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After figuring everything out, Hua Bumíng felt a lot more at ease. He turned on Dr. Agasa's computer and, using the method Silver Fox had given him, smoothly accessed the assassin network site.
Seeing the familiar interface, he couldn't help but be stunned—it looked exactly like the assassin website from his past life on Earth. He let out a sigh, "Guess Mark Twain was right about that parallel universe theory…"(Mark Twain once said, if you don't know who said a quote, just say it was him.)
He registered an account under the name "Ah Fei," skimmed through the forum and the job listings, then closed the window. With the cash he'd gotten from Silver Fox, he wasn't in need of money for now, so he didn't plan on taking any jobs—he just wanted to get a feel for how this world worked.
Once he was done, he shut off the computer and headed back to his room to sleep.
In the middle of the night, the sound of an engine echoed outside. Hua Bumíng, always alert, immediately recognized it as Dr. Agasa's car—the Beetle.He hadn't expected them to be out this late.
Dr. Agasa had been the first person in this world to show him kindness, and since he was technically still just a guest here, Hua Bumíng quickly got up and headed to the living room to welcome them back.
When he saw Dr. Agasa, he asked, "What took you so long to get back?"
Dr. Agasa scratched his bald head awkwardly. "There was a murder case… Professor Hirota was killed…"
The moment he heard that, Hua Bumíng took a step back and waved his hands defensively. "Hey, this has nothing to do with me! I swear I didn't kill anyone!"
Haibara gave him a weird look, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly. "Why are you freaking out? Kudou already solved the case. The killer's been caught."
"Oh, thank god!" Hua Bumíng let out a huge sigh of relief.
Luckily, Dr. Agasa's house was big enough that everyone had their own room. Once Conan and Haibara had gone to bed, Hua Bumíng went over to the doctor.
"Doc, this is for you. Thanks for letting me stay here."
He held out a stack of cash. Dr. Agasa stared at it like he'd just seen a ghost, frozen for a long moment. "Did… did you kill someone?"Given Hua Bumíng's identity as an assassin, murder was honestly the only income source that came to mind.
Hua Bumíng was stunned. "No! Of course not! Why would you think that?"
"Then this money… you stole it?" Agasa asked cautiously.
So that's what he was worried about—where the money came from. Hua Bumíng chuckled. "No stealing, no robbing. Someone gave it to me willingly. I know it sounds sketchy, but it's the truth. And really, there's no reason for me to lie about it."
That did make sense. But even so, Dr. Agasa still didn't accept the money.
"What are you talking about? I didn't take you in for money. At first, I just felt sorry for you two, so I brought you home. But now…"
His face flickered with a hint of loneliness, which was quickly replaced by a warm smile."Ever since you two showed up, I realized my life finally has some color. Before, it was just dull research and cold machines—no one to talk to. But now…"
He didn't finish the sentence, but Hua Bumíng understood what he meant. He realized he'd been looking at the old man with tinted glasses this whole time. The way he'd just offered the money felt like an insult to this kind and gentle man.
"Sorry… I was being thoughtless," Hua Bumíng said with a self-deprecating laugh.
Dr. Agasa burst out laughing. "Haha, what are you apologizing for? If you really want to repay me, just stay here a little longer and keep this old man company… Uh, no wait—I'm not that old, I'm only 52!"
There's no way Dr. Agasa could've guessed that this casual, offhand comment would end up becoming the most powerful protection his house would ever have—because it made Hua Bumíng, who had originally planned to move out, decide to stay.
"....."