Guns and Coffee in the World of Science

Chen Shuo and Mao Lilan entered the community center, where they were greeted by panels showcasing the island's history. They leisurely browsed through the faded photos and antique artifacts. The air was filled with a faint scent of the sea, occasionally even slightly damp. Though the space was small, it exuded a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.

"This place has a really leisurely feel to it." Chen Shuo wore sunglasses, his hands in his pockets, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, looking relaxed and comfortable.

"Yeah, a place like this is perfect for relaxing." Mao Lilan smiled. When she was with Chen Shuo, she always felt able to truly relax. Chen Shuo wasn't like Kudo Shinichi, who would start talking about detective stories as soon as he opened his mouth, nor did he chatter away with Sherlock Holmes stories. Most of the time, Chen Shuo would just listen to her quietly, but he would always offer some profound and gentle insights at crucial moments, which made her feel at ease.

The two chatted and laughed along the way, and before they knew it, they had arrived at a spacious room overlooking the sea. A sea breeze blew in through the windows, bringing a hint of coolness. The room was empty and simple, with nothing special except a dusty piano in the center.

"What a special place." Mao Lilan walked to the piano and gently ran her fingertips across the piano cover, raising a layer of dust. "It seems that no one has touched this piano for a long time."

Just as she was about to try playing a few times, a familiar voice came from the door: "Hey, you are here too."

Chen Shuo and Mao Lilan turned around and saw Mao Li Kogoro and Conan appear at the door. They both looked a little tired, as if they were bored and wandered here again.

"Dad, Conan! Why are you here too?" asked Ran Mouri with a smile.

Maori Kogoro shrugged and said helplessly, "We were waiting for the village chief at the village office, but he didn't show up after waiting for a long time. We didn't have anything to do, so we just walked around and ended up here."

"I see." Chen Shuo nodded, thinking that this village chief was really arrogant.

Mao Lilan turned around and continued to look at the piano, her eyes full of curiosity: "This piano looks very old. I want to try to see if I can make any sound."

Just as she reached out to open the piano cover, suddenly, a panicked voice came from the door: "Don't touch it!"

Everyone was startled and turned around to see a middle-aged man wearing glasses rushing over nervously. He waved his hands and hurriedly approached Mao Lilan: "Don't touch this piano!"

Mao Lilan was startled and quickly withdrew her hand. Chen Shuo stood in front of her and frowned slightly: "What's going on?"

The man took a few breaths, calmed himself down, and continued, "This piano...is not only the piano that Aso Keiji played before his death, but our former village chief Kameyama also died in front of this piano three years ago!"

"What?" Maori Kogoro's eyes widened in surprise. "Aso Keiji and Village Chief Kameyama are both on this piano...?"

"That's right." The man nodded, his voice low, as if recounting a horrific memory. "Three years ago, I was passing by the community center when I heard the sound of a piano, but there seemed to be no one there. When I walked in, I found that Village Chief Kameyama had died on this piano from a heart attack."

"That's why the people on the island call this piano the 'Cursed Piano.'" The man sighed, a hint of fear in his eyes. "Every time someone mentions this piano, they think it's ominous. Both victims died after playing 'Moonlight'. It's no coincidence."

The atmosphere in the room suddenly grew solemn. Chen Shuo still maintained a pensive expression. Although he didn't believe in any "curse," this story was indeed horrifying.

Mao Lilan tightly grasped the corner of Chen Shuo's clothes, as if this action could give her more sense of security.

However, Conan was clearly an exception. He narrowed his eyes, appearing quite nonchalant. Superstitious about science, he didn't believe in this so-called "curse." "What kind of curse? It's just a coincidence," he said with a curled lip.

As soon as he finished speaking, Conan jumped onto the chair in front of the piano and nonchalantly reached out to press the keys. A few soft piano sounds echoed in the room, with a hint of ancient echoes, as if responding to the provocation of this naughty child.

"Conan! What are you doing!" Ran Mouri exclaimed, almost scared to death.

"You little brat are really not afraid of death." Mouri Kogoro also yelled in dissatisfaction, reaching out to pull Conan down from the piano chair.

The man was furious. He looked at Conan angrily and said, "You are so rude! You'd better leave this room quickly. This piano should not be touched anymore."

After saying that, the man hurriedly drove everyone out, looking very nervous.

"The village chief is very busy now. We can only see him after the ritual is over." He said hurriedly and turned to leave.

Standing outside the community center, Chen Shuo looked at the door of the room where the piano was located. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and a hint of sneer appeared in his eyes: "The cursed piano... is quite interesting."

"Brother Shuo, this 'curse' is not real, right?" Mao Lilan glanced at him, her tone full of worry.

Chen Shuo shook his head and chuckled, "I don't believe in curses... But I want to see what happens next."

Outside the piano room, several people stood in the slightly chilly air, their expressions varying. Ran Maoli still looked around with a lingering sense of fear, while Conan wore a look of disdain, clearly uninterested in the curse story he had just heard. Chen Shuo, on the other hand, stood leisurely and contentedly by the side, his eyes indifferent, a half-smile on his face as he watched everything unfold.

Just as they were still digesting the bizarre story they had just heard, a clear and gentle female voice suddenly broke the silence.

"Hey, Mr. Maori? Why are you here?"

Following the sound, Kogoro Mouri saw a tall woman slowly approaching. She wore a black, hip-hugging skirt, appearing elegant and intellectual. Her bright eyes held a gentle smile, her lips curled slightly, and her long black hair swayed gently in the wind. She looked as if she had stepped out of a painting, possessing an allure that made it impossible to look away.

"Oh, Doctor Asai! Long time no see!" Maori Kogoro's expression changed instantly. His whole body seemed to be full of energy. His originally furrowed brows instantly relaxed, revealing his signature "Maori smile". His eyes were almost narrowed into slits. "Doctor Asai, what brings you here?"

"Yes, I'm here to attend the funeral as well. Three years ago, I was the one who performed the autopsy on the body for Village Chief Kameyama." The woman smiled, appearing quite relaxed. She approached the group, her gaze gently sweeping over them before turning to Maori Kogoro and nodding politely.

"Hahaha, that's really a coincidence!" Kogoro Mouri laughed dryly and touched the back of his head with a wretched look.

Chen Shuo and Mao Lilan stood aside and watched this scene, their expressions somewhat subtle. Mao Lilan, in particular, could almost see the stars in her father's eyes.

"It's really the same as always." Chen Shuo smiled softly and deliberately teased.

"Dad! Don't go too far!" Maori Ran angrily grabbed Maori Kogoro's arm and greeted Asai Makoto: "Hello, I am daddy's 'daughter' Maori Ran, please give me your guidance." Xiaolan emphasized the pronunciation of the word "daughter", obviously guarding against something.

Maori Kogoro completely ignored his daughter's warning and excitedly introduced Chen Shuo and Mao Li Ran to the newcomer: "Come, let me introduce you. This is Chen Shuo, my good friend. He's a very good coffee shop owner! And this is my precious daughter, Mao Li Ran. This is the only doctor on the island, Asai Makoto. Like us, he's from Tokyo."

"Hello, nice to meet you." Asai Makoto smiled and nodded to Chen Shuo and Mao Li Ran, his expression polite and gentle.

"Hello, Dr. Asai." Chen Shuo smiled slightly and nodded slightly, but didn't say much.

Mao Lilan also smiled politely: "Dr. Asai is such a beauty!"

"Oh, thank you for the compliment." Asai Makoto smiled, his eyes curved, appearing exceptionally gentle. "By the way, I didn't see you guys before. Were you touring the island? Weren't you working with Detective Maori?"

"Yeah, we just took a walk in the woods." Mao Lilan said, her eyes turned between her father and Conan, and her tone was somewhat helpless: "My brother Shuo and I are not interested in this kind of reasoning at all."

"Oh? Is that so?" Asai Makoto nodded slightly and looked at Maori Kogoro with a gentle gaze. "Mr. Maori is indeed a very dedicated detective."

Maori Kogoro was delighted by the praise and waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, no..."

Chen Shuo quietly studied the woman before him, his brows furrowing slightly. Though he appeared unconcerned, he felt something strange about Asai Makoto. Though she looked beautiful, she carried an inexplicable sense of incongruity.

"What's going on..." Chen Shuo was puzzled. "I always feel like there's something wrong with this woman's body. It's like she's deliberately hiding something..."

However, he immediately shook his head and forced himself to relax. After all, he came to Moon Shadow Island to vacation, not to solve a case. Besides, what was wrong with her?

"My occupational disease has struck again." Chen Shuo laughed at himself in his heart, a faint smile on his lips: "Anyway, I just have to take good care of Xiaolan and have fun with her."

Mao Lilan watched her father and Asai Makoto chatting enthusiastically, and couldn't help but curl her lips at Chen Shuo, muttering quietly: "Really, Dad is like this again... He clearly said not long ago that he would change himself because of Mom's matter, but now..."

"Haha, Xiaolan, just let him go." Chen Shuo chuckled and said, "Kogoro's personality is probably something he can't change. However, this is probably just his disguise. After all, no one would be wary of someone like this."

"Huh, you're still speaking for him." Mao Lilan curled her lips, but looking at her father's happy look, she finally sighed helplessly, "Forget it, I'm used to it anyway."

Asai Makoto seemed to notice their interaction. He turned around and looked at them with a smile, and asked gently, "What are your plans next? If you don't mind, I can take you to some fun places on the island after the ritual."

"Um... no thanks." Chen Shuo waved his hand and declined with a smile. "Actually, we just want to wander around the island and have no specific plans."

"I also think that walking around the island will help me feel the atmosphere better." Mao Lilan agreed with a smile of anticipation on her face.

"Is that so?" Asai nodded honestly, clearly understanding their decision. "Then I won't bother you anymore. If you have any questions on the island, feel free to come see me. My clinic is on the west side of the island, a small hut with a very conspicuous sign."

"Thank you, Dr. Asai." Mao Lilan smiled and nodded. "If there is any need, I will definitely come to visit."

After a few more pleasantries, Asai Makoto said goodbye and slowly walked towards the other side of the community center. Only when her figure disappeared at the end of the corridor did Chen Shuo look away and sigh softly.

"Brother Shuo, you also think Dr. Asai is beautiful, right..." asked Mao Lilan unhappily.

"Hmm..." Chen Shuo touched his chin and said with a half-smile, "There's something wrong with this woman."

"Really?" Mao Li Lanruo looked at Chen Shuo in surprise: "What's wrong with her?"

"I don't know!" Chen Shuo shrugged. "I always feel that there's something wrong with this woman. But who cares? It's none of my business. Let's continue shopping."

"Yeah!" Mao Lilan was very happy. This was what made Chen Shuo different. If he felt something was wrong and it had nothing to do with himself or the people around him, he would not delve into it. This made Mao Lilan very satisfied.

The two smiled at each other, temporarily putting those strange speculations behind them, and prepared to continue enjoying this rare vacation time.