Chapter 73

"On a weekend night, the police found him in an empty alley."

This instantly made Mao Li Lan freeze up completely.

"It—it's a lie, right…"

"It's not a lie."

Mao Li Xiaowulang couldn't bear to watch his daughter on the verge of breaking down either.

But the fact was exactly that.

When he had just learned this news, he had frozen up completely too.

He did hate that brat.

Because that brat didn't just want to steal his daughter, he even wanted to steal his business—how could he stand that?

It would be strange not to scold that kid a couple of times.

Still, when it came to that brat's abilities, he was quite optimistic.

What a pity.

A capable brat, yet he still ran into problems elsewhere—too rigid and upright, charging into danger without considering the danger he himself faced.

That desire to explore the unknown was what did that brat in.

Upon learning the reason, Mao Li Xiaowulang fell silent too.

"That kid charged straight into the danger ahead without caring about the cost."

"As a former police officer, I really admire that brat's actions."

"But as a former police officer, his behavior was too reckless!"

Yet his voice quickly trailed off.

"When facing danger, you shouldn't charge in yourself. That brat was too reckless—reckless enough to even forget something so basic."

"Or maybe that kid never trusted the police to get things done from the start."

"Still, that kid's thoughts weren't wrong."

As a former police officer, he knew there were plenty of police at the Metropolitan Police Department who didn't do their jobs properly.

Their thoughts were actually very simple—just stay within the system, no need to show off too much work ability, just get by day by day.

Those guys' professional abilities were actually quite poor.

Perhaps that brat really did have such thoughts, which is why he chose to charge into danger himself.

Mao Li Xiaowulang sighed.

He also felt that brat was a real pity.

If that brat had experienced more of society and tasted more hardship, maybe he wouldn't have acted so recklessly.

Maybe that brat would have learned the principle of not throwing himself into danger.

"No matter what, that brat was still too young."

"If that kid were a bit older and could become a police officer, maybe he would have come to understand more."

"What a pity…"

Mao Li Xiaowulang truly felt a measure of regret.

At this moment, Mao Li Lan couldn't help covering her mouth, as if unwilling to keep listening.

Mao Li Xiaowulang, however, shook his head helplessly.

"So what are you planning to do?"

"Do you know the situation with the culprit?"

"We know some of it, but it's still very troublesome."

"So Yukiko and I plan to start making moves from overseas."

"An international criminal, huh."

Mao Li Xiaowulang nodded slightly.

Dealing with a case this international within the country probably wouldn't be easy—if there were channels, starting from overseas would be better, with fewer restrictions.

"If there's anything I can help with, just say it."

"I, Mao Li Xiaowulang, still have some connections here in Mika, I can help you investigate."

"Thank you, but it would be better if Mr. Mao Li doesn't get involved."

Kudou Yuusaku was grateful, but he also firmly refused.

"Investigating certain things carries a certain amount of risk. It's best not to casually investigate Shinichi's death—it's a big trouble."

"As long as you don't investigate, they won't make a move."

"But if you act and even dig up some intel, it might become very troublesome."

"I see, so it really is troublesome."

Mao Li Xiaowulang could almost imagine the situation Kudou Yuusaku and Kudou Yukiko were in now.

It was probably not easy to start investigating behind the scenes.

If they carelessly got tangled up in some of the connections behind it, this couple would face trouble too.

"But they won't give up, right."

As a father, Mao Li Xiaowulang understood Kudou Yuusaku's thoughts very well.

"But there is something I still need Mr. Mao Li's help with."

"It's this child."

Mao Li Xiaowulang looked over at the bespectacled child.

At first glance, he looked quite familiar.

Then he realized.

"This child couldn't possibly be yours..."

"Mr. Mao Li, this child has no connection to us now."

Kudo Yusaku cut in forcefully.

"So, is it now?"

Seeing the sincerity in those eyes, Mao Li Xiaowu roughly understood what it meant.

It seemed carrying a small child made investigating abroad inconvenient, so they wanted to settle the child somewhere first.

"No problem, I'll take care of this child."

Mao Li Xiaowu agreed directly in one breath.

Kudo Yusaku nodded slightly, then signaled Yukiko to bring out the items.

"Xiaowu, this is some living expenses for the child."

Mao Li Xiaowu instinctively took it and looked, then was startled.

Good heavens, the deposit in this bank is 500 million yen; they really aren't being polite at all.

"You two aren't actually planning to go all out, are you?"

"No, this is just preparing for the worst-case scenario."

Kudo Yusaku said it without any hesitation.

"Yukiko and I are currently planning to use the excuse of unstable emotions to go abroad and relax."

"We aren't stupid; we're just helping some foreign police with an investigation."

"As long as our investigation doesn't go too deep, they won't take action against us."

"So, I also need some excuses to interfere with the investigation."

"That's true."

Mao Li Xiaowu put the storage card away.

"You two shouldn't go too far."

"There's still a child here."

"Please rest assured; we are very clear on the dangers over there, so we won't be so careless."

Kudo Yusaku wouldn't make such a huge mistake.

He indeed had no intention of getting completely involved.

Just as he said, it was precisely because he knew the danger of that organization that he needed to stay away.

What he needed to do now was just go abroad with Yukiko to relax.

He could provide intelligence, but he wouldn't personally participate in the investigation.