Chapter 2190 - 2188: Release Conan!

Whether Phantom Thief Kid commits a crime or not, Fang Zheng couldn’t care less. Just like he told Aoko, if you become a police officer, you must uphold justice and cannot show leniency just because the criminal has a backstory. Similarly, if you’re set on being a terrorist, stick to your guns; you can’t hesitate just because there are thousands of innocent civilians as the target.

This is professional integrity, the so-called love what you do; that’s how it is.

So from a police perspective, Fang Zheng isn’t like Officer Nakamori, who loses his temper at Phantom Thief Kid. The person is a criminal, and he is a police officer; naturally, they are enemies. Do you really expect the other party not to mess with you?

Am I supposed to not target the Crystal when someone intentionally feeds on the middle lane?

That makes no sense, right?

Thus, in Fang Zheng’s view, Officer Nakamori’s anger every time he fails to catch Phantom Thief Kid is just impotent rage, akin to Bronze players smashing their phones after losing.

In Fang Zheng’s view, impotent rage is useless.

So he wasn’t angry at all.

"So that’s what he said, right?"

Fang Zheng sat behind his desk and looked at Akemi with a smile, while Akemi hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"Yes, Mr. Fang Zheng, what... do we do now?"

"Ha, he’s got quite the plan."

Looking at the report in front of him, Fang Zheng sneered. Umbrella wants to expand, so they need media support. However, Fang Zheng finds New Year’s greetings to the media too dull, so he plans to directly buy a TV station. Unfortunately, nowadays TV stations aren’t easy to buy, and many have underworld connections. Fang Zheng isn’t intimidated by such connections, but it’s still best to pick an easy target.

Perhaps NHK is impossible, but can’t I snag a TBS or something?

However, Fang Zheng showed sincerity in wanting shares, yet the other party refused and demanded even more, even wanting Akemi or Yoko Okino to accompany someone for a night before even considering...

Ha ha ha, upon hearing this, Fang Zheng laughed.

Do they really think I’m out of my mind?

Since you’re shameless, don’t blame me for being ruthless...

"By the way, Akemi."

"Ah, yes."

"I remember Yoko has a variety show at that TV station soon, right?"

"That’s correct..."

"Then call Little Ai and say a few child guests are needed for the show, let her bring Conan and the others along."

With this, Fang Zheng coldly smiled.

"After all, we sponsored the show, and having some extra guests shouldn’t be an issue, right?"

"There’s no problem, but... why?"

"If Conan asks, just tell him the decrepit president of the TV station is a toad lusting after a swan, and they’re there to protect Yoko."

"Alright, I understand, I’ll contact Little Ai."

Akemi Miyano didn’t think much of it, just nodded. Indeed, having a few kids there might deter the other party from causing trouble, and Yoko Okino has good rapport with those kids, including that famous high school detective and his sister... it should be fine.

"Then I’ll leave it to you."

Watching Akemi leave the study, Fang Zheng coldly laughed, a hint of icy killing intent in his eyes.

Decrepit old coot, trying to extort me, now let’s see how well you handle the pressure of the Grim Reaper’s Aura!

After releasing the Grim Reaper, Fang Zheng stayed in the office for a while before leaving the company. Unlike most company presidents, occupied with business matters, Fang Zheng prefers a laissez-faire approach. Generally, even after acquiring businesses, he seldom replaces management. Of course, in such situations, it’s easy for companies to engage in deceit or concealment, but Fang Zheng doesn’t fear this.

He has his own methods.

Every once in a while, Fang Zheng would take Conan and the Boy Detectives for a tour around his businesses. After all, Conan’s Grim Reaper’s Aura inherently has a ’righteous indignation’ attribute, and those who attempt to embezzle funds or engage in insider trading either can’t withstand the Aura and perish or are convicted by it.

Regardless of which, it ensures a thorough cleanup of the company.

Fang Zheng even specifically provided Conan and the Boy Detectives with company spending cards for them to ’sanitize’ at will. Who knows, they might get a craving and decide to check out an Umbrella-owned restaurant, and discover the head chef skimming funds or the manager engaging in fraud...

This eliminates the need for investigation, straight to prison or the grave, it’s a one-time fix.

Fang Zheng feels he’s taken Conan’s Grim Reaper’s Aura to new heights... Yes, thinking about it this way, though the Grim Reaper’s Aura isn’t friendly during travel, it’s quite useful for daily business.

Originally, Fang Zheng planned to continue fishing for connections between Belmod and the organization, but within minutes of hitting the street, he saw two familiar figures.

"Hey, beauties!"

Spotting them, Fang Zheng drove closer and gave a whistle.

"Need a ride?"

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s voice, the two girls turned to look at him, surprised, then showed delighted expressions.

"Mr. Fang Zheng!"

"Hey, how are you, Ran, Sonoko."

Seeing the two girls, Fang Zheng greeted them with a cheerful smile.

"Where are you headed? Want me to give you a lift?"

"Huh? Is that okay? Is it no trouble?"

Sonoko quickly jumped over at Fang Zheng’s invitation, while Fang Zheng waved his hand.

"No problem, I’m just idling, come on, hop in."

"Awesome!"

Sonoko cheered as she jumped into the passenger seat while Ran smiled wryly and politely bowed to Fang Zheng.

"Sorry for the trouble then, Mr. Fang Zheng."

"It’s no trouble, anyway I’m free... where are you headed?"

"We’re planning to go to Beika Mall to buy swimwear."

Sonoko spoke her mind and directly revealed the answer.

"Ran and I are planning to go swimming at the beach in a few days!"

"The beach? Didn’t you say it’s autumn lately... well, forget it, pretend I didn’t say anything."

Fang Zheng glanced out the window and silently pressed the accelerator.

"Oh, Mr. Fang Zheng, if you’re free, join us. This time we won’t bring those little brats, just us young folks having a good time. You can stay at our Suzuki family’s villa."

"When exactly? I think I should be available around that time."

Upon hearing Conan wasn’t going, Fang Zheng instantly felt relieved. No way would he go if Conan was going. When Conan visits the Suzuki villa, it’s basically a Grim Reaper’s Aura gathering, he’d definitely avoid the chaos.

"Two days from now, we’re planning a three-day, two-night trip to Karuizawa!"

Sonoko clenched her fists as she said this.

"This time I will definitely catch a good man! Make him head over heels for my swimsuit!"

"Sonoko, you’re too much...

Hearing Sonoko’s words, Ran facepalmed speechlessly. Previously, when they went to the beach, Sonoko was getting along well with Kyogoku Makoto, but alas, long-distance relationships aren’t reliable... Kyogoku Makoto went overseas, and the two cut ties. So Sonoko is back to her old ways.

Luckily, Shinichi is by her side.

Thinking about this, Ran felt secretly thankful, even though Shinichi is now a child, at least they’re together every day. Otherwise, if Shinichi kept disappearing, she’d likely start worrying. She might even start thinking irrationally, wondering if he’s gotten into trouble abroad or is seeing another woman... Sigh, why is she even thinking about this now?!

"By the way, Mr. Fang Zheng, do Miss Kimie and Miss Natsumi have time? We could all go together and have a mixer in Karuizawa! We’ll definitely find some good men!"

"I’ll ask them..."

"Also, Miss Yoko, if she could join us..."

"That’s absolutely impossible. Just give up on that idea. Besides, I want to ask you, are you sure there’ll be any good men left for you once those two join?"

"Ugh... well, there’ll always be someone left over!"

How strange.

Watching Fang Zheng and Sonoko chatting happily ahead, Ran couldn’t help but frown. In fact, she had a question hidden in her heart for a long time... why has Sonoko never shown any interest in Fang Zheng?

As Sonoko’s close friend, Ran knew Sonoko couldn’t shake off her boy-crazy habit, and she’s always easily attracted to men’s appearance. In fact, Sonoko usually fancies handsome men, although she never seems to have good judgment.

Yet Ran has never seen Sonoko infatuated with Fang Zheng, and that’s really odd. In terms of appearance, Ran admits that Fang Zheng is one of the most charming men she’s ever seen. If not for Shinichi, she might even have feelings for Fang Zheng. But surprisingly, Sonoko, who Ran thought would be the most infatuated with Fang Zheng, shows no signs of being flirtatious. In contrast, her attitude towards Fang Zheng is very candid, like how she’d treat Shinichi...

With Fang Zheng’s driving skills, it didn’t take long for them to arrive at Beika Mall, and then the three of them went together to the swimsuit section. Of course, Fang Zheng didn’t really care; it was primarily Sonoko’s strong invitation for him to judge their swimsuits from a masculine perspective. As for Ran, she was naturally shy, even though it was just swimsuits, but she was not used to showing them off in front of men...

"Sonoko, why do you have to drag Mr. Fang Zheng along?"

Seizing the moment when Fang Zheng wasn’t paying attention, Ran grabbed Sonoko with a complaint. And Sonoko giggled, triumphantly extending her hand.

"Of course, because Mr. Fang Zheng is a handsome guy. You see, us two lovely young ladies strolling with a handsome guy, doesn’t that have a certain allure?"

"Uh..."

Faced with Sonoko’s fascinating train of thought, Ran was at a loss for words, but she had to admit Sonoko’s idea did make a certain sense. In fact, as they walked along, women passing by, regardless of whether they had boyfriends, instinctively glanced at Fang Zheng. Some even speculated about the relationship among the three, making Ran feel like she was out on an outing with a celebrity... kind of nice?

But...

"You don’t like Mr. Fang Zheng, do you?"

"Hmm?"

Sonoko blinked at Ran’s inquiry.

"No, I think Mr. Fang Zheng is quite nice. He’s witty and cheerful, and he’s very handsome too."

"But your reaction seems quite different from others. All those guys you liked before, I think none of them compare to Mr. Fang Zheng."

This was the moment Ran also raised her own puzzling question, and upon hearing Ran’s question, Sonoko frowned.

"Now that you mention it, it is a bit odd, hmm, how to put it... I feel like Mr. Fang Zheng and us aren’t quite the same."

"...??? What do you mean?"

"I mean, he’s like someone out of a sculpture or an oil painting. You see, the people in sculptures or paintings are especially beautiful and eye-catching, but no one wants to marry a statue, do they?"

"But Mr. Fang Zheng isn’t a statue, though?"

"It’s just similar in meaning. It feels like Mr. Fang Zheng and I aren’t from the same world, though we get along well... love is just not possible."

"If you could stay this cool towards other men, that would be nice."

As Sonoko gave her baffling answer, Ran sighed helplessly. She actually thought Fang Zheng and Sonoko could make a good pair, but her best friend was inexplicably unresponsive towards him... speaking of which, if Sonoko could stay this cool with other pretty boys, she wouldn’t repeatedly make poor choices.

"Here we are, this is the swimsuit section!"

Just then, Sonoko grabbed Ran with a giggle, pulling her over.

"Come on, let’s see what swimsuit you’re planning to wear, Ran? This time I’ll take tons of photos to make Kudou drool and regret not coming with us! Hahaha!!!"

"Wait a second, this is too embarrassing..."

"Haha, what’s wrong with that? It’s not like you’re losing a pound. Mr. Fang Zheng, come over and give us some advice! Come on, Ran, trying this bikini or a one-piece? How about the bikini, what do you think?"

"Wait, Sonoko, this is too bold. I won’t wear this kind of swimsuit!"

"Got it."

Upon Sonoko’s invitation, Fang Zheng nodded and headed towards the swimsuit section. Just then, his phone rang, and Fang Zheng picked it up, gesturing to the two of them, before turning away to answer the call.

Then, Yoko Okino’s voice came through the phone.

"Mr. Fang Zheng, something terrible has happened, the president of NBS TV was murdered!"

"..."

The Grim Reaper’s Aura indeed lives up to its name, truly terrifying, cannot be tolerated to stay.