Guns and Coffee in the World of Science

Chapter 108 Fire

The distance between Chen Shuo and Vermouth grew closer, almost as if their bodies were overlapping. To those around them, it might have been a deeply intimate scene, a certain ambiguity permeating the air between them. However, only the two present understood that their conversation was far more than the simple or tender feelings others imagined. At this moment, their conversation was filled with cold calculations and dangerous undercurrents.

Vermouth had a smug smile on her face. Her voice was low and hoarse, yet it held an inexplicable allure, as if she were sharing a hidden secret with Chen Shuo: "I've had Akai Shuichi following me for a while. To ensure he'll continue to follow closely, I deliberately had Gin's car parked near him. By now, he should have started following Gin's car and is heading here."

Her words were filled with calmness and confidence, as if she knew that every move Akai Shuichi made was under her control. Vermouth's eyes did not stray from Chen Shuo. Every word she said was like a carefully designed trap, revealing a calm danger.

Chen Shuo remained expressionless upon hearing her answer, his face unmoved. He simply nodded, his tone cold yet still carrying a certain undeniable sense of pressure: "I understand." He said nothing more, his gaze slowly sweeping across the surroundings, his eyes still sharp as a knife, as if calculating something.

Vermouth noticed Chen Shuo's change, and a glint of admiration flashed in her eyes. She raised her eyebrows slightly, and the smile on her lips became more obvious. "Don't worry, Akai Shuichi will definitely not miss any opportunity. He probably won't stop, especially if he realizes that we have deliberately created an opportunity for him to get close. He will be unable to help but continue to move forward."

Chen Shuo didn't respond to her words. He simply turned his gaze calmly toward the distant gate, pondering his next move. At that moment, he seemed like a cold-blooded chess player, all the others his generals.

Seeing his silence, Vermouth didn't rush him. Instead, she stood quietly beside him, observing Chen Shuo's every move. This was also her greatest trust in Chen Shuo - "Wu Chen" never failed!

---

Just as Chen Shuo was pondering his next move, the atmosphere in the venue suddenly became noisy, with a constant clamor coming from the entrance. Chen Shuo frowned slightly. It was actually Megure Jusan who had stormed into the venue with a group of police officers. The officers quickly dispersed and surrounded the politician, Shigehiko Tsuchiguchi, who was being interviewed, protecting him. Megure Jusan calmly announced, "The police have received intelligence that someone is attempting to assassinate Shigehiko Tsuchiguchi. We will be responsible for his safety from now on."

This sudden change caused the atmosphere in the entire venue to suddenly become tense. Various whispers and speculations spread among the guests. Vermouth, who had been leaning on Chen Shuo's shoulder, suddenly stiffened and looked into the room in a daze.

Chen Shuo's lips curled up into a faint smile, and he whispered, "It seems that you chose to hold the party here, not only to attract Akai Shuichi, but also to get rid of this politician by the way?"

A complex emotion flashed across Vermouth's face. She nodded slightly, agreeing with Chen Shuo's speculation: "Yes, the original plan was to take the opportunity to get rid of Shigehiko Tsuchiguchi. I didn't expect the police to intervene in advance." Her voice was calm, and she didn't feel at a loss because of the change in plan.

Chen Shuo narrowed his eyes slightly, and said with a hint of sarcasm, "It seems your plan has been leaked." He turned his head calmly and glanced at the corner of the venue. There, Conan was standing secretly to the side, his eyes fixed on Shigehiko Tsuchiguchi. It was obvious who had leaked the plan.

A sneer curled up the corner of Chen Shuo's mouth. His gaze pierced Conan, as if he could see through his every thought. With his perverted insight, Conan was noticed by Chen Shuo the moment he entered the venue. But if he wanted to die, then so be it. After all, he had taught him enough in the past. There was nothing he could do about it.

Vermouth didn't notice Chen Shuo's gaze, still immersed in her own thoughts. She sighed softly, raised her elegant chin, and a charming smile returned to her face, as if nothing unpleasant had happened. Her voice was a hint of laziness and relaxation: "Forget it, anyway, I'm not the one who carried out the assassination this time, it doesn't matter."

Her tone was nonchalant, as if the whole incident was just a minor incident that was not worth worrying about. Her beauty and calmness were like a veil, concealing her true intentions.

Although she participated in the plan, she always maintained an unpredictable distance, as if nothing could easily stir her emotions. Whether it was Akai Shuichi's pursuit or Tōguchi Shigehiko's accident, she was able to remain calm.

Chen Shuo glanced at her, his lips curling slightly. Although he didn't express anything, a hint of irony quietly emerged. He had long been aware of Vermouth's contradictory attitude. On the one hand, she participated in this dangerous assassination, and on the other hand, she always maintained the relaxed and calm attitude of a bystander.

"This woman is quite interesting!"

---

"It appeared! At two o'clock!" Mao Lilan's voice suddenly broke the silence, with a hint of nervous urgency.

Pu Siqinglan and Suzuki Sonoko moved almost simultaneously, their sights locked onto the direction Mao Lilan pointed at almost the same instant. The muzzles of the two sniper rifles rotated in sync with their movements. Although the distance was far, their movements were still accurate and swift.

Haibara Ai didn't say anything, but her eyes quickly moved to the telescope and began to focus on the target. Her eyes were calm and focused, and it seemed that her mood did not fluctuate at all because of the appearance of the target.

A black Ford GT500 appeared in the field of vision. This was the car that Shuichi Akai was driving according to the information.

"Calm down! I have to stay calm!" Sonoko whispered to herself, her body tense, her eyes fixed on Akai Shuichi in the sight, making sure not to lose the target.

Pu Siqinglan's expression grew even more solemn. She gently adjusted the angle of the rifle barrel, her eyes focused and calm, as if she could see everything through the scope. "Never aim directly at a master like this. No one knows the full extent of his perception," she whispered, a warning in her tone that couldn't be ignored.

"Okay, I understand." Sonoko nodded gently, starting to get a little nervous. This is the FBI, and they're an ace! She never thought that she would have such a day. Thinking of this, she actually felt a little excited.

Ai Haibara's gaze shifted from Akai Shuichi, her pupils narrowing slightly as her gaze fixed on a vintage Porsche slightly ahead. She was incredibly familiar with the car; it was Gin's ride, and it was always present in their encounters. The moment she saw it, her body subconsciously trembled slightly. Despite her efforts to suppress her emotions, she couldn't help but feel a wave of fear.

But she didn't make a sound. She knew the girls around her were focused on their mission. Pu Siqinglan and Suzuki Sonoko were behind their scopes, waiting for the perfect moment, while Mao Lilan was carefully observing the environment. Everything seemed to be in good order. Even if she couldn't help, she couldn't let them down!

Moreover, deep in her heart, there is a force that constantly inspires her - Chen Shuo!

Thinking of Chen Shuo's presence, Huibara Ai's brows slightly raised, and a subtle warmth flashed in her eyes. With him around, it seemed that Gin would be just so-so... Thinking of this, Huibara Ai snorted disdainfully and concentrated on observing Akai Shuichi again.

As the black Ford GT500 slowly slowed, seemingly about to stop, the four girls' nerves tensed. Haibara Ai gripped her anemometer tightly, her eyes fixed on the display. Her voice was low and focused: "Temperature: -10°C, Humidity: 57%, Air Pressure: 1013hPa, Wind Speed: 12km/h, Wind direction: East-southeast, relatively steady, moderate snow."

Ran Maori constantly adjusted her rangefinder, her gaze fixed on Akai Shuichi's vehicle through the telescope, her heart beating like a drum. She checked the data and reported quietly, "Target distance: 1032 meters, vertical angle -47 degrees, terrain: flat, no obvious obstructions ahead, slight slope behind the target vehicle, clear and direct sniping path." Her fingers trembled slightly, but she managed to remain calm, quickly sketching out the key angles and positions on paper.

Pu Siqinglan and Yuanzi were concentrating on adjusting their scopes, their eyes fixed on the target. They knew they only had one chance to shoot, and that was the moment Akai Shu stepped out of the car. If they missed this opportunity, their sniper attempt would be a failure.

Pu Siqinglan gently turned the sniper scope's focusing knob, precisely adjusting the focal length. The scene through the lens gradually became clearer. She whispered, "The wind is steady, but slightly to the southeast. The temperature is moderate, and the air pressure is normal, so it shouldn't have much of an impact." She gently pulled the adjustment lever, and the subtle manipulation caused the crosshairs of the scope to fluctuate slightly. She then adjusted the distance sensor, ensuring that she could capture the target's slightest movement in the shortest possible time.

Sonoko focused her gaze on the fine-tuning knob of the scope, her eyes flashing with concentration, "The target has stopped, and the time to shoot is estimated to be soon." She closed her eyes gently, adjusted her breathing rate, and then used her fingers quickly and accurately to adjust the wind speed compensation and range of the sniper scope.

The air seemed to freeze, and the heartbeats of the four girls almost merged with the surrounding environment. The whole world seemed to be left with only the sound of the car slowly stopping and the tense atmosphere between them.

"The target has stopped the car!" Huiyuan Ai's voice was low and clear, suddenly breaking the silence: "He didn't move in the car, and the windows were closed."

"Aiming is complete, you can fire at any time." Pu Siqinglan said softly, his eyes never leaving the sniper scope. When the time comes, the sniper rifle in his hand will release deadly power without hesitation.

Sonoko took a deep breath, her finger gently touching the trigger. "Make sure the angle and wind speed data are correct, and breathe steadily."

Ran Mouri and Ai Haibara took a few steps back. Although they were not at the shooting position, every movement and expression of theirs reflected the pressure of the mission at the moment.

In the silence, time seemed to stand still, and the four girls were waiting for that moment - the perfect time to snipe.

The moment Akai Shuichi opened the car door and poked his head out, the tension in the air exploded. The almost synchronized growls of Haibara Ai and Maoli Ran broke the silence.

"Fire!"

"Bang! Bang!"

Two silenced gunshots echoed almost simultaneously in the quiet night sky. Pu Siqinglan and Suzuki Sonoko pulled the trigger almost simultaneously, and the bullets in the gun chambers suddenly released, flying towards the target with a sharp sound of breaking wind.