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

Chapter 69 The Witch Who Loves Role-Playing

Although Lin Xiuyi used the excuse of being "homeless" to stay in Eri Kisaki's apartment during his trip back to Japan, he did not return to Japan this time.

In reality, Judy and Lee Long had already secretly purchased several properties for unforeseen circumstances.

The house in Beikacho 2-chome is near Shinichi Kudo's house. It's in a villa area with tight security and low foot traffic.

Not only can it better protect Eri and Ran's safety, but it also makes it easier to screen suspicious persons and facilitates surveillance.

After finalizing the moving details with Li Long, Lin Xiuyi turned and returned to her apartment.

Halfway there, he took out the four photos again, stared at them in the dim light, and whispered a name: "Chris..."

In fact, he recognized who this woman, who was so skilled at disguise, was the moment he saw the photo.

She is called Chris, rather than the more familiar Sharon, or her other identity Vermouth, because every outfit the woman in the photo is wearing was personally selected and given to her by him when he was pursuing her.

Li Long thought they had keenly discovered the other party's weakness, but Lin Xiuyi knew in his heart that with Vermouth's abilities, it was impossible for them to catch her traces unless she deliberately exposed herself.

She deliberately wore these outfits filled with memories, clearly intending to let them discover her presence.

Lin Xiuyi couldn't help but sigh inwardly, remembering that when he was with Sharon back then, he hadn't yet recovered his memories of the Conan world.

Seeing that Chris was young and beautiful, while he himself had achieved great success, he had a foolish idea. He maintained his relationship with Sharon while actively pursuing Chris.

In the end, he was dumped by Sharon in a fit of rage and avoided by Chris.

Looking back now, it all seems absurd and laughable.

He had always wondered how he could have given himself away when he had been so discreet.

Sharon and Chris had a cold relationship, and he only learned of Chris's existence long after he had been with Sharon.

Lin Xiuyi once thought that Chris had deliberately provoked Sharon by using him, which led to this farce.

It wasn't until he regained his memory that he realized this wasn't a mother and daughter falling out at all, but a play orchestrated by the same person.

What frustrated him most was that when he was two-timing, Sharon was furious with him for pursuing Chris, while Chris took advantage of Sharon's anger to frequently and deliberately seduce him.

Looking back now, it's no wonder she was called "the witch" Vermouth. With her superb disguise and transformation skills, she took role-playing to the extreme.

Because of this past entanglement, even though he knew that Vermouth was the one monitoring the apartment, Lin Xiuyi still couldn't figure out what the witch was thinking.

Is she trying to portray Sharon, who is filled with hatred for her lover's infidelity, or is she trying to recreate the seductive Chris who seduced her mother's lover back then?

Was her purpose aimed at herself, or at Eri and Ran?

Countless questions swirled in his mind, yet he couldn't find a single clue.

……

Back at the apartment, Lin Xiuyi told Fei Yingli that they were moving the next day.

He had prepared a whole set of explanations for the reason for moving, but to his surprise, Eri Kisaki simply nodded slightly after listening and agreed without asking any further questions.

"You...aren't you going to ask me why I suddenly moved?" Lin Xiuyi looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Based on Eri Kisaki's past personality, she pursues the truth in everything, especially matters related to him. If she finds even the slightest flaw, she will definitely investigate to the end and will never give up easily.

"What's the point of asking?"

Eri Kisaki turned around, picked up a small mirror from the dressing table, and handed it to Hideaki Lin, her tone slightly reproachful.

"Just look at your face; you can tell at a glance what's wrong."

Lin Xiu took a look and saw that his reflection in the mirror did indeed show a solemn expression, as if he were preoccupied with something.

"Shuichi,"

Eri Kisaki gently wrapped her arms around Hideaki Hayashi's waist and leaned against him.

"I used to be arrogant and proud, and I couldn't tolerate the slightest flaw. I always had to argue about right and wrong, which is why we had so many conflicts and missed so many years."

Eri Kisaki gently stroked Hideaki Hayashi's cheek, her voice filled with affection.

"After everything that's happened, all I want now is to live a peaceful and safe life with you and Xiaolan."

"There are some things that you don't want to tell me, so I won't ask. I believe you will tell me someday."

"I'll be here whenever you want to talk, listening attentively."

"Eiri..."

A warm feeling welled up in Lin Xiuyi's heart. This was the feeling of home—understanding, tolerance, and unwavering companionship.

He looked down into the tender eyes of the person in his arms, and could no longer suppress the emotions in his heart. He slowly leaned down, wanting to kiss him.

"Ahem." A crisp cough suddenly broke the ambiguous atmosphere between the two.

Xiaolan blushed, holding the little black cat named "Shuichi" in her arms, and pointed to the clock on the wall.

"Gentlemen, this is the living room, and your daughter is still here. Besides, it's only a little past eight o'clock; it's not time to rest yet!"

"Cough, cough!"

Lin Xiuyi and Fei Yingli hurriedly separated.

The former pretended to be calm and turned to walk towards the balcony, feigning to admire the night view.

The latter awkwardly smoothed her hair, wanting to retreat to her bedroom to avoid the situation.

But Ran stepped in front of Eri, a smug smile playing on her lips, and whispered in her ear, "Mom, the book I gave you worked well, didn't it?"

Eri cleared her throat, her eyes darting around. "I just threw that book in my bedroom; I haven't had a chance to read it yet."

"Oh, really?" Xiaolan raised an eyebrow at her, her tone undisguisedly teasing. "But I clearly saw you reading a book very intently just now, Mom."

"...Okay, okay, I admit I did watch a little bit, alright?"

Eri Kisaki, having her thoughts exposed, glared at her daughter helplessly.

It turns out that tonight, Xiaolan secretly gave her a book titled "One Hundred Ways to Keep Your Husband's Affection".

While Lin Xiu went downstairs to find Li Long, the female lawyer casually flipped through a few pages and then put what she had learned into practice. Unexpectedly, the effect was so good!

……

Meanwhile, in another apartment in Miwako, Sato Miwako had just finished washing up and was lying on the sofa in loose loungewear.

She picked up her phone; the screen displayed a call from Yumi Miyamoto. After pressing the answer button, Yumi's lively voice came through.

"Miwako, you absolutely have to come to the social gathering tomorrow!"

"Yumi, I won't be going to the social gathering tomorrow." Sato gently pressed her slightly feverish forehead, feeling utterly weak.

"Why?" Yumi's tone was somewhat urgent. "Didn't I tell you? That handsome Uncle Lin is going too! Aren't you really interested in him? You've even thrown yourself at him. This is such a great opportunity, you should seize it during the social event!"