He became a god in Japan starting with the bear disaster.

Chapter 33 The First Step in Solving the Case

"Judging from the contents of the notes, Yokota is interested in the students' mothers, isn't he? There are two key points here."

"I know, it's married women and mothers! That pervert only likes those two, right?"

"..."

"Shuichi, you mean the factors of students and parents, right?"

"good."

Lin Xiu nodded and continued, "Leaving aside the erotic embellishments on the surface, Yokota is essentially only interested in the students' parents. The wives and mothers are merely a smokescreen to conceal his true intentions. He truly cares about and targets only the students' parents because they are his primary recipients of bribes. Look at this section of the record—"

"...A mutual agreement was made. This initial phase will involve taking 10 photos of Anji's face, 5 photos of Akechi's legs, and 8 photos of Kameda's buttocks. According to the agreement, one-tenth, or two and tenths, of these will be given to Maeda."

Doesn't it seem strange? Taking photos of mothers can be explained as a bad habit, but to then give Maeda 2 or 3 photos afterwards is impossible, isn't it?

"Who says it's impossible?" Eri Hasegawa interrupted him. "Can't we just cut the photo up a bit?"

"Shut up first."

Lin Xiuyi had never felt such pessimism towards any person before.

"Shuichi is trying to say that the photo mentioned above isn't a real photo, but rather a metaphor, like money, right?"

She is still as clever and intelligent as ever.

"That's right, and so on: the so-called 'face,' 'legs,' and 'buttocks' refer to goods or services at different price points, and the number of items listed after them is the price. The 'mutual agreement' he reached with these mothers is actually a transaction contract."

The "Chronicle of Observations on Beautiful Wives Outside the Yokohama Education Sector," which records these contracts, is actually an account book detailing the bribery received from parents by the Minato High School corruption group headed by Yokota.

Lin Xiuyi has finished explaining.

"However, seeing through these tricks is useless, because his purpose is not to make it incomprehensible, but to prevent those who understand it from using this notebook as valid evidence to expose him. We need other evidence."

Lin Xiuyi looked at Hasegawa Eri and said, "According to the notes, every weekend is the date when Yokota meets with the parents who have received invitations. Jin happens to have an unused invitation. If we can find a mother to infiltrate the meeting and entice Yokota to reveal her corrupt practices, then things will go smoothly."

Eri Hasegawa felt uncomfortable under Lin Xiu's persistent, probing gaze. She swallowed hard, lowered her eyes, and said, "So, I am that mother..."

Now it's clear: Lin Xiuyi isn't a pervert at all.

He nodded, took a set of miniature electronic devices from his pocket and placed them on the table, explaining, "This is a one-way communication earpiece, designed with a non-metallic structure, so it won't be detected when you wear it. You can hide it in your ear to hear my commands; this is a multi-functional camera, capable of recording video, audio, and real-time transmission. I'll use this to observe your situation and record evidence..."

Hasegawa's attention was immediately drawn to these novel gadgets, and he marveled at them, nodding repeatedly.

Isshiki Jin blinked, picked up the earphones and camera, weighed them in her hands for a moment, and casually asked, "Shuichi, where did you get these things?"

Lin Xiuyi certainly wouldn't tell her that he redeemed it for 10 points from his phone's treasure chest, but he had already come up with an unverifiable explanation: "A wandering black market merchant came to Kotobuki, and I bought it from him."

"I see."

Isshiki Jin nodded, then seemed to remember something, and frowned with some worry. "But it seems that the evidence we have can only prove that Yokota himself engaged in corruption and embezzlement, and cannot clear the name of Maeda. Because, as it says in the notebook, isn't it? — Maeda-sensei helped the principal embezzle and also took the benefits himself."

Lin Xiuyi couldn't help but smile upon hearing this. "Jin, you've misunderstood our objective. The fact that Maeda was involved in embezzlement cannot be erased. We're not trying to prove that he didn't embezzle; doing so would be doing more harm than good."

He suppressed his smile, his expression turning serious and earnest. "The only fact we need to prove from beginning to end is this: that Maeda Kenpei was murdered, and specifically by Yokota Daiji. Therefore, all investigations and conclusions must revolve around this goal."

Both Isshiki Kin and Hasegawa were drawn to Hayashi Shuichi's serious expression and confident demeanor, and it took them a while before they made any further moves.

Hasegawa's expression shifted rapidly, her eyes now sparkling with longing. She prostrated herself on the tatami mat, saying with utmost reverence and earnestness, "Master Lin, please allow me to become your disciple!"

"Aren't you the world's number 100 most famous detective?"

Lin Xiuyi said with disdain.

"That's because..."

Hasegawa looked up, and as he spoke, tears of grievance welled up in his eyes again.

"Hasegawa-neechan," Isshiki Kin interrupted her with a smile, "if you want to become my apprentice, you'll have to get past me first, okay?"

"Huh?" Hasegawa was puzzled again by the sudden question. "Aren't you classmates and friends? When did he become your teacher?"

"That's because Shuichi-sensei and I were already in a tutoring relationship when we became friends."

Yi Se Jin smiled, showing no remorse for fooling a mentally challenged person, and even secretly winked at Lin Xiuyi.

"Wouldn't that be disastrous? You're so smart, how could I possibly compete?"

Hasegawa was almost in tears.

Lin Xiuyi understood Isshiki Kin's meaning and seized the opportunity to further deceive the mentally challenged woman: "Ms. Hasegawa, actually, there are other ways. Since you can surpass the police's level to realize that this is actually a murder case, it proves that you also have a talent for solving crimes."

"I'll consider you to have passed the first trial of becoming my disciple. As for the second trial, let me think... How about this: if you perform well during the infiltration investigation tomorrow, I can accept you as my disciple, what do you say?"

After hearing this, Eri Hasegawa thought for a moment, then nodded emphatically.

She wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, a happy smile bloomed on her face, and she even held up her little finger.

"Pinky promise."

Lin Xiu was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously interlocked her little finger with hers.

"Pinky promise,

If you lie, you'll have to swallow a thousand needles.

Cut off the finger!

Hasegawa finished reciting his lines and quickly withdrew his hand.

"It's a promise!"

"Alright," Isshiki Kin clapped her hands obligingly and asked with a smile, "Next is bath time. There's only one bathroom in the house, so who wants to shower first, please raise your hand?"

"Me! Me! Me!"

Eri Hasegawa immediately raised her hand.

Then, Isejin coaxed her to the bathroom as if she were a child, watched her leave the living room, and then looked at Lin Xiuyi, who was still sitting there in a daze.

"Shuichi, trafficking in children or disabled people is a serious crime."

"...She's older than any of us. While we can't be sure about her intelligence, she should still have basic common sense, so don't worry."

Lin Xiuyi explained helplessly.

Isshiki Kin remained noncommittal, sitting down next to him. "Have you thought it through? After obtaining evidence of corruption, how will you prove the murder?"

She reached out and straightened Lin Xiuyi's uniform shirt.

"You still don't believe me?"

Lin Xiuyi let her smooth out the wrinkles in his clothes and then loosen and re-tie his crooked tie.

Isshiki Kin smiled, this time without any hint of teasing or joking, only gentleness remained.

"letter."