97: Chapter 97 The Suzuki Family Banquet

The morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Suzuki Manor, casting golden spots of light on the floor.

In the garden, gardeners were pruning expensive shrubs, and the air was filled with the scent of damp earth and a light floral fragrance.

In the living room, servants hurried back and forth, carefully wiping antique vases and setting out exquisite tableware—clearly, an important banquet was being prepared in earnest.

Suzuki Sonoko, carrying a limited-edition backpack and humming a pop song, walked into the living room. Seeing the commotion, she couldn't help but scratch her head and ask bluntly:

"Dad, Mom, who are we inviting? You're making this more grand than my birthday party; you've even brought out that silver tableware set from the warehouse."

She hadn't paid much attention when she promised to come home and help yesterday, but looking at it now, this "small party" was probably not that simple.

Suzuki Tomoko was checking the menu with the butler. Hearing her, she turned around with a gentle smile on her face. "You're back, Sonoko. Sit down first; Mom has something to tell you."

Suzuki Shiro also put down the newspaper in his hand, looking at his daughter with a somewhat complex expression.

Sonoko's heart skipped a beat as she vaguely guessed something, but she still sat down on the sofa with a grin, picking up a piece of exquisite Wagashi and stuffing it into her mouth. "What is it? So mysterious."

Suzuki Tomoko gestured for the servants to withdraw, leaving only the family of three in the living room.

She took Sonoko's hand, her fingertips carrying a slight chill.

"Sonoko, you've grown up now. There are some things we should tell you."

Sonoko blinked and didn't speak, just listening quietly.

"Lately, the family has indeed been busy with a major matter."

Suzuki Tomoko spoke slowly, "Your father and I... want your father to run for Prime Minister."

Despite having a premonition, Sonoko was still stunned for a moment before laughing. "Dad wants to be Prime Minister? That's great! From now on, I'll be the 'Prime Minister's daughter.' That sounds impressive!"

Her tone was light, as if she were talking about something fun, but a flash of realization crossed her eyes—no wonder the family had been so active lately, donating money and building connections; it was all for this.

Suzuki Shiro was amused by his daughter, and his originally tense mood relaxed a bit. "You child..."

"But running for Prime Minister is not that easy."

Suzuki Tomoko's tone turned serious as she changed the subject. "We need a lot of support, especially... support from Eagle Country."

Sonoko put away her joking expression and listened seriously. Although she seemed carefree, she had been influenced by her surroundings since childhood and knew how much international situations affected the island nation's political scene.

"Yesterday, your father and I went to see General White."

Suzuki Tomoko continued, "He mentioned a person named Lin Long, the owner of the Lins Information Consulting Company."

"Mr. Lin Long?"

Sonoko's heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

"Yes, him."

Suzuki Shiro took over the conversation, his tone carrying a hint of amazement.

"We checked his background; it's unfathomable. Not only is he close with members of the Eagle Country Congress, but even high-ranking military officials show him respect. General White said that as long as we can get his support, my run for Prime Minister is basically a sure thing."

Sonoko picked up her teacup and took a sip to hide the emotions in her eyes. She remembered the scene of her having dinner with Lin Long at the Lin Family Manor a while ago, and as she thought about it, Suzuki Sonoko's face actually turned red.

"General White also said..."

Suzuki Tomoko paused, observing her daughter's reaction. "Lin Long seems to have... some feelings for you."

These words were like a stone thrown into a lake, sending ripples through Sonoko's heart.

The smile on her face froze for an instant before returning to normal, her tone remaining blunt:

"Oh? He has feelings for me? Well, that's good."

She knew in her heart the intention behind her parents' words—they wanted her to enter a political marriage with Lin Long to trade for his support.

Any other girl might have cried and revolted, feeling like a sacrifice for the family's interests. But Suzuki Sonoko did not.

She was someone who appreciated a handsome face and greatly admired Lin Long's looks. Not to mention, he had now demonstrated such ability and charisma.

Suzuki Sonoko even felt that if she could really be with someone like him, it didn't seem like a bad thing. More importantly, she was one of the heirs of the Suzuki Family and had been taught since childhood to prioritize the family's interests. She felt it was only right to contribute to the family's "major matter."

"So, you want me to... invite him to our home as a guest?" Sonoko spoke up proactively, her tone calm.

The Mr. and Mrs. Suzuki looked at each other, both somewhat surprised by their daughter's composure, and then breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yes."

Suzuki Tomoko nodded and said seriously,

"We want to invite him over for a meal to discuss the situation. Sonoko, don't worry, we just want to get in touch with him and understand his character and goals; we will never easily gamble with your happiness. If you are unwilling..."

"Mom, I'm willing."

Sonoko interrupted her, a bright smile appearing on her face. "Mr. Lin Long is very excellent, and I quite admire him. I'm happy to do something for the family."

Her openness and directness actually made the Mr. and Mrs. Suzuki feel a bit guilty. Suzuki Shiro sighed, "Sonoko, we've put you in a difficult position."

"What's so difficult about it?"

Sonoko waved her hand and picked up her phone. "Isn't it just inviting him for a meal? Leave it to me!"

Watching her daughter skillfully pull up Lin Long's phone number, Suzuki Tomoko's heart was filled with mixed emotions.

She thought that while Sonoko seemed carefree, she might have her own thoughts inside, but this sense of responsibility for the family made her both heartbroken and proud.

In reality, the truth was that the little cabbage, Suzuki Sonoko, had long since nearly been gobbled up by the pig, Lin Long.

"By the way,"

Sonoko suddenly thought of something before dialing and looked up to ask, "What should I say? Just say the family is inviting him for dinner?"

"Say whatever you want, just be natural,"

Suzuki Tomoko said, "Just say you personally want to invite him over to sit and chat."

Sonoko nodded and pressed the call button.

The call was quickly connected, and Lin Long's deep, magnetic voice came from the other end: "Who is this?"

"Mr. Lin Long, it's me, Suzuki Sonoko!"

Sonoko's voice was crisp and lively, showing no sign of anything unusual. "Are you free today? My parents said they wanted to invite you over for a meal, as a... thank you for treating me to dinner at your place last time."

She made up an excuse on the fly, as naturally as old friends chatting.

There was silence on Lin Long's end for a few seconds, followed by a light chuckle:

"Sure, for the eldest Miss Sonoko's invitation, I'm certainly free. What time? I'll be there on time."

"Let's say seven tonight! You know my address, right?"

"I know."

"Then see you tonight!"

"See you tonight."

Hanging up the phone, Sonoko gave her parents an "OK" gesture. "Done! He said he'll be here at seven tonight."

"Fantastic!" Suzuki Shiro rubbed his hands together excitedly.

Suzuki Tomoko also breathed a sigh of relief and patted her daughter's shoulder. "Thank you for your hard work, Sonoko."

"It's a piece of cake!"

Sonoko smiled and stood up. "Then I'll go back to my room and change. I have to 'entertain' Mr. Lin Long well tonight."

Watching her daughter's lighthearted departure, Suzuki Tomoko said softly, "This child... seems more mature than we imagined."

Suzuki Shiro nodded. "Perhaps, this is fate."

Neither of them noticed that the moment Sonoko turned around, a flash of complex emotion crossed her eyes—there was expectation for the unknown, responsibility for the family, and a hint of... excitement that even she hadn't noticed.

...

Sonoko returned to her room and closed the door, the smile on her face gradually fading. She walked to the window, watching the busy servants in the courtyard, and sighed softly.

A marriage alliance? It sounded like an old cliché, but if the partner was Lin Long... she didn't mind.

Only, she didn't know if Lin Long really had feelings for her or if he just wanted to use the Suzuki Family.

"Whatever!"

Sonoko shook her head, regaining her usual vitality. "I'll deal with whatever comes my way! This young lady isn't afraid!"

She opened her wardrobe and began selecting the clothes she would wear tonight.

After picking and choosing, she finally selected a light blue dress—it was both youthful and lively while also carrying a bit of elegance; it was one of the few "not so flamboyant" outfits in her wardrobe.

And in the bag she had casually placed on the nightstand, a small black device was working quietly—it was the Bug Conan had secretly placed inside yesterday.

Conan felt that the Suzuki Family had been acting too strangely lately and worried that Sonoko might get caught up in something dangerous, so he took advantage of her lack of attention to slip a miniature Bug he had made into her bag.

At this moment, in the Mouri Detective Agency, Conan was wearing headphones, his face grim as he listened to the conversation coming from the Bug.

When he heard the words "running for Prime Minister," "Lin Long," and "marriage alliance," his pupils suddenly constricted.

He finally understood what the Suzuki Family's recent strange behavior was for, and he finally knew what kind of role that mysterious Lin Long played in this storm.

"Uncle Suzuki wants to run for Prime Minister? And a marriage alliance with Lin Long?"

Conan muttered to himself, his brow furrowed. "This Lin Long, who exactly is he? Is his approach to Sonoko really because of 'feelings,' or does he have other motives?"

He remembered the obstacles he encountered when investigating Lin Long before and thought of the background information he couldn't find; the unease in his heart grew stronger.

This Lin Long was like a massive mystery, and the Suzuki Family seemed to be walking into this mystery step by step.

"Forget it, I haven't even solved my own problems yet, and here I am worrying about others!" Conan said to himself self-mockingly.

...

At seven in the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun coated the Suzuki Manor in a layer of gold.

A black Bentley slowly drove through the main gate and stopped at the entrance of the living room.

Lin Long got out of the car, wearing a well-tailored dark gray suit without a tie, looking casual yet elegant.

He held an exquisite gift box in his hand, a perfect smile on his lips.

"Mr. Lin Long, you're here!"

Sonoko, wearing her light blue dress, stood at the door to greet him with a bright smile. Today she wasn't wearing her headband, making her look even more charming and lovely than usual.

"Miss Suzuki, excuse the intrusion."

Lin Long handed her the gift box. "A small gift, I hope your parents like it."

"Thank you! Please, come in!"

Walking into the living room, the Mr. and Mrs. Suzuki were already waiting there. Seeing Lin Long, both were a bit nervous, especially Suzuki Shiro, who didn't even know where to put his hands.

"Mr. Lin, welcome."

Suzuki Tomoko was the first to snap out of it and extended her hand. "I've wanted to invite you over for a while now, but I never found the chance."

"It is my honor to be invited by President Suzuki and his wife."

Lin Long shook her hand, his gaze calmly sweeping over the two before landing on Sonoko, an imperceptible smile flashing in his eyes. "Besides, I had Miss Suzuki's warm invitation."

Sonoko felt a bit embarrassed by his gaze and hurriedly said, "Sit down, sit down! My mom prepared a lot of delicious food!"

The atmosphere seemed harmonious, but it hid an invisible tension.

The Mr. and Mrs. Suzuki wanted to test Lin Long's background and motives, while Lin Long was observing their attitude and sincerity, and Sonoko, caught in the middle, seemed relaxed but was actually sizing up Lin Long in silence.

This seemingly ordinary family dinner was actually a silent battle of wits.

And as the dinner began, more secrets and schemes were quietly rising to the surface.

What was Lin Long's true purpose? Could the Suzuki Family's Prime Minister dream be realized? Where would Sonoko's fate lead?

Everything was still an unknown.