Xiaolan's Sense of Participation

on Monday.

Two days have passed since the library murder.

Although the police quickly closed the case in terms of its official classification in order to avoid receiving a "lawyer's letter package" from the undefeated queen—Tsugawa Hideji was arrested for drug trafficking with a gun and used a dangerous homemade weapon, which resulted in his accidental death in an explosion.

However, Lin Ran still took some time over the weekend to go to the Metropolitan Police Department to give a statement, and also brought along Editor Endo, who came to urge her to submit her manuscript.

Inspector Megure was stunned when he saw the business card that Editor Endo handed him and the respectful attitude the editor had towards Lin Ran.

What does it mean that this seemingly ordinary high school student, a Chinese boy, is the "Xia Mo" who has recently become famous in newspapers and media and is hailed as a genius writer?

A great lawyer wasn't enough, so they also sent a genius writer.

Inspector Megure felt his hat was about to fall off.

If this is not handled properly, not only will their police receive a lawyer's letter from Attorney Fei, but they may also be accused of "persecuting intellectuals of the new era" and "obstructing cultural development." On a larger scale, this could even be considered an international dispute.

Lin Ran is, after all, a Chinese citizen.

"Oh? Our little compatriots performed a heroic act here, and they're being interrogated repeatedly?"

Chinese military stationed in Japan issues a warning!

Of course, this is just an exaggerated imagination; it hasn't come to that extent.

However, given Lin Ran's current fame in the cultural world, and the fact that he is backed by the Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan's largest-circulation newspaper, if he were to truly displease them and they were to complain in the media...

Their Metropolitan Police Department will definitely be on the front page the next day, drowning in public criticism.

He, the team leader, will be the first to be affected.

Therefore, Lin Ran's statement taking process was exceptionally easy and pleasant.

Inspector Megure was incredibly kind, treating Lin Ran like a VIP, showering her with concern, serving her tea and water, and even arranging for Sato Miwako, the most beautiful woman in the Metropolitan Police Department, to take his statement.

We strive to make "Teacher Xia Mo" feel the warmth of spring.

Teitan High School, Class 2-B.

As soon as the lunch break bell rang, Suzuki Sonoko rushed to Lin Ran's desk with a large stack of newspapers in her arms.

With a clatter, he piled all the newspapers on his desk.

"Lin Ran, Lin Ran! Look! So many newspapers are praising you today!" Miss Sonoko's face was beaming with pride and excitement, as if she were the one being praised.

Since the movie "The Devotion of Suspect X" became a hit, Sonoko has developed a habit of collecting the comment sections of major newspapers every day. She has subscribed to dozens of newspapers from different newspapers and enjoys finding a sense of accomplishment in various praises, even more so than when she looks at her own conglomerate's financial reports.

No, she's never seen her own company's financial statements.

Lin Ran picked up a document and flipped through it.

Indeed, discussions about "Late Summer" and "The Suspect X" remain heated, with a plethora of praises, ranging from literary merit and social commentary to the exploration of human nature.

The sales figures for physical copies have repeatedly broken records, reportedly surpassing the first-week sales record for Japanese mystery novels in the past decade, almost reaching the point where "paper is more expensive than rice."

As soon as bookstores restock, long queues form outside, and the books are quickly snapped up, making them strong contenders for major book awards in the second half of this year.

"Look, look at this!"

Sonoko excitedly pointed to a long article in the culture section of the Asahi Shimbun, "They say you're a 'genius who redefined classic mystery' and 'injected new soul into the increasingly stagnant mystery literature world'! That's so well said!"

Xiao Lan also joined in watching, and said gently with a smile, "Lin Ran is really amazing."

The girl seemed unaware of what had happened at the library over the weekend.

It seems that Attorney Fei didn't say anything because she was afraid her daughter would worry.

Since that's the case, Lin Ran naturally wouldn't say anything.

You should know that Ran didn't tell him that Eri was her mother, nor did she tell Eri that she was her classmate.

Therefore, this ingenious "information gap"...

Yes, that's a good opportunity to try it out.

Lin Ran looked at the girl's pure profile so close to his face, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

Sorry, Xiaolan, it's not that my classmate wants to be your dad (crossed out)... It's not that my classmate has ulterior motives, it's just that my aunt... is just too alluring. That mature, aloof charm that occasionally reveals vulnerability is hard to resist.

These days, nestled in the gentle embrace of the maid Akemi, someone is becoming increasingly unrestrained, having long since cast aside any sense of boundaries.

But... that's just how writers are.

At most, I can only say that I am... inheriting fine traditions.

"I'm so angry! What does this report even mean?!"

Sonoko suddenly slammed her hand on a tabloid called "Literary Criticism," her voice rising eight octaves: "They actually said your book 'only has a story, lacks real literary depth,' and 'is nothing more than a trendy, fast-food read catering to the market!' These people have no appreciation skills at all! Are they blind?"

Lin Ran took the tabloid, which had a small circulation and was known for its "sharp tongue," and glanced at it.

The content is nothing more than critics who are envious of sales and fame, nitpicking and trying to show off their "literary taste" by belittling detective novels.

He was already used to this; in the world of fame and fortune, there are always all sorts of voices.

"Sonoko, there's no need to get angry over this kind of report."

Lin Ran put down the newspaper and said calmly, "Some people like it, and some people don't. It's impossible to please everyone. That's normal, just like how people can eat chocolate without any problems, but dogs will die if they do."

Xiaolan: "..."

The words are crude, but the principle is sound; however, they are a bit too crude.

Writers are indeed very sharp-tongued.

"But what they said was so awful!"

Sonoko was still indignant, her spoiled princess temper flaring up. "Should I get some people to 'have a good talk' with their magazine? Or should Mom buy out their magazine and fire all these bastards!"

The young lady clenched her fists, her face flushed with anger.

She seems to be genuinely considering using the Suzuki Group's resources to send a truckload of bread-makers to have a "friendly and in-depth" exchange with the other party.

"The garden!"

Xiao Lan quickly grabbed her friend's arm.

"It's really okay." Lin Ran smiled, comforting the girl who was standing up for her. "Instead of paying attention to these noises, you should respond with better works."

"A better work?" Sonoko and Ran looked at him at the same time.

"Yes," Lin Ran nodded, "I'm currently writing a new book."

"Really?!" Sonoko's attention was immediately drawn, and she excitedly asked, "What genre is it? Is it still a mystery? Tell me quickly!"

Xiao Lan also cast a curious glance at her.

Lin Ran pointed to the newspapers on the table that criticized him for "lacking literary merit," and a faint smile appeared on his lips: "This time, I won't write a mystery; I'll write something... pure literature."

"Huh? Literature..." Sonoko deflated like a punctured balloon. She wasn't really into pure literature that required deep thought and understanding; she preferred stories with twists and turns.

But she quickly cheered up, "It's okay! As long as it's written by you, Lin Ran, I'll support you! I'll definitely buy a hundred copies... no, a thousand copies to keep at home! And I'll give one to every employee in our company!"

It's good to be rich; buying books is like buying them from a wholesale market, sold by the bundle.

Xiaolan's reaction was completely different.

Influenced and nurtured by her mother, Eri Kisaki, she read many classic literary works from a young age and has a natural affinity for and appreciation of pure literature.

Her eyes lit up slightly, and she said sincerely, "Lin Ran, do you want to try fine literature? I'm really looking forward to it. I believe that with your talent, you will definitely be able to write some wonderful works."

"Don't worry, I definitely won't let you down."

"It's a deal then! When your new book comes out, I'll definitely be the first reader!"

Sonoko immediately raised her hand to announce.

"Yes, I'm also looking forward to reading it soon," Xiaolan gently echoed.

Lin Ran smiled and agreed, but in his heart he was thinking: the first reader is probably out of the question. The first person to read his first manuscript of "Snow Country" was a certain cold and beautiful queen lawyer.

It also comes with a complimentary "personalized" review service.

However… as he looked at Xiaolan’s delicate and lovely profile without any makeup, he remembered the dark blue fountain pen that Xiaolan had saved up her allowance to give to her mother, which was now lying quietly in his pencil case.

Xiaolan was using the birthday gift that Xiaolan gave to her mother to write, so in a sense, Xiaolan was also involved.

There's no need to make such a clear distinction between mother and daughter.

Who goes first, who goes last, who goes up, who goes down—it doesn't matter!