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

"Can you carry all of this?"

Looking at the shopping cart that was gradually filling up, Lin Jiashu asked helplessly.

“Then it’s up to you, Detective Lin.” Vermouth turned around and gave him a charming smile. “After all, it’s the duty of a father, isn’t it?”

Lin Jiashu shook his head and chose to leave the matter to the mall's concierge.

By the time they had bought everything they wanted, it was already dark.

Vermouth naturally took Hayashi Yoshiki's hand.

Chapter 132: The Current Situation in Curaçao, Flowers and the Two

As night falls, the neon lights of Ginza, like a flowing river of color, paint the Tokyo night sky with a luxurious and enchanting glow.

A black sedan was driving smoothly on the coastal highway leading to the port area.

Soothing jazz music filled the carriage, isolating it from all the noise of the outside world, while the back seat was piled high with shopping bags bearing the logos of high-end children's clothing brands, like a small mountain, taking up most of the space.

Vermouth sat in the passenger seat, took off her large sunglasses, and fiddled with a baby rattle she had just bought on a whim.

She watched the night view rushing past the window, a contented smile never fading from her lips.

"This feeling is something I haven't felt in a long time."

She sighed softly, her voice slightly husky and lazy, "No need to keep an eye on the rearview mirror to see if there are any tails, no need to worry about whether the gun in my bag is loaded, and no need to pay attention to any orders that might come to my email at any moment... It's just about shopping and going home."

Are you used to it?

Lin Jiashu held the steering wheel with one hand, turned his head to look at her, and the light and shadow of the street lamps crisscrossed his gentle profile. "I hope you won't find it boring."

"tedious?"

Vermouth turned her head, her eyes sparkling. "You have no idea how long I've been looking forward to this day."

She glanced down at her slightly protruding belly, her eyes softening. "I think it's not bad. At least, I don't want this child to have to learn to stay alert in their sleep in the future."

"Then it seems my efforts haven't been in vain." Lin Jiashu smiled.

The car rounded a corner, and ahead was a flower shop that was still open.

Warm orange lights streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows onto the sidewalk, and colorful flowers bloomed in the night, adding a touch of vitality to this concrete jungle.

Vermouth's casual gaze swept across the flower shop, and then her gaze suddenly froze.

"That is……"

She sat up straight in surprise.

At the entrance of the flower shop, a woman with long silver hair was squatting on the ground, carefully pruning the branches and leaves of a potted plant. She was wearing a simple apron, and her expression was focused and serene, completely different from the intelligence machine codenamed "Curaçao" under Rum, who possessed superhuman memory and combat skills.

"Curaçao?"

Vermouth uttered the name in surprise.

On the night Rum died, Curaçao never returned to the organization to report... She had been wondering if the woman had been dealt with by Hayashi Yoshiki.

"Ah, you found out."

Lin Jiashu didn't seem surprised. Instead, he slowly stepped on the brakes and gently pulled the car to the side of the road. "Looks like this is what they call fate."

"You arranged this?"

Vermouth turned her head, looking at the unfathomable man beside her, her eyes filled with complex emotions. "I thought you had all of Rum's old men..."

"Not everyone deserves to die."

Lin Jiashu unbuckled his seatbelt and said calmly, "Some people are wolves that must be hunted; but some are just hounds chained up, or canvases that have lost their color. As long as they are given a little freedom and sunshine, they can live like human beings."

He opened the car door. "Shall we get out and take a look? Since we've bought so much stuff, a bouquet of flowers won't make a difference."

Vermouth was silent for a moment, then smiled, put her sunglasses back on, and got out of the car.

"Since the boss has spoken, let's go say hello."

……

"jingle--"

The wind chimes on the florist's door rang.

"Welcome, it's so late—"

Curaçao did not look up, remaining focused on the scissors in her hand, her voice gentle and polite.

But when those two shadows were projected in front of her, and especially when that familiar aura that made her tremble deep in her soul approached, her movements suddenly froze.

She slowly raised her head.

The first thing that catches the eye is Lin Jiashu's gentle and harmless smiling face.

Standing behind him was a blonde woman wearing sunglasses, whose powerful aura was almost suffocating...

"Bell...Mold?"

Curaçao's grip on the scissors tightened involuntarily.

Almost instinctively, she took a step back, bumping into the flower stand behind her, and a few petals drifted down. Her heterochromatic pupils contracted sharply, and her face instantly turned pale.

For her, who had been brainwashed by Rum, Vermouth was someone who almost executed her—she was not only a high-ranking member of the organization, but also a symbol of that terrible old era for Curaçao.

Her appearance inevitably worried Curaçao... Did Yoshiki Hayashi intend to keep his promise?

"take it easy."

Lin Jiashu stepped forward at the opportune moment, blocking the two of them. He bent down, picked up the scissors from the ground, and gently placed them on the table next to him.

“We were just passing by and stopped by to buy some flowers. Right, Vermouth?”

He glanced back at Vermouth.

Vermouth took off her sunglasses and looked at the panicked woman in front of her. The scrutiny in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by a hint of amusement and...感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of mixed emotions, including regret and apprehension).

"Yes."

She stepped forward, making no aggressive moves, but instead looked around with interest. "I never expected that the once famous Curaçao would be here tending to these flowers and plants. This apron... it suits you quite well."

Curaçao remained wary of her, her body tense, but her gaze relaxed slightly when she met Lin Jiashu's encouraging eyes.

“Jundu…” her voice was a little hoarse, “You promised me.”

I promised her that once the final task was completed, I would give her her freedom and let her completely escape that dark vortex.

"I never break my promises."

Lin Jiashu said gently, his gaze open and honest, "The people standing in front of you tonight aren't cadres from any organization, nor are they superiors here to give orders. They're just an ordinary... well, expectant parents who were passing by and wanted to buy a bouquet of flowers."

"Prospective parents?"

Curaçao paused for a moment, her gaze unconsciously falling on Vermouth's slightly protruding belly.

She opened her mouth wide in surprise.

Vermouth...is she pregnant?

"What? Surprised?"

Vermouth touched her belly, a gentle smile of maternal love on her face. "Isn't it incredible that even I can have this kind of 'ordinary' happiness?"

Curaçao looked at her.

The murderous intent was gone, the pretense was gone.

The Vermouth before her was still so beautiful that it was hard to look directly at her, but the terrifying chill emanating from her had vanished, replaced by a kind of... peace that she had never seen before.

Curaçao took a deep breath, and her tense shoulders finally relaxed completely.

She got it.

Since even Vermouth can stand here so calmly as a pregnant woman, then what Lin Jiashu said must have truly come to pass.

"No...it suits you very well."

Curaçao gave a genuine smile, one of the few genuine smiles she had ever given in her life, one without any gloom. "Congratulations."

“Thank you.” Vermouth raised an eyebrow. “So, as the shop owner, won’t you give us some recommendations?”

"of course."

Curaçao turned and walked towards the flower stand, her movements much lighter. She carefully selected a few white lisianthus from the flowers, paired them with pale purple forget-me-nots, and added a few eucalyptus leaves as embellishments.

Her movements were skillful and gentle, as if she were handling not plants, but precious works of art.

"Lisianthus represents 'sincere and unchanging love,' while forget-me-not represents 'eternal memory.'"

As she packaged the package, Curaçao explained softly, "I think this is perfect for the two of you now... and for your future baby."

She handed the beautifully wrapped bouquet to Vermouth.

“No need to pay.” Curaçao looked at Hayashi Yoshiki with gratitude in her eyes. “Consider it… my thank you gift for my new life.”

Lin Jiashu didn't refuse, and nodded with a smile: "Then thank you. The flowers are beautiful."

"If you encounter any difficulties in the future, or simply want to chat with someone, you can contact me anytime."

Lin Jiashu added, "In this world, you can dye your hair any color you like."

"I really like this color now."

Curaçao pointed to the colorful flowers around her, her smile radiant. "That's enough."

……

After leaving the flower shop, the car drove back into the night.

Vermouth held the bouquet of flowers and gently sniffed them; the fragrance was light and elegant.

"You really are an incredible man."

She suddenly spoke, her tone tinged with emotion, "I thought someone like Curaçao would only ever be an emotionless recording machine. I never expected... that she would actually have a rather beautiful smile."

"Everyone has the right to pursue happiness."

Lin Jiashu stared straight ahead, "Even those who have been in hell."

"what about me?"

"Don't you already have it now?"

Lin Jiashu countered, "Child, freedom, is there anything else to add?"

"Pfft."

Vermouth laughed out loud. "Yes... I do have it."

As she watched the street scene recede outside the window, the last vestige of unease in her heart vanished with Curaçao's smile. If even Curaçao could find redemption, then perhaps she... could truly look forward to a future where she no longer needed to pretend.

"Come to my place."

She suddenly said, her voice becoming soft, "Today was really enjoyable, I almost didn't want it to end so soon. By the way, let me show you the room I prepared for the child."

Lin Jiashu didn't refuse. He turned the steering wheel and drove the car toward Vermouth's new apartment address.

……

Vermouth's safe house is located on the top floor of a high-rise apartment building, overlooking the entire Tokyo Bay at night.

The interior design is minimalist and cold, with black, white, and gray tones conveying a sense of detachment. But now, a corner of the living room is piled with baby supplies that were just bought, adding a touch of incongruous warmth to this otherwise austere space.

"Please sit wherever you like, I'll go get something to eat."

Vermouth changed her shoes, put the bouquet in a vase, and then walked toward the open kitchen.

Lin Jiashu took off his coat and watched her busy figure in the kitchen.

She didn't cook anything fancy; she simply pan-fried two steaks, made a salad, and heated two cups of milk—because of her pregnancy, she had given up her favorite red wine.

"We don't have much food at home, so we'll just have to make do."

Vermouth placed the plate on the table and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I don't usually cook."

"It looks very good."