nycdaug Chapter 151 Conan's Idol
Chapter 151 Conan's Idol
The lights in the ballroom were scattered like tiny stars, reflecting on the smooth marble floor, casting a soft glow. All around were guests chatting and laughing, and the gentle symphony from the speakers accompanied the conversations of the crowd. Everything seemed so harmonious and lively.
The banquet was held for the opening of a world restaurant called "3K".
The restaurant was jointly invested by three well-known American athletes - Rica Barre, Mike Norwood and Ray Katis, and aims to combine sports spirit with high-end dining culture.
The banquet was packed with high-society celebrities, including business leaders, politicians, celebrities, and top athletes. The venue was luxuriously and modernly decorated, with soft lighting and elegant décor, creating an atmosphere of elegance. From the attire, etiquette, and conversation, every detail exuded the extraordinary and unique nature of this banquet.
However, Chen Shuo and Mao Lilan stood in this hustle and bustle, as if they were isolated islands in this flashy ocean, and their conversation with each other was like a private silence.
Ran Mao Li frowned slightly, her eyes unconsciously wandering around the night. Her smile was a little forced, and her eyes occasionally flashed with worry. Chen Shuo noticed that her mind was not here, raised his glass and took a sip, the aftertaste of red wine lingering in his mouth. He reached out and patted Ran Mao Li's shoulder, his tone gentle but firm: "Don't worry, Yuanzi is very good, there will be no problem."
When Mao Lilan heard this, she was slightly stunned, and then she curled up a wry smile: "I also know that Sonoko is very powerful, but... I just can't help but worry..." There was a slight worry in her voice, the helplessness and worry that came from the bottom of her heart was hard to describe in words.
Just as Chen Shuo was still thinking about how to continue comforting Mao Lilan, suddenly a clear female voice came from the crowd: "Hey? Xiaolan? You are here too?" The voice was a little surprised, but more of a familiar and friendly feeling.
Ran Maoli's attention was immediately drawn to her. Turning to look, she saw a girl with a high ponytail approaching. Her face, slightly chubby, looked youthful and lively. Her bright eyes seemed filled with sunshine, and the air around them seemed to lighten a little as she entered.
A hint of surprise flashed in Mao Lilan's eyes, and her originally solemn expression quickly softened. The corners of her mouth rose slightly, and she cheered up: "Wa Ye! Are you here too?" Her tone was relaxed and cheerful, as if at that moment, all her troubles were swept away by the appearance of this friend.
Chen Shuo noticed the people behind He Ye, his eyes flickering between the two figures, one large and one small, one black and one white. Conan and Hattori Heiji walked behind her, both of them looking surprised. They didn't expect to see Chen Shuo and Mao Li Ran in a place like Osaka.
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After a few people talked for a while, the atmosphere gradually became relaxed.
The two girls, Kazuha and Mao Lilan, were chatting enthusiastically, and the topics seemed to have no end. Their laughter and heated discussions continued to spread, as if making the atmosphere around them more cheerful and joyful.
In stark contrast, Chen Shuo, Conan, and Hattori Heiji stood off to the side. The three of them stood in a corner, the atmosphere not awkward, but somewhat silent. Chen Shuo looked over at Hattori Heiji, who was struggling with a massive chicken drumstick. As Hattori Heizo's son, he lacked his father's composure.
Conan, meanwhile, was staring intently at the main stage, his eyes filled with anticipation and focus, as if everything around him had nothing to do with him. The only thing in the world was the person about to take the stage. Chen Shuo raised an eyebrow slightly, thinking that among the people about to take the stage, there was a good chance that this kid's idol might be one of them.
He stared at Conan thoughtfully, feeling a sense of emotion in his heart. It turned out that this kid, whose head was always full of cases, could actually have such innocent and exciting moments.
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A moment later, the banquet officially began. As the lights on the main stage gradually brightened, the three restaurant owners took the stage one by one. As they entered the stage, the atmosphere in the banquet hall instantly became solemn and lively. Everyone's attention was focused on them, and the sound of discussion and applause intertwined.
As Ray Curtis appeared, Chen Shuo noticed that Conan's face became extremely excited, his breathing seemed to quicken a little, and his eyes were fixed on Ray Curtis's figure, his expression almost unable to conceal his excitement. The reverence and excitement he had never seen before were beyond words.
"It seems to be him..." Chen Shuo smiled slightly and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Deep in Conan's heart, he still retained his innocence and excitement. Even such a calm detective could hardly resist the admiration for his idol.
Just as Chen Shuo was admiring Conan's rare performance, a freckled waitress in a standard uniform glided past him. Her steps were graceful, her movements expert. The wine glasses and plates on the tray seemed like an extension of her, each movement meticulously practiced. Chen Shuo's gaze paused, then suddenly narrowed, and he whispered to her, "Give me a brandy."
The waitress stopped when she heard the voice, turned around politely and gave a standard smile: "Okay, sir, please help yourself." She lowered her head slightly, and there seemed to be no extra emotion in her eyes, as if she was just an ordinary waiter and had nothing to do with this luxurious banquet.
As Chen Shuo took the wine glass from the tray, he said in a low voice with a blank expression: "Be careful, these two detectives here are not easy to deal with."
The waitress smiled and bowed gently, still with that perfectly polite smile, then turned and left quietly. Her steps did not pause at all, as if the whisper did not cause her much fluctuation.
It all happened so quickly and peacefully that no one around noticed anything unusual. The banquet hall was still bustling with activity, the sounds of laughter, music, and conversation mingling as if everything was continuing as normal.
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The waitress walked to a secluded rest area. It was quiet and deserted, with only soft lights casting slight shadows around her. The moment she stopped, her professional smile immediately collapsed, and a hint of frustration flashed in her eyes.
She shook the tray in her hand and muttered softly, "Damn it... I specially went to find that guy Kidd to disguise myself, but how come Brother Shuo found out in an instant? Could it be that the guy didn't do it seriously for me?" There was a hint of self-mockery in her tone, and she was obviously unwilling.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to regain composure, and then adjusted her expression to the same professional smile as before. This was her professional quality. After all, no matter what emergency she encountered, she had to remain calm and rational, without the slightest mistake.
She raised her head and looked at herself in the mirror, with a bit of helplessness in her eyes, but also some relief: "Oh, when can I reach Brother Shuo's level?" Her voice was a soft sigh, as if expressing some regret for her own shortcomings.
She adjusted her mindset again, regaining her composure and calmness. When she walked out of the lounge, she still had that decent smile on her face. Everything that had just happened was just a brief whisper and would not affect her next task at all.
Sonoko left the lounge, and the moment she stepped out, her attention was drawn to the commotion at the stage. She keenly sensed that the originally harmonious atmosphere of the banquet had suddenly been disrupted, and that something seemed amiss. She stood on the periphery, scanning the crowd, trying to identify the problem.
A slightly overweight man wearing thick glasses stood in the crowd, his face lewd and a wicked smile playing on his lips. His eyes were filled with defiance as he shouted taunts and challenges at the three bosses standing on the stage. His expression was nauseating, and the surrounding guests frowned, their faces filled with disgust and impatience.
However, in this atmosphere filled with disgust, Sonoko's eyes suddenly lit up. Her gaze fixed on the man, and the originally calm expression on her face instantly became extremely focused.
"Ed McCann..." Sonoko's heartbeat quickened slightly, and a glint of excitement flashed in her eyes. Her gaze was fixed on the man, her first bounty! In Sonoko's eyes, the wretched man was like a glittering golden man.
Ed McCann seemed to be aware of the uncomfortable atmosphere he had created on the field. Noticing the increasing number of dissatisfied looks around him, he forced a smile and turned to leave the main stage.
His inappropriate provocation and lewd smile seemed to cast a heavy shadow in the air, instantly bringing the atmosphere to a freezing point. Everyone's attention was focused on his departure, as if the farce of an uninvited guest had finally come to an end.
To mitigate the sudden awkwardness, the host forced a change of pace, forced a smile, and said, "Okay, let's move on to the next segment. If any guests would like to ask questions, please feel free to raise your hands."
A hint of awkwardness still hung in the air, but just then, Conan's tiny figure suddenly leaped into view. He excitedly raised his hands, his short legs hopping back and forth, as if afraid no one would notice him. His expression was both eager and adorable, and almost everyone couldn't help but be drawn to his actions.
The host noticed Conan's raised hand and invited him to the stage with a smile: "Little boy, it seems you have questions to ask. Come, stand here."
Conan quickly jumped onto the stairs, his nervous and excited expression reflected in every audience member's eyes. He stood in front of the microphone and handed the host a jersey, his eyes full of admiration and expectation: "Mr. Ray Curtis, can I ask for your autograph?"
Although this was against the rules of the party, Conan's pure and sincere expression made Ray Curtis feel very relieved. Without any hesitation, he took the jersey himself, signed his name on it without any pretense, and gently handed it back to Conan.
"Thank you, kid," Ray Curtis said with a smile, "You helped me ease the awkward atmosphere." He took out a walkie-talkie from his pocket and handed it to Conan, "But I want to ask you for another favor, okay?"
Conan's eyes lit up, and he nodded frantically, cradling the jersey and intercom in his hands as if they had been given precious treasures. He accepted them with a beaming smile, his heart practically leaping with excitement. Facing his idol's personal response, he couldn't believe how lucky he was. Although everyone around him was watching him, he felt nothing but pure joy and honor, as if the entire world had stopped for him.
"Thank you, Mr. Lei! I will do my best to help!" Conan responded immediately, his voice full of admiration and excitement. He could hardly believe that he could get the personal signature and commission of his idol.
Ray Katis smiled and waved his hand: "You're welcome, kids. It's the idol's responsibility to bring you hope and dreams." His words were simple but full of warmth and encouragement.
The atmosphere in the entire venue became much warmer because of this unexpected interaction. Conan's excitement and Ray Curtis's demeanor undoubtedly brought a change of pace to the awkward atmosphere. The audience also began to relax and re-engage in the next segment with smiles.