36: Chapter 36 Yusaku Kudo's Test

The Lin Family Manor in the early morning was enveloped in a thin layer of mist.

Roses in the courtyard were dotted with dew, blooming in the morning light with delicate beauty, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass mixed with floral fragrance.

Butler Ochiai stood at the manor entrance, dressed in a crisp tuxedo, his expression respectful.

When he saw the familiar black sedan pull up to the entrance, he bowed slightly and opened the car door.

"Mr. Kudo, please come in."

Kudo Yusaku stepped out of the car, his well-tailored dark gray suit accentuating his upright posture.

He adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping sharply across the vast estate—the European-style main building, the meticulously manicured garden, and the Shadow Guards hidden in the shadows (though he couldn't see them, he could feel that invisible pressure), all silently speaking to the owner's wealth and power.

"Thank you for the trouble."

Kudo Yusaku nodded politely and followed behind Butler Ochiai, entering the manor.

He had thought about it all night and finally decided to come see Lin Long in person.

Rather than constantly guessing, it was better to take the initiative and probe Lin Long.

Kudo Yusaku trusted his observational skills; a person's eyes, tone, and micro-expressions could always reveal something.

Passing through the red-carpeted corridor, Butler Ochiai led him to the reception room.

The reception room was decorated with understated luxury, featuring dark solid wood furniture, paintings by unknown artists on the walls, and an antique clock ticking in the corner, creating a quiet and solemn atmosphere.

Lin Long was sitting on the sofa, holding a financial newspaper, his long crimson hair loosely tied behind his head, with a few stray strands falling across his forehead.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up, his red eyes appearing exceptionally bright in the morning light, a perfectly measured smile on his face.

"Mr. Kudo, sorry to keep you waiting."

Lin Long stood up and reached out to Kudo Yusaku, his tone enthusiastic.

"I've long heard that Mr. Kudo Yusaku is a world-renowned mystery novelist, whose detective stories are logically tight and captivating. Meeting you today, you truly live up to your reputation; your name is like thunder to my ears. I've long admired you."

Lin Long's attitude was natural, without the slightest hint of artifice, as if he were truly just an admirer meeting his idol.

Kudo Yusaku was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting this reaction from Lin Long.

He steadied himself and reached out to shake Lin Long's hand—the other man's palm was slightly cool, with thin calluses on his fingertips, not like a pampered wealthy heir, but rather someone who often handled firearms or engaged in high-intensity training.

"President Lin Long, you flatter me."

Kudo Yusaku withdrew his hand and responded politely, "Since returning to the country, I've often seen news about President Lin Long in the financial reports. To have built such a thriving information consultancy firm at such a young age, even taking on commissions from major conglomerates—President Lin Long is the true favored son of heaven. By comparison, I am just someone buried in writing novels, hardly worth mentioning."

The two exchanged commercial pleasantries, their tones flat, while their eyes clashed invisibly in the air.

Kudo Yusaku tried to find a crack in Lin Long's gaze, but the other man's red eyes were like a bottomless abyss, revealing nothing but a smile.

"Please have a seat, Mr. Kudo."

Lin Long gestured to the side, then sat back on the sofa himself, "Ochiai, bring tea for Mr. Kudo."

"Yes, sir."

Soon, Miyano Akemi walked in carrying an exquisite tea tray.

She wore a simple, elegant dress; the butterfly tattoo on her waist was hidden by the fabric, revealing only a small patch of fair skin.

When she saw Kudo Yusaku, a flash of curiosity crossed her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure, gently placing the teacup on the coffee table in front of him, and said softly, "Mr. Kudo, please have some tea."

"Thank you."

Kudo Yusaku nodded in thanks, his gaze lingering on her briefly—this woman had a gentle temperament, yet faintly exuded a sense of vigilance that felt out of place in this manor; it was quite interesting.

Miyano Akemi did not stay long; after setting down the tea tray, she retreated and gently closed the door behind her.

Only Lin Long and Kudo Yusaku remained in the reception room.

Kudo Yusaku picked up the teacup and took a gentle sip.

The tea was top-grade Longjing, rich in aroma, clearly prepared with care.

Kudo Yusaku set down the teacup and finally got to the point, looking straight at Lin Long, "President Lin Long, to be honest, I came here today to commission your firm for a matter."

Lin Long picked up his own teacup, a trace of "curiosity" in his red eyes, "Oh? A commission that could make Mr. Kudo visit in person must not be simple. I wonder what kind of matter it is that even the famous Kudo Yusaku cannot resolve?"

He deliberately emphasized the words "cannot resolve," his tone carrying a hint of playfulness.

Kudo Yusaku's heart tightened slightly, but he remained calm on the surface, "It is about my son, Kudo Shinichi. He recently... went missing. We have searched for a long time without any news, and I heard that your firm has extensive information channels, so I wanted to commission President Lin Long to help find him."

He stared into Lin Long's eyes, not missing any subtle change in expression—if Lin Long was the blackmailer, it would be impossible for him to have no reaction upon hearing the words "Kudo Shinichi is missing."

However, Lin Long simply raised an eyebrow, a perfectly measured look of surprise on his face, "Kudo Shinichi? The teenage detective hailed as the 'Sherlock Holmes of the Heisei Era'? He's missing?"

"Yes."

Kudo Yusaku nodded, his tone heavy, "It has been half a year; there's been no sign of life or death. As parents, we are truly worried."

Lin Long set down his teacup, his fingertips tapping gently on the tabletop. After a few seconds of silence, he suddenly laughed, "Mr. Kudo, I'm afraid I cannot accept this commission."

"Oh? Why is that?"

Kudo Yusaku pressed on, his suspicions growing stronger.

"Because I've heard that your son's 'disappearance' is not so simple."

Lin Long looked up, a sharp glint flashing in his red eyes. His tone was flat but carried the force of a thunderclap, "It seems he offended a certain mysterious organization and was used as a 'lab rat,' forced to take some strange drug, and as a result... turned into a child?"

"!"

Kudo Yusaku's pupils contracted sharply, his hand holding the teacup jolted, and the tea almost spilled out!

He stared intently at Lin Long, his heart pounding wildly—Lin Long knew! He really knew about Shinichi shrinking!

The blackmailer was indeed him!

This realization filled Kudo Yusaku with shock and anger, but he forced himself to suppress his emotions.

He could not panic; once he revealed his trump card, he would be completely passive.

Lin Long took in his reaction, sneering inwardly.

As expected, dealing with smart people saves time; they understand immediately.

"It seems President Lin Long knows quite a bit."

Kudo Yusaku took a deep breath and slowly set down the teacup, his tone returning to calm, but the vigilance in his eyes deepened, "Since that's the case, I won't beat around the bush. You know about the organization that caused Shinichi to 'regress in age,' don't you, President Lin Long?"

Kudo Yusaku laid his cards on the table.

Since the other party already knew the core secret, there was no point in hiding it any longer.

Now he wanted to know what Lin Long was trying to do. What was his relationship with that organization?

Lin Long leaned back on the sofa, crossing his hands in front of him, and nodded frankly, "I know. It's just a black glove that relies on selling intelligence, assassination, and researching prohibited drugs to conduct human experiments; nothing special."

His tone was understated, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

Kudo Yusaku's brow furrowed even tighter.

The other party's attitude was too calm, terrifyingly so. This meant that he not only understood the Black Organization but might even have the confidence to oppose them.

"Since President Lin Long knows of that organization's existence and also knows about Shinichi's situation..."

Kudo Yusaku's tone carried a hint of probing, "Then, is the person who sent us emails and called us before... you?"

He finally asked this most critical question.

Lin Long looked at him, a hint of a smile flashing in his red eyes, but instead of answering directly, he countered, "Why does Mr. Kudo think it's me?"

"Intuition, but I have no evidence. So now I can only ask you; I need an answer."

Kudo Yusaku's tone was firm.

"Is the answer important?"

Lin Long smiled and picked up his teacup to take another sip, "What's important is that the person knows your secrets and the existence of that organization. And you, you know nothing about that person."

"Also, what you should be considering now is, if the organization finds out that the lab rat Kudo Shinichi is not dead, then..."

Lin Long's words were like an invisible knife, striking Kudo Yusaku's weak spot.

Yes, the answer was not important. What was important was that the other party held the absolute initiative.

Kudo Yusaku's expression was somewhat ugly.

Having dominated the world of mystery for so many years, this was the first time he had been in such a passive position during a negotiation.

He couldn't figure out what Lin Long was plotting.

"Mr. Lin Long, then may I ask, what does this blackmailer want?"

Kudo Yusaku was speechless; looking at Lin Long's shameless refusal to admit it, he knew he had no bargaining power right now.

He had no choice but to ask according to Lin Long's lead.

"It's simple."

Lin Long set down his teacup, his red eyes flashing with unquestionable light, "Just go along with what they want, unless your whole family doesn't want to live anymore."

Lin Long said straightforwardly.

Kudo Yusaku fell silent.

He looked at Lin Long, trying to find a crack in his gaze, to find the reason why he was so obsessed with making Shinichi "die," but the other's eyes were firm and cold, without the slightest wavering.

"Why?"

Kudo Yusaku couldn't help but ask, "You have no grudge against Shinichi, why must you force him to leave?"

"Sigh~~"

"Mr. Kudo, don't talk nonsense; I never said it was me."

"Be careful, or I'll sue you for slander; you're slandering me."

Lin Long waved his hand, speaking righteously.

"Fine, then, Mr. Lin Long, could you analyze why this person is targeting Shinichi?"

Kudo Yusaku said speechlessly, his tone full of helplessness; it was so damn frustrating.

Lin Long smiled, not answering directly, but stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the roses in the courtyard, his tone flat, "Mr. Kudo, you've written so many mystery novels; you should understand one principle—there are some places, some people, and some things that you cannot touch just because you want to."

"Of course, this is just my speculation."

He turned around, his red eyes staring straight at Kudo Yusaku, "I think that person is not forcing him to leave, but saving him. If he continues to stay in Beika Town and continues to investigate those secrets, sooner or later, he will get himself and those around him killed."

"Don't you think so, Mr. Kudo?"

These words were half-true and half-false.

Lin Long indeed wanted Conan Edogawa to leave, but not to "save him," but to clear his own obstacles.

However, these words happened to strike Kudo Yusaku's weak spot—what he worried about most was Shinichi's safety.

Kudo Yusaku's expression shifted uncertainly.

He knew what Lin Long said was a fact; Shinichi's personality was indeed prone to causing trouble.

But to make him admit his son's "death" and let him go far away, he couldn't do it.

"Then, President Lin Long, do you think there are any other solutions to this matter?"

Kudo Yusaku still wanted to struggle a bit.

"I don't know, it's up to you." Lin Long shrugged his shoulders.

"I need time to consider."

Kudo Yusaku said; this was his last bottom line.

"It doesn't matter, after all, I didn't do it."

Lin Long nodded; he still loved to play dumb, specializing in being shameless.

He walked to the door, opened it, and gestured for him to leave, "Mr. Kudo, take your time, I won't see you out. If there's anything, you can contact me at any time; I'll give you a 20% discount."

Kudo Yusaku stood up and gave Lin Long a deep look; this man was like a fog, dangerous and mysterious.

He didn't say anything more, turned around, and left the reception room.

Watching Kudo Yusaku's back disappear at the end of the corridor, the smile on Lin Long's face gradually faded, and a coldness flashed in his red eyes.

Kudo Yusaku was calmer and more stubborn than he had imagined.

But it didn't matter; he had plenty of ways to make them compromise.

"Shadow Guards." Lin Long called out in a low voice.

A black shadow emerged from the corner and knelt on one knee: "Subordinate is here."

"Go and keep an eye on Kudo Yusaku."

Lin Long ordered, "See who he contacts next and what he does. If there is any unusual movement, report it immediately."

"Yes!"

The Shadow Guard acknowledged the order and merged back into the shadows.

Lin Long walked to the sofa, sat down, picked up the cold tea, and drank it in one gulp.

Kudo Yusaku, I hope you don't disappoint me.

Otherwise, don't blame me for taking things to the extreme.

Lin Long had the Shadow Guards monitor Kudo Yusaku mainly as a precaution; he believed that with Kudo Yusaku's intelligence, he would understand what choice would best serve his family's interests.

He looked up, gazing out the window. The sunlight had dispersed the mist, and the manor was bright.

As for Kudo Shinichi's family...

Lin Long knew that Kudo Yusaku had already determined that it was he who was threatening their family, but it didn't matter; where was the evidence?

Without evidence, everything else is nonsense.

Thinking of this, a playful smile curled the corners of Lin Long's mouth.

Your fate is now in my hands.