Chapter 38, maybe.

"Oh? Is that so?" Director Ochiai turned to look at Chizuru with a surprised expression.

Qianzhu rubbed the pen she had brought with her hand, smiled and nodded at him, "I understand how you feel."

Director Ochiai suddenly laughed, tilting his head back with a completely relieved laugh.

But Qianzhu sensed a hint of sadness in his laughter.

He lowered his eyes slightly and twirled the ballpoint pen in his hand.

...

On the way back, Conan asked Chizuru curiously, "Chizuru-nii, how did you know the culprit was Director Ochiai?"

"Hmm?" Qianzhu turned her head and looked over, a slight smile playing on her lips. "I don't have any evidence to prove he's the murderer, but I know that he must have felt terrible that his beloved works were treated that way by that kind of person. For the sake of his cherished works, perhaps killing the other person is the best way for him."

He was clearly smiling, but there was sadness in his smiling eyes.

Conan realized that he couldn't understand Qianzhu's way of doing things.

"Then... what if it were you? I mean, if your work were treated like that, would you choose to kill the person like Director Ochiai did?"

"Me? Maybe," Qianzhu smiled and gave an ambiguous answer.

"So, that's why the curator chose to kill Mr. Manaka with a replica of the armor?" Ran, who had been listening to their conversation, chimed in.

She may not understand art very well, but if she puts herself in Ochiai's shoes, she can actually understand his feelings.

"yes……"

...

When the group returned to the Mouri Detective Agency, Kogoro Mouri and Conan were so hungry that they collapsed on the sofa.

Qianzhu couldn't help but chuckle as she looked at the two people who looked almost identical.

"Qianzhu, why don't you stay and join us?" Xiaolan, who was tying her apron, invited Qianzhu.

Qianzhu thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "Okay, then I'll help you."

As they talked and laughed, the two walked into the kitchen.

Having distanced himself from the murder case, the "East Asian Jealous King" finally became alert. He scrambled to his feet off the sofa and followed the two into the kitchen, shouting, "Me! I'll help too!"

"Kids shouldn't cause trouble." Kogoro Mouri, who was standing nearby, quickly grabbed Conan and lifted him up.

"Hey hey..." The Corgi struggled to no avail, and could only watch helplessly as the kitchen door closed in front of him.

Qianzhu was overjoyed to receive another emotional boost from the King of Jealousy, so much so that he was in the mood to teach Xiaolan how to cook a few Chinese dishes.

When the delicious-looking food was placed on the table, both Kogoro Mouri and Conan couldn't help but exclaim "Wow!" and tears of delight streamed down their faces.

Wearing heat-resistant gloves, Xiaolan smiled happily, "Qianzhu made almost all of these! I only helped out, but I learned some new dishes!"

"These are some of my specialties, I wonder if you'll like them," Qianzhu said with a smile.

"No, no, looking at this makes me feel really hungry!"

Kogoro Mouri rubbed his hands together, looking like he couldn't wait any longer.

Xiao Lan rolled her eyes, but still served him a bowl of rice.

The moment the delicious taste hit his mouth, Conan's jealousy vanished instantly, replaced by a mind filled with thoughts of "So delicious!"

"It's so delicious! Qianzhu is amazing, it seems like she can do everything!"

Qianzhu smiled and said, "It's alright."

Meanwhile, Kogoro Mouri was wolfing down his food as if he was afraid he'd miss out if he ate too slowly, leaving Ran and Conan speechless.

But the silence didn't last long, after all...

If we don't act now, they won't get any!