Everyone was baffled by what Qin Xiao had just said.
Looking at Qin Xiao, Conan asked, "How is that possible? If the victim was the murderer, Brother Qin Xiao, how do you explain the wounds on the body? That's not something someone could do to themselves, is it?"
"Don't you all feel a bit hot coming into this room?"
Hearing Qin Xiao's words, the others finally noticed.
"Ah, sorry, I'll turn down the air conditioning right away."
As soon as Qin Xiao finished speaking, Yoko Okino immediately rushed to look for the remote control.
"Though the temperature is a bit high, what does that have to do with the case?"
*(So that's how it is! I understand now! It seems I've lost again this time.)*
After hearing Qin Xiao's words, Conan figured everything out and lowered his head in frustration.
"Actually, the victim's trick was very simple."
"He placed ice cubes on the floor, fixed the knife onto the ice, and turned up the air conditioning. Then he stood on a stool and fell backward, dying on the spot."
"Because the air conditioning had been turned up beforehand, the indoor temperature rose rapidly, causing the ice on the floor to melt instantly, turning the crime scene into a locked room."
Megure Juzo asked curiously, "Then what was the victim's motive? And he didn't have a key to the apartment, nor were there any signs of forced entry from the outside. How did he get in?"
"You'll have to ask our manager here."
Qin Xiao turned around to look at the jittery Eiichi Yamagishi.
"I imagine Mr. Yamagishi must have approached the victim in the past, telling him that his involvement might damage Miss Yoko's career, and asking him to break things off of his own accord."
Hearing this, Yoko Okino looked at Eiichi Yamagishi in disbelief. She never expected that the manager she trusted so much would do something like that behind her back.
"That's right, I did go see Akiyoshi Fujie. But after I explained why I was there, he demanded a large sum of money in exchange for agreeing to break up with you."
Realizing he could no longer hide the truth, Eiichi Yamagishi finally confessed.
"The victim probably realized Miss Yoko is famous now and wanted to get back together with her. When he came to Miss Yoko's apartment, he ran into Miss Yoko Ikezawa arriving here. Because their backs looked so similar, he rushed over to grab her, but she broke free."
Hearing her name brought up again, Yoko Ikezawa immediately shouted, "I told you, I was never here! If you keep spouting nonsense, see if I don't report you!"
"If you were never here, how would you know where the bathroom is, how would you know where the lighter is, and why would your earring be left behind?"
At a loss for words under Qin Xiao's questioning, Yoko Ikezawa had no choice but to admit the truth.
"Fine, yes! I was jealous that Yoko Okino was favored by the network, jealous of her immense popularity. A few days ago, I found a spare key to her apartment and wanted to come have a look around to see if I could dig up any dirt on her. I never expected some pervert would suddenly jump out and grab me, so I shoved him away and ran."
"Then everything makes sense. After being pushed away by Yoko Ikezawa, who looked so much like Miss Yoko, Akiyoshi Fujie was consumed by a love-turned-hatred. Seeing that the door was unlocked, he came up with this locked-room murder method to frame Miss Yoko. That also explains why Mr. Yamagishi was able to find that hair on the victim's body."
Having heard Qin Xiao's deduction, everyone suddenly understood everything, while also feeling a deep contempt for Akiyoshi Fujie.
"As expected of our Dragon of the Police World, solving two cases just days after starting the job."At this moment, Kogoro Mouri shamelessly chimed in, "I've always said you had a bright future, kid! You've already got a fraction of the skills I had back in my prime!"
Upon learning the truth, Yoko Okino slumped to the floor and burst into tears.
"Why would you do this to me? You were the one who asked to break up with me in the first place..."
Seeing her weeping like a pear blossom drenched in rain stirred a deep sense of pity in everyone. Officer Qin Xiao sighed, gently pulled her into his arms, and comforted her.
"Don't cry. A guy like that isn't worth your tears. If you hadn't become famous, do you think he would've ever come back to look for you? Besides, if you keep crying, you're going to end up with a face like a smeared kitten."
Hearing Officer Qin Xiao's comforting words, Yoko Okino finally broke into a smile through her tears and gave him a light punch on the chest.
"Who on earth comforts people the way you do!"
With the case resolved, Megure Juzo prepared to leave, while Eiichi Yamagishi and Yuko Ikezawa were taken back to the police station for tampering with a crime scene and trespassing, respectively.
Just as Officer Qin Xiao was about to leave as well, he was suddenly stopped by Yoko Okino.
"Officer Qin Xiao, I'd like to treat you to dinner tonight to properly thank you."
Meeting Yoko Okino's hopeful gaze, Officer Qin Xiao agreed.
Shortly after, he was brought to a Western restaurant filled with a romantic atmosphere. As soon as they stepped inside, Yoko Okino ordered a bottle of red wine.
When the food arrived, she didn't touch a single bite, continuously drinking instead. Only when Officer Qin Xiao urged her did she force herself to eat a few mouthfuls.
Before long, Yoko Okino was completely drunk. Looking at the drunken mess in front of him, Officer Qin Xiao had no choice but to take her to a hotel for the night, since her own apartment was currently uninhabitable due to the day's case.
After laying Yoko Okino down on the bed, Officer Qin Xiao turned to leave.
Suddenly, Yoko Okino wrapped her arms around Officer Qin Xiao from behind.
"I like you, Qin. Please don't go."
"You're drunk, Yoko."
"I'm not drunk. I've fallen for you ever since you solved that case."
Before he could respond, Yoko Okino pressed her lips against his.
"Mph."
......
The rest of the night passed in quiet intimacy.
Early the next morning, not long after dawn, Yoko Okino woke up.
Her fair, delicate face still retained a girlish blush, and she felt intensely shy as she recalled her bold actions from the night before.
Seeing Officer Qin Xiao fast asleep, Yoko Okino couldn't resist the urge to tease him. She grabbed a lock of her hair and began tickling his nose with it.
*(Hmph! That's for wearing me out so much last night. My back and waist are still aching.)*
Sensing something amiss, Officer Qin Xiao opened his eyes to find Yoko Okino tickling his nose with her hair.
"Good morning, my dear."
Officer Qin Xiao pulled Yoko Okino close and gave her a kiss.
"Honey, I want to wait a few more years to achieve my dream before making our relationship public. We'll have to keep our dating secret for now."
"No problem, I respect your choice."
Hearing Officer Qin Xiao's words, Yoko Okino was deeply touched. "I know that someone as capable as you will probably have other women in the future, so I just hope you'll never forget me—that's all I ask."
"Don't worry. No matter what happens in the future, there will always be a place reserved for you in my heart."
"By the way, were you just tickling my nose? Now I have to punish you!"
With that, Officer Qin Xiao pinned Yoko Okino beneath him.
"Ah!"
The two of them did not leave the hotel until noon.
*[Congratulations to the host! For solving the Idol Locked-Room Murder Case, you are rewarded with Master-Level Bajiquan.]*