Guns and Coffee in the World of Science

The plane landed smoothly at New York's Kennedy Airport. The lights in the cabin came on, and passengers gradually rose from their seats and began to prepare to disembark. Chen Shuo simply packed his carry-on luggage and stood aside, waiting for Mao Lilan and Kudo Shinichi to leave together.

Mao Lilan smiled and said to Chen Shuo, "We're finally in New York! This flight was so long."

Chen Shuo smiled and nodded: "Yes, but fortunately, there were some small incidents along the way, so it's not too boring."

Kudo Shinichi stood silently by, his emotions clearly mixed. Though the case was solved, a lingering sense of unease lingered, especially after witnessing the interaction between Mao Li Ran and Chen Shuo. He wasn't in the mood for pleasantries, his mind replaying Mao Li Ran's cold attitude towards him during the earlier case. He couldn't help but frown, a mixture of jealousy and suspicion swirling within him.

"What's going on? Xiaolan wasn't like this before. Why doesn't she care about me solving the case this time? What happened?"

After getting off the plane, the cold New York air hit them, and the hustle and bustle of the streets came into view. The airport lobby was bustling with people, but soon the three noticed a young woman in a fashionable coat walking towards them.

"Shinichi! Ran! I'm here!"

Kudo Shinichi immediately recognized the familiar voice - it was his mother Kudo Yukiko.

Yukiko was wearing a bright coat and a wide-brimmed hat, with a bright smile on her face, as cheerful and energetic as ever. She looked nothing like a middle-aged woman with a high school son, but rather a lively and cheerful young woman. She walked quickly towards Kudo Shinichi and Mao Lilan, extending her arms to hug them.

"Hey, Ran, long time no see! You're getting prettier!" Yukiko approached and started teasing Ran Maoli, looking at her with an exaggerated expression, then turned to Kudo Shinichi: "Shinichi, you're not bad either. But I heard you're involved in another case?"

"Yes, Mom." Kudo Shinichi said helplessly, then he looked at Chen Shuo with some displeasure, "This is..."

Without waiting for Kudo Shinichi to introduce him, Kudo Yukiko's gaze suddenly turned to Chen Shuo. Her expression changed instantly. She was stunned at first, then her eyes lit up and she shouted in surprise: "Oh! Isn't this Mr. Chen?"

Chen Shuo showed a gentle smile and nodded slightly: "Yukiko, long time no see, I didn't expect you to be Kudo-chan's mother, um... you have the same last name as Yusaku, I should have thought of it earlier."

Yukiko walked up quickly and patted Chen Shuo on the shoulder, as enthusiastic as if she had met an old friend: "I didn't expect to meet you here! You're still as dull as before. This won't do. You should still be single."

Mao Lilan and Kudo Shinichi were completely stunned. They obviously didn't expect that Chen Shuo and Yukiko actually knew each other. Kudo Shinichi's doubts deepened, and his brows knitted slightly: "Mom, do you know him?"

Yukiko laughed heartily, "Of course I know him! Mr. Chen is a good friend of your father and me! Your father always talks about him, especially the time he saved your father's life from the mafia. Even your father admires him so much!"

Kudo Shinichi was stunned. Chen Shuo's identity seemed far more complicated than he had imagined. He wanted to ask more questions, but Yukiko ignored him.

"What's bringing you to New York? I heard you settled in Japan. How have you been doing lately?" Yukiko kept asking about Chen Shuo's recent situation like a series of cannonballs.

Chen Shuo rubbed his temples. Although he didn't dislike Yukiko's cheerfulness, this was too lively... He felt his brain was about to boil again, so he hurriedly stopped Yukiko from talking: "I did settle down in Japan. I opened a coffee shop downstairs from Maori Kogoro. Business is pretty good."

"That's really good! If Yusaku and I return to China, we'll definitely go and try your cooking," Yukiko said with a smile. "Are you in New York too? Do you want to join us?"

Chen Shuo shook his head lightly and said calmly: "I'm here to take care of personal matters. Meeting Kudo-chan and Xiaolan is just a coincidence."

"Ah! Really?" Yukiko suddenly gave Chen Shuo a meaningful look: "Then we won't bother you. You...be careful."

Chen Shuo smiled and said to Yukiko and Xiaolan: "I hope you have fun."

Xiaolan also smiled and waved to Chen Shuo: "Goodbye, Brother Shuo. If you have time, please come and play with us."

Chen Shuo nodded, picked up his suitcase and gradually disappeared into the crowd.

"Mom, Chen Shuo is..." Kudo Shinichi was about to ask something when he suddenly found that Yukiko suddenly became serious and whispered to Kudo Shinichi: "Shinichi, don't delve too much into Mr. Chen's identity. He has his own things to do. Sometimes the less you know, the better it is for you."

Although Kudo Shinichi was somewhat dissatisfied, his mother's tone was unquestionable, and he could only nod his head reluctantly. However, he did not take Yukiko's words to heart. If he gave up like this, would he still be Kudo Shinichi? However, he decided not to contradict Yukiko for the time being and decided to investigate on his own later.

---

After saying goodbye to the three, Chen Shuo got into a taxi and told them a place. He was no longer the warm and gentle friend he once was, but had gradually entered a different state—calm, professional, and filled with a dangerous aura.

The New York nights were still filled with neon lights and a constant stream of people. However, behind these lights and shadows lay a dark underground world. Chen Shuo's target today was precisely this place—New York's most secretive black market.

Chen Shuo got off the car and arrived at an inconspicuous alley. It was an abandoned warehouse with a dilapidated exterior, but it was one of the entrances to New York's underground black market.

He knocked gently on the door, and a stern-looking guard poked his head out. Chen Shuo handed over a card, and the guard took a look at it, immediately showing a respectful look, and led him in.

After passing through several winding corridors, Chen Shuo arrived at a dimly lit basement. This was a trading point set up for special individuals, displaying a dazzling array of banned weapons and equipment, from micro-eavesdroppers to precision sniper rifles. However, Wu Chen didn't care. He knew that the real goods were not put on display for sale.

"Good evening, Mr. Wu Chen. Long time no see. Are you attending the banquet this time? Is there anything you need?" The boss behind the counter was a short and fat middle-aged man wearing sunglasses. His tone was gentle and friendly, but also contained a hint of respect that could not be ignored.

Chen Shuo smiled faintly and nodded gently. "Long time no see, Johnny. You've gained weight. I need to host a birthday party this time and need some side dishes. Can I taste them first?"

John's eyes lit up: "Ah~~~Mr. Wuchen, for you, you can always taste the best dishes first, please follow me."

John led Chen Shuo to a secret little door, opened the door with the key, and let Chen Shuo in.

This is a room similar to a museum exhibition room, but the items on the display shelves are not antiques, but high-end-looking killing weapons.

John introduced Chen Shuo like a professional guide: "I know you like to cook, but I would like to strongly recommend this high-end German MP7A1."

John picked up a submachine gun and handed it to Chen Shuo. He continued, "It's small and easy to carry. It has a high rate of fire and quick reloads. The gun body is made of a mixture of carbon fiber and plastic, and metal parts can be embedded where needed. You will definitely like its customization."

Chen Shuo picked up the gun, quickly disassembled it, and then reassembled it a few seconds later. He nodded and put it on the table.

"I need precise and powerful hard dishes." Chen Shuo said lightly.

John thought about it carefully, walked to the side, picked up a slender rifle and handed it to Chen Shuo.

"The QBU-191 originates from your homeland. Developed from the QBZ-191, it features a high-precision cold-forged barrel and a universal Picatinny rail. The barrel is 500mm and weighs four kilograms empty. It has both semi-automatic and full-automatic modes, and an effective range of 800 meters."

Chen Shuo nodded with satisfaction, disassembled and reassembled it just as quickly, and put it on the table. Domestic products are really awesome.

Chen Shuo continued to ask: "Is there anything to finish it off? A little more violent."

John's eyes flashed. "You're an expert indeed!" He picked up the gun beside him and began to talk. "The Benelli M2, an Italian classic, a modified version of Taran's tactics, is a ferocious beast, but..." John handed the gun to Chen Shuo. "I believe Mr. Wuchen can tame it easily!"

Chen Shuo nodded and smiled slightly: "John! You are indeed a professional."

John gave a slight gentleman's salute: "Greetings, Mr. Wu Chen." After that, he took out a box and handed it to Chen Shuo. When he opened it, he saw two eagle claw knives inside. Under the dim light, they glowed with a cold light. The blades were crescent-shaped and the inside of the blades were extremely sharp. Upon closer inspection, one could almost feel the slight cracking sound when the air was cut by them.

Chen Shuo looked at John in confusion. John smiled gently, "This is our gift, Mr. Wuchen. Welcome to New York. I hope you enjoy the banquet. Would you like all the meals to be delivered to your room?"

Chen Shuo nodded: "Thank you, great!"

After saying that, Chen Shuo walked straight out of the room. John kept a warm smile and watched Chen Shuo disappear from his sight.

Walking out of the basement, the night outside was still dark, and pedestrians on the street hurried by. No one seemed to notice the man who had just walked out of the dark world.

Back at the hotel, the equipment Chen Shuo had purchased was neatly laid out on the table. As he examined it, Chen Shuo muttered to himself, "George Dixon... I hope you can achieve something."

"Click!" Chen Shuo pulled the bolt, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.