Conan: Ran turns into an elementary school student and calls me dad.

Chapter 75 Sato is acting strangely tonight.

"Hmph, it's just good luck."

Shiratori Renzaburo sat to the side, watching Sato Miwako smilingly sidle up to Hayashi Shuichi, asking him all sorts of questions. His expression grew increasingly unpleasant, and he couldn't help but let out a cold snort, his tone full of sourness.

Takagi Wataru, who was next to him, picked up a wine glass and drank it down in silence, his face full of bitterness.

He still believes that he accidentally revealed Sato's preferences, which gave Hayashi Shuichi the opportunity to win Sato's favor.

"Everyone's out here to relax, so you two shouldn't be so dull."

Chiba Kazunobu stuffed grilled meat into his mouth while kindly urging him on, his round, chubby face full of a憨厚 (honest and simple) smile.

"I think Mr. Lin Xiuyi is a very nice person. He speaks wittily and humorously. Despite being a well-known writer, he has no airs at all and is very generous."

"Hmph, that's because he didn't take away your beloved toy!" Shiratori Renzaburo glared at Chiba with annoyance, his tone unfriendly.

"I already said, that's not a toy! It's a limited edition Kamen Rider figure!" Kazunobu Chiba immediately retorted.

Inside the private room, the three male detectives each had their own thoughts: Shiratori was furious, Takagi looked worried, and Chiba was only focused on eating barbecue.

Lin Xiuyi was surrounded by four young girls, chatting and laughing, looking quite content.

……

The barbecue lasted for almost two hours, and everyone ate and drank their fill.

Yumi slammed her hand on the table and exclaimed, "Eating only barbecue is so boring! Let's go sing karaoke! I know a great place nearby, the atmosphere is amazing!"

The other three girls immediately agreed. Although Sato Miwako was still a little hesitant, she couldn't resist Yumi's persistent pleading and finally nodded.

On the men's side, Wataru Takagi and Ninzaburo Shiratori both declined the suggestion to go to karaoke, citing "dizziness from drinking too much."

Takagi wasn't in the mood, while Shiratori didn't want to see Hayashi Shuichi and Sato getting close anymore.

Although Chiba Kazunobu was somewhat tempted and wanted to join in the fun, he felt embarrassed to go along alone when he saw his two male colleagues standing still, so he could only shake his head regretfully.

With the three men out of the way, Lin Xiuyi went to the karaoke bar alone with the four girls, and the atmosphere was even more relaxed and comfortable than at the barbecue restaurant.

……

Inside the karaoke room, the lighting was dim and soft, the screen on the wall flickered with colorful lights, and upbeat background music played from the speakers.

As soon as Yumi entered the private room, she eagerly picked up the microphone and requested a catchy pop song to warm up the atmosphere.

Her voice wasn't particularly outstanding, but she sang with great passion, and her lively, bouncy manner instantly enlivened the atmosphere in the private room.

Following that, Natsumi Tsujimoto and Miyuki Kobayakawa sang a classic ballad together. Their voices blended perfectly, drawing applause from Shuichi Hayashi, Sato, and Yumi.

According to the order, it should have been Miwako Sato's turn next.

But she frowned slightly, covered her throat, and declined with a hint of apology: "I have a bit of a cold today, and my throat is still a little sore, so I won't sing. You guys sing."

No one forced her, so it was Lin Xiuyi's turn.

Facing the expectant gazes of the four girls, Lin Xiuyi was not intimidated. She picked up the microphone and directly requested a heartfelt English love song.

Accompanied by a soothing melody, his slightly hoarse voice slowly rose, carrying a sense of vicissitude accumulated over the years, instantly captivating the four girls, who occasionally let out bursts of cheers.

After the song ended, enthusiastic applause erupted in the private room. Lin Xiu smiled and put down the microphone, feeling a bit nauseous from the beer she had just drunk. She greeted a few girls, turned around, and left the room to go to the restroom.

The corridor outside the restroom was dimly lit and so quiet that only the singing coming from the private rooms in the distance could be heard.

After Lin Xiuyi finished relieving himself, he came out of the restroom and saw Sato Miwako leaning against the wall alone, her brows slightly furrowed and her face full of worries, a stark contrast to her gentle demeanor in the private room just now.

"Officer Sato, Yumi just said you seemed troubled today. Is that true?" Lin Xiuyi stepped forward and asked gently.

"Yes, I do have something weighing on my mind, and it's making me feel really uncomfortable."

Sato Miwako looked up, a hint of fatigue on her face, and then began to complain with some dissatisfaction.

"Mr. Lin, you've been calling Yumi by her first name, yet you've been so polite to me. Isn't that a bit too formal?"

"Then, how about I call you Miwako from now on?" Lin Xiuyi raised an eyebrow and asked tentatively.

"That's more like it." A smile instantly appeared on Miwako Sato's face.

Before Lin Xiuyi could react, she reached out and hugged his arm, leaning gently against him.

Huh? Why is Miwako Sato being so proactive today?

Lin Xiuyi was secretly puzzled. The last time they met, she only hugged him when she was emotional. Today she was so direct. Could it be that she was conquered by his charm?

As he was muttering to himself, he heard Sato Miwako speak in a low, somewhat aggrieved voice.

"Then, Mr. Lin... no, Shuichi, are you really willing to listen to my troubles?"

"I'm a psychologist," Lin Xiuyi smiled slightly. "If you have anything on your mind, just say it. No matter what it is, I will keep it a secret and never tell anyone else."

"real?"

Sato Miwako raised her head, her bright eyes fixed on Hayashi Shuichi's expression, as if carefully discerning the truth or falsehood in his words.

"Of course it's true."

Seeing Sato take the initiative to put her arm around his, Lin Xiuyi no longer stood on ceremony and reached out to put his arm around her slender waist.

"Look, those sad things you told me last time, didn't I not mention them to anyone else in the Metropolitan Police Department? I'm always a person of my word."

"You are indeed a trustworthy person."

Miwako Sato nodded, sighed softly, her voice tinged with sadness.

"Actually, the reason I'm worried today is because I had a conflict with my mother."

"It's nothing serious," Lin Xiuyi gently comforted her. "It's normal for mothers and daughters to bicker occasionally. They'll make up naturally after a few days when their anger subsides."

"But this time, it's not just ordinary noise."

Sato Miwako rested her head on Hayashi Shuichi's chest, her voice trembling with emotion.

"I'm in love with a man who is much older than me, but my mother absolutely cannot accept it, and we had a big fight about it."

Is it a romantic relationship? Or with a man much older than her?

Lin Xiuyi's heart skipped a beat. She looked down at the two of them cuddling together, and her heart began to race.

Could the man Sato was talking about be himself?

Sure enough, I'm still as charming as ever!

However, after only two meetings, he had completely captivated the female police officer from the Metropolitan Police Department, who then confided her innermost thoughts to him.

Lin Xiuyi couldn't help but feel a little smug, but on the surface, she maintained a serious expression and patiently offered her advice.

"It's normal that your mother can't accept this right away. After all, in the eyes of parents, they'll always worry that their daughter will be mistreated if she finds a partner who is much older than herself."

He paused, then continued,

"At this time, you'd better not be too stubborn and go against your mother in everything, otherwise things will only get worse."

Sato Miwako raised her head, wrapped her arms around Hayashi Shuichi's neck, and slightly raised her body, looking at him with a charmingly innocent expression, asking in a somewhat helpless tone,

"What should I do? I really love him and don't want to break up with him because of my mother's opposition."

Lin Xiuyi naturally tightened his arms, holding her even closer, and offered advice with a straight face.

"Find a suitable opportunity to introduce that man to your mother and let them get to know each other. Perhaps after a few meetings, your mother will see his sincerity towards you and approve of him."

"This...maybe we don't need it anymore."

Sato Miwako gently shook her head, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

"My mother knows that man; they've met before."

Huh? When did I meet Sato Miwako's mother?

Lin Xiuyi was taken aback, feeling somewhat puzzled.

During his time back in Japan, apart from a few police officers from the Metropolitan Police Department, he didn't know any other middle-aged women, let alone Sato's mother.

Just as Lin Xiuyi was wondering what was going on, Sato Miwako suddenly stood on tiptoe, leaned close to his ear, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear,

"Because that man was also someone my mother deeply loved!"

What?!

Lin Xiuyi froze, her smile instantly vanished, and her mind went blank.

Sato Miwako actually fell in love with her mother's lover?

This is absolutely outrageous!

Something's not right! Something's not right!

Lin Xiuyi finally realized that Sato Miwako was acting very strangely tonight!