Guns and Coffee in the World of Science

Chapter 121 Vermouth's Visit

Sonoko didn't recognize the woman in front of her as well as Mao Lilan did. She was stunned for a moment, then a ruthless look flashed in her eyes. She decisively pressed the hammer of the pistol and glared coldly at the blonde woman in front of her: "I don't care who you are, now! Tell me honestly what you want to do by disguising yourself as Shuo Ge? Don't think I dare not shoot!"

Her voice was filled with icy determination, and she pointed the pistol steadily at the other person without hesitation. The blonde woman was slightly startled, then a playful smile appeared on her face, a hint of admiration in her eyes, and she raised her hand slightly, as if completely unconcerned about Sonoko's threat.

"Ah, alas, the second daughter of the Suzuki family is truly courageous," she chuckled, a hint of sarcasm and admiration in her voice. "But are you sure you want to shoot here, Miss Suzuki, or... do you want to know more about my purpose?"

Yuanzi gritted her teeth, applied a little force with her fingers, and looked unyielding: "If you say another word of nonsense, I'll let you taste my bullet!"

Mao Lilan finally came to her senses, secretly blaming herself for her distraction. She took a deep breath and tried to suppress the complex emotions in her heart. She stared coldly at the blonde woman in front of her, her tone unquestionable, "Ms. Chris, please don't avoid our questions! What is your purpose?"

The eagle claw knife in her hand twirled slightly between her fingertips, and the blade touched the blonde woman's fair neck, leaving a fine bloody mark. The cold blade light and the murderous intent in Mao Lilan's eyes complemented each other, making the atmosphere instantly oppressive and dangerous.

Chris narrowed her eyes, clearly surprised by Mao Lilan's decisiveness and calmness, but a hint of provocation remained on her lips, as if she didn't take the threat seriously. She shook her head gently, her tone gentle yet tinged with disdain, "Mr. Wuchen has truly raised two courageous young ladies... But, isn't it a bit ungentlemanly to resort to knife-wielding?"

Mao Lilan's eyes turned cold, and she pressed the blade closer. Her voice was cold and without a trace of warmth: "Grace? Talking about grace with a liar like you who pretends to be someone else? I advise you to cooperate and answer our questions!"

Chris Wynyard lowered her head slightly, looking at Ran Maori before her, a complex feeling running through her heart. Although the sharp blade was pressed against her neck, she showed no fear. Instead, she felt relieved deep down. Her "angel" now possessed the ability to protect herself, and even such a decisive and calm determination. This surprised and delighted her.

However, while she was pleased, she couldn't help but blame Chen Shuo in her heart: How could you teach this gentle and kind girl to be so sharp and murderous?

Chris smiled slightly, with a hint of regret and pity in her eyes, and sighed in her heart: "You really grow up so fast, Angel..."

Vermouth felt the increasingly strong murderous intent of Mouri Ran and Sonoko, sighed lightly, and decided not to beat around the bush. It would be too unfair to die at the hands of these two little girls. She raised her hands, a mysterious and helpless smile appearing on her face, as if the swords and guns in front of her were just insignificant toys of two little children, and there was a hint of pity in her eyes.

"Alright, alright, calm down," she said with a gentle smile. Her voice was soft and charming, revealing an intriguing calmness and an elegance that was unique to her. "You can call me 'Vermouth.' As for my purpose, it's nothing complicated. I'm just curious."

Despite Vermouth's nonchalant explanation, Maori Ran and Sonoko remained vigilant, their eyes fixed firmly on her, unconcealing their hostility. Vermouth raised her eyebrows slightly, her eyes filled with amusement and a hint of unfathomable depth, as if she were merely a regular visitor.

The corners of her lips curled slightly as she spoke slowly, "It's rare to find a girl who can push Akai Shuichi into a desperate situation." Her voice was soft and light, but the meaning behind it was hard to grasp. "So, you've done a great service to the organization... You've helped us solve a difficult and serious problem, haven't you?"

Mao Lilan's expression turned cold, her eyes were as sharp as a knife, and her tone was full of undisguised vigilance: "Are you also from that organization?"

Vermouth nodded, her smile still there, but her expression was a little more complicated. She looked at Mao Lilan with a gentle gaze, and said softly: "Yes, but you can rest assured that I have no ill will towards you. After all, no one in this world would mess with Wu Chen's students and girlfriend for no reason, let alone anger him unnecessarily."

Her words were light, tinged with a hint of self-deprecation, yet her gaze remained fixed on Ran's face. The gentleness in her gaze was tinged with a subtle concern. She tilted her head slightly, a faint smile playing at the corner of her mouth, a look of resignation yet approval, a hint of regret laced in her tone. "Honestly, even Gin is quite interested in you. If it weren't for Wuchen protecting you, he would have wanted to recruit you into the organization long ago."

Mao Lilan stared at her coldly, her words conveying a refusal without disguising it: "It's truly an 'honor', but we have no interest in joining."

Vermouth smiled softly, as if not surprised by her response. A hint of indulgence and doting flashed in her eyes, and her sigh was filled with what seemed to be a subtle complaint towards Chen Shuo: "I know that 'Wu Chen' would never let you get involved in this mess. And you, my dear Angel..." Her tone was gentle but full of deep emotion, as if she was saying a familiar and important name, and her eyes flashed with a barely perceptible tenderness: "The way you hold the knife really surprised me."

Ran Maori and Sonoko were slightly taken aback. Vermouth before them, while maintaining an unfathomable mysterious demeanor, inadvertently revealed a hint of unconcealable warmth. Sonoko subconsciously looked at Ran Maori, as if she also sensed a vague emotion from her words. Vermouth stood there, her expression leisurely, but she looked at Ran Maori with great concentration, as if the girl before her was something precious.

Vermouth gently lowered her hand and slowly took a step back, revealing a no-longer hostile attitude. She folded her hands in front of her and smiled faintly, her expression calm and gentle. "Today was just a case of my 'overestimating curiosity,'" she whispered, her tone gentle and with a hint of calmness. "Don't overthink it. Our organization and 'Dustless' still have a cooperative relationship, and we never interfere with each other excessively."

Her voice was soft, like a casual narration. However, her eyes were still focused on Mao Lilan's face, with a hint of pity in her eyes, as if Mao Lilan in front of her was not just a stranger, but someone she once poured her heart and soul into and cared about.

---

As the night deepened, the living room remained brightly lit, a subtle harmony permeating the air. Vermouth, worthy of her nickname, the "Witch of a Thousand Faces," not only possessed a knack for disguise, but also possessed an irresistible charm in her conversation. Her smile was natural and relaxed, and the conversation progressed calmly, like a casual evening chat, yet also concealing a layer of unspoken inquiry.

Under Vermouth's invisible mediation, Sonoko and Ran, though still on guard, had already softened their initial hostility, their clenched weapons slowly lowered. The three of them sat in the living room, their conversation cautiously tentative, but gradually relaxed, as if they had reached a harmonious understanding.

Vermouth sipped her coffee and smiled faintly, seemingly enjoying this late-night conversation. Ran Mouri and Sonoko occasionally exchanged glances, becoming even more alert when Vermouth mentioned their lives. However, their unease gradually dissipated amidst the gentle words of this mysterious woman, as if their tension and vigilance were unnecessary.

Time slipped by, and Vermouth finally stood up to take her leave, her gaze etched with an unconcealable tenderness. Maori Ran and Sonoko watched her go, unable to resist admitting that this "Witch of a Thousand Faces" possessed an irresistible charm. In this unexpected conversation, they even exchanged contact information.

The moment the door closed, Mao Lilan let out a breath and shook her head, saying, "What a formidable woman... I was so wary of her at first, but in the end I actually felt a little relieved."

Sonoko also folded her arms and nodded, with a puzzled look on her face: "Indeed, she has been guiding the topic perfectly from the beginning. But... Xiaolan, don't you find it strange? She seems to have always been particularly interested in you. The way she looks at you is a bit like... like an elder looking at a younger person."

Mao Lilan was stunned for a moment, and recalled Vermouth's expression with some confusion, and asked in a low voice: "Elder? I didn't see anything special... But come to think of it, she did seem to be looking at me and smiling."

Sonoko, however, still frowned in confusion, muttering softly, "It's just so strange! I always feel like she's more than just curious about you, that look in her eyes is like she's known you for a long time!"

Mao Lilan was also a little stunned by her words, but then she smiled bitterly and shook her head: "We probably just lack her scheming... Why not wait for Brother Shuo to come back and ask him, maybe he will see through Vermouth's true intentions."

Sonoko sighed softly and couldn't help but smile with envy: "Yes, Brother Shuo must know these people better than us. But putting all that aside, Vermouth is really an admirable woman! Mature, confident, and mysterious. I really hope that I can be like her in the future."

Seeing her best friend's out-of-tune look, Mao Lilan held her forehead helplessly and couldn't help laughing: "Don't think too much, go to bed quickly! You still have to go to school tomorrow."

Sonoko suddenly grinned and grabbed Mao Lilan's hand, pulling her to her room without saying anything, blinking mischievously: "Your husband is not here tonight, so sleep with me! We haven't had a night talk for a long time."

Mao Lilan was stunned by her sudden enthusiasm, then smiled, leaned down on Sonoko's bed, and chuckled, "Okay, just don't fall asleep in class tomorrow." The two smiled at each other and started chatting with relaxed smiles. As the night deepened, the atmosphere became soft and warm.