so, she felt it was all too fast.

She wasn't ready.

Although she occasionally heard about girls taking that step at that age, and even had several friends at school who talked about it after dating boys... it was too much for her. She always thought it was a field she wouldn't enter at her age, as if she and those types of girls were from different worlds.

But with Jia Shu looking at her like that, she seemed unable to say no.

Especially now, when she is deeply moved and filled with guilt.

A jumble of conflicting thoughts clashed fiercely in her mind, causing her fingertips to tremble slightly with anxiety.

Lin Jiashu keenly sensed her hesitation and struggle.

He didn't urge her, but waited patiently, his fingertips still gently caressing the inside of her wrist in a soothing way, his gaze always focused on her face.

This silent tenderness and waiting softened Xiaolan's heart more than forceful demands.

really……

Or not.

Her eyelashes trembled as she took a shallow breath.

"I'm sorry, Yoshiki-nii... I... I'm not mentally prepared yet—"

She knew that if it were Yoshiki-san, he would definitely understand her very gently.

But just as she was halfway through her sentence, the cell phone that had been brought in and placed to the side suddenly rang.

The ringtone pierced the atmosphere of the room like a sharp thorn.

Startled, Xiaolan's cheeks were still flushed when she came to her senses. She seemed to ignore Lin Jiashu's disappointed look and thought it was Fei Yingli calling again. She hurriedly grabbed the phone, but when she saw the name on the screen, her eyes showed surprise.

Shinichi Kudo

Why would Shinichi call himself at this time?

She was a little confused, and subconsciously glanced at Lin Jiashu. Seeing that he was just watching quietly, she said softly, "Then I'll take the call first, Jiashu-ge."

"Ah."

Lin Jiashu nodded.

Ran calmed her breathing, tried to make her voice sound steady, and then pressed the answer button: "Hello, Shinichi?"

As she answered the phone, Lin Jiashu secretly raised an eyebrow.

This seems like an opportunity...

He thought about it.

Meanwhile, Conan's voice, disguised by a voice changer, came from the other end of the phone in Ran's hand: "Ran, what are you doing right now? Who are you with?" He sounded anxious, almost like he was taking a census.

"me?"

When asked what she was doing, Xiaolan's heart was still not completely calm. She tried to remain calm and keep her voice as natural as possible, and forced a deliberately relaxed tone: "...I'm with my mother. Today I plan to go out to eat with her and Jiashu."

"Eating out?"

"Yes, because of what happened to Yoshiki-nii before, now that it's been resolved, Mom said she wants to celebrate for him."

This was the excuse that Eri had just prepared for her. She originally intended to use it when she got home to deal with her father and Conan, but she didn't expect to use it here now.

Conan on the other end of the phone seemed to pause for a moment.

He noticed the background noise on Ran's end was very quiet, but that wasn't strange in Eri's apartment... Although he still had some inexplicable doubts and worries, Ran's answer seemed to give him an excuse to convince himself. He really wanted to ask Ran if she really had feelings for Hayashi Yoshiki... but he ultimately didn't press the question, only saying a few words before hanging up.

"Is that so? I saw what happened to Yoshiki-san on TV too. It was really tough, but it's good that he's alright in the end... I've been busy with the case I'm currently investigating. I just had a little free time, but I have to go investigate again now... Anyway, you guys celebrate first, we'll talk about it later when we have time."

"Okay, then good luck, Shinichi."

The phone hangs up.

Silence returned to the bedroom.

So why did he suddenly call?

Xiaolan was a little confused.

After putting down her phone, she looked at Lin Jiashu somewhat embarrassedly... She twisted her fingers, trying to recapture the atmosphere before the interruption and say something to ease the awkwardness.

But I've said pretty much everything I wanted to say. I'm sure Yoshiki-san will understand, right?

However, after waiting for a long time, Lin Jiashu did not respond.

She looked up and saw Lin Jiashu with her head slightly turned to the side, her profile appearing somewhat dim under the light.

What's going on here?

Xiaolan was a little confused.

Then, before she could ask, Lin Jiashu suddenly spoke:

"...Is it because of Kudo-kun?"

"Huh?"

Xiao Lan looked stunned.

Lin Jiashu sighed very softly, a sigh as light as a feather, yet it struck Xiaolan's heart heavily.

"Brother Jiashu?"

"Ah."

His response was low, yet it carried a hoarseness and a sense of brokenness that he tried to suppress but still managed to reveal.

Seeing Ran's surprised expression, his usually calm and gentle eyes seemed to be veiled in a dark shadow, filled with uncertainty, but he still managed a faint smile: "You and Kudo... are you still in contact?"

"no!"

Xiaolan denied it almost immediately, feeling as if her heart had been violently clenched.

The last thing she wanted to see was Yoshiki looking so disappointed because of her, especially because of this inexplicable misunderstanding. She explained, somewhat amused and exasperated, "It's not because of him! The person I like is Yoshiki... You've been my only one for a long time!"

She explained eagerly, even reaching out to grab Lin Jiashu's hand, wanting to prove her feelings with her warmth.

Seeing her anxious expression, Lin Jiashu's gaze softened slightly. He gently squeezed her hand and smiled, "Hmm... I know. It's just... for a moment just now, I suddenly felt a little uncertain. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that."

Xiaolan looked at him intently.

Although Yoshiki said that, his eyes clearly showed that he cared a lot...

Even her smile looked a bit forced.

She felt a little anxious without realizing it.

What the heck...?

Why would Yoshiki-san think this way about me?

Indeed, I used to be quite close to Shinichi because we were childhood friends. Not only would my classmates tease me about it, but even Sonoko would occasionally make fun of me about it—was that why Yoshiki-nii had this misunderstanding?

Xiaolan had a headache.