Chapter 2174 - 2172: I Knew Something Would Go Wrong (Ben Meow’s Big Orange Is Ready to Ascend)

The bomb case is thus resolved, but it’s not the end. Fang Zheng quickly had his team produce a script to submit to the Metropolitan Police Department, explaining his ideas to them, and received strong support from the police department’s top officials.

Generally speaking, the Metropolitan Police Department is not keen on having such films capitalize on current events, but this time was different. They revealed to Fang Zheng that Nakata Saburo’s lawyers are planning to apply for a mental appraisal for him, intending to argue for reduced sentencing based on his mental instability.

Is this tolerable?

Are you kidding? He killed several policemen with bombs and repeatedly tried to harm society, and you want to absolve him with insanity? What about the brothers who fought and died on my behalf?

Moreover, as expected, after the incident ended, the media began their old routine of digging into the criminal’s background to prove that society was at fault... This type of complaining is seen by the police as completely ridiculous, bringing no benefits but rather causing the jury to waver and misunderstand, possibly resulting in the acquittal of the defendant, which could lead to unrest among the police.

Therefore, the Metropolitan Police Department wholeheartedly approved of Fang Zheng’s film production, stating that while funding was unavailable, he could freely utilize personnel, equipment, or anything else needed! Whether it’s police cars or helicopters, whatever is at his disposal. They only had one request: to complete filming as quickly as possible, release the film, and suppress this negative societal trend!

Blaming society is absurd; the bomb wasn’t set off in your editorial office! For such media, a bomb should be planted to see if they would still defend these criminals.

Now that the upper management is on board, Fang Zheng’s next step is naturally... begin production!

Soon, the film titled "Seventy-Two Hours" entered the preparatory stage, with Yoko Okino starring as the protagonist. As for other roles, auditions were necessary, so Fang Zheng quickly began looking for people at the office. He also called Conan and the Boy Detectives over, under the guise of having them as extras but actually using Conan’s Grim Reaper’s Aura to filter out the "survivors."

The three enthusiastic children were thrilled to learn they could be in a movie, while Conan and Little Ai took care of them. Fang Zheng used his authority to get Ran involved as an extra... After all, with crowds in the Tokyo Tower evacuation scene, adding one or two extras wouldn’t matter.

As for Fang Zheng himself, he was in the office conducting business, except...

"I didn’t expect to see you, Miss Kousaka Natsumi."

Fang Zheng was quite surprised to see Kousaka Natsumi before him.

"Weren’t you working as a pastry chef in France?"

"Yes, I was indeed working as a pastry chef in France."

Sitting in the chair, Kousaka Natsumi seemed unchanged from the "Egg of Memories" incident. She smiled at Fang Zheng and spoke.

"But due to the Egg of Memories, many guests have arrived at the castle recently, so I had to resign and return to Japan..."

"I see, it seems that many people are still eyeing that thing?"

Fang Zheng nodded, acknowledging that the Egg of Memories was undoubtedly a remarkable artwork. If it were unknown, it wouldn’t matter, but once it was revealed to the public, crowds would surely line up to see it, and undoubtedly many people would try to steal it.

"I’ve already discussed with the butler, and we plan to transform the castle into my great-grandfather’s museum, dedicated to showcasing the artworks he created during his lifetime... But we’re not experienced in this area, so I’m here to seek your assistance, Mr. Fang Zheng."

"No problem, leave it to me."

Fang Zheng thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Umbrella is professional in this regard. I will send experts for on-site measurements and renovation work. Of course..."

The most important thing is fire prevention.

Fang Zheng didn’t need to say this to Kousaka Natsumi.

Ultimately, Fang Zheng and Kousaka Natsumi signed a contract agreeing that Umbrella would assist her in transforming the ancient castle into a new museum. Kousaka Natsumi would serve as its director, and the museum would become part of Umbrella’s tourism operations, akin to the collaboration between Fang Zheng and Kimi Shima’s Mermaid Island.

"Knock knock."

At that moment, the study’s door was knocked on, and then Akemi walked in.

"Mr. Fang Zheng, Miss Kimi Shima has arrived."

... Speak of the devil, and he shall appear; she just appeared right after thinking about her.

"Well then, Miss Natsumi, we can discuss later."

"Alright, no problem."

Kousaka Natsumi also put away the contract, smiling and nodding at Fang Zheng.

"Mr. Fang Zheng, if you don’t mind, would you join me for lunch?"

"Sure."

Fang Zheng nodded, and Kousaka Natsumi then turned to leave the study. Shortly thereafter, Kimi Shima entered the room.

"Long time no see, Mr. Fang Zheng."

"Long time no see, Miss Kimie, it seems you’re looking much better?"

Seeing the spirited Kimi Shima before him, Fang Zheng chuckled, and Kimi Shima nodded.

"Yes, everyone was thrilled when I told them about your Mermaid Island development plan, eager to start immediately... Ah, I hope I’m not disturbing you. It looks like there are a lot of people downstairs..."

"No problem, it’s the movie casting."

"Movie?"

Upon hearing this, Kimi Shima’s eyes lit up.

"Would it be possible to film on our Mermaid Island?"

"Not this time, as the script is set in Tokyo, but we can consider it for the next one... We don’t have to rush. Let’s go over the situation on your side first."

"Alright, Mr. Fang Zheng."

Kimi Shima’s visit wasn’t just for chatting and having tea; she quickly took out the Mermaid Island’s current assets and plans from her bag, detailing everything to Fang Zheng. In short, the specific concept was consistent with what Fang Zheng had previously discussed with her, with the island maintaining its theme of "Mermaid Legend" and "Blessing of Longevity," not needing to change. The festival could still be held, although some processes needed reconsideration.

Compared to Kousaka Natsumi’s castle renovation project, the Mermaid Island tourism plan over by Kimi Shima was much simpler, after all, most of the things were already in place, and there was no need for changes. Umbrella only needed to pay extra attention to publicity and planning.

Soon, both parties finished negotiations, signed the contract, and it was all settled.

And just as Kimi Shima was leaving, she suddenly thought of something and asked.

"Mr. Fang Zheng, would you like to have lunch together?"

"Uh...... Sorry, I already have plans."

"Is that so, what a pity..."

"Knock, knock, knock."

However, before Kimi Shima finished speaking, The door was knocked again, and the person who walked in was none other than Yoko Okino.

"Mr. Fang Zheng, do you have time for lunch? How about joining us?"

"Well......"

"Ring, ring, ring..."

Just as Fang Zheng was about to answer, his phone suddenly rang. He picked up the phone, and he heard Ran’s voice.

"Mr. Fang Zheng, we’re heading to a restaurant for lunch later, would you like to come along?"

"..........."

Fang Zheng held the phone silently, looking at Kimi Shima and Yoko Okino before him.

Oh well, whether it’s one sheep or a flock, they all need to be tended...

So finally, Fang Zheng simply booked a private room at a hotel nearby, gathering Kousaka Natsumi, Kimi Shima, Yoko Okino, Ran, along with the five kids from the Boy Detectives, all in one place.

For Ran, Natsumi, Kimie, and Yoko were all old friends, and meeting them again was full of joy, hugging and jumping together. Meanwhile, the kids of the Boy Detectives were utterly thrilled to see the famous Yoko Okino, except Conan, who sat aside silently, looking like he was in a daze.

"What’s up with him?"

While listening to the four girls chat, Fang Zheng leaned over to Little Ai and whispered.

If it were a regular child, Fang Zheng wouldn’t care much, kids throw tantrums all the time. But Conan isn’t just any kid, what’s with his silent blues?

"Isn’t it all because of you?"

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s question, Little Ai giggled softly.

"Me? I haven’t troubled him lately."

"It’s about that bomb case."

Little Ai openly explained to Fang Zheng. It turns out that, on that night, Fang Zheng took Yoko Okino to the Metropolitan Police Department to check the surveillance, while the Boy Detectives didn’t go home, either. Instead, they spent the night riding around in Officer Takagi’s patrol car. Conan was furiously attempting to decipher the warning note from the criminal but couldn’t find any clue. Beyond initially finding a pile of fake bombs at Minami-ku Station following the hint, Conan couldn’t solve any of the other parts.

Before Conan could solve it, the police cracked the case!

Upon hearing this, Conan was utterly shocked, grilling Officer Takagi for details on how they had unraveled the warning note’s mystery. Officer Takagi replied——— "We didn’t solve that warning note, Fang Zheng returned to the police department, checked surveillance footage, identified the vehicle the criminal drove to locate where the first bomb was placed, set up a perimeter nearby and caught the criminal, then extracted the whereabouts of the second bomb from him.

Indeed, the warning note was irrelevant from start to finish, in fact, Fang Zheng still doesn’t know what kind of gibberish that guy scribbled anyway.

"So, since then, he’s been in a funk, probably because he feels like the great Detective isn’t needed anymore."

Upon saying this, Little Ai let out a faint chuckle.

"Not to mention the second bomb was placed at Teitan High School, where Ran and her friends were."

"Mm......"

As a boyfriend who didn’t even know his girlfriend was in danger, no wonder Conan seemed like he was sulking in a corner.

"You’re not going to comfort him?"

"Heh heh heh, I won’t bother. With the advancement of technology, detectives have less and less work, that’s the truth. It can’t be relying solely on one detective to handle casework in all of Tokyo, in my opinion, it’s better if he graduates from police school and becomes an officer, which might hold some prospect. But hoping to make detective work his career, he’d likely end up like his father-in-law Kogoro Mouri someday."

Just imagine Shinichi Kudou in the future, sprawling at a table watching horse racing on TV while sipping beer—a sight Fang Zheng finds rather hopeful.

Never mind about that for now.

"By the way, did you encounter any accident this morning?"

"What sort of accident?"

"Like some celebrity acting all superior declaring the role is only fit for them, or saying how can they possibly play such small roles given their status, or maybe drama among seemingly close-knit circles confronting each other in front of you with sarcastic remarks and endless conflicts?"

"..........Seems like yes."

Upon hearing this, Little Ai curiously glanced at Fang Zheng.

"You saw it?"

"..........."

Alright, Fang Zheng could now confirm, today isn’t about ’if’ there will be death incidents, but ’how many.’

Hmm......Wondering if the crematorium and hearse can be booked in advance?