570

"It's really too slow."

In his past life, Senichi relied on this for a living and was knowledgeable about it. Since he was asking for a favor, Senichi didn't mind playing along: "The most annoying thing about oil painting is the slow speed of painting."

Without even considering the repetitive scrutiny of techniques, just applying paint on the canvas would take at least two to three weeks to dry properly.

Sometimes, if you needed to proceed with the next step of painting on the surface, and it hadn't dried yet, you couldn't continue. So, this could also be considered a drawback of oil painting.

"Yes, it's just too slow."

Professor Yamaden sighed, "Back when I arrogantly took over this project, I conducted various researches and tried to add various acrylic polymers to it, all in an attempt to develop a fast-drying pigment.

But unfortunately, we achieved nothing. After that, we researched some carbonate polymers and solvents..."

Conan, feeling the conversation drifting off course, thought it necessary to steer it back, so relying on his identity as an elementary school student, he expressed his "innocent" curiosity:

"Wait, Professor Grandpa, what does this have to do with the pigment we're looking for?"

"Pigment? Of course, it's related." Professor Yamaden looked a bit displeased after being interrupted, then brought up a topic that was somewhat "malicious" to an elementary school student, "You both know how Viagra was invented, right?

It was originally discovered during clinical trials as a new drug for treating heart disease.

But the expected therapeutic effects were weak, almost negligible, but the side effects... I think, besides this little boy, you two should understand."

At this point, Professor Yamaden didn't continue. After all, there was Kurisu Makise, the girl present, and it wasn't appropriate to speak so bluntly in front of her.

He just glanced disdainfully at Conan, who had interrupted him earlier, as if to say, "Kid, you don't understand what I said, do you?"

This act of "bearing a grudge" made Conan's mouth twitch involuntarily. As a high school student, he had already begun to enter the "adult world," and he understood those things. So he also understood what Viagra was.

But Professor Yamaden's confrontational behavior made Conan feel that the old man was really childish, so he chose to play dumb in the face of Professor Yamaden's "provocation," showing a bewildered expression.

When this expression fell into Professor Yamaden's eyes, it made him feel the "hierarchy". He raising his eyebrows and initiating a "tactical lean-back" to lean on the sofa:

"So, it was this case that inspired me. What would happen if acrylic ester solution were added to oil paint pigments?

So, in this direction, we spent a lot of time and effort, continuously experimenting and inventing a brand new oil paint pigment.

Unique.

The evaporation of the ester solution allows the oil paint pigment to dry quickly in the wind, while its surface adhesion reaches as high as 98%. Everything was so perfect..."

"Initially, we were ecstatic because once this material was successfully invented, it would be revolutionary for the world of oil painting!

We even registered a patent at that time, preparing to participate in national-level awards and present it to the world."

But usually, after such words, there's a "however," and Professor Yamaden was no exception as he sighed, "But half a month later, 'heaven' turned into 'hell.' We found that all the coatings began to age and crack rapidly at a visible speed.

The experiments all failed without exception. After all, who would want paint that causes artworks to crack?"

"And then?" Senichi's expression brightened as he knew he had seized the key. "What happened next?"

"What else is there after that?"

Professor Yamaden waved his hand dismissively, "Just like numerous failed experiments, the project was terminated, and the data was sealed and left to gather dust in the database."

"Professor Yamaden, could you possibly show us this data?"

Seeing that this old man, who probably had a desire to express himself because of his loneliness, had finally disclosed important information, Senichi immediately interrupted any further thoughts he might have had and made the request.

"No problem, follow me." Professor Yamaden nodded with lingering excitement, then got up and led the group to the data room.

However, when the professor found the filing cabinet where the research data was supposed to be stored according to the record number, it was already empty.

There were only stacks of white paper in the file bag, and the experimental data that had been recorded had disappeared.

"It seems we've come to the right place."

Senichi looked at the blank paper, put on white gloves, picked up a sheet, and activated his super smell to sniff it. Then he looked at Professor Yamaden and said, "I wonder who ordered this research result back then? Please, Professor, try to remember."

"We don't need to worry about that; we have records here. I'll go find them." Seeing the data loss, Professor Yamaden seemed to realize the seriousness of the situation and left the storage room with unsteady steps, almost jogging.

Soon, he returned with a document and handed it to Senichi.

After opening and flipping through it, Senichi took photos with his phone and returned the notebook to Professor Yamaden. "Thank you for your help. Sorry for the disturbance. So, I'll take care of the rest. I'll investigate the matter thoroughly."

After bidding farewell to Professor Yamaden, the group left the research institute. As they walked out the gate, Kurisu Makise smiled and said goodbye to Senichi, "Since you've found important clues, there's not much more I can do. I'll leave now."

"Thank you, Miss Makise," Senichi said gratefully. "You've been a great help."

"You're welcome. Didn't Detective Senichi help us before? It's just returning the favor," Kurisu Makise smiled and continued, "Besides, having a reliable detective like you around is quite reassuring."

"If you need any help, feel free to contact me anytime. I'll do my best to assist." Senichi naturally understood the implication in Kurisu Makise's words and made a promise with a smile.

That's how it is when dealing with smart people; reciprocity can quickly establish good relationships.

As for Kurisu Makise's reasons for befriending Senichi, it might be because of previous encounters with cases that made her feel having an acquaintance in the field of criminal investigation would be comforting, or it could just be an effort to expand her network.

But regardless, everyone likes mutually beneficial situations.

Watching Kurisu Makise drive away, Conan got into the car and was about to say something when his phone suddenly rang.