Ai-chan's Literary Theory and Conan: Mom and Dad, I'm Sorry!

"Haibara, I have something to talk to you about."

Ai Haibara didn't stop walking, nor did she turn her head. Her cool voice came: "If it's about your boring detective games, or if you want to ask me about the organization again, I refuse. It's break time now."

"It's not a case!" Conan quickly said, looking around to make sure no one was around before whispering, "It's... about your sister and Lin Ran."

Ai-chan paused slightly in her steps.

But it was only for a moment, and then he resumed his original pace, only turning onto a quieter gravel path.

Conan's eyes lit up, and he quickly followed.

There is a play!

The two of them arrived at the bench in the corner, one after the other.

Ai sat down, and Conan tried to sit down as well, but was coldly swept over by those icy blue eyes, and awkwardly withdrew his movement, only able to stand to the side.

We can't afford to offend him, we can't afford to offend him, mainly because he needs someone's help right now.

"You understand the rules?" Ai asked calmly.

Conan: "..."

He gritted his teeth, took out his wallet from his pocket, pulled out his last 10,000 yen bill, and handed it over with a heavy heart.

"I'd like to ask, what is the relationship between Lin Ran and your sister?"

Ai glanced at it, then didn't take it: "That's it?"

Conan was taken aback: "What?"

"A question, a brand new Chanel bag."

Ai slowly raised a finger. "This is the current rate, Detective Kudo. Does what you want to know involve my dear older brother's privacy, or... do you think the gossip about your childhood friend's 'potential love rival' is only worth this much?"

Conan's face instantly flushed red, half from anger and half from embarrassment: "Haibara! You're taking advantage of my misfortune!"

"You can choose not to ask."

Ai shrugged, making a move to get up. "I didn't force you. Information trading is based on the principle of voluntariness, and there's no deception between young and old."

"Wait!" Conan quickly stopped her, looking like he was about to cry, "I...I don't have that much money. You know my situation right now. My parents give me living expenses. I just bought you two bags last week. Now I even have to hesitate for a long time before I can afford eel rice."

That's your problem.

Ai remained unmoved. "If you don't have money, don't ask so many questions."

As she spoke, she seemed to remember something, then sat back down, held up one finger, and gave a devilish smile that said, "I'm doing this for your own good."

"Or... let me draw a vial of your blood."

"what?"

"Take it back for research on a living antidote for APTX-4869," Ai added, a hint of excitement in her voice. "This is all for the sake of developing an antidote as soon as possible, so you can turn back into Shinichi Kudo. One vial of blood for one problem, isn't that a good deal?"

Conan: "..."

Is this your real purpose?

They took the opportunity to draw my blood for research, and they even made it sound so high-sounding!

But given the current situation, he had no other choice. He couldn't afford the bag unless he asked his parents for more money, but he simply couldn't bring himself to ask—he was covered in blood, though.

For intelligence and for Xiaolan, I'll risk it all!

Conan gritted his teeth and reluctantly agreed, "Fine, one vial of blood it is!"

well.

Ai nodded in satisfaction, the curve of her lips becoming more pronounced. She hadn't specified how big a tube was; Great Detective, you still have a lot of practice to do.

"The problem," she said succinctly.

Having paid a heavy price, it was finally his turn to perform. Conan took a deep breath, lowered his voice, and spoke with a sense of righteous indignation, as if he were "revealing the truth":

"Haibara, haven't you realized that Lin Ran is a scumbag? He's clearly very close to your sister, but he's always trying to get close to Ran and Sonoko and fawn over them."

"Isn't this just trying to have your cake and eat it too? Isn't this being a womanizer? Isn't this the behavior of a scumbag? How heartbroken your sister will be if she finds out! Are you just going to stand by and watch your sister be deceived by this scumbag?"

He spoke with such righteous indignation.

It was as if Lin Ran was an unforgivable womanizer, while he was the embodiment of justice, here to save the innocent girl.

Then, the tea-haired loli didn't even change her expression; she remained aloof, her red lips slightly parted as she uttered three words: "And then?"

Conan: "...Hmm?"

"And what do you want to say?"

Conan: "..."

Oh no, this script is wrong!

Shouldn't you be furious and upset after hearing my "shocking revelation," and stand up for your sister, so that the two of us can form an "anti-scumbag alliance" to deal with that scumbag Lin Ran?

What the heck is this reaction?

That's your own sister! Blood is thicker than water!

Seeing Conan's bewilderment and frustration, Ai suddenly asked out of the blue, "Kudo, do you know what a literary person is?"

"what?"

Conan was taken aback; the topic had jumped too quickly. He instinctively said, "Wen... a literati? Isn't that just someone who writes articles?"

Ai continued slowly, "Then do you know what the most common adjective associated with the word 'literati' has been throughout history?"

Conan suddenly realized what was happening, and his mind instinctively flashed through historical allusions, literary anecdotes, and that widely circulated proverb—

"Scholars have always been known for their romanticism."

"Damn it!" Conan couldn't help but curse, his face contorted with anger. "Who the hell linked scholars with womanizers? That's prejudice! That's a stereotype!"

"bias?"

Ai gave a playful smile. "Romantic genius, romantic genius—for those talented and emotionally rich writers, 'romantic' is simply one of the defining characteristics of their world."

Ai-chan was initially a little uncomfortable with Lin Ran's "greed," but if the target was this great detective's childhood friend...

Then everything is fine, and it's even somewhat welcome.

It's so funny to watch the famous detective get frustrated, go crazy, get extremely jealous, and be helpless.

"Kudo, try to think more positively."

She offered a "kind" word of comfort: "Writers are all genuine people. If they don't talk about love, don't express affection, and don't experience unforgettable moments, where will their inspiration come from? How can they produce good articles?"

"Look on the bright side," Ai continued, using her unique logic. "If Lin Ran writes an even greater work because of her rich emotional experiences, then you've made an indirect contribution to literature, haven't you?"

Conan: "..."

So, does this mean he should thank Lin Ran?

Thanks to Lin Ran for winning over his childhood sweetheart, allowing him to appreciate a new masterpiece.

"That's just an excuse for those intellectuals!"

Conan retorted, his face flushed red, his fists clenched.

Upon hearing this, Ai simply shook her slender finger. "Nonono~ Kudo, do you know about evolution?"

Conan was dumbfounded again.

How did this get connected to Darwin again?

Did you jump from literature to biology?

Ai calmly spoke up to "clear up" his confusion:

"According to Darwin's theory of evolution, organisms are constantly evolving, and those genes that are beneficial to survival and reproduction are preserved. For thousands of years, those literati have maintained the gene of romance and have been able to write timeless works, gaining fame and status..."

She paused, looking at Conan's increasingly stiff expression, and then concluded:

"This proves that for the 'literati' as a species, 'romanticism' is likely a biological instinct and need, something written into their DNA. To oppose it is to oppose science, to oppose evolution, and to oppose Darwin."

Conan: "..."

That cannot be refuted.

They've come up with reasons from the perspectives of evolution, biology, and DNA, and they're doing it all with such seriousness!

He felt like he wasn't talking to an elementary school student, but rather to a psychological warfare master and sophist disguised as a young girl, proficient in multiple disciplines.

They were completely crushed!

Seeing the great detective turn pale and crumbling after being talked to, Ai's lips curled up slightly, and a hint of pleasure flashed in her icy blue eyes.

Deserve it.

How dare she use her dear older sister as a tool to sow discord and incite her to deal with Lin Ran?

For Ai-chan, a die-hard sister-complex, this was absolutely a landmine. She would be doing her sister a disservice if she didn't make Conan cry.

Although……

Now, most of that favor has been taken by a certain young master.

Damn it! My big sister is mine!

At this thought, Ai felt a little upset. Her face scrunched up slightly as she looked at the "culprit" in front of her. Suddenly, she rubbed her head and let out a sigh.

"Speaking of which... regarding that organization, Gin seems to have been..."

"What? What happened to Gin?!"

Upon hearing the name Gin, Conan's eyes widened. Ran and all that were on his mind were immediately forgotten. His previous jealousy and anger were replaced by immense tension and anticipation.

"Gin, what's wrong? What did you remember? Tell me!"

Seeing the great detective's expression, Ai sneered inwardly.

Sure enough, a detective is a detective; a leopard can't change its spots. Trying to compare himself to a writer? You're not worthy!

She deliberately frowned, rubbing her forehead with her hand. "Sigh, your outburst just now really upset me, my head's a little sore... There are some details I can't quite remember..."

Conan: "..."

He felt that this woman was playing him for a fool.

Taking a deep breath, Conan suppressed the urge to strangle the heartless little girl and forced out a voice through gritted teeth: "What do I have to do for you to remember?"

Ai held up two fingers and waved them in front of him.

"Two, Chanel, the latest models, bags."

Conan's vision went black, and he almost fainted.

He knows it!

"This is extortion! Blackmail!"

The detective was so angry that he felt cold all over in the middle of summer, his hands and feet were ice cold. "Where would I get that much money? You've already spent all the allowance my parents gave me. Besides, I've already asked them for more twice. I'm too ashamed to ask again."

Upon hearing this, Ai "kindly" offered him some advice:

"Kudo, don't be so rigid. If you don't have money, you can exchange other things with me for cash, and then come back to me to buy a bag... oh no, I mean, exchange for information!"

"What is it?" Conan had a bad feeling.

Xiao Ai smiled and counted on her fingers:

"For example, your father Yusaku Kudo's collection of rare detective novels, handwritten manuscripts, and first edition books? Your mother Yukiko Fujimine's old movie costumes, props, and souvenirs?"

She paused, then added, "If that doesn't work, your mom's designer bags, jewelry, and limited-edition luxury items are fine too, even secondhand ones. I'm not picky."

Conan looked at her as if she were a monster.

Are you human?

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Conan protested angrily. "Aren't you just asking me to steal my parents' things?"

"Sigh, you're wrong about that." Ai shook her head, giving him a "you're too naive" look, and even came up with an excuse for him:

"A detective temporarily 'borrows' household items in exchange for crucial information to catch an evil organization and for the cause of justice... How can that be called stealing?"

"This is called strategic resource allocation, making necessary and small sacrifices for greater justice. If your parents knew the truth, they would definitely understand and support you."

"No! There's nothing at all!" Conan continued indignantly.

"Well..." Ai shook her head regretfully, "It seems you're out of luck with this important information. What a pity. It might be related to the future research direction of APTX-4869, or some secret base of the organization in Tokyo..."

APTX-4869! Secret Base!

These two words exploded in Conan's mind like a bombshell.

Hope to turn back! Clues to destroying the organization!

Mom and Dad, I'm so sorry! I had no choice!

He suddenly raised his head, his eyes becoming resolute: "I still have a custom-made prop dress that my mom wore when she was filming a movie. It was supposedly very expensive back then, and it should have some collectible value now... Can I use it to offset the cost?"

"Ah, that's more like it!"

Ai stood up in high spirits, patted his shoulder, and said with a relieved tone:

"Besides this, all your mom's personal belongings and valuables are fine. Don't worry, I'm a fan of your mom, and I'll definitely give you a fair price so you won't be taken advantage of."

While saying that, Ai-chan was already quickly doing some mental calculations:

Yukiko Fujimine, a former international film queen and a national goddess... her costumes, personal items, and collectibles must have a very high market value and fan value.

Then give it to Lin Ran, exchange it for money with him, and then give it to the great detective at a "low price" to "buy" information...

I'm really good at making money by doing both...

Under the setting sun, the brown-haired loli's smile was sweet and innocent.

The great detective's silhouette was filled with desolation and the sorrow of being "hollowed out".

Mom and Dad, I'm sorry.

These are necessary sacrifices made for justice, and I believe you will understand your son's...

........

.......

(Winter is coming, and the author is reminding everyone to keep warm and avoid catching a cold! The author has already caught a cold, feels dizzy, and is crying...)