Chapter 260 Winter
Chapter 261 Winter

Just like the conversation that night, the autumn wind swept the fallen leaves, and in a blink of an eye, the orange-yellow late autumn was buried by the white snow of winter. Unknowingly, another month has passed. We also ushered in the first winter after escaping. However, Shiho's mood has become more and more unstable recently. Although I told her not to be nervous, it was just a dream, for some reason, Shiho could not be completely relieved. Seeing her like this, I was also very distressed, so on an ordinary weekend, I took Shiho back to Elcatraz. Xiaolan didn't bother about whether I stayed or not. After all, it was me who called Shizuru and asked her to take me away. So Xiaolan didn't have any doubts. But my father, when he saw Shizuru after putting on makeup, his eyes turned digital. Haha, if I tell him that this is his future daughter-in-law, I don't know what my father will think.

On the other hand, Conan didn't bother about where I was going, because he was busy with some things that bothered him recently, and what were those things?

"Moshimoshi, what's wrong, Kudo?" I said as I picked up the phone.

"Let me tell you, Xun, there's really something wrong with Xiaolan lately." Conan said hurriedly as soon as he answered the phone.

"Hey, hey... This is the third time you've told me this this week." I said with a half-mooned look. "But I didn't feel that way. Before I left, I thought Xiaolan's behavior was normal. I asked you to explain why, but you couldn't tell me. How can I trust you?"

"I...ah, what can I say?" Conan said speechlessly. "Anyway, I have called her several times this week, but she ignored me every time. Then she said she was going to school to practice Taekwondo. What do you think she is doing?"

"Is that so? Then you'd better be careful, Kudo. Usually, when girls want to go out on a date, they will find all kinds of excuses to get out of it." Shiho complained softly beside me.

"Um... Huibara is here too." Conan was embarrassed. "So, you mean, Xiaolan is out on a date?"

"It's not impossible." I said cunningly. "Look, Xiaolan is at the peak of puberty now, and it's normal for her to have feelings for the opposite sex. And since you, Kudo Shinichi, haven't appeared for such a long time, it's very likely that Xiaolan has fallen in love with someone else."

"Hey, you really aren't worried at all." Conan said with a half-moon eye. "I just called her today, and before we could say a few words, she rushed out in a hurry, saying she was going to training. But I don't think so. And recently she has been going out in the evening and coming back very late."

"Okay, let her go and have fun with peace of mind. As her brother, I don't care. Why should you, her boyfriend who isn't even married yet, worry about it?" I said with a smile.

"Hey, hey! That's me... Never mind, I'll figure it out myself. By the way, my uncle said he would pick us up to go to the hospital with him tomorrow. Do you know what happened to him?"

"Oh, he felt unwell a few days ago, so he went to the hospital for a checkup. I was a little worried so I quietly followed him. After drawing blood, I slipped into the doctor's database and it said mild alcoholic liver dysfunction. I probably asked you to go and inform him to control my dad to stop drinking."

"Soga... I feel relieved now. But, is it really okay for you, the eldest son, not to come back to accompany me?"

"Well... don't say that. I'm busy with other things here."

"I see you're busy on your honeymoon with Huibara."

"Cough cough." Shiho started coughing immediately.

"Fuck, I totally forgot you were playing it. Forget it, just have fun. We'll just go to uncle's place. But when will you be back?"

"About two or three days. I just took Ai out to relax. It will be quick."

"Hurry up, winter vacation is coming soon, and the winter vacation exams are coming soon. The children still need everyone to review together."

"I know, I know. Our grades don't matter. We can pass just by being casual. But the kids have to work hard, especially Yuantai."

"So, we will help them with their studies when the time comes. That's it, I'll hang up first." After saying that, Conan hung up the phone.

"Really, this guy Conan." Without worrying about Conan's antics, I smiled and pressed the button to end the call.

"Are you really not worried that your sister will fall in love with someone else?" Shiho asked beside me.

"How is that possible? How could a girl as innocent as Xiaolan really lie to go on a date?" I shrugged. "I think she probably went to my mom's place." I called my mom and soon I heard my mom's voice on the other end of the line.

"Moshimoshi, this is Eri Kisaki. Excuse me, who is this?"

"Mom, it's me."

"Hey? Xiao...wait a moment." Mom heard my voice, lowered her voice quickly, and walked out of the room. "Xiaoxun, why did you call me so suddenly?"

"It's okay, I missed you." I said with a smile.

"You little rascal, you didn't call your mom for two months in a row. I thought you forgot about me." Mom said with a dissatisfied look on her face.

"How could that be? I'm calling you right now." I apologized hastily. "By the way, I want to ask if you like the gift I gave you last time."

"Tsk, you still have a conscience." Mom looked at the crystal cup placed on the table with satisfaction. There were several lifelike lavenders engraved on it. That was the last time I came to Mom's room and saw the old cup. Then I asked Shoulang to help me find a way to make such a crystal one. But Mom didn't replace it, but put it on her desk. And when Xiaolan came, she hid it inside on purpose. She didn't want Xiaolan to see it now, and Xiaolan rarely walked into Mom's office area. I believe she hasn't seen it until now. According to Mom's idea, she wants to wait until our family is officially reunited before putting the crystal cup on it to replace the old cup. Regarding her behavior, I can only shrug my shoulders and let her do what she wants. "Tell me, what do you want from mom?"

"Hey, this is what happened. Xiaolan always goes out in the evening these days and comes back very late. Dad is a little worried, but he is embarrassed to ask directly, so I came to ask Mom if she knows what's going on."

"Oh, Xiaolan." Mom suddenly said. "Xiaolan has been staying with me recently."

"Eh? Are you really here?"

"Yes, she is learning knitting from me."

"Knitting a sweater?" I was surprised.

"Eh?" Shiho on the other side was also surprised when she heard me knitting a sweater. "Yes, knitting a sweater." Mom smiled.

"Why does Xiaolan want to learn to knit sweaters?" I asked puzzledly.

"Maybe she knitted it for that detective boy she's been dreaming about." Mom smiled. "She didn't let me touch it at all during the whole process."

"Well, that's right. Winter is here, and it's a tradition for girls to knit a sweater for the boys they like." I thought about it and let it go. "Have you knitted a sweater for your dad?"

"Tsk, who would care about that old man?" Mom looked unhappy.

"Hey..." I said jokingly. "Really?"

"I... I just knitted one just to teach Xiaolan." Mom blushed.

“Pfft…Hahahaha.”

"You stinky boy, how can you tease your mother like this?"

"Mom...what are you talking about?" Xiaolan's voice came into my ears from the distance on the phone.

"Oh, it's nothing, I'm taking a call." Mom said. "Let's not talk about it, Xiaoxun, let's talk later."

"Oh, okay, don't let it get away. I'll come to see you in a few days~"

"Got it, brat. I'm hanging up now. Remember to bring the girl you mentioned next time... Yeah, Jingliu, right? Ask her to come along. I want to meet her."

"Hi~" I hung up the phone with a smile. It seems that Shizuru has passed the test of her mother. I don't know how her mother will react to Shiho's words.

"So your sister is learning to knit sweaters from your mother? For Kudo?" Shiho asked me just after I hung up the phone.

"Uh...yeah, what's wrong?" I said, confused.

"No, nothing." Shiho regained her composure. "Just asking casually."

————The scent of orchids, the scent of lavender, the scent of home & the wings of angels, the wings of demons, the wings of guardians————

The next day, Conan went to the hospital with Xiaolan's father, while I continued to accompany Shiho to relax in Elcatras. Of course, with Akemi here, Shiho naturally didn't need my company. In fact, on the first day I came back, after having a meal with Shizuka and the others, I stayed in Shoulang's office, because only when I came here did I realize that there were several tasks waiting for me to do.

"Well... the politician who is always in the news, Shigehiko Tsuchiguchi. The senior police officer, Toshiro Odagiri. The beautiful star, Yoko Okino? Oh, this is protection..." Looking at the pile of information in front of me, I couldn't help scratching my head. In addition to the few I just mentioned, there are many tasks for senior officials in the political, police, financial, film and entertainment circles. There are too many. Most of them are protection, of course, the political and police circles are more assassinations. It seems that the political faction that has contacted us is going to let go and make a big deal.

"If all of this is accepted, will the Japanese government change?"

"In theory, our client hopes to monopolize the political power. Even if it means supporting a puppet to take power. So..." Skinny Wolf said to me in his unpleasant voice.

"Thin Wolf, I think we're being led by the nose." I said unhappily. "We are just trying to whitewash ourselves. If we keep changing things in the political world, we'll be in big trouble if they bring up the past."

"But, we are still relying on some means to get in through the back door. If we don't meet their needs, perhaps our development will be hindered." Skinny Wolf said worriedly.

"Well...how are our funds now?"

“It can barely maintain the status quo.”

“What about daily supplies such as water and electricity?”

"No, they are all transported from inland. We don't have fresh water resources here." Skinny Wolf shook his head. "As for fresh water resources, it would be difficult for us to build a water plant. After all, we don't have a seawater desalination project research project."

"Let's put the water plant issue aside for now. I'll go and think of a solution. So do we have the ability to open a pharmaceutical factory?"

"Pharmaceutical factory?" Skinny Wolf was surprised. "Of course we can... but why? We don't have any drug supply channels. Even if we open a pharmaceutical factory, it will be difficult to operate it, right?"

“No, we’re going the research route.”

"Research route?"

"Yes, the research route for drugs. We have experts in this area. And they are top-notch ones."

"This..." Skinny Wolf didn't know what to do.

"Trust me, we will directly build a pharmaceutical factory and a pharmaceutical research institute, and find a way to avoid buying off connections through the government. After that, I will also use some means to give the political circles a warning, telling them that we are just cooperating with them, not pawns at their mercy."

"..Okay, I'll give it a try." Skinny Wolf nodded seriously after my speech.

(End of this chapter)