Conan: Ran turns into an elementary school student and calls me dad.

Chapter 112 A Woman's Competitive Spirit

"I'm sorry, Eri."

Lin Xiuyi broke the silence first, her tone tinged with apology.

"Just now at the restaurant, I took it upon myself to invite Kujo and the others to have dinner with us without asking your opinion. You're not angry, are you?"

"I just saw that Prosecutor Kujo was very uncomfortable, and I couldn't bear to see her embarrassed, so I..."

"So, you're showing her chivalry and feeling sorry for her?"

Eri Kisaki suddenly stopped, turned around, put her hands on her hips, and deliberately put on a stern face.

Seeing Lin Xiuyi speechless after her words, his face showing a mixture of surprise and embarrassment, Eri Kisaki couldn't help but chuckle.

"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. Let's just forget about it. After all, you behaved so well during the Rose Rain incident, so I'll be magnanimous and forgive you."

"Actually, you don't need to worry too much about Kujo."

Eri Kisaki took his hand again, and the two continued walking.

The female lawyer leaned gently on Lin Xiuyi's shoulder, looking completely at ease, and said in a relaxed tone,

"That woman is even more career-driven than me, and more decisive. Didn't you hear what she just said? She's only dragging things out with Sasaki because she's afraid of ruining things and affecting her work."

"If Sasaki still refuses to give up and continues to harass her, and one day his pursuit affects Kujo's work and delays her case-solving, Kujo won't just make things clear. She might replace her assistant and completely cut off all hope."

"That's just how she is; work always comes first, and no one can hold her back."

That's true...

Lin Xiuyi nodded with a smile, and couldn't help but think of Kujo Reiko from the original timeline.

That woman's competitive spirit is in no way inferior to Eri's.

In order to break Eri Kisaki's undefeated myth, she fought on despite repeated defeats, becoming more courageous with each setback, and never gave up, even though she lost miserably every time.

If it weren't for Conan, who has the protagonist's halo and always helps Hideki out of trouble at crucial moments, the female lawyer would probably have lost to her long ago.

However, while Eri Kisaki could openly praise her rival, he couldn't say the same thing in front of her.

He knew Eri Kisaki's personality too well; she was competitive and, though she didn't say it, she cared a lot about it.

Lin Xiuyi reached out and put his arm around Fei Yingli's waist, pulling her closer to him, and praised her in an exaggerated tone.

"No matter how good she is, isn't she still your defeated opponent? In all these years, she's never beaten you. Your undefeated legend isn't just empty talk!"

"I was just lucky."

Eri Kisaki spoke modestly, but her tone betrayed her pride and arrogance, and a hint of smugness flashed in her eyes.

This undefeated record is the result of her hard work and strength over the years; it is her glory and her confidence.

"However, sometimes I think that losing once might make things a lot easier."

Eri Kisaki gently took Hayashi Xiuichi's arm, leaning her upper body against him. Her tone suddenly became soft, even tinged with weariness.

"Now, every time I go to court, everyone is watching me and expecting me to win. I can't afford to make any mistakes. Sometimes I really feel a lot of pressure and I'm so tired."

"That's what you say, but if you really lose, I'm afraid you'll be the one who's most frustrated and resentful."

Lin Xiuyi chuckled and gently patted the woman's back.

"We grew up together, don't I know you? Your indomitable spirit and unyielding pride are ingrained in your bones; how could you possibly tolerate losing?"

Eri Kisaki looked up and met Hideaki Hayashi's gentle yet understanding gaze. She couldn't help but chuckle softly, the weariness in her eyes vanishing completely, leaving only a sweet feeling.

She nodded slightly and said coquettishly, "That's true... I was just saying it. If I really lose, I won't be willing to accept it."

As she spoke, she hugged Lin Xiuyi's arm tighter, as if she wanted to entrust all her tenderness and dependence to him.

……

The two strolled side by side, chatting about their childhood memories, and before they knew it, they had arrived home.

A gentle evening breeze rustled through the greenery in the courtyard, carrying a faint fragrance. The motion-sensor light at the entrance automatically turned on a warm yellow glow as the two approached.

Just then, a familiar figure stood by the steps at the door, looking around helplessly. It was none other than Shinichi Kudo.

"Kudo, what brings you here?" Eri Kisaki's gentle expression vanished instantly, her brows furrowed slightly, and she asked in a cold tone.

She disliked Shinichi Kudo from a young age, partly because of his background and partly because she felt that he always led Ran into trouble.

Even as he grew up, his dislike for him did not diminish in the slightest.

Shinichi Kudo shuddered at Eri Kisaki's icy tone, a sheepish smile creeping across his face as he scratched the back of his head and hurriedly explained.

"Aunt Fei, I... I just heard that someone was living here, so I came to check it out out of curiosity. I didn't mean anything by it."

He had been somewhat intimidated by his childhood sweetheart mother since he was a child, and even now that he's grown up, he still subconsciously gets nervous when faced with Eri Kisaki's cold gaze.

"Now that you've seen it, shouldn't you be leaving?" Eri Kisaki bluntly dismissed him, her tone offering no attempt to persuade him to stay.

Today is Valentine's Day for her and Lin Xiuyi, and she doesn't want to be bothered by irrelevant people.

"Yes, yes, I'll leave now and won't bother you anymore!"

Shinichi Kudo nodded frantically, not daring to linger for a moment, and turned to leave.

As he passed by Lin Xiuyi, his gaze inadvertently swept over the two's tightly clasped hands, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes.

The relationship between these two is really good... I wish he and Xiaolan could also have such a stable and happy relationship.

Despite his feelings, Shinichi Kudo dared not linger. He quickly turned around and disappeared into the night, afraid that Eri Kisaki would scold him again.

"Why did this kid come here?"

Eri Kisaki watched Shinichi Kudo's hasty departure, her brows still furrowed.

"It must be what he said, that he came to see his new neighbors."

Lin Xiu waved her hand with a smile, not caring at all.

"That's just how the kid is, very curious. He probably heard that there were new residents here, so he came to check it out. He didn't mean any harm."

Eri Kisaki pursed her lips, said nothing more, took Lin Xiuyi's hand, and pushed open the door to go inside.

But as soon as they entered the door, the two of them froze.

The living room was dimly lit. A beautiful, unfamiliar woman stood beside the clock, her hands clasped in front of her, glancing at it every now and then, as if anxiously waiting for something.

The woman wore a light blue dress, had long hair flowing over her shoulders, a beautiful face, and a gentle demeanor, making her look very pleasant.

Eri Kisaki instinctively stopped in her tracks, her brows furrowing slightly as she asked with a hint of doubt, "Who... are you? What are you doing in my house?"