Who sent this letter? Fang Zheng didn’t need to think to know.
The reason is simple. He’s planted a spy on Belmod.
He can even see Belmod when she’s taking a bath!
Fang Zheng even knows Belmod’s plan—she wants to use this letter to lead him away, since she sent similar letters to Kogoro Mouri and Edogawa Conan. In Belmod’s view, since Fang Zheng is a senior advisor to the Metropolitan Police Department, he’s certainly not going to sit idly by when encountering such matters...
Well, actually Fang Zheng would keep out of it, especially considering that if Conan and Kogoro Mouri would really go, he’d just find a cinema and watch a movie.
Of course, if Fang Zheng doesn’t go, Belmod has another trick up her sleeve: she would go directly to the Metropolitan Police Department and sabotage the Skynet servers. As the main designer and maintainer of Skynet, Fang Zheng would have to show up. Once separated from the Miyano sisters, Belmod would quickly take out Akemi Miyano, use her voice to lure Haibara Ai out and kill her, and then swiftly retreat.
The plan is undoubtedly clever, and given Belmod’s skill, it’s likely to succeed.
The reason for sending the letter to Conan is also to lead him away, because Little Ai is always with Conan and the Boy Detectives, so to be cautious, it’s best to also distract Conan.
Therefore, to be safe, none of the three invitations had a signature, and the one to Conan was addressed to Shinichi Kudou.
This way, it feels a lot like the kind of vague plea for help or warning letter Conan and Kogoro Mouri would receive—given their personalities, they’re definitely going to jump into the excitement.
"What’s Conan’s situation?"
Fang Zheng explained the current situation to Akemi and Little Ai, then looked at Little Ai.
"He plans to go, but Ran seems reluctant."
"Why? Oh... she’s afraid of ghosts."
Fang Zheng silently glanced at the Halloween party on the invitation and suddenly understood. Speaking of which, for some reason, strong-willed girls seem to fear ghosts. Asuna was like this, and so is Ran...
"So Conan plans to go with Kogoro Mouri, right."
"That’s correct at the moment."
"Then it’s simple."
Fang Zheng quickly revealed his plan.
"Just do it this way: you two pretend to tower dive, draw Belmod out, then retreat, and I’ll jump out from the river to block her from behind, simple and clear... you understand what I mean?"
"......???"
Akemi and Little Ai exchanged a glance and shook their heads.
They didn’t understand.
"I’m going to that Halloween party, and you take the opportunity to slip away. I’ve got eyes on Belmod, so you can track her location from your personal devices. Once you spot her tailing you, immediately find an empty spot, preferably secluded and open... then I’ll join up with you, flank her from behind and settle it."
Saying this, Fang Zheng clapped his hands.
"Now do you understand?"
"Got it, but I still have a question."
This time, Little Ai asked again.
"What’s the question?"
"According to our investigation, the party is held on a ship at the dock, and after it begins, the ship will leave the dock and sail into the Pacific Ocean. Plus, the photos show it’s a sailing ship without a spot for a helicopter to land. With Belmod’s character, she’ll definitely make her move only after you’re far from land. So how would you get back?"
"Isn’t that simple?"
Fang Zheng rolled his eyes.
"I’m an alien, obviously I have ways like teleportation, UFOs, that kind of thing."
"Stop with the jokes, we’re having a serious conversation here."
"I’m not joking."
Fang Zheng looked at Little Ai and chuckled.
"You always wanted to know my true identity, right? You’ll find out by then."
"Uh......"
Upon hearing this, Little Ai blushed and turned away.
"Who wants to know your true identity!"
"You’re always looking at me, aren’t you? Seriously, you’re just after my body! If you’re that curious, why don’t we take a bath together today, and I’ll show you everything!"
"Pervert!"
Hearing this, Little Ai quickly hid behind Akemi.
"Sis, there’s a pervert here!"
"What’s wrong with being a perverted man?"
Fang Zheng said, raising his thumb.
"A man should be perverted!"
"......"
Hearing this, Little Ai was completely speechless, while Akemi stifled a laugh, enjoying the scene without comment.
"Anyway, just remember to lead her to a deserted place. Otherwise, it’s inconvenient for me to show myself."
After instructing them, Fang Zheng stood up.
"Also, if you’re curious about my true form, watch a few alien monster movies in the next couple of days for some psychological preparation."
"Ugh......"
Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Little Ai’s expression slightly changed.
"You wouldn’t happen to be some sort of octopus or something, would you..."
"Hehehe, I’ll leave it to your imagination."
With that, Fang Zheng turned and left, leaving Little Ai speechless and staring at his back before turning to look at Akemi.
"Sister, why didn’t you speak up for me?"
"Because I find it quite amusing to watch you two like this."
Akemi just giggled, reaching out to pat Little Ai’s head.
"After all, in my memory, you’re still that little sister... now I finally feel a bit of the old times."
"Sister, you’re making it sound as if I’m not your sister usually."
"Because back then, you weren’t so mature......"
As she spoke, Akemi seemed to slip back into memories of the past.
"At that time, you were always sensible and obedient but also showed a lively side. Yet now my sister seems like a little adult, which occasionally makes me a bit sad."
However, looking at Akemi in front of her, Little Ai couldn’t help but have a mental flash.
"But, Sister, in another ten years, I’ll have become a bright and beautiful high school girl like Ran, while you’ll have become an old lady. Aren’t you going to confess to Mr. Fang Zheng while you still can?"
"..............."
Hearing this, Akemi’s face bore a smile as she reached out to hold Little Ai’s shoulder.
"Oh my, are you saying I’m old already? I’m just in my early twenties!"
"............"
"Shiho, we haven’t had a candlelit talk for ages, have we? How about we have a good chat tonight?"
"......Sorry, Sister, I was wrong. Please forgive me... wait, Fang Zheng, help, help......!!!"
That night, Haibara Ai finally experienced once again the fear of being dominated by her sister, and the trouble summoned by her careless words.
Yet, this had nothing to do with Fang Zheng. After dressing up, he drove to the pier to attend that ’untimely Halloween party.’
When Fang Zheng arrived at the pier, there was already a crowd of people, each dressed in various costumes — werewolves, mummies, zombies, you name it — under the blood-red sunset, the whole pier looked like a demonic revelry... no wonder Ran refused to come.
Even if one knows it’s fake, encountering such a spectacle would still feel eerie.
"Ah, Mr. Fang Zheng, you came too."
Shortly after arriving at the pier, Fang Zheng heard a familiar voice. Turning around, he soon saw the figures of Kogoro Mouri and Sonoko Suzuki. Kogoro Mouri was dressed as a vampire, but this vampire seemed like he hadn’t sucked blood for so long that he was about to die like a salted fish. Sonoko, on the other hand, was dressed as a witch, complete with broom and pointy hat, wholeheartedly enjoying herself.
"Hello, Mr. Mouri, I didn’t expect you to come, Sonoko."
Fang Zheng greeted Kogoro Mouri and turned to Sonoko, who was smiling cheerfully at Fang Zheng.
"Yes, but I didn’t expect Mr. Fang Zheng to attend and dress so handsomely... this is an elf, right?"
"Something like that."
Upon hearing Sonoko’s inquiry, Fang Zheng nodded. He was wearing an adventurer’s outfit from the Main World, a gift from the elf maidens when he left their village. Normally, Fang Zheng didn’t have a chance to wear it, so it was perfect for the masquerade ball.
The attire had an elf style, added with elegant patterns on the cape, the longbow and quiver he carried, and those pointed ears — he looked like an elf ranger born straight out of a fantasy tale.
Fang Zheng’s appearance drew a lot of attention from the crowd. While everyone had prepared for the Halloween party, dressing as Fang Zheng did in full attire was a rare sight. Moreover, the bow and arrow he carried didn’t look new, bearing a long-used weathered appearance, adding a sense of authenticity.
With Fang Zheng’s own good looks naturally drawing attention, many women blushed just by looking at him.
"By the way, where’s Conan? I heard he’s here too?"
"Hahaha."
Upon Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Sonoko laughed heartily, then reached out to pull a small figure from the sidelines.
"Come on, kid, show Mr. Fang Zheng your costume!"
"Pff!"
Seeing Conan being pulled out of the crowd by Sonoko, Fang Zheng nearly choked. Conan was wearing a tattered gray cloak, with a big pumpkin head on top, holding a lantern — he couldn’t believe Conan was dressed as a pumpkin monster!
".........."
Hearing Fang Zheng’s laughter, Conan was somewhat miserable. Why could others dress as Elf Princes while he ended up as a big-headed pumpkin monster?
This was way too unfair!!
"How is it, Mr. Fang Zheng? This is my masterpiece!"
Adding to Conan’s misery, Sonoko jumped at the chance to boast about her handiwork.
"It’s great, Miss Sonoko, the costume is fantastic."
"Hahahahaha!!"
Seeing Sonoko’s hearty laugh, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but applaud — well, how to say it, every time Fang Zheng saw Kogoro Mouri and Sonoko standing together, it felt like they were the true father and daughter pair. In comparison, Ran Mouri looked more like everyone’s darling — could it be that they were switched at birth?
Fang Zheng couldn’t help but ponder.
Should he take the opportunity to conduct a paternity test for Kogoro Mouri and Sonoko Suzuki?

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