Chapter 37: Vests are like washing machines that explode...
She returned to her bedroom, her heart still beating fast.
Haibara opened the door and found Vermouth still lying comfortably on her bed, flipping through the scientific journals on the bedside table.
It feels like the Queen has arrived.
While there was chaos outside, life was peaceful inside. She even started reading scientific journals.
"On How to Invade Elegantly" - by Sister Bay.
Haibara is working herself to death, while Bayonetta is in vacation mode. She looks completely unfazed, like she's just admiring a piece of art instead of hiding in the ceiling.
A work of art (referring to the panicked Shirley-chan).
What is the professionalism of a top actor? Hide and seek one second, catwalk show the next.
Her golden hair perfectly frames her Hollywood-level beauty, giving her a lazy and elegant look.
"Hmm," Vermouth said slowly, "That's really... cozy. Playing house with Sherlock next door. Tell me, does the young detective often visit when the professor is away? Seeking... intellectual companionship?"
Here it comes, the interrogation of the queen.
"Intellectual companionship"—how come these words sound so sexy coming from this person's mouth?
Haibara felt her cheeks heat up, and she rebelled. "Kudou-kun's wisdom, though sometimes annoying, is always for the sake of justice. Unlike you, who seem primarily focused on self-preservation and ingenious tricks."
Ai-chan’s counterattack was soft but precise: You two are on different paths.
Vermouth chuckled. "Justice? What a strange and subjective concept, nothing more than an illusion of safety in a chaotic world. I play games for survival. Occasionally... for pleasure. But your closet is a very small space."
Bayley's values: Chaos is the ladder.
Please circle the word "enjoyment" as it will be tested.
It was clearly hidden in the ceiling just now, so could it be that she also surveyed the closet by the way?
Huibara walked back to the table, refusing to take the bait. "Complaining about living conditions? How rude. I remember you adapting well to small spaces, Chris."
Ai-chan's counterattack. Subtext: Don't forget, I know your background.
This name, the name that Vermouth has been using in recent years, is a deliberate counterattack to remind her that Haibara also has cards.
This is how a high-IQ duel works, every word is a card.
Vermouth's expression was one of genuine surprise and joy. "You're right, Shiho. New York... is truly unforgettable. Although the acoustics there... are better."
She was even smiling. This woman was terrifying yet charming.
What kind of speakers are these? A friend wants to ask (not really).
She leaned forward, her chin in her hand. "Tell me, you had to hide me from that schoolboy detective. Was it for the thrill? You know, I could hear your heartbeat clearly on the ceiling."
Those smiling blue-green eyes were staring at the angry Ai-chan with full of evil amusement.
"You being here is a calculated risk on my part, Chris. I'm still evaluating the return on investment."
Scientists' Stubbornness: Using Economics to Hedge Against Heartbeats. "Venture Capital Love Model"
“Return on investment”? Bei Jie’s reward: an APTX4869 antidote + the heart of a proud scientist?
Haibara wanted to use scientific terms to restore the atmosphere, but the other party was the actress with many faces.
"Calculated risk," translation: You're a big trouble.
"Return on investment?" Vermouth chuckled. "Typical of you, Shiho. Perhaps your investment is purely for intellectual stimulation? Our treasure hunt today is far more interesting than listening to that police officer fumble through basic deductions... This is all so heartwarming. The little detective is really protective of you."
After saying so much, thousands of words can be summed up in one sentence: Your little detective is so good to you (tea).
Sister Bei's jealousy continued. She narrowed her eyes and said, "He looks like a worried brother. Or... like a boyfriend who cares deeply about you?"
Those with squinty eyes are all monsters. Sister Bay started again, and here comes the ultimate life-threatening question: "Is he your boyfriend?"
Conan's reputation is hurt: People are sitting at home and the pot comes from the sky (it's still the pink orange pot)
Huibara frowned: "Don't talk nonsense. He is... a colleague."
"Well, so you're hiding a notorious international criminal in your boudoir to deceive your colleagues?"
As soon as Sister Bay opened her mouth, she was like an old Yin-Yang master, with the subtext: "You are obsessed with a bad guy like me and are willing to betray the whole world."
Then, Vermouth raised her eyebrows again: "That's really thoughtful. Or is this a last-ditch effort?"
Confident and fearless of being favored.
She tilted her head. "You know, for a moment, I thought you were going to give me a surprise. 'Listen, Conan-kun, I found a member of the organization who was lost in Beika Town, an elegant cat. Can we take her in?'"
What kind of scenario is this, picking up a large stray cat (and a poisonous one at that?)? Miss Bei, aren't you positioning yourself a little too much like a "pet"? So corny.
Imagine the scene: Huiyuan, holding the collar of the cat with an indifferent look on her face, said to Conan with small eyes: "Here, I found it. Do you want to keep it?" Conan: "?"
Beilu Modou’s cat sculptures are so disgusting that he doesn’t even let himself off the hook.
Using an extremely lifelike scene, she dispelled the tension of the moment. This sense of relaxation, of "I can handle it effortlessly at any time," was her most lethal weapon. This was the charm of this crazy beauty.
"You think this is quite interesting, right?" Huibara said with annoyance, but deep down in her heart there was a little bit of almost hysterical laughter.
Classic tsundere reaction. She says, "You're so annoying." She thinks, "Damn, I'm a bit overwhelmed by her show."
When fear, heartbeat, and a morbid appreciation are mixed together, the boat of reason can easily capsize.
For some reason, Vermouth's jokes always hit the spot.
And that audacity, and her calmness in the face of difficulties, is both irritating and admirable.
As a scientist, admiration for strength is in her DNA. Faced with an opponent whose professional abilities (whether criminal or flirting) are so top-notch, it's hard not to have a little... technical admiration.
"Interesting?" Vermouth stood up and quietly approached. The scent of her perfume, the expensive and delicate scent of roses mixed with a hint of rare spices, mixed with the familiar smell of Huibara's room.
It smells elegant, dangerous, and of Vermouth.
In Huiyuan, it felt like an invasion.
Ai's entire world, her safe zone, her "boudoir", has since taken on the flavor of another woman. This way of marking territory is overbearing.
"He trusts me," Haibara said, realizing that she was trying to convince herself, not Vermouth.
Like a person walking a tightrope on the edge of a cliff, he can only hypnotize himself by repeating "I am safe".
"And you, in order to repay that trust, allied with me." Vermouth retorted calmly: "Shirley, tell me, who were you hiding me to protect? Me? Or your own complicated little secrets?"
A heartbreaking scene. Bayonetta's move, called "cutting off the firewood from under the cauldron," directly blew away Haibara's moral high ground. Don't you believe in trust? Then what's going on between you and me?
A calm tone of voice was the most hurtful. She didn't even need to speak loudly; just a single, light word was enough to crack Haibara's worldview. The sense of oppression was overwhelming.
She reached out and gently stroked Huibara's chin. Huibara flinched, but didn't shy away. Vermouth's hand was cool, yet it made her whole body warm. In A Song of Ice and Fire, the body trembled, was it out of fear or excitement?
"You're shaking. Still so easily frightened. And yet... you invited me here and hid me. If you count the coffee shop incident as a makeshift social disguise, you've done it twice now."
Vermouth is so good at keeping score. Every "exception" is clearly recorded in her little notebook, ready to be pulled out as evidence of "you are interested in me." She is so good, so good.
"He noticed your perfume," Huibara said, taking a step back to increase the distance between them. He sarcastically said, "It's custom-made. For someone who has to hide from others all the time, the scent of this perfume, haha, is not very revealing."
A brilliant counterattack. Ai-chan is no pushover. You're playing psychological warfare, I'll play the details. Truly a woman with an IQ of 180.
Between the lines, there is an anger that says, "You ostentatious woman, please tone it down."
Vermouth smiled: "Some features are worth preserving, even when disguised."
The subtext of this sentence is: "Yes, I am so ostentatious, but I have the capital. Besides, aren't you attracted by this ostentation?"
She was telling Shirley, I am myself, a firework of different colors, a firework that blooms for you.
#姐学语錄# It is recommended to recite the entire text. In any occasion, you can appear both tasteful and cool.
She reached out and tucked a strand of Huibara's hair behind her ear. "Besides, you still remembered my perfume. I'm really touched."
She was praising her, but also teasing her. She interpreted a vigilant memory as a remembrance of past romance. She was changing the concept, only admiring the actress with many faces.
Huibara dodged suddenly. "I just remembered the potential threat. It's a professional habit."
The kitten's fur stood on end, but the tip of its tail was still wagging slightly.
Besides, isn't Shirley a scientist? When did she get the skill "Memorize the scent of dangerous women"?
#Tsundere Speech Awards# Translation: "I didn't remember this because I care about you. I'm just, just dedicated to my work. Humph."
"Is that all I am to you? A threat?"
The fishing queen's thousand-layered routine. Using a seemingly hurtful question, she forces people to give a negative answer.
The ultimate move, a rhetorical question showing weakness. Sister Bei's retreat is an advance to control Huiyuan's heart.
Vermouth walked to the window and stared at the darkening sky. "But you hid me from your little detective friend. For someone who cares so much about threats, this is a strange choice."
Still cueing Conan.
She practiced this standing posture by the window no less than eight hundred times when she first started acting, striving to make every angle conform to the golden ratio, with the main theme of "I am beautiful without realizing it."
Chinese translation: "Little Shirley, you say you are afraid of me, but your body is honestly hiding me in your little boudoir. Is there something wrong with you?"
Background: She ran away, she chased, but neither of them could escape.
"Detective Conan" is also known as "Eight Hundred Secrets of Each Person in Beika Town".
Vermouth knows the secret of Haibara's true identity, but repeatedly chooses not to reveal it to the organization.
Although Haibara was filled with reasonable fear, she could not deny an unsettling fact: Vermouth, in her twisted way, showed her almost empathetic protection.
What is "twisted protection"? It's the kind of "no one but me can touch my little cat" kind of overbearing CEO literature.
Moreover, it is no longer a one-way arrow, but two tangled arrows that are inseparable and form tornadoes with each other.
"Protectiveness bordering on empathy"? No, it's "damn possessiveness."
"The situation... is complicated," Huibara finally spoke, her tone carefully kept calm. "I'm not ready to face the consequences of exposing you today. And many things, once done, cannot be undone, so let's leave it at that for today."
Huiyuan’s subtext: My CPU is overloaded, don’t ask anymore, if you ask, it means the system is incompatible, if you ask again, I will show you a blue screen.
Vermouth turned around, her expression suddenly serious. The code name slipped softly from her lips: "Shirley, you are always pragmatic. Do you think you have deceived this famous detective Conan today?"
As soon as this name came out, the ambiguity and danger factors in the air instantly reached the maximum.
She calls out the most dangerous code names and says the most seductive words in a serious manner, and she is worthy of being the queen of many faces.
Sister Bei’s soul-searching question: Did your boyfriend (crossed out) and partner really not notice that you have a mistress (me) in your house?
"He may not suspect anything." Haibara said, still more to convince herself rather than Vermouth.
This is self-hypnosis: You can't see me, you can't see me... As long as I pretend to be real enough, Conan won't be able to find out that I am hiding the organization's top killer.
"Oh, I don't think so. He's very sharp and suspicious of everything. That's what makes him a great detective."
Sister Bei: Wake up, silly kid! Who are you trying to fool? Do you think your washing machine is just a decoration?
The truth is out. The first law of science: Never underestimate Conan Edogawa's suspicion. Even a telephone pole looks like a man in black to him.
This wave is a professional certification from the enemy camp and is extremely valuable.
Beijie's sharp review of Conan: A walking, self-propelled humanoid excavator of truth. No one understands the paranoia of a perpetual elementary school student better than I do. (Tactical retreat)
After all, he is the son of Shiragi Kuro's ex-girlfriend. (The relationships between the characters in Mika's small 2-chome are gradually becoming confusing.)
Vermouth said slowly, "But he doesn't know I'm here, and that's the key. Because your acting skills are amazing. I didn't expect you to be such a great actor."
Why does this compliment sound so sarcastic?
"Amazing acting" - Hollywood actress's affirmation. (Thumbs up)
"I learned from the best," Huibara replied calmly. "The organization's training isn't Hollywood-level, but it's thorough."
A textbook retort. High EQ: I learned this from the best. Low EQ: I learned it from you, an old hag.
Organization: I don't take the blame for this. We are a legitimate winery and are not responsible for training actors. Beverly Hills is next door, turn left.
"Oh, I don't think that's organizational training." Vermouth smiled dangerously: "That's the real Miyano Shiho, talented, adaptable, and when necessary, she can improvise and perform a drama that can convince the smartest detective in Beika."
Translation: Don't use the organization as a shield. This is you, Miyano Shiho, the real you. You're super brave, okay? I love you so much, okay?
Huiyuan stood at the door, arms folded across her chest, a chill emanating from her body. "Your comments, in my opinion, are meaningless and unwelcome. You heard he was coming to check on the room, so why didn't you just leave? Opening the window is a piece of cake for you, right?"
Crossing your arms = defensive posture max, "If you tease me again, I'll call the police."
Chilled all over = Tsundere is furious. Use physical cooling to counteract Sister Bei's verbal heating attack.
The tone was like that of a kitten that was angry and embarrassed after being teased, stretching out its claws but not yet willing to scratch.
"Leave?" Vermouth pretended to be shocked: "And then miss your wonderful performance? You acted to your companions, and I was lurking a few meters away, that kind of pure and wonderful tension? It was simply Hitchcock-style fun. Besides..."
Still cueing Conan, what a jealous guy. It never ends.
The smile on her face deepened. "Watching you protect him...it's so charming. Does he know how desperately his little guardian angel is guarding such a huge secret? Does he know about us?"
Sister Bei's dramatic moment: immersive experience of "the joy of hiding in the closet in front of your partner".
Hitchcock's reputation was damaged: I made suspense films, not romance films, please don't cue me.
"Pure wonderful tension" Translation: Watching my wife lie for me is really exciting.
The true intention of Vermouth's last sentence is:
A. Pure provocation and mischief.
B. Test Huibara’s true feelings towards him.
C. Strong official announcement to assert sovereignty.
D. I just want to see Huibara blushing and her heart beating fast.
There was an old saying: "How much sorrow can one feel? It's like a river of spring water flowing eastward." Today, there's a saying: "How much sorrow can one feel? It's like the queen flirting with someone in person." Who can resist that?
"There's no 'we' here." Huiyuan said seriously, "I just did what I had to do."
The first law of tsundere: Whenever they say “we don’t exist”, the subtext is “we are already so good that we need to clarify it.”
“To protect me?” Vermouth’s voice lowered, and the Hollywood actress’s subwoofer attacked: “How touching.”
A woman who has lived for several decades (physical age) loves to watch this kind of innocent drama where the kitten's fur stands on end.
"To protect myself." Huiyuan corrected in a deep voice, "If Kudo knew you were here—"
Here it comes, textbook tsundere speech number one: "I'm not doing this for you."
Chinese translation: "I did it for you, but my pride won't let me admit it, so I can only make an excuse."
#This place is full of silver#
A textbook case of stubbornness: "This isn't all for you." A classic Kugimiya triple combo. A triple combo of "This is this is this." The ultimate tsundere move unleashed. Voice actor memes never get old.
Philosophical moment: Declarations of self-preservation often point to the deepest bonds, and Lacan was right in the know after reading them.
This wave of defense mechanisms would have even Freud shaking his head, and Jung taking notes overnight. The harder the protective shell, the more valuable the soft underbelly hidden within.
"Kudo?"
The voice pack for Sister Bei's oppressive feeling has been loaded.
Just one word, a slightly raised tone, and it instantly turns on the killer move. #TheAlchemyofLanguage#.
Bei Jie: Using the fewest syllables, she drains the opponent's psychological defenses. Foucault's "discourse power" is embodied on the scene.
Vermouth, an artist of words. Her precision sniping skills, a single strike, a sure kill. Her efficiency rivals that of Conan's tranquilizer needle.
She tilted her head slightly, a strand of golden hair hung down, and the corners of her moist lips showed an all-seeing smile, which was both murderous and heartbreaking, and her eyes were full of mischief, saying "gotcha".
Chinese translation: "You thought you were on the third floor, using Kudo as a shield; in fact, I was on the fifth floor. I predicted your prediction and was waiting for you to mention this sentence."
#貝の微表达分析课# Lip corners raised: pleasure max; eye lock: prey confirmed; evil-taste light waves: enjoy the pleasure of exposing.
Oh my, it turns out that Vermouth has been cueing Conan all the time, not just because she is jealous, there is a big trap waiting for her here.
Conan: A-choo. Who is using me as a tool to advance the relationship line? #工具人の悟#
Sister Bayley's thousand-layered tactics. You think she's jealous? Actually, she's setting a trap. You think she's setting a trap? She's still jealous. Schrödinger's jealous jar.
The case is solved. The mention of the little detective was all foreshadowing. Sister Bei's leading questions are a textbook example of criminal investigation. #interrogationtechniquemax#
Scary. Huiyuan's inner OS: Oh, there's a fox demon here. The despair of being crushed by both intelligence and experience.
Vermouth narrowed her eyes, her pupils contracted, showing the excitement of a predator confirming information: "So, you admit that he is Kudo Shinichi? Oh, by the way, I guessed it a long time ago."
Hahahaha, this is a heavyweight statement, not very damaging but extremely insulting.
"by the way" is an adverb that means to kill someone and destroy their heart. A lighthearted finishing blow: You're so cute when you struggle, but I saw through everything a long time ago~ hehe~ #Versaillesのultimate form# Top players speak out.
Bei Jie: Not only did I predict your moves, I also anticipated your predictions. My seemingly jealous buildup was just waiting for you to reveal your weakness. Nash equilibrium seems innocent here.
Senior player Sister Bei: Your lies are an impromptu performance on the stage I carefully arranged. Please start your struggle~ #维护の雅思#
This is not just a crushing of IQ, but also a kind of emotional control. She is telling Huiyuan: "There are no secrets in your world that I don't know." This perspective is too invasive.
Foreshadowing warning. How much information does this woman possess? Danger, washing machine, danger.
The survival rate of washing machines is rapidly decreasing. Calling Akai's sniper rifle. Calling Amuro's Mazda. #SilverBulletMisfireAlert#
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