Lin Xinyi's Female Fan

##Chapter 38: Lin Xinyi's Female Fan

"You like Lin Xinyi?"

Kudo Shinichi wanted to complain, but the photo in the newspaper made him feel a bit depressed and self-conscious.

That's because the photo, taken at the scene, had captured him too.

At the time, he was rubbing his forehead in exasperation due to Ishikawa's nonsensical shouting. The way the photo captured that moment made it look like he was covering his face in shame after realizing his "deduction was wrong."

What a photography genius...

Seeing the dashing Lin Xinyi in the photo, and his own "too ashamed to be seen" self, Detective Kudo felt even more frustrated.

He remained silent, so naturally, the job of complaining fell to Mouri Ran:

"Hey, hey, Sonoko."

"You probably haven't even met Mr. Lin Xinyi, have you?"

"That doesn't matter."

Suzuki Sonoko pointed at Lin Xinyi's handsome face in the photo and said seriously, "He looks like someone worth getting to know."

"Don't judge whether someone's worth getting to know just by their looks," Ran added helplessly.

"It's not just his looks, though."

Suzuki Sonoko gently held the newspaper, like a fangirl carefully protecting her idol's poster.

"I've read everything written in the newspaper carefully: 'He truly feels the pain of the deceased, he uses science to convey the voices of the dead to the world, and he uses the truth to bring peace to the deceased.' How could a man like that be a bad person?"

Evidently, Miss Suzuki had been captivated by the "perfect version" of Lin Xinyi depicted in the news report, which used a writing style that elevated him by putting others down.

However, even though the article significantly beautified Lin Xinyi's image, Mouri Ran, who had been present at the scene, had to admit:

"It's true, Mr. Lin Xinyi is a very kind person."

"See? There you go!"

Sonoko knew that any man Ran considered good would definitely be good.

"You like 'Shinichi,' and I like 'Shinichi' too."

"The Shinichi you like is a detective, and the Shinichi I like is a medical professional even more amazing than a detective!"

"This must be a fated connection between us sisters!"

"Wh-what are you talking about?"

"I don't like any 'Shinichi'!"

As always, Mouri Ran's face flushed, completely ignoring the main point of the conversation.

"Don't worry about that."

"Ran, since you met Mr. Lin Xinyi twice yesterday, you must have his contact information, right?"

"Quick, tell me! I'm going to ask him out for dinner after the competition today!"

Suzuki Sonoko said, her eyes gleaming.

Her unmatched initiative was once again on full display:

"Hurry, Ran, tell me Mr. Lin Xinyi's phone number!"

"My lifelong happiness might just start with you, you know~"

"Uh…" Ran's expression was a little strange.

"What's wrong?" Sonoko asked, a bit confused.

"You don't need to ask for his number."

Ran smiled playfully, looking past Sonoko to what was behind her.

"Because he's right behind you now."

"Eh?" Suzuki Sonoko suddenly turned her head. "Mr. Lin… Lin Xinyi?!"

Yes, the real Lin Xinyi was standing right there.

He had arranged to meet Kudo and Ran there so they could all take the train together to the Karate tournament venue.

However, Lin Xinyi had just arrived when he discovered…

Someone was apparently lusting after his body from behind him.

"The world's obsession with 'detectives' is really exaggerated…"

"Just two simple cases shot my reputation sky-high, and in just half a day, I even have female fans who want to chase me?"

Lin Xinyi was a little shocked, and at the same time, a little touched.

After all, forensic officers in real life are at a disadvantage in the dating market.

In the past, whenever he was set up on a blind date, the moment he mentioned his profession, the girl's expression would subtly shift.

And when she asked about his salary, her smile would become even more strained.

Then, if he brought up his work intensity—how few days a year he actually spent at home—the other person would suddenly claim their company had an emergency, hurriedly settle the bill, and leave.

It was a good thing Lin Xinyi had his good looks going for him, otherwise, that girl probably wouldn't have stuck around even that long.

But in this world, after connecting the basic work of a Forensic Officer with "detective culture," Lin Xinyi actually received the same social treatment as a celebrity.

"Hello, I'm Lin Xinyi."

"I also came to watch Mouri Ran's Karate competition this time."

Although he couldn't accept the affections of a girl he didn't know at all, Lin Xinyi, feeling slightly touched, still showed goodwill towards his female fan.

"Wow, it really is you!"

Suzuki Sonoko's face flushed slightly, as if embarrassed that the person she was just talking about had heard her.

But this shyness lasted only a moment, because taking the initiative was always her style:

"So, Mr. Lin is the friend Ran said was coming with her!"

"Hello, I'm Suzuki Sonoko."

Sonoko generously introduced herself, then got straight to the point:

"Mr. Lin Xinyi, do you have a girlfriend?"

So direct?

Lin Xinyi was slightly taken aback; he had never encountered such a bold approach.

After a moment's thought, he still answered honestly, "No."

"That's good!"

Suzuki Sonoko smiled happily, becoming even more forward:

"Since that's the case, you heard everything I said earlier..."

"So, would you be interested in having dinner with me?"

As she spoke, she naturally moved closer, narrowing the distance between them.

"Uh... I'm sorry."

Lin Xinyi refused quite decisively:

Right now, even if a fairy invited him to dinner, he wouldn't agree.

The reason was simple: he had no money and couldn't afford a restaurant.

Moreover, to be honest, he found it a bit difficult to deal with such a forward girl.

So, before Suzuki Sonoko could launch another offensive, Lin Xinyi quickly changed the subject:

"I must have delayed you quite a bit this time."

"Mouri Ran needs to get to the venue early to prepare, so let's just take the train directly."

This suggestion was met with agreement from everyone.

They soon got caught in the dense crowd, slowly squeezed into the train station, bought tickets, passed through the turnstiles, and descended to the underground train platform.

The platform was crowded, and the next train hadn't arrived yet.

Lin Xinyi and the others had no choice but to find a relatively empty spot on the packed platform, waiting for the next train to arrive.

"Um, everyone, please wait for me for a bit."

Suzuki Sonoko suddenly spoke, a little embarrassed:

"I'm going to the restroom to touch up my makeup."

"Huh?" Mouri Ran was slightly surprised, carefully observing her best friend: "Don't you usually not wear much makeup? Why suddenly...?"

"Well..."

Miss Suzuki unabashedly stated her thoughts:

"I didn't expect to run into Mr. Lin Xinyi here!"

"If I'm going to make a move, of course, I have to present myself in my most perfect state."

"Everyone, please wait for me~ I'll be back as soon as possible."

As she spoke, she even specifically smiled at Lin Xinyi.

Then, without even waiting for Lin Xinyi to react, Suzuki Sonoko grabbed her exquisite small shoulder bag and dashed off towards the restroom located at the edge of the platform in the distance.

"Hmm..."

Looking at Miss Suzuki's receding figure, Lin Xinyi's expression couldn't help but become a little subtle:

"Is this Miss Suzuki always so enthusiastic?"

"Yes..."

Kudo Shinichi reflexively grumbled, "Sonoko's passion for handsome men is a more terrifying emotion than a detective's obsession with criminals!"

"It's just that detectives always catch their criminals, but Sonoko never manages to catch a handsome man."

"And what's worrying is that she always picks bad guys who are only good-looking on the outside. That's really troublesome."

"Uh, every time?"

Lin Xinyi's expression turned strange.

So, I'm just one of many targets this Miss Suzuki has pursued, huh?

"Don't talk about Sonoko like that!"

Mouri Ran pouted at Kudo, a little displeased.

"Just like cases always happen around you,"

"It's not her fault that there are always philandering handsome men appearing in front of Sonoko!"

Saying this, she even specifically explained to Lin Xinyi on behalf of her best friend:

"Mr. Lin, please don't misunderstand, Sonoko is a very devoted girl."

"It's just that the people she falls for each time are a bit unreliable."

"But if it's Mr. Lin, I believe the outcome will be very good."

In her words, Mouri Ran was already subtly trying to set up Lin Xinyi and Suzuki Sonoko.

Because she noticed that Lin Xinyi was handsome, single, capable, highly educated, knowledgeable, kind, and had a proper job—

As of now, he was the most reliable target her best friend had ever found.

But Lin Xinyi wasn't paying attention to dating right now.

He sharply caught a phrase Mouri Ran had said:

"Cases always happen around Kudo?"

"What does that mean?"

"Uh, well…" Kudo Shinichi scratched his head, a little embarrassed. "Maybe it's fate calling."

"Ever since I became a detective, cases have frequently occurred around me."

"Sometimes it's a few days between them, other times it's several in one day."

"Is that really true?"

Lin Xinyi was a bit skeptical of such mystical things.

Even though he had personally experienced a busy day with two murder cases yesterday, he still subconsciously felt that it was just a simple accident and coincidence.

"No way? Is it true that wherever you go, someone dies?"

"How can anyone live like that?"

Lin Xinyi asked, both curious and doubtful.

And just at that moment, as his words faded—

From the distant restroom, a scream filled with terror suddenly rang out—

It was Suzuki Sonoko's voice:

"Help! M-m-murder!"