The Phantom Thief of Heart! But Conan

When Kogoro Mori and his group walked into the banquet hall, they saw from afar Yotsuga Reika, who was the center of attention in the crowd.

She was wearing a bright red dress and a golden necklace with a gorgeous ruby ​​in the middle. Her figure was perfectly highlighted by the slim-cut dress, which was a classic and elegant lady style.

Amidst a sea of ​​black, white and grey formal gowns, this attire was bound to make her the focus of attention. Judging from her raised head, she was very aware of and proud of this.

"That's Yotsuba Reika, right? I don't know why, but I feel like I can tell her personality at a glance..." Conan looked at Yotsuba Reika over there over the top of several dining tables with a very subtle expression.

"He looks like he's going to be difficult to deal with... huh?" Kogoro Maori complained in a low voice and walked towards the direction of the president of the Shii Group who had invited him. He soon discovered that there was a very familiar-looking guy among the people around Shii Rika.

"Akechi-kun? How come he..." Ran Mao Li opened her eyes wide in surprise, "Did the Shijing family also invite him?"

"Maybe." Maori Kogoro curled his lips, and his mood suddenly became unhappy. "Not only did they invite me, but they also invited him... Of course, I don't have a big problem with this kid Akechi, but these rich people are really..."

In the past, some people would look down on someone and say he was just a private detective, but now such looks almost no longer exist.

This feeling is really...

"No, no, thank you for inviting me. I just solved a very simple commission for Miss Shijing Lihua. You are exaggerating..."

Kogoro Mouri entered the adults' social time, and Conan, whose attention was always on Goro Akechi, soon lost interest in continuing to listen.

He tugged at the hem of Mao Lilan's skirt, pointed in that direction, then tiptoed away. Taking the opportunity to reach out for the dessert on the table, he moved closer to the crowd around Shii Rika.

Karasawa is also in a certain adult social situation that is difficult to avoid, which refers to his efforts to reject the closeness of Yotsugu Reika.

"18 years old? Oh, yes, you are a high school detective." Seeing that the champagne she handed over was rejected, Shijing Lihua grinned, "You are not old enough to drink yet. However, if you secretly drink a glass, we will pretend that we didn't see it. What's the problem? It's just champagne, not some strong liquor."

"Thank you, but as a relatively well-known detective, you'd better not do such things." Tang Ze firmly pushed the slender goblet away from her hand again, "You know, there are always many cameras and eyes staring at me, and this kind of thing will give people a reason to criticize me."

"Hmm, I almost forgot, you are somewhat of a TV star." Shijing Lihua raised her eyebrows and her smile became even bigger.

"No, not really. I can only say that thanks to everyone's care, I've received some media attention..." Tang Ze used more honorifics, but he was rolling his eyes in his heart.

Obviously, reminding Yotsuika of his public figure status would not only not discourage her, but might even make her more interested.

Although Tang Ze had anticipated this development, and thought that this attitude was more intentional than being bothered by her, deliberately trying to deepen the interest of Shijing Lihua, but when the situation really developed as he expected, the feeling of being disgusted was still very annoying.

For her, indulging in pleasure and being arrogant may not be considered derogatory words. After all, she enjoys the dividends of power and money, and the happiness of being able to oppress others with these resources, and she is very proud of it.

"Too much modesty is not sincere, Akechi?" Shii Reika stuffed the champagne that he refused to accept to the person next to him, stretched out her hand and grabbed his arm without explanation, and said with a smile, "I am very interested in your work and past commissions. Oh, by the way, I have also seen your variety show on TV before. You don't have any other purpose. Don't be so defensive. I am really curious about the famous detective."

After she finished speaking, she turned her gaze and glanced at the other people behind her: "You said, right?"

Her attitude is very clear. She doesn't want to perform a solo and needs a few supporting actors.

"Uh, yes, Mr. Akechi. I've heard of your name a long time ago, but I didn't expect you to be so radiant and elegant in person. Mifune really introduced a great person. My name is Edeolus, and I hope you can give me your guidance." The man standing behind her, wearing glasses and looking a little dull, hurriedly came up and stuffed a business card into Tang Ze's hand.

Both he and the other men surrounding Shii Rika, after hearing his name clearly, especially after knowing his youth, the hostility in their attitudes became much less.

This is an 18-year-old boy. Even though Rika Shioi is fond of him because of his looks, when it comes to choosing a real marriage partner, even if she wants to, the Shioi family will never let her choose someone who has just reached the legal age for marriage.

"Let's chat and have something to eat. Communicating more with Reika will be helpful to your career..." The handsome Nikaido Yuji also took over the conversation and persuaded.

"Hey, hey, what are you guys doing?" Mifune Takuya's eyebrows jumped, maybe he couldn't stand it anymore, he put his arm around Tang Ze's shoulders, although he didn't dare to pull him back from Yotsugu Rika, at least he separated the few people who came over, "Do you want to bully the little brother I brought here? Mingzhi is very busy at work, he is a young man who focuses on his career, don't think about taking him to have fun."

He intended to use Akechi Goro to divert Yotsui Reika's attention so that she wouldn't treat him as an object to be toyed with at will, but he didn't mean to push the child who was doing well in the play into the fire pit.

"Oh? How can someone who focuses on his career get along with you, Mifune?" Gojo Shuu, who kept his hair upright, seemed to have finally found an excuse and said sarcastically, "Weren't you two having a lot of fun in the club?"

"That being said, if you can't make good friends at the yacht club, you don't have to be jealous of my popularity, okay?" Mifune said this half-jokingly, and at the same time fended off Gojo Osamu's hostility towards Goro Akechi.

Takuya Mifune's thoughts were clear.

If he hadn't been invited by himself, this person would not have appeared here at all. There is no need to treat him as a competitor and squeeze him out.

Gojo Osamu is a smart man and he should understand after just a few hints.

"Yacht club?" Shijing Lihua's attention was completely focused on Tang Ze. She seemed to be oblivious to the tit-for-tat of the people around her. As if she had suddenly grasped the key words, she smiled and patted Tang Ze's arm, "Do you like yachts very much? That's good. Our family also has our own yacht. We can go out and play together next time..."

"Lihua, come over here, it's time to cut the cake."

Before Shioi Rika could finish her words, the president of Shioi Group had already finished greeting Kogoro Mori, and extended his hand to call his daughter over, officially starting the banquet.

"Ah, the party is about to start. Let's talk later, Akechi, and have fun tonight."

Shii Rika finally let go of Tang Ze's hand and looked at his face with some regret.

This is a difficult boy to handle, he seems to have principles and bottom line, he is not someone who will be easily hooked with just a finger.

But it doesn’t matter, pulling is also a kind of fun.

After adjusting her expression, she adjusted the fabric on her shoulders and turned to walk towards the center of the venue.

"Here I come, Dad."

As soon as the protagonist of the banquet left, the attention of the people surrounding Tang Ze immediately shifted away from him and they moved towards the center.

Conan, who was watching in amazement, finally dared to stick his head out and look at Goro Akechi inquiringly.

Hiss, it sounds like Mingzhi was not invited by the Shijing family on his own initiative, but it seems that someone related to the Shijing family introduced him to the banquet out of kindness.

That's right, if it weren't for Shijing Lihua, as a private detective, I might really be able to find a lot of customers at this banquet. There are indeed a lot of rich people here.

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

Having said that, Akechi is, after all, someone who is connected to the organization, and is most likely the codenamed member known as Kumail. The reason why Akechi is not completely treated as an enemy is mainly because of Tang Ze's guarantee, which makes this person seem to be somewhat wavering in his stance.

But this vacillation itself is not very reliable.

As for the part related to Karasawa, Goro Akechi might, as Karasawa said, take into account their past connections and the influence of drugs and experiments and not harm Karasawa. He might even take care of the people Karasawa knows a little, but it is completely unknown what he will do in most situations.

Based on the various bits of information he had obtained in the past about this code name, if Goro Akechi is really Kumail, the contrast between this guy's outward personality and his true inner self would probably be very scary.

Looking at Yotsuba Rika's entanglement that was almost like sexual harassment, Conan felt as if he saw insects and ants attracted by the beautiful bait and flying towards the carnivorous plants, and he couldn't help but worry for her.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I guess it bothers you that Reika is like that." After everyone around them left, Mifune Takuya put down his hand that was patting Tang Ze and said in a low voice, "I didn't expect her to be like this. Although she has some personality issues, she hasn't been so exaggerated before."

"……It doesn't matter."

Tang Ze adjusted his watch and straightened his coat that was torn by her, but the smile on his face did not change much.

The willful young lady was clearly celebrating her birthday, but secretly she was being coerced because of some dark history. Although she looked very happy, the anger and malice in her heart must be very strong.

As a person who has never been oppressed, being forced to accept threats from others, this kind of frustration makes people want to go crazy. I can understand it. I can understand it.

"It's not your fault, Mr. Mifune. But you were very tactful when you spoke on the way."

"Well, at least Lihua is really pretty, isn't she? If you don't mind her personality, actually..."

"That's not necessary."

"That's right. With your looks, you won't be unable to find a pretty girl..."

As Goro Akechi gave the right excuse and made some jokes, the atmosphere between the two men eased a little, and they walked towards the table where the cake was placed, chatting and laughing.

However, as Conan watched him slowly straighten out the wrinkles on his coat, he felt that he was not only smoothing out the fabric, but was also brushing off the places that had been touched by Shii Rika with disgust.

Conan followed the crowd and walked towards the cake, and couldn't help but feel worried.

If Shii Rika continues to be so relentless, it might really anger Akechi.

Hiss, should we think of a way to prevent her from getting close to Mingzhi again? Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda...

The crowd gathered around, and the lights in the banquet hall dimmed as the candles on the cake were lit one by one. Only Shijing Lihua was left standing beside the cake with a proud expression, illuminated by the more than 20 candles on the cake.

Her red dress looked like a dahlia with its petals spreading out in the candlelight, and the rubies and gold ornaments on her neck and earlobes sparkled even more, making her look dazzling.

"Lihua, happy birthday! Happy birthday to you!"

The crowd spoke the blessing in a disjointed manner, causing everyone to chuckle in a friendly manner, so Shii Rika also laughed, bent down, and blew out the candles on the cake.

This should have been a very beautiful scene, but maybe it was because of the bad character she displayed that gave people a preconceived impression. Conan looked at the shadow cast on her face by the candle light from below, and always felt that this action did not seem like a pious wish, but more like carelessly and maliciously blowing out other people's dreams.

"Lihua, congratulations on turning 24." As the lights came on, President Sijing walked over with a smile and held his daughter's shoulders.

"Thank you, Dad." Shii Rika allowed him to show herself off to everyone, with the same bright smile on her face.

“Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come to the mountain and attend my daughter’s birthday party. I hope you will continue to support and guide the Sijing Group in the future!”

President Sijing patted his daughter's shoulder as he spoke, and given the current situation, the meaning of his words was clear enough.

He tied Sijing Lihua and Sijing Group together completely, and was trying to express the intention of inheritance, almost confirming the statement that whoever married Sijing Lihua would gain the entire Sijing Group.

"It sounds like the Shijing Group is completely finished." Conan couldn't comment out loud so he could only complain in his mind.