Guns and Coffee in the World of Science

It was a sunny day, and Chen Shuo was just about to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee he'd brewed when his phone rang. He checked the caller ID and saw it was Yuanzi. He picked up the phone, but before he could say anything, Yuanzi's usual cheerful voice echoed from the other end.

"Hey! Brother Shuo, I heard you haven't been busy lately? Come over to my mountain villa and play! You've been so secretive lately, you need to come out and get some fresh air!"

Chen Shuo couldn't help but smile. Yuanzi's enthusiasm was always hard to refuse. He really didn't have anything important to do recently, so it was a good opportunity to relax. After thinking about it, he readily agreed: "Okay, since there really isn't anything important to do recently, I'll go and have some fun."

After hanging up, Chen Shuo glanced up at Toru Amuro, who was busy at the bar. The cafe was still bustling with customers, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of coffee and the alluring scent of desserts. Seeing Toru Amuro busy, Chen Shuo walked over and gently patted his shoulder.

"I promised Yuanzi to visit her villa in the mountains, so I'll trouble you with the store." Chen Shuo's tone was flat, but there was a hint of cunning in his eyes.

Amuro Toru looked up, a professional smile on his face, but he was secretly calculating - Boss, you're talking lightly, I can't handle all these customers in the store by myself! He sighed, his face full of "wronged" expression: "Boss~~~~The store has been really busy these days, I can't handle it alone. Otherwise...should we consider hiring a few more helpers?"

Chen Shuo couldn't help but laugh at Amuro Toru's helpless expression. This guy usually looked so relaxed, but he didn't expect that he would sometimes give up. He nodded and said, "Okay, I'll consider it. But recruiting people is not something that can be solved overnight, so you'll have to work hard for the time being."

The corners of Amuro Toru's mouth twitched slightly, and he couldn't help but complain in his heart: "Boss, you say that easily, I'm busy as a top!" But he still kept a smile on his face: "No problem, I will do my best. But boss, you promised, remember to act quickly, don't make me wait too long."

Chen Shuo nodded and patted Amuro Toru's shoulder, expressing his trust: "Don't worry, I won't let you work so hard all the time."

Seeing this, Amuro Toru could only accept this "unfair" arrangement. He looked at Chen Shuo's leisurely and contented look, and sighed in his heart. The boss's relaxed state was really enviable.

Before leaving, Chen Shuo took one last look around the Jingxin Café. Business was booming, and the atmosphere was warm. He smiled at Amuro Toru and said, "Take care of yourself these past few days. When I get back, I'll immediately take care of the hiring process."

Amuro Toru waved his hand helplessly: "Boss, go and have fun. I'll take care of the store. But next time you come back, remember to bring me some local specialties from the mountains."

Chen Shuo responded with a smile, and walked out of the cafe with a relaxed mood, ready to welcome Yuanzi's energetic "vacation".

As soon as Chen Shuo left, Amuro Toru took a deep breath, looked at the increasing number of customers, and could only silently encourage himself in his heart: "Hold on for a few more days, the boss promised to find someone to help... Hold on for a few more days..."

---

Chen Shuo came out of the coffee shop and was about to get his car when he saw Mao Lilan and Conan standing at the door, looking like they were about to go out. He smiled slightly and waved casually: "Xiao Lan, are you going out too?"

Mao Lilan raised her head and saw Chen Shuo coming over. A gentle smile appeared on her face. "Yes, Sonoko invited me to her mountain villa to play and relax. As for Conan..." She paused deliberately, glanced sideways at Conan standing beside her, and smiled helplessly, "He wouldn't let me go alone and insisted on following me."

Conan scratched his head helplessly, with an awkward smile on his face: "Hey, Ran, I'm worried about your safety too! Besides, it's such a rare opportunity, of course I have to go with you."

Chen Shuo chuckled and patted Conan on the head: "You really can't let go of Lan, little Shinichi." He deliberately pronounced the word "Shinichi" very clearly, with a teasing look on his face.

Conan looked up and glared at Chen Shuo, muttering, "Don't call me Shinichi-chan, it's too ugly."

Chen Shuo laughed even more happily, but then he put away the joke and said in a relaxed tone: "However, I just happened to receive an invitation from Yuanzi as well, so I'll take you along too."

Mao Lilan seemed a little worried after hearing this and frowned: "But, Brother Shuo, I remember that your car can only seat two people, right? You and Shinichi..."

"Don't worry, I just bought a new car recently, and there are definitely enough seats." Chen Shuo smiled mysteriously, then said, "Wait a moment, I'll go drive."

A few minutes later, Ran and Conan heard a deep engine roar coming from the garage. A black Hummer H1 slowly rolled out. Its massive body looked incredibly imposing in the sunlight, its massive wheels seemingly capable of crushing anything. Its black body, like steel armor, exuded a chilling aura. Its distinctive square front design and thick steel anti-collision plates made it look like a military off-road vehicle, a testament to its strength and fearlessness.

"Wow! This car is so big!" Mao Lilan opened her eyes wide, her face full of amazement, "Brother Shuo, when did you buy this? It's like a tank."

"A Hummer H1, I just bought it recently." Chen Shuo smiled and leaned out of the car window, his tone revealing a hint of pride. "This car is perfect for going out. It has plenty of seats and good safety features."

Conan narrowed his eyes, alarm bells ringing. A Hummer H1—a military-grade off-road vehicle, quite expensive. How could a simple coffee shop owner possibly afford such a vehicle? Furthermore, Chen Shuo's actions had long aroused suspicion in him. Previous actions had suggested a connection to Sumiyoshi, and now this luxury car only served to raise doubts about Chen Shuo's identity.

"You are really becoming more and more mysterious, Chen Shuo." Conan smiled casually, but he couldn't help but become alert in his heart.

Chen Shuo seemed to see through his thoughts and raised his eyebrows slightly: "Don't look at me like that, it's all legal income, and the business is pretty good."

Mao Lilan couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Brother Shuo is really amazing, he can actually afford this kind of car."

Although Conan smiled, he thought to himself: "Legal income? I don't believe it's that simple. It seems that I have to observe Chen Shuo's movements carefully during this trip to the mountain villa."

Chen Shuo smiled and waved his hand: "Okay, don't stand here, hurry up and get in the car, otherwise Yuanzi will be waiting anxiously."

Mao Lilan nodded and walked Conan towards the Hummer. "Thank you for giving us a ride, Shuo. I didn't expect to be able to experience a luxury car at the same time."

"You're welcome, we are all friends." Chen Shuo said easily, not caring about Conan's suspicion at all.

As Conan got into the car, he thought to himself, "What kind of person is Chen Shuo? Perhaps he is more complicated than I thought..."

With the roar of the engine, the black Hummer H1 carried the three people to the mountain villa. The atmosphere in the car was relaxed and happy, but in Conan's heart, he was already prepared to expose Chen Shuo at any time.

---

By dusk, the three finally set out on their journey to the mountain villa. However, Ran Maoli, the leader, held a map in one hand and gestured with the other, glancing here and there as she continued to lead Chen Shuo and Conan in circles through the forest. She had a determined expression on her face, but in reality, her sense of direction was clearly questionable.

Chen Shuo strolled along behind, feeling relaxed and at ease. The occasional breeze rustled the shadows of the trees, and he even felt a sense of comfort. "Walking through a forest like this isn't bad at all," he thought, a smile playing on his lips, unfazed by the thought of getting lost.

Conan, however, was not so relaxed. Not only did his feet hurt from walking, but seeing Ran Maoli repeatedly checking the map but still unable to find the direction, he started complaining completely: "Ran, are you holding the map upside down? Why are you getting further and further off the track?!"

Mao Lilan was a little embarrassed by what Conan said. She pouted and her cheeks puffed up slightly: "I didn't hold it upside down! It's just that this mountain road is a bit complicated!"

Chen Shuo couldn't help laughing and glanced at Mao Lilan's stubborn look: "Lan, don't worry. Everyone has some problems with directions." There was a teasing look in his eyes.

"I'm not a directionally challenged person!" Mao Lilan refused to admit defeat and continued to lead the way stubbornly, as if she could get out of this "maze" in the next step.

Conan crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "Ran, we've been lost for an hour already. If we keep going this way, it'll be dark."

Mao Lilan's stubborn face wavered a little, but she still refused to admit it: "We'll definitely get there if we walk a little longer!"

Chen Shuo smiled and thought to himself, "Xiao Lan is quite stubborn. I really can't bear to discourage her."

Finally, after a lot of twists and turns, uphill and downhill, the three of them finally saw the outline of the villa. Mao Lilan breathed a sigh of relief, turned to Conan and raised her eyebrows: "See, I told you we would find it!"

"Yes, yes, you win." Conan spread his hands helplessly.

As the three were about to cross the suspension bridge, they suddenly noticed a strange figure in a cloak and hat slowly walking across it. His entire body was completely covered in clothing, with only his eyes visible, gleaming coldly in the dim light, giving him a particularly eerie look. Most terrifying of all, his face was wrapped in bandages, making his features almost invisible. He looked like a monster straight out of a horror movie.

"Ah!" Mao Lilan screamed and took a step back in fright, and the map in her hand almost fell to the ground.

Conan was also startled by this sudden scene, but he quickly regained his composure and his eyes became alert: "Who is this guy? He doesn't look right."

Chen Shuo stepped forward, blocking Mao Lilan and Conan, squinting his eyes at the strange man, a dangerous glint in his eyes. Even without making any movement, Chen Shuo's powerful aura immediately made people feel that he was not to be underestimated.

Being locked in Chen Shuo's gaze, the strange man seemed to feel uneasy. He turned around and hurried away, his figure quickly disappearing into the shadows of the forest.

Mao Lilan patted her chest, her face pale, and she was still frightened: "That person... is so scary."

Chen Shuo patted her shoulder gently and comforted her, "It's okay, he's gone, don't worry."

Mao Lilan looked at Chen Shuo's warm smile, and her nervousness gradually subsided. She nodded: "Thank you, Brother Shuo."

Conan stood aside, being completely ignored, and muttered in dissatisfaction: "Hey, I'm here too, why are you only comforting Xiaolan? I was scared too."

Chen Shuo heard Conan's complaint, glanced at him slightly, and raised a barely perceptible smile at the corner of his mouth: "Shinichi, you are a detective, can such a small scene really scare you?"

"I..." Conan was speechless and had to turn his head away, thinking silently in his heart about the momentum that Chen Shuo had just burst out: "This Chen Shuo is definitely not an ordinary person." He felt more and more that Chen Shuo was full of mysteries, but he couldn't expose them for the time being.

The three continued to move towards the villa. Ran Maoli's nervousness gradually dissipated and her mood began to recover. Conan was still lost in thought. The appearance of the bandaged man made him realize that this trip to the villa might not be as simple as he had imagined.