Chapter 33: The Two’s Relationship Heats Up, Conan Turns Into a Wild Dog!
Li Ze narrowed his eyes.
Obviously.
This was his target, Director Ochiai!
“You are…?” Ran asked in confusion.
Hearing this, Director Ochiai was taken aback for a moment before hurriedly introducing himself, “I apologize for being rude. My surname is Ochiai, and I am the director of this art museum.”
“It’s actually the director, my apologies!” Ran said with a smile.
Director Ochiai had a kind smile on his face, “Alright, please enjoy yourselves.”
Immediately after.
Just as Director Ochiai was about to leave, he saw that Wada was handling the artwork without gloves, and he immediately became furious.
Following that.
Wada, Iijima, and Manager Manaka appeared one after another.
Among them…
Manager Manaka wasn’t keeping his word. Even though he promised to continue operating the art museum, he now wanted to turn it into a restaurant.
Wada wasn’t taking his work seriously and was also in debt to Manager Manaka.
Iijima was also unhappy with Manager Manaka.
The basic setup of the plot was basically explained so far.
Then.
Director Ochiai and Iijima left, Manager Manaka brought in a designer and continued planning the design for the restaurant.
Wada looked furious.
Ran was confused about the relationship between everyone, but she eventually started to admire the paintings.
After all.
She was just an outsider, and she was only here to visit today.
That’s all.
Even though she was very kind, there was nothing she could do about this.
Li Ze also didn’t say anything.
Manager Manaka wasn’t a good person, so it was good for him to just die.
Conveniently.
Once Manager Manaka died, his business would be conveniently taken over.
So.
He wasn’t going to change the outcome and was prepared to wait for the case to happen.
Therefore, next.
The Earth Gallery, the Sky Gallery, the Ocean Gallery…
Li Ze quietly accompanied Ran, without any hint of impatience, he just accompanied her as she strolled around and cheered her up.
This kind of treatment, heh!
To be honest.
Ran had never encountered this before.
After all.
The only people who frequently accompanied her were Sonoko and Kudo.
Sonoko, after all, was her best friend.
Even though they were very close, there were certain things that couldn’t be replaced.
And Kudo?
To put it in Li Ze’s terms from his previous life, he was basically a straight, unromantic man.
So.
Every time the two of them went shopping, that guy’s mouth wouldn’t stop talking about Sherlock Holmes.
Therefore, between the two of them.
This kind of considerate companionship, without any impatience, and even trying to make her laugh.
Uh.
If not for her deep feelings for Kudo Shinichi, she would have probably already fallen for him.
But, even so.
She couldn’t help but think to herself, if only Kudo were half as good as Li Ze in terms of romance.
As Ran was lost in her thoughts, they reached the Hell Gallery.
“Ah, no entry?”
“It’s such a shame, it seems like we can’t admire it.”
Ran, looking disappointed.
And, to this.
Li Ze narrowed his eyes, it seemed Director Ochiai had started to make his move.
It seemed so.
His plan should also begin.
After all.
As his future butler, he couldn’t let him get arrested.
Otherwise.
Even though it wouldn’t be difficult for him to use his chaebol status to bail Director Ochiai out, it would undoubtedly make Ran, Conan, and other righteous characters suspicious.
After all, this was the world of Detective Conan, and the plot was just beginning.
If his company wanted to develop, the fastest way to expand was to follow in the footsteps of the Death God.
In normal times.
Teasing him a little bit, even if Conan was angry, it would be considered normal competition.
So.
From the perspective of righteous characters’ morals, even if he really took Ran, Kudo wouldn’t likely cut off ties with him.
On the contrary, he would bless them.
But…
If their values didn’t align, even if they couldn’t do anything to him, they would most likely become strangers in the future.
So, forget it.
Anyway, for him, it was just a simple matter.
“Ah, it’s fine,” Li Ze said with a smile, “Maybe they’re cleaning.”
“Let’s go to other places to take a look around, and grab something to eat and take a break.”
“Maybe by the time we come back, this place will be open.”
Ran nodded.
That was true.
So.
She said gratefully, “Li Ze-kun, thank you so much today.”
Yes.
She really didn’t expect Li Ze to be so accommodating.
She knew.
Normal men don’t like shopping, and Li Ze was willing to go shopping with her.
It was indeed something she was grateful for.
And, to this.
Li Ze just shook his head, “We’re friends, aren’t we?”
“Don’t be too polite with me, otherwise, I won’t be able to consider you a friend.”
Ran smiled.
Immediately after.
Just as the two were about to head to other exhibits, Conan, who had been rushing around, arrived.
Seeing the two of them talking and laughing, especially Ran’s happy expression, he felt like his lungs were about to burst.
What the hell!
He felt like his head was about to turn into a green meadow.
Seeing this.
His chest was filled with anger, his entire face began to contort.
“Ran-nee!”
Conan called out immediately.
He didn’t care about anything now, he just wanted to disrupt the atmosphere between the two.
And, to this.
Ran, who had completely calmed down, saw Conan and frowned, then helplessly picked him up.
“You, how did you follow us?” Ran couldn’t help but ask, “Didn’t you dislike visiting art museums?”
“Why don’t you go play with the other kids?”
“Li Ze-kun, I apologize!”
“Kids are just too mischievous.”
And, to this.
Conan could only awkwardly laugh, not knowing what to say.
Li Ze’s expression remained calm.
He had anticipated this, knowing Kudo’s personality.
He knew that this guy wouldn’t allow any other male to be around Ran.
So.
He shrugged.
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
“Kids are normal.”
“It just proves how excellent you are, Ran, even kids are so clingy to you.”
“Kudo-kun, I really envy him!”
“He clearly has such an excellent childhood friend waiting for him, and I’ve tried to persuade him to confess to you many times.”
“But that stubborn blockhead wouldn’t listen, and now he’s even gone missing.”
“So, Ran.”
“Why don’t you just kick him and become my girlfriend?”
Ran was embarrassed.
She never expected Li Ze to suddenly confess to her.
Her face instantly turned red, and she didn’t know how to respond.
But, on the other side.
Conan in her arms instantly exploded.
Almost in an instant.
He turned into a wild dog and bit Li Ze’s shoulder.
“Hey, Conan,” Li Ze said with a look of helplessness, “Are you a dog?”
Conan said angrily, “Ran-nee is Shinichi-nii’s.”
“But your Shinichi-nii ran away, he’s been missing for a long time!” Li Ze said with a helpless expression, “Even though he claims to be investigating a case, who knows if he’s gone on a date with an old flame.”
“After all, he’s the savior of the police, he receives so many love letters every day, it’s normal for him to lose control?”
Conan was stunned.
He never expected Li Ze to be so shameless.
He was the one who discovered a dark organization’s transaction, and then was forced to take medicine and turn into a kid, so he definitely wasn’t going on a date with some old flame.
This, damn it.
This was pure slander and defamation!
It was absolutely unbearable!
“Ran-nee, don’t believe him!” Conan quickly explained, “Shinichi-nii must have gone to investigate a case.”
And, to this.
Ran looked helpless, and her heart was very confused.
At that moment.
She didn’t know how to reject Li Ze, and she also felt a little resentful towards Kudo Shinichi.
Yes.
If that wooden head had confessed earlier, there wouldn’t be this situation in front of her.
But, the reality was.
She and Kudo were just childhood friends, and she didn’t have a strong love for Kudo at this stage.
So, after hesitating for a while.
She could only helplessly say, “Li Ze-kun, I’m very confused.”
“I understand, it’s fine,” Li Ze said with a smile, “Take your time to consider.”
“I just have something to talk to Director Ochiai about, maybe I can buy this art museum.”
“After all, you saw that scene just now, Ran.”
“That Manager Manaka isn’t a good person, and since you also like this place, I happen to have some spare money.”
“I’ll leave for a while, you sit here with Conan, I’ll be back soon.”