Guns and Coffee in the World of Science

Conan finally left. Before he left, he stopped at the door, his back to Chen Shuo, and said in a low and sincere voice: "Thank you, Brother Shuo. Thank you for saving Xiaolan... If anything happened to her, I'm afraid I would never be able to forgive myself."

Chen Shuo just looked at him quietly, still without saying anything, just nodded slightly. Conan said nothing more and left the ward quietly without disturbing anyone. The moment the door gently closed, the air seemed to return to calm.

Not long after, Mao Lilan returned. She pushed open the door and saw Chen Shuo still leaning against the bed, his eyes softly gazing out the window. Her heartbeat quickened, and the memories of last night brought a slight blush to her face, and she lowered her head involuntarily.

"Xiaolan, are you back?" Chen Shuo said lightly, his tone as gentle as ever.

Mao Lilan stood there, not daring to look him in the face. She could only smile foolishly, the blush growing more pronounced. She felt a mixture of nervousness and sweetness. The two impulsive kisses she had shared last night and this morning still had her heart racing. She had no idea how to face Chen Shuo. Although their relationship had changed, being alone together still felt strange and overwhelming.

"Well, Mr. Amuro and Azusa pulled me aside and asked me a lot of questions." Ran Mouri answered softly, her voice a little awkward.

Chen Shuo looked at her, his lips curled up slightly, with a hint of tenderness in his eyes: "Don't be nervous, we can take it slowly." His tone was calm, as if everything was normal.

Mao Lilan raised her head and looked at Chen Shuo's smile, her heart was filled with warmth. Although she was still shy about her impulse last night, the sweet feeling in her heart could not be shaken off.

The two were silent for a while. Mao Lilan finally couldn't help but walked to the bedside, gently took Chen Shuo's hand, and whispered: "You get better soon, I... I will always be with you."

Chen Shuo glanced at her, held her hand tightly, and said gently, "It's great to have you here!"

Under Chen Shuo's guidance, Mao Lilan gradually let go of her shyness, and her smile became more natural. She slowly regained her cheerful personality and began to chat with Chen Shuo about various trivial matters, occasionally telling some funny stories that made Chen Shuo laugh. She not only stayed by his side, but also carefully helped him to make his quilt and adjust his pillow from time to time, taking care of Chen Shuo meticulously.

Chen Shuo looked at her busy figure, feeling a surge of emotion in his heart, and couldn't help thinking: "I really found a treasure. I have such a gentle and considerate girlfriend. It seems that being hit by a truck is not a bad thing." The corners of his mouth rose slightly, and his eyes were full of tenderness.

However, just as Mao Lilan was pouring water for him and chatting about the cafe with a smile, she suddenly stopped, her face changed slightly, and she looked a little embarrassed. She lowered her head and bit her lip, her expression becoming complicated, as if something was weighing on her heart.

"Brother Shuo..." She hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke in a weak voice, "I heard... Moriya Teiji... is dead..."

Chen Shuo's expression remained calm. He knew this question would be asked sooner or later. Seeing Mao Lilan's troubled expression, he gently put down the water cup in his hand, looked up at her, and said in a gentle but meaningful tone, "Do you think he deserves to die?"

Ran Maoli's hands trembled slightly, and she froze at Chen Shuo's sudden question. She was a kind-hearted girl, always steadfast in her beliefs and sense of justice, but the situation before her left her feeling conflicted. She knew all too well Moriya Teiji's crimes—not only had he harmed society, but he had also nearly cost her and her brother Shuo their lives. But the word "damn" felt too heavy for her to utter.

"I..." Mao Lilan bit her lip, her eyes evasive, not daring to look directly at Chen Shuo. She knew her boyfriend was special, not an ordinary person, and his past was probably far more numerous and complex than she knew. But she didn't know how to face Chen Shuo like this, nor did she know how to handle their relationship. Before, when they hadn't confirmed their relationship, it wasn't so tangled, but now that it was confirmed, she had to face this aspect.

"Brother Shuo..." Her voice was very soft, with a hint of weakness, "I'm just worried about you. I don't know how to say it... The death of Teiji Moriya may be a good thing for everyone, but..."

Chen Shuo looked at her, his expression still calm, quietly waiting for her to continue. Mao Lilan felt that there was no pressure or blame in Chen Shuo's eyes, which made her relax a little. She took a deep breath and continued, "After all, you are a killer... and I am just an ordinary high school student. We... can we really get along like this?"

Her voice grew fainter, practically a whisper. She lowered her head, not daring to meet Chen Shuo's eyes. She was consumed by worry about her boyfriend and uncertainty about the future. She didn't know how to face a man who had killed before, even if he had done it to protect her and others.

Chen Shuo still looked at her tenderly, reaching out and gently stroking her hair. His movements were very gentle, with his usual calmness and doting. He knew that Mao Lilan's heart was full of kindness and softness, and she was not the kind of person who could easily accept the dark world.

"Lan," he whispered, his voice still calm and gentle, "I know this isn't easy for you. You've lived in justice and rules since childhood, and this dark world is far away from you. But I also hope you understand that everything I do is to protect those I cherish—especially you."

Mao Lilan raised her head slightly, her eyes flickering with complex emotions. She knew Chen Shuo was speaking the truth, and that he had never intended to put her in danger. However, she still couldn't easily erase the struggle within her.

"You don't have to rush to answer, and you don't have to rush to accept anything." Chen Shuo continued, his eyes full of understanding. "We can take it slow and adapt slowly. The person I care about most is you, and that will never change."

When Mao Lilan heard this, the huge stone in her heart seemed to lighten a little. She gently held Chen Shuo's hand. Although she was still a little hesitant, she could feel that the feelings between them were real and firm.

"Brother Shuo, I..." She pursed her lips and whispered, "I really don't know how to face this, but... I will try my best to understand. I believe in you, and I am willing to slowly learn to walk on with you."

Chen Shuo smiled slightly, with a soft light in his eyes. He gently held Mao Lilan's hand, and the warm touch conveyed a sense of comfort to her.

"I am already very satisfied with your understanding." Chen Shuo said in a low voice, his eyes firm and gentle.

The two sat quietly like this. Although Xiaolan was still a little entangled in her heart, at this moment, the tranquility in the ward and the tacit understanding between the two gave Mao Lilan a little courage to face the future. She knew that although her world and Chen Shuo's world were completely different, as long as they trusted and understood each other, they could go on together.

The road ahead may be full of unknowns and challenges, but Mao Lilan has made up her mind. No matter how dark Chen Shuo's past is, she is willing to stay by his side to protect their common light.

---

The two chatted for a long time, and as the topic deepened, the heavy stone in Mao Lilan's heart gradually dissipated. She leaned against Chen Shuo's bed, her tone became much more relaxed, and she even started to talk about her own little thoughts.

"Actually, I used to be approached by talent scouts quite often," Mao Lilan said with a smile, a playful glint in her eyes. "They said I had potential to be an actor and even gave me their business cards. At that time, I really thought about what it would be like to be an actor."

Chen Shuo raised his eyebrows slightly and smiled with interest. "Actor? I didn't expect you to have such an idea."

"Well, yes, but that was all in the past," Mao Lilan smiled, and then her tone softened a little, "Now, I would rather run the 'Jingxin' cafe with you and live an ordinary but fulfilling life."

Chen Shuo looked at her, his eyes still calm, but a warm feeling welled up in his heart. Mao Lilan was so kind and considerate, even willing to put aside her own dreams to be with him. However, Chen Shuo knew in his heart that he must not become a constraint in her life.

"Lan," Chen Shuo whispered, his tone soft but firm, "Just do whatever you want to do, whether it's being an actor or any other dream, I will support you. I won't allow myself to be the one who limits your dreams."

Mao Lilan was stunned for a moment, and her eyes were full of surprise and touching when she looked at Chen Shuo. She had never thought that Chen Shuo would understand her feelings so well. She gently held Chen Shuo's hand and smiled even brighter: "Is it really okay? You really don't mind?"

Chen Shuo smiled slightly and nodded. "I will support whatever you want to do. Don't worry about the coffee shop. I can take care of it by myself."

A glint of tenderness flashed in Mao Lilan's eyes, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart. She shook her head gently: "No matter what I do, I still want to run the cafe with you. Acting or other dreams are all extra. I prefer to build our own future together with you."

Chen Shuo looked at her earnest expression, feeling a surge of satisfaction and happiness. As they sat together, chatting about the future, their hearts grew closer. Although their lives had different trajectories, no matter which path they took, they knew that with each other by their side, the road ahead would be brighter.

---

It was late at night, and the lights in the ward were dimmed, shining softly on the two of them, as if isolating this small world from the others. Mao Lilan sat by Chen Shuo's bed, looking at his slightly pale face, feeling a little worried.

"Brother Shuo, it's very late. You should go to bed early. I'll just lie down and sleep next to you." Mao Lilan said, planning to get a pillow and lean against the bed.

Chen Shuo looked at her serious and stubborn expression, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. He shook his head gently, and his tone was full of unquestionable determination: "No, you will be exhausted if you sleep like this. Come up, there is room on the bed."

Mao Lilan's face flushed when she heard this, and she seemed a little overwhelmed: "But... this is not good, right? This bed is not big to begin with, I..."

"Don't worry, my shoulders just need your 'pillow' to take care of them." Chen Shuo said with a hint of joking. Although his tone was relaxed, his eyes were full of tenderness. He reached out and patted the bed, motioning for Mao Lilan to come up.

Mao Lilan hesitated for a moment, looked at Chen Shuo's determined eyes, and finally couldn't resist him, so she nodded and slowly climbed onto the bed. The two of them lay side by side on the narrow hospital bed. Although the bed was not wide, they felt a sense of security between them.

"Are you okay?" Chen Shuo hugged her gently and asked in a low voice with a hint of concern in his voice.

Mao Lilan nodded slightly, feeling a little nervous and sweet. She could feel Chen Shuo's arm around her, and the warm touch gradually calmed her nervous mood.

"Brother Shuo, you really... don't need to worry about me like this?" Mao Lilan looked up at Chen Shuo and asked softly.

Chen Shuo lowered his head, looked into her clear eyes, couldn't help but smile, and gently rubbed her hair: "You, always think too much. I hope you can think about yourself instead of worrying so much."

Mao Lilan listened to his words, and her heart felt warm as if it was filled with something. She moved slightly closer, resting her head gently on Chen Shuo's chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, and the uneasiness in her heart gradually dissipated.

The two talked about Chen Shuo's past. Although they had already talked about it a little when they were on Yueying Island, Xiaolan now wanted to get to know her future partner more deeply. Although some of the words made her heart wrenched, she was happier about Chen Shuo's honesty with her, the darkness and hardships that he had never mentioned to anyone.

Feeling his warm chest, her heart was both sad and warm. She whispered, "Brother Shuo, I believe in you. No matter what you have experienced before, as long as you are by my side, I feel at ease."

Chen Shuo looked down at her with a gentle gaze and said softly, "You know what? Ever since I met you, I've felt the beauty and warmth of life again."

Mao Lilan didn't say anything else, just hugged Chen Shuo tightly. At this moment, nothing else mattered. There might be many challenges in the future, but as long as they were together, they were not afraid of any darkness.

Gradually, Mao Lilan lay in Chen Shuo's arms, listening to his low and gentle voice and feeling the stories he told her about the past. Her eyelids began to grow heavy. Chen Shuo's hand gently stroked her hair, and his voice gradually lowered until it finally became a warm whisper.

Before she knew it, Mao Lilan finally fell asleep in Chen Shuo's arms with a relieved smile on her face.

Chen Shuo looked at Mao Lilan sleeping in his arms, smiled slightly, lowered his head and kissed her forehead gently, as if to promise her. Then, he took a deep breath, hugged her tighter, closed his eyes, and quietly felt the tranquility and happiness of this moment.

On this quiet night, darkness and light seemed to have reached a certain balance. Chen Shuo was no longer lonely, as he had the most precious person by his side, and Mao Lilan was no longer confused because she had found her own sense of security.

The moonlight from outside the window filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting a particularly soft and warm shadow on the two figures on the bed. The only sound in the ward was the gentle breathing. In the quiet of the night, they snuggled together, slowly falling asleep with hope for the future.