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

boom!

He was kicked in the lower back.

Snapped!

Someone's elbow hit his ribs, and in the chaos, his hat was knocked off and his goggles were askew, but he immediately reached out to cover his eyes.

"Stop! I've already called the police! They'll be here soon!"

The chef watched in terror, but finally mustered the courage to raise his phone and shout.

Upon hearing the words "call the police," the thugs, though blinded by rage, knew their limits.

They kicked Wakita Kanenori, who was curled up on the ground, a few more times and spat at him.

"Damn it, you're lucky!"

"Pah! One-Eyed Dragon, don't let me see you again!"

The thugs, cursing and smug, swaggered out of the sushi restaurant and quickly disappeared into the night.

The store was in a mess, and the other customers had already been frightened and hid in a corner or left in a hurry.

The head chef rushed over and helped up Wakita Kanenori, who had fallen to the ground.

"Wakita! Are you alright? Are you okay?"

With his help, Kenjiro Wakita stood up with some difficulty. His face was bruised, and his work clothes were covered in dust and footprints, making him look disheveled.

He grimaced, gasped, but still managed an awkward smile:

"No...it's nothing, Chef. I'm tough, I'll be fine after a rest...I'm just causing trouble for the restaurant..."

He lowered his head, concealing the murderous intent that almost overflowed beneath his eye patch.

He had etched the images of those thugs into his mind.

Damn it, he's never been so humiliated in his life!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

At the second-floor window of the Mouri Detective Agency, Yoshiki Hayashi held a teacup, gazing leisurely at the street below.

Several brightly dressed, hurried figures rushed out of the Iroha Sushi restaurant not far away, their faces showing neither panic nor smugness, and quickly disappeared around the street corner.

Lin Jiashu's lips curved upwards almost imperceptibly.

Unfortunately, if he hadn't felt that appearing in the sushi restaurant would be too conspicuous, Lin Jiashu would have really wanted to see how pathetic Rum was right there.

That guy must be furious right now, right?

"Hey, Ashu, what are you looking at?"

Kogoro Mouri's voice came from behind him. He was sprawled on the sofa, idly pressing the TV remote.

Lin Jiashu turned around, his face already showing his usual gentle smile, as if he had just been casually admiring the street scene: "It's nothing, Uncle, I just saw a few people running very fast."

Just then, Ran Mouri, wearing an apron and holding a spatula, came out of the kitchen: "Yoshiki-nii, thank you so much this time! If it weren't for you, Mom..."

Lin Jiashu smiled and said, "Don't say that, Xiaolan. Isn't it our duty to protect Aunt Yingli? I'm relieved to see that she and you are all safe and sound."

"Humph!"

Kogoro Mouri, sitting on the sofa, let out a disgruntled snort, turned his face away, and began to make sarcastic remarks in an awkward tone, "If you ask me, it's all because Eri is too assertive. She offended too many people as a lawyer and got into this kind of trouble! She doesn't know how to restrain herself at all and only causes trouble for others."

"father!"

Xiaolan immediately glared at her father in dissatisfaction, "How could you say that about Mom? She's the victim this time!"

"That's just how it is..."

Kogoro Mouri muttered stubbornly, but his eyes looked somewhat uneasy...

She had seemed incredibly nervous when she first heard the news that day—but Xiaolan, too lazy to argue with this awkward middle-aged man, turned to Lin Jiashu with a bright smile: "Brother Jiashu, are you free tonight? I'm about to make dinner, why don't you stay and eat with us?"

Lin Jiashu glanced at the darkening sky outside the window, a perfectly measured apology on his face, and shook his head, gently declining, "Thank you, Xiaolan, but I'm afraid it's not possible tonight. I have an appointment later."

"Huh? I see..."

A hint of disappointment flashed across Xiaolan's face, but she quickly cheered up. "Alright then, Jiashu-ge, you have important business to attend to. Next time! Next time I'll definitely make you something even more delicious!"

"Okay, I'll remember that."

Lin Jiashu smiled and agreed, then greeted Kogoro Mouri, "Uncle, I'll be going now."

"Okay, go ahead." Kogoro Mouri waved his hand, his attention seemingly returning to the television program.

Lin Jiashu turned and walked towards the door.

Conan also raised his head to say goodbye.

Watching his departing figure, Xiaolan sighed softly and whispered to her father, "Dad, Jiashu just went through something so terrible, we should care more about him..."

She was referring to the incident where Yoshiki Hayashi accidentally killed someone—after all, the two were dating, and Eri Kisaki had specifically instructed her to pay close attention to Yoshiki Hayashi's condition.

Xiaolan has been worried about this as well.

Kogoro Mouri, who had been staring at the TV screen, looked up and his expression turned serious: "Don't worry, Itsuki is fine."

"……Yeah?"

"He's not as fragile as you think."

Kogoro Mouri said something, then nonchalantly turned his attention back to the television screen.

Ran, who was confused, exchanged a glance with Conan, and suddenly felt relieved, giving Conan a smile.

Downstairs, Lin Jiashu got into the driver's seat but didn't start the car immediately.

He took out his phone, looked at the text message Vermouth had just sent, and tapped the steering wheel lightly with a smile.

He glanced at the two cold-faced men loitering in front of the Iroha Sushi restaurant, but didn't look at them for long. He started the engine decisively and merged into the traffic of the Tokyo night.

Chapter 74: Vermouth: "I'm pregnant"

In the secluded private rooms of the upscale restaurant, warm-toned lighting softly casts a hazy and ambiguous filter over everything.

Soothing music filled the silence in the private room.

Vermouth arrived first, along with Hayashi Yoshiki.

She chose a position where she was out of sight of most people, wearing a low-key yet alluring dark red velvet dress that made her skin look as white as snow.

She tilted her head slightly, seemingly admiring the city night view outside the window, her fingers elegantly holding the slender stem of a champagne glass, the pale golden liquid swaying gently with her slight movements.

When Lin Jiashu pushed open the door and entered, she slowly turned her head, revealing an impeccable smile with a touch of languid charm.

“You’re late, Jundu.” Her voice was like a fine, aged wine, rich and captivating.

"There are reasons for this. Do you want me to explain?"

"Okay."

"But unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to write it yet."

Lin Jiashu returned his usual gentle smile, walked to the seat opposite her and sat down. His gaze swept over her for a moment with appreciation: "But doesn't waiting make the reunion even more precious? Besides, it's my honor to be able to appreciate your beauty on your own for a little longer."

The waiter came forward, and Lin Jiashu took the menu. After considering it for a moment, he decided on the drinks and food.

After the waiter left, Vermouth replied:

"So, have you thought about how to defend yourself?"

"Mainly because I heard about a violent incident on my way here. Several marginalized people, fueled by alcohol, beat up a disabled person who was blind in one eye... It sounded so outrageous that I couldn't help but care." Lin Jiashu said with a gentle smile, "--This is not an excuse, but something really happened."

"You sound like a very empathetic person."

Vermouth's smile was ambiguous, as it was hard to tell whether it was mockery.

The meal was served quickly.

Lin Jiashu ordered anise liqueur, an aperitif made from distilled spirits and anise oil, while Vermouth had a glass of soda water with tiny bubbles, quite different from the champagne she had been holding earlier, with only a slice of lemon in it.

Did you specifically choose the non-alcoholic version?

Lin Jiashu's gaze lingered briefly on the glass of soda water, so fast it was almost imperceptible, but he said nothing, only smiling as he raised his own glass.

Vermouth naturally picked up her soda and clinked glasses with him.

"cheers."

"cheers."

The glasses clinked together with a crisp sound, then separated just as quickly.

Lin Jiashu savored the intense and unique aroma of the anise liqueur spreading in his mouth, while Vermouth took a sip of the cool soda water, the slight sourness of the lemon stimulating her taste buds.

"I heard you were involved in a kidnapping case a few days ago?"

Vermouth casually brought it up, her eyes fixed on him, "It caused quite a stir."

"It was a minor problem, but it's been resolved."

Lin Jiashu brushed it off lightly, his tone relaxed, "But it seems like you guys have been quite busy lately? Bourbon even came to me asking for leave, so the workload must have increased quite a bit."

"Are you asking me for leave?"

As if she had heard something interesting, Vermouth became curious: "Weren't you guys pretty much at odds?"

"Capitalists and workers really can't be of one mind, can they?"

"Don't make me laugh, Cointreau."

Vermouth gave a light, nonchalant chuckle.

With prejudiced eyes, she couldn't help but feel that Lin Jiashu was testing her with every word he said.

Is he trying to confirm whether he has recently stopped performing his duties?

Or is it just curiosity?

Vermouth felt a slight chill in her heart, but remained outwardly calm.

She wasn't sure if Lin Jiashu was plotting against her, so what she needed to do now was observe.

Besides observation, we still need to observe...

The waiter quickly brought the dishes over.

Vermouth may have been controlling her diet today; raw or cold foods were not on her menu, and she drank alcohol much slower, only taking a small sip each time.

Lin Jiashu observed subtly.

He seemed to be listening attentively to Vermouth, his gaze gentle, but he was secretly taking in all her subtle movements.

Although I am very confident...

However, until the other party admits it personally, the probability is far from 100%.

You look especially radiant today.

Lin Jiashu cut off a small piece of steak and praised it seemingly unintentionally.

Vermouth felt a slight tightening in her heart, but her smile became even more alluring. She gently swirled her wine glass, avoiding his direct gaze: "After all, it has been carefully prepared."

"But you seem a bit off today, are you in a bad mood?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you look like you're sick and have been told to stay away from alcohol, so you have no choice but to sip a little to pretend."

"You really don't know what's going on?"

What should I know?

"..."

There was no answer. Vermouth stared into his eyes but saw no clue.

She didn't say anything more.

Although Lin Jiashu said she was "being mysterious," the topic was temporarily avoided.

After the main course was finished, the waiter removed the plates and asked if we would like dessert or coffee.