Guns and Coffee in the World of Science

Chapter 149: The Conflicted Mao Lilan

"Towako! Are you kidding me? You want me to do something as trivial as this? Don't you have any other assassins?"

Early that morning, Chen Shuo sat at the dining table, eating breakfast, his phone clutched in his hand, his tone filled with impatience. He stared at the screen, his dead eyes etched with disdain. On the other end of the line, Shihezi smiled easily, her voice tinged with a hint of teasing: "Ala? Don't you have a favorite disciple? I saw she was quite active in the last sniping operation. Why not give her some experience? A flower in a greenhouse will never grow into a towering tree, don't you agree?"

Chen Shuo rubbed his temples, obviously having a headache: "You are mistaken, you know her identity, how could you let her really be a professional killer? I just want to teach her some self-protection skills, Shihezi, don't bother me with this kind of thing..." While frowning, he had already decided in his heart not to argue with her about this topic.

"No! Brother Shuo, I'm very interested!"

Chen Shuo was about to refuse outright, but before he could say anything, he was interrupted by Yuan Zi, who was sitting across from him, staring at him excitedly. Her eyes were full of stars, and it was obvious that the conversation on the phone had piqued her interest.

Towako on the other end of the phone heard Sonoko's voice and couldn't help laughing: "Haha, it seems that your disciple is very aware."

Chen Shuo was stunned, and his eyes turned complicated when he looked at Yuanzi. At this moment, Yuanzi was completely unaware of Chen Shuo's thoughts and still tried to stretch her head closer to the phone.

Chen Shuo helplessly reached out and pushed her head back, holding it gently: "Be quiet for a moment." He sighed, picked up the phone and prepared to hang up: "Send the target information first, and I will make a decision after I finish reading it." He said to Shihezi on the other end of the phone, and then he hung up decisively.

Ran Mao Li stared at Sonoko with a resentful look, her brows slightly furrowed, obviously dissatisfied with Sonoko's attitude: "Sonoko! How can you joke about such a thing? How can you take on such a task without permission?"

When Sonoko heard Ran's words, the excitement on her face gradually faded. She lowered her eyes, which had once been full of stars, but now became unusually resolute. She looked up at Ran, her tone calm but determined, "Ran, I'm not kidding." Her voice was firmer than ever before, "And if it's appropriate... I want to complete this mission alone!"

She gently stroked the tabletop, a smile on her face. A surge of excitement she had never felt before welled up in her heart. She knew this was the life she truly wanted—a life full of excitement, challenges, and the ability to constantly surpass herself.

"Flowers in a greenhouse never grow," she murmured, her voice low but resolute. She took a deep breath, raised her chin slightly, her eyes burning with determination, and flashed a sassy smile. "I don't want to be that naive young lady anymore. No matter how difficult the road ahead, I'm not afraid. I love this challenging, dangerous life. It allows me to live more authentically and freely."

Yuanzi's smile seemed to light up her entire aura, and her eyes flashed with determination and resolve, like a flame ready to burst into flames, making people involuntarily want to get closer.

Her tone didn't sound like a rebuttal to Chen Shuo and Mao Lilan, but more like a self-declaration, telling everyone that she was ready, ready to embrace a brand new life. Every word she spoke was sonorous and powerful, carrying her deep persistence and yearning, as if it was a confidence in her own abilities and a determination that would not allow others to doubt her.

Chen Shuo looked at Sonoko quietly, with a complex feeling in his heart, a mixture of recognition for her determination and concern for her choice. Mao Lilan, on the other hand, was filled with worry, as if she wanted to say something, but was suppressed by Sonoko's aura and could only look at her in silence.

Yuanzi's eyes never left Chen Shuo, filled with a certain expectation, as if waiting for his response. She didn't need too much comfort, nor did she want to hear more advice. She knew what she wanted and was even willing to pay the price for it.

Just as Chen Shuo and Mao Lilan were lost in silence, a childish, slightly disdainful, and calm voice suddenly rang out from the side: "Since the young lady is so aware... shouldn't those of us who are close to her fully support her? She's finally found this fighting spirit."

The three of them turned simultaneously to look at the source of the voice. They saw Ai Huibara, staring down at a lab report in her hands, seemingly oblivious to the tension her words had created. Her eyes were cold and focused, as if the words she had just spoken weren't her own, but simply a statement.

Sonoko's eyes lit up, obviously she hadn't expected Haibara Ai to support her. A flash of excitement and joy flashed in her eyes, and she almost jumped over, hugged Haibara Ai's shoulders, and pulled her body towards her, their faces touching.

"Ah~~ Ai! I love you the most!" Sonoko's tone was unusually sweet, and she seemed full of gratitude as she tightly hugged the girl who was usually as calm as a robot.

Haibara Ai was so frightened by this sudden action that she nearly dropped the report in her hands. Her eyes widened, her face turning red and white, a look of confusion and resistance. "Let me go! You crazy woman!" Her voice was cold and full of dissatisfaction. She struggled desperately to escape Sonoko's embrace, but was completely unable to break free from the force that threatened to crush her.

Looking at the farce in front of her, Mao Lilan felt helpless and her mood was a bit complicated. She didn't like killing people, and deep down, she didn't want her best friend Yuanzi to completely enter such a dangerous life.

However, looking at Sonoko's determined eyes and determination, she knew she couldn't stop her from pursuing her goals. After all, Sonoko had never really expressed her thoughts so seriously before. Mao Lilan was struggling internally. She knew that Sonoko's choice was her own, and as a friend, she should support her, no matter how many concerns she had in her heart.

Mao Lilan lowered her head and sighed softly, her eyes looking at Chen Shuo, as if seeking his guidance. Chen Shuo was silently looking at Yuanzi at this moment, his eyes deep, as if he was measuring Yuanzi's determination and her courage to accept all this.

After a long moment, Chen Shuo finally spoke, his voice calm but with a hint of helplessness: "Now that you've decided... you're still too naive." He paused, his gaze softening. "Before, I only focused on teaching you technical skills. It seems I'll have to teach you some more advanced techniques in the future. Are you prepared to enter hell?"

Yuanzi jumped up excitedly, not trying to hide her excitement. She hugged Mao Lilan and Chen Shuo and smiled like a child: "I will definitely not let you down! Hahaha! I'm going to practice shooting!" As soon as she finished speaking, she rushed out of the room and ran to the shooting range like a whirlwind.

Haibara Ai covered her reddened cheek, a look of discontent on her face. "Crazy woman..." she muttered, clearly frustrated by Sonoko's energetic ways. She glanced down at the lab report in her hand and sighed softly. "Forget it, I'm not in the mood for her," she said, turning and heading towards her room.

---

The atmosphere in the restaurant became unusually quiet, with only the ticking of the clock on the wall flowing silently, as if time had also become heavy at this moment.

Chen Shuo and Mao Lilan's eyes met. Mao Lilan lowered her head, her brows slightly furrowed, her expression unclear. Only a subtle hint of sadness slipped through her eyes. Her heart seemed shrouded in a fog, filled with worry about Yuanzi's decision and confusion and guilt about herself.

Ran Mouri has always been one of Sonoko's closest friends, witnessing her growth from an innocent, carefree little girl to the woman she is today, brave enough to face challenges and yearn to become stronger. She feels both relief and anxiety at Sonoko's decision. She wants to support her, but fears that such a choice might bring unnecessary harm, a feeling she can't quite let go of.

"Am I interfering too much..." Mao Lilan murmured softly, her voice so low that no one could hear her, her eyes filled with unspoken confusion and self-blame. She knew that Sonoko had found her own direction and her own goals, but she always tried to interfere with Sonoko's choices. Even when Sonoko showed her determination this time, she immediately thought she was just messing around.

Sensing Mao Lilan's inner pain and hesitation, Chen Shuo gently put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her tenderly into his embrace. His embrace felt like a safe harbor, warm and resolute, as if shielding her from all the storms. He lowered his head, his voice low and full of concern: "What are you thinking about?" These words needed no further explanation, only silent comfort and understanding.

Mao Lilan leaned on Chen Shuo's chest, listening to the strong heartbeat, closed her eyes, and slowly exhaled. At that moment, she no longer concealed her inner entanglement and anxiety, and gently rubbed Chen Shuo's chest, as if seeking comfort.

"Sonoko... has clearly found her direction and the path she wants to take." Mao Lilan's voice gradually lowered as she spoke. "But I actually thought she was joking at first..." She smiled bitterly, her eyes slightly moist. "I really am an unqualified friend..."

Listening to Mao Lilan's self-blame, Chen Shuo smiled helplessly and patted her on the back: "Whether you are a qualified friend or not, I can't judge. Why not ask the person involved?"

Mao Lilan was stunned for a moment, not fully understanding the deep meaning of Chen Shuo's words. She subconsciously turned her head and looked at Yuanzi, but found that Yuanzi, who was supposed to be rushing to the shooting range to practice, was now standing at the door of the restaurant, tears in her eyes.

Sonoko looked at Mao Lilan quietly, her steps light but firm, each step seemed to step on Mao Lilan's heart, carrying a heavy weight that she had not noticed. She finally couldn't hold back her tears, and they slipped down quietly, like a stream after the ice and snow melted, carrying some uncontrollable emotions.

"Xiaolan..." Sonoko's voice was low and choked with sobs, "We will always be best friends!"

These words were like a deep promise, pure, sincere and firm. Mao Lilan's heart suddenly shook, and all the worries, entanglements and anxieties she had once had seemed to be gently untied by Sonoko's words at this moment.

"Sonoko... I'm sorry... I..." Ran's voice trembled slightly, tears welling in her eyes. She didn't know what to say, but she felt her heart deeply moved, and the burden that had been weighing on her heart was now lifted. Looking at the girl before her, her eyes misty with tears, yet she remained strong, she suddenly realized that her worries might have been unnecessary.

Sonoko gently stretched out her arms and hugged Mao Lilan tightly. Her body trembled slightly, and she whispered in her ear: "Silly girl, you don't have to apologize at all. I know you are worried, but you have to remember that no matter what happens, you will always be my best friend."

The two of them leaned against each other, their friendship seeming to have found its deepest connection at this moment, all the worries and misunderstandings vanished at this moment. Mao Lilan finally let go of the knot in her heart, realizing that Sonoko had never blamed her for being nosy.

Sonoko's tears gradually stopped. She raised her head and showed a gentle smile: "Xiaolan, thank you for your concern all the time. Believe me, today I have never been so determined!"

Mao Lilan smiled hard, tears still glistening in the corners of her eyes: "Yes! I believe in you! You will definitely be the best!"