Guns and Coffee in the World of Science

Chapter 113 Chen Shuo's Defense is Broken

In the evening, in Jingxin Coffee Shop.

The warm yellow light exuded a welcoming atmosphere, and the air was filled with the faint aroma of coffee. Several people gathered in a window seat, each holding a script. Sonoko danced with excitement as she explained the script she had painstakingly written for Teitan High School's school festival. "This is my most laborious work! The inspiration for the main character came from Ran and Shuo-nii!" she said with a proud look on her face.

Mao Lilan's eyes lit up after hearing this. She couldn't wait to open the script and excitedly pulled Chen Shuo aside: "Come on, Brother Shuo, let's try these lines!"

Chen Shuo's expression froze as he stared at the cheesy lines in the script, his whole body filled with resistance. He glanced down, a look of embarrassment flashing across his face, his voice trembling a little, "I'm sorry... but these lines are so embarrassing!"

His reaction immediately caught the attention of the two sisters, and they both smiled playfully. Ai Huihara raised her eyebrows slightly and looked at him with a half-smile: "What's the matter, perverted uncle? Are you still shy?"

Sonoko put her hands on her hips, a look of pride and confidence on her face: "What are you afraid of! This is for the program for the school festival, I wrote it overnight! Brother Shuo, you don't want Xiaolan's play to be ruined, do you?"

Chen Shuo rolled his eyes helplessly, his face filled with annoyance and embarrassment. He grabbed a paper bag from the table and put it over Yuanzi's head, mocking him, "Why don't you just play the knight?"

Sonoko ripped the paper bag off and snorted in dissatisfaction, "Are you kidding me? I'm the director and screenwriter, I don't have time to play a knight!"

Chen Shuo lazily leaned on the sofa, spread his hands, and said jokingly: "It doesn't matter. Now I think you are fully capable of doing it."

Hearing his resolute refusal, everyone joined in to persuade him. Sonoko grabbed his hand and said sincerely, "Brother Shuo, please! This is a program for the school festival! Please help!"

Chen Shuo still shook his head, his face solemn. "No, I can die, but I can never die socially! I still want to make a good living in this world! You want me to say these corny lines? Dream on."

Huiyuan Ai couldn't help but persuade her: "This is a role written especially for you, just give it a try."

Chen Shuo was getting annoyed by being surrounded, and finally couldn't stand it anymore. He pulled Huihara Huimei, who was watching the show nearby, and pushed her in front of everyone: "I definitely can't do it, so let her act! Huimei, you be the knight!"

Huihara Emi's eyes widened, clearly confused by the sudden arrangement: "Wait, wait, me? I'm a knight?"

As soon as she showed an expression of refusal, Chen Shuo came over with a gloomy face and said in a low, aggressive voice: "Huimei! I believe you can help your boss share the difficulties, right?" The threat in his tone was almost tangible, forcing Huimei to take a half step back.

Haibara Ai couldn't bear it anymore, and kicked Chen Shuo angrily, her little face full of anger: "Perverted uncle!" Her crisp voice was full of dissatisfaction, and her cold eyes seemed to be seeking justice for her sister.

Chen Shuo didn't respond to her protest and continued to smile evilly at Huihara Huimei: "Ms. Huihara Huimei, you don't want to lose this job, do you?"

Huihara Emi smiled awkwardly, not knowing how to respond. Mao Lilan couldn't help but interrupt with a smile: "Okay, okay, Shuo brother, don't force Sister Emi. Sonoko was just joking. This time, Sonoko was supposed to play the knight."

Yuanzi sighed, shook her head, and muttered unwillingly: "Forget it, it's really boring. But I really want to see what Brother Shuo looks like standing on the stage." She blinked mischievously with a smirk on her face.

Seeing Sonoko's smug expression, Chen Shuo let go of Huihara Huimei and raised a mysterious smile with a profound meaning: "Sonoko, I think you've been a little slack lately. When I get back, I will re-plan your training plan and ensure that you get the most improvement!"

Yuanzi's smile froze instantly, and the confidence on her face turned into fear. She covered her head and shouted in despair: "No~~~!" Her voice was drawn out, with endless bitterness and helplessness, as if she was about to face a "disaster."

Hearing Sonoko's screams, Mao Lilan chuckled softly, Huihara Ai's lips curled up slightly, and even Huihara Megumi couldn't help laughing out loud. The coffee shop was suddenly filled with joyful laughter, and a relaxed and happy atmosphere was on everyone's face.

---

The next day, the sun shone brightly on Chen Shuo's courtyard, a gentle breeze blew, and the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers. However, in this peaceful scene, the sound of Mao Lilan and Sonoko's dialogue seemed particularly abrupt.

"Ah, my dear knight!" Mao Lilan placed one hand on her chest, looked at Sonoko with ardent eyes, and said in a tender tone, "No matter how many difficulties and dangers there are ahead, my heart will always be with you, for all eternity, and we will never be separated!"

Sonoko looked at Mao Lilan with deep affection, reached out and stroked her cheek, her voice low and full of magnetism: "Princess, please rest assured, even if the sky falls and the earth collapses, I will use my life to protect you until the last moment. Because you are the meaning of my existence!"

This line seemed three times warmer than the spring sunshine, so sweet that it was almost cloying. Chen Shuo sat nearby, his face grimacing as if ink were dripping out. He couldn't help but cover his face, muttering, "Oh my God, this is too corny, it really makes me physically sick..."

But when he lowered his head, he saw Haibara Ai sitting on his lap, blinking her eyes, watching the "passionate drama" between Mouri Ran and Sonoko with relish. There was even a hint of pleasure and curiosity in her eyes. She didn't feel uncomfortable at all, but instead seemed like she was watching a wonderful performance.

Chen Shuo sighed helplessly, and couldn't help but swear in his heart - if Huiyuan Ai hadn't been sitting safely on his lap at this moment, he would have run off to the basement to practice shooting! Unfortunately, now he could only endure this embarrassment and sit here with her to "watch" this "love drama".

He turned to look at Huiyuan Ai, with a bit of helplessness in his tone: "Hey, Ai, don't you think this scene is... embarrassing?"

Huiyuan Ai glanced at him calmly, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised: "Embarrassing? I think it's quite interesting, much more interesting than your basement."

Chen Shuo was speechless and could only continue to watch in silence. However, the affectionate gazes between Mao Lilan and Sonoko, and the sweet lines they exchanged, almost every word made his scalp tingle - he could only endure it silently, secretly praying that this "torture" would end soon.

---

Finally, after the last extremely corny line fell, Mao Lilan and Sonoko smiled at each other, and with satisfaction and pride, they bowed deeply to Chen Shuo and Huiyuan Ai. Their faces were filled with satisfied smiles, and it was obvious that they had enjoyed the "passionate performance" just now.

"Pa pa pa!" Haibara Ai clapped her hands in a very respectful manner, her eyes full of appreciation, and even a hint of a playful smile on her lips. She seemed to be completely immersed in the "touching" part of the play and seemed particularly devoted.

However, Chen Shuo was in a completely different state. He stared up at the sky with lifeless eyes, as if his soul had left his body. His eyes were empty and blank, and he muttered to himself, "Oh my God, what kind of devilish lines are these... Can I still go back alive?"

Mao Lilan and Yuan Zi saw him like this, and they couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh, their eyes full of gloating. Yuan Zi nudged Mao Lilan with her elbow and whispered, "Look, Shuo-ge can't hold on any longer."

Mao Lilan couldn't help laughing and shook her head gently: "It's his fault for not wanting to act with us. He deserves it." She glanced at Chen Shuo mischievously, full of pride.

Ai Huihara clapped her hands while jokingly looking at Chen Shuo. She said slowly, "What's wrong, perverted uncle? Could it be that the dignified 'Wu Chen' was defeated by a few lines? He really has a weak will."

The three women couldn't help but laugh as they watched Chen Shuo, seemingly on the verge of collapse. Their laughter suddenly filled the courtyard, lighthearted yet tinged with joy, making it feel particularly heartwarming. Chen Shuo sighed helplessly, lowering his head in complete resignation.

---

In the living room, the murmur of the news echoed softly from the TV. Ai Haibara sat on Chen Shuo's lap, intently flipping through a fashion magazine, occasionally humming a disdainful groan at a particular bag. From the bedroom, the laughter of Ran Mouri and Sonoko could be heard. They were excitedly trying on costumes from a play, chattering about the matching and styling.

Suddenly, Huiyuan Ai raised her head, her eyes filled with contemplation, and she said calmly, "It seems that Conan has suspected—no! It should be said that he has confirmed that I am also a victim of that drug."

Chen Shuo raised an eyebrow at Haibara Ai's words, but his expression remained relatively calm, as if he had anticipated this situation. He slowly said, "Oh? You haven't been hiding anything from others, so this isn't surprising. However... it's a bit surprising that Conan is only now confronting you."

Huihara Ai shook her head, a faint smile on her lips. "He didn't know the whole story, so of course he could only make a rough guess. He also thought I was just one of the victims. However, I did take the initiative to tell him that I was the main developer of that drug."

Chen Shuo was stunned when he heard this and looked at her in confusion. "Huh? Why? You won't be able to live in peace like this. He won't let you go easily. He will definitely pester you to make the antidote."

Haibara Ai pulled out a small red and white pill from her pocket and proudly waved it in front of Chen Shuo, a sly smile on her lips: "Hehe! That's because I've already developed a semi-finished antidote, and I need a guinea pig!"

Looking at the capsule in Huibara Ai's hand, Chen Shuo nodded in sudden realization: "Oh... I see. Wait a minute—that's not right. Where did you develop this antidote? How come I have no idea?"

Haibara Ai sneered, as if she had been prepared for this. "Huh! You only have your Xiaolan in your eyes all day long, how could you pay attention to anything else? I'm doing research with Doctor Asai. His laboratory is well-equipped, much better than your basement."

Chen Shuo held his forehead helplessly and sighed, "So you two have actually set up a secret research team..."

Just as Haibara Ai opened her mouth and was about to say something else, she suddenly heard a scream from the bedroom: "What!?" Her voice was filled with disbelief and intense worry.

As soon as the voice fell, Mao Lilan and Yuan Zi rushed out of the bedroom in a hurry, their clothes were a little messy, and their faces were full of panic. Mao Lilan clutched the phone tightly in one hand, her face pale, and her eyes revealed anxiety and shock.

"Brother Shuo!" Mao Lilan's voice trembled slightly: "Conan... Conan was shot! He is now in the hospital for emergency treatment!"