Chapter 72 Hope [VIP]

Cheng frowned at his sudden thought.

Perhaps he was overthinking it. After all, he and Takeda Ryosuke had known each other for quite some time, and the other's courage in certain aspects was indeed admirable. He wasn't particularly cunning, so how could he possibly deceive others while also deceiving his former loyal self?

Cheng You felt that regardless of what Takeda Ryosuke was like in the past, or what his mindset was during the first year of Detective Conan, Cheng You now had the opportunity to change things, and he couldn't keep someone who might be a threat around him. Although Cheng You trusted Takeda Ryosuke a lot, once he had that thought, it was hard not to overthink it.

As long as Takeda Ryosuke is saved and he is prevented from interacting with the people at the research institute, Takeda Ryosuke will still be the subordinate that Cheng Youxin can trust completely.

Thinking this, Cheng followed the sound and went to investigate.

Ryosuke Takeda also noticed the footsteps of the strangers; they were very disorderly, and there were at least three of them.

He pressed his hand tightly against his wound, trying to get up and leave. Although leaving might make noise, lying there would definitely get him discovered soon, so he might as well take a gamble.

However, Takeda Ryosuke was too weak to move. He struggled to stand up, leaning against the wall. Just as he was about to take a few steps, he felt his wound being squeezed, causing unbearable pain. A stream of hot blood seeped from between his fingers, and the smell of blood became even stronger.

Ryosuke Takeda gritted his teeth and moved slowly. With each step, the injured area was squeezed. He didn't know how badly the skin on his waist and abdomen would ulcerate after this repeated.

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his clothes were soaked through with it. Takeda Ryosuke couldn't tell whether it was cold sweat or blood.

After walking for an unknown number of steps, Takeda Ryosuke suddenly felt his vision go black, the world spin, and he felt weak all over, his limbs limp, as if he was about to leave this world at any moment.

Even though he was exhausted, Takeda Ryosuke still sensed someone approaching him.

The person's footsteps were very faint; they were almost indistinguishable without careful listening.

Takeda Ryosuke became more vigilant again. Was this person from the research institute or the person who had just been about to buy him medicine?

The renewed focus had exhausted Takeda Ryosuke's last bit of strength, leaving him swaying and about to collapse. Just then, the person who had suddenly appeared took three quick steps to his side and caught him.

"The institute's enemies? They're my friends." The man spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance, yet also a touch of natural casualness.

Upon hearing the voice, Takeda Ryosuke relaxed slightly. This wasn't the voice of the person from the research institute, nor was it the voice of the person who had just offered to buy him medicine. He vaguely made out the person's face; it resembled that of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, with unfathomable black eyes and casually loose, medium-length black hair that couldn't conceal the arrogance in his eyes.

"Don't move," the man said, pulling a glass bottle from his pocket. "This medicine I made myself is hundreds of times better than most effective drugs."

After saying that, he bit open the bottle and casually sprinkled the liquid inside onto Takeda Ryosuke's wound.

"Ugh!!" The sudden stimulation to the wound made Takeda Ryosuke wince in pain, but he did not forget his current situation, so he tried his best to restrain himself and not make a sound.

But to his surprise, aside from the pain when the medicine was applied to the wound, he gradually stopped feeling pain afterward.

"They added some anesthetic, and it seems to be working well," said the fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy.

"Why...did you save me?" Takeda Ryosuke knew this person was an enemy of the research institute, as the boy himself had said, but what Takeda Ryosuke didn't understand was whether there was any price to pay for saving him.

Seemingly sensing his thoughts, the boy shrugged: "Of course, there's a price for saving you..."

Sure enough, Takeda Ryosuke's heart sank. He didn't know the other party's identity, but the price for saving his life was probably not easy to pay.

Just as Takeda Ryosuke was still struggling with his decision, the boy suddenly spoke up: "...You've already paid the price, so don't worry."

Takeda Ryosuke was stunned: "...Wh...what?"

The boy pointed to the wound on Takeda Ryosuke's abdomen: "You helped me test the medicine."

"?!" Takeda Ryosuke froze for a few seconds, then suddenly realized what was happening and looked at the boy in front of him in disbelief. No, just... like this?!

The boy thought for a moment and said, "You must stay with me for the next 12 hours. I need to see what the side effects of this medicine are. It may need further improvement."

"……no problem."

When Cheng You arrived, he only saw Takeda Ryosuke and a figure turning into the corner.

Cheng Youneng had just heard Takeda Ryosuke's voice and knew that someone had saved him, but he didn't know the other person's identity.

While Takeda Ryosuke was inwardly marveling at how this young man was a pharmaceutical genius, Cheng You already had a guess about the man's identity.

But Cheng was still a little worried, so he decided to go and check on them.

Before Cheng You could even get close to Takeda Ryosuke and his group, their actions had already been discovered.

Takeda Ryosuke turned around and saw the medical supplies Cheng You was carrying, thus realizing the identity of the person in front of him.

Seeing that Takeda Ryosuke recognized him and didn't seem to have much hostility towards him, Cheng You took a few more steps forward and, in the dim light, saw the face of the boy beside him.

She has the exact same face as Yuichi, and even her expression is just as arrogant and aloof.

It really was him.

It seems that although Yuichi escaped from the research institute, he has been keeping an eye on its movements and may even be able to learn about its actions through some means, and then thwart them.

Is Yuichi studying everyone?

But Yuichi left the research institute six or seven years ago. How old was Yuichi back then? He wasn't even ten years old. How could he have his own people or influence?

How much hardship has Youyi endured along the way? Cheng You couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

As Cheng You was sizing up Youyi, Youyi was also sizing him up. When he saw Cheng You's compassionate and gentle gaze, Youyi was stunned for a moment.

Eyes don't lie. The stories told in eyes don't lie either. They're so alike...

Yuu looked at Takeda Ryosuke: "You know him?"

Takeda Ryosuke shook his head: "I don't know him."

Cheng said, "I'm here to help him."

"..." Yu Yi looked at Cheng You again, staring at those eyes that he used to like for a long time, "We seem to have met before... I think I know you."

"Maybe," Cheng You said casually, not trying to hide anything. After all, he knew Youyi's ability to recognize people; he could recognize someone with just a glance, and even break through the system's face-swapping technology.

"What are you going to do?" Yu asked.

Cheng handed the medical supplies in his hand to Takeda Ryosuke: "Bandage this up." The other party took it and took out bandages and ointment.

Cheng You then replied to Youyi: "It's good that this brother is alright. Keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't get hurt again."

Yuichi tilted his head in surprise: "Do you know me?"

Cheng had a doubt: "Perhaps we know each other."

Yu nodded: "I see. I thought you really knew me, that's why you were so comfortable entrusting me with this kind of thing, and even your tone of voice didn't sound like an order."

"..." Cheng was speechless for a moment. Youyi recognized him and was angry that he had left without saying goodbye and then suddenly reappeared, so he was just acting like a child.

"What does that look like?" Cheng asked with a smile.

"It's like an older brother chatting with his younger brother about everyday things," Yuichi said matter-of-factly.

Cheng You simply smiled and did not give a direct answer.

Takeda Ryosuke, who was focused on bandaging his wound, was also helpless. He didn't know why, but he felt like he had been set up. It seemed that the two people in front of him were really in cahoots. It was hard to imagine that they were strangers who had just met once.

And their tone of voice—could they have been any gentler? They weren't even this gentle with me, their patient!

What was their purpose? Why did they come to rescue me in separate groups? It doesn't seem like they were working together at all. This is too strange.

The three of them left the alley together. Cheng You once again told Youyi to keep an eye on Takeda Ryosuke and not let him go out and cause trouble, before turning around and walking back into the residential area.

Cheng You felt relieved. After all, Takeda Ryosuke did not meet with the people from the research institute during this incident, which meant that Cheng You's worries at the time were unnecessary.

Ryosuke Takeda is definitely not a traitor; he is a genius who is 100% loyal to the organization.

But after Cheng You felt relieved about Takeda Ryosuke's situation, he began to miss Yuichi again. Such a young child, living cautiously in this city full of crime and evil, having to devise revenge plans from time to time, and navigating the complexities of an old man.

He saw a reflection of his past self in him. Cheng You naturally didn't want another person like him in the world.

Her father died while fighting a fire, her mother was admitted to a mental hospital, and she struggled to complete her studies and career on her own.

He often wondered why his father, a successful businessman, would do something so foolish. Even if he hadn't gone, someone else would have. Why did he have to rush forward to save people and end up perishing in the fire?

After entering university, his mother's condition improved, and just when Cheng You thought everything was going to get better, he time-traveled.

While he was filled with beautiful fantasies about the world, he was transported to a crime-ridden city and forced by the system to complete a mission of justice.

A mission of justice. Cheng You's approach, however, was completely the opposite, which was related to his state of mind.

But now, after experiencing so much and with the guidance of Date Hang, Cheng You suddenly realized the mistakes he had made.

My father went to fight the fire because he was capable; he was capable of saving more people, and he was willing to sacrifice himself to save others.

Since if I don't do it, thousands of other people might do it, so why not do it myself? Others might not have the ability to do it.

At this moment, all his lifelong learning and practice came in handy once again.

This path has indeed been difficult; there's no one who understands me, not even my own son. If my deceased father knew, he would surely be devastated.

However, now, if his father could see Cheng You punishing evil and promoting good in the crime-ridden city, he would surely be gratified.

Once this time travel mission is successfully completed, Cheng You will definitely not act this way when he returns to the first year of Ke Xue's era. He doesn't want to suffer all the hardships alone anymore.

Moreover, to bring down an eagle, it's impossible to rely on Cheng alone; there are also those who stand behind him at all times and never leave.

When Cheng walked back to the neighborhood, it was brightly lit, and occasionally he could hear the happy laughter of a family coming from the high-rise buildings.

I wonder when he'll be able to have a free party with his family and friends.

At that time, he will have many true friends, right?

[Congratulations, host, your mindset has changed.] The system's voice suddenly rang out, with a hint of cheerfulness.

Cheng You's smile vanished instantly: "I'd be even happier if you hadn't said anything."

System: [...It's truly remarkable that you helped our innocent host emerge from her gloom. This is all thanks to me, the system master. Hurry up and thank me!]

Cheng smiled helplessly: "Thank you, System Master."

The system smugly hummed. Cheng You thought that if the system were a person, its nose would probably be pointing to the sky right now.

Cheng You had just gotten home that evening and was thinking of taking a relaxing bath when there was a knock on the door.

Cheng Youcai has not lived here for long, and he doesn't have any familiar neighbors or many people he knows. Who could be looking for him?

He walked over lazily, looked through the peephole, and saw it was Date Wataru.

Cheng You then opened the door with great joy: "Senior Date!"

"Hey, Hirata. Didn't you say you went to buy food? I just saw you get back. You must have been busy with something else all this time." Date Wataru said with his hands behind his back, looking amused.

“This…” Cheng scratched his cheek sheepishly.

"It's nothing, no need to talk about private matters." Only then did Date Hang take his hand out, and Cheng You immediately noticed the pink box in the other person's hand.

"this……"

Ida Hang immediately handed the pink box in his hand to Cheng You: "Here, I know you haven't eaten, so I specially asked Natalie to make an extra portion for you."

Cheng was flattered and flustered, unsure whether to refuse or accept, and didn't know where to put his hands: "Isn't this too much trouble for Miss Natalie?"

“Oh, it’s alright,” Ida Hang said, shoving the boy into Cheng You’s arms. “Natalie is also very concerned about you. After all, she’s my junior, and some of her behaviors are quite like mine. Natalie knows you came from abroad alone to study, and she was very worried about you. You’re still so young; you look like you should be in college by now.”

"I..." Cheng You held the pink lunchbox, so moved that she didn't know what to say.

"Alright, the lunchbox has been delivered. Mission accomplished. I should head back and report to Natalie. See you tomorrow, Hirata Hirokazu." Date Wataru said, waving goodbye as he left.

Cheng stood at the door for a long time before carrying the pink lunchbox into the house. As soon as he opened it, a wave of heat and aroma wafted out.

These are all foods that Cheng likes to eat.

When did they find out?

It's likely that whenever Date Wataru brought him and Takagi Wataru to his home for lessons, Date Wataru and Natalie would pay attention to these details: what they liked to eat, which dishes they ate the most of, and which dishes they hadn't touched...

Thinking about this, Cheng couldn't hold back anymore. They really took care of him like his older brother or sister.

"System, I suddenly realize that your existence is truly full of happiness and hope," Cheng You said to the system in his heart.

System reply: 【Of course. Our system exists in every world and every plane, there to mend regrets, change fates, and rediscover hope.】

"Of course, not everyone will encounter a system in their life, but everyone has friends and a sense of self. The best way to change your destiny and find hope is probably to break through your own limitations, or to break free from the shackles you've placed on yourself together with friends," the system continued.

Goodnight, host. Wishing you all the best. The System will always protect you.

"As expected of a system, so many cynical motivational quotes..." Cheng You drifted off to sleep, his voice growing softer and softer.

————Behind-the-scenes glimpses of the wrap-up————

On set: Cheng You fails to save Ida Hang from a car accident.

Cheng You, who had just finished performing, rushed over to help Ida Hang, who had fallen to the ground.

Ida Ko couldn't help but laugh and said, "That was close! I almost died just now."

Morofushi Kagemitsu, who was getting his makeup done and preparing for the scene, sighed helplessly: "The same thing happened in my scene. I was coming down the chain from upstairs and almost got stuck. But Zero's acting is really good. He didn't laugh at all and still managed to act like that."

Matsuda Jinpei, who hadn't yet had his scene, was still lying on a chair watching the show: "The way you two died was too demanding. Look at me and Hagi, the way we died was so well-done that we didn't even need to show our faces in the plot."

“You all acted very well. The worst death scene was Akai’s, with car crashes and faked death,” Furuya Rei couldn’t help but say. “But it was a completely natural performance; he didn’t even flinch.”

Akai Shuichi: "..."

Kenji Hagiwara walked over, looked at their scene, and said, "Wow, you guys have a lot of scenes later on."