CHAPTER 22 - Unexpected Meeting

Even without Vi's warning, Claggor and Milo had already abandoned everything in their hands and rushed outside to the balcony.

Following closely behind them were Vi, and trailing behind her, Powder, whose mind was already completely occupied by panic.

After only a few steps, Powder accidentally kicked the table leg, letting out a painful cry and falling forward to the ground.

"Powder!"

Hearing the commotion behind her, Vi, who was about to climb onto the roof outside the balcony, lowered her head to take a look, and her heart sank.

Powder's expression was one of pain, holding her ankle with one hand, tears glistening in her swollen eyes.

"Vi, my foot..."

At that moment, the room's door was already completely pushed open, and the two individuals who had been following the pair walked in, the younger-looking one among them spoke.

No wonder I felt like I was being watched all the way here. So, it's you guys...

Li Lin, holding his right elbow with his left hand and his index finger against his chin, looked slightly surprised. "Oh, are you all here for a tea or something?"

Vi, glancing worriedly at Powder for a moment, gritted her teeth and jumped back onto the balcony.

"Vi, don't go back. You'll be caught!" Milo shouted anxiously from the rooftop.

But Vi couldn't possibly abandon her sister.

"You two go ahead, don't mind us!"

Vi quickly ran to Powder, embraced her, and stared coldly at the owner of this house.

"We won't leave you two behind!" Claggor muttered, climbing back onto the balcony and standing behind Vi.

"What's wrong with all of you!" Milo said, pretending to be fierce, looking at Li Lin while rubbing his fists.

"Huh? if you do that, your charges will include Assault. And, I'm a craftsman of the Kiramman family. Guess how many years you'll be sentenced to, on top of your attempted theft?" Li Lin smiled as he spoke, but he was just trying to scare these ignorant kids.

After all, he had some acquaintance with Vander, the leader of the Undercity. These four kids were, in a way, his adopted children.

Sometimes, having one more friend is better than having one more enemy.

Moreover, the sisters in front of him were people Li Lin was familiar with, and there was a bit of sentiment involved.

Regardless, he wouldn't actually send them to prison.

However, the kids took his words seriously.

Vi patted Powder's shoulder gently and then stood up expressionlessly, locking eyes with Li Lin.

"All of this was my idea alone. Let them go, and I'll go to the police station for legal judgment."

"Vi?" Powder stared at her sister's slender figure in shock, unable to close her mouth.

"What?!" Milo, with a flustered expression, grabbed her shoulder. "Why would you do this!"

"It's not just your fault; we all have a responsibility. I can't let you bear it alone." Claggor chimed in.

And Powder, still sitting on the ground, was already teary-eyed, unable to stop choking back sobs.

"You guys..." Vi's eyes reddened slightly. "No! Vander still needs you all. If someone has to take responsibility, I alone am enough."

She shook off Milo's hand, took a large step toward Li Lin, and stopped about a meter in front of him.

"Let them go. Arrest me; that will be enough."

"Chuckle..." Unable to hold back, Li Lin burst into laughter at the earnest and heavy expressions of these kids.

"Why are you laughing?" Vi furrowed her brows.

Vi's eyebrows furrowed, "What are you laughing at?"

"I remembered something happy... cough, cough."

Li Lin waved his hand, turned, closed, and locked the door behind him.

Then, amidst the surprised gazes of Vi, Claggor, and Milo, he walked straight to the chair at his worktable and sat down.

"What do you mean by this?" Vi's brows furrowed even tighter.

"If Vander knew you were so responsible, would he feel relieved?" Li Lin looked teasingly at the pink-haired girl in front of him.

Beside the table, Milo exclaimed, "You know Vander?!"

"Of course, why else would I bother going to The Last Drop? Weren't you all following me from the tavern?" 

Everyone looked at each other and collectively sighed in relief.

Milo wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, "What the heck, why didn't you say it earlier? You made us worry for nothing."

"Coming here to steal, worrying for nothing is already considered light."

With Li Lin's retort, Milo felt a bit awkward and didn't dare to speak again.

"I'm truly sorry; we didn't know you were Vander's friend."

Vi awkwardly ran her fingers through her messy hair, feeling both puzzled and indignant.

Vander actually had friends in the upper city? Wasn't he supposed to be hostile to the Piltovan folks?

Of course, to safeguard herself and her companions, she didn't express these emotions.

"Even if you're not, you shouldn't come to the upper city to steal. Today, it's me, but if others catch you, the consequences will be severe."

"Yes, yes, you're right. I believe you're Vander's friend now. Your long-winded tone is just like his..."

Vi sarcastically commented in her mind.

"Well... we won't trouble you anymore; we'll leave now."

Vi walked to her sister's side, intending to help her up. However, as soon as she tried, her sister winced in pain and sat back down.

"Ouch..."

Powder looked at her sister with teary eyes, a pitiful sight.

Vi crouched down, gently rolled up her sister's left pant leg, and then took off her shoe and sock, revealing a small, tender foot.

"So swollen, looks like it's more than just a minor sprain..."

Vi bit her lip, staring at Powder's red and swollen left ankle, momentarily perplexed.

To leave this place, they had to climb the outer buildings. But with Powder's current condition, how could she hop and skip at such heights?

"If you trust me, you can leave her here for now."

Vi turned to Li Lin, a questioning look in her eyes.

"You can leave and wait outside. During the break after a while, I'll escort her out through the back door."

"Don't worry; I have some status in Kiramman's house. Even if discovered, nothing will happen."

"Um..." Vi hesitated.

Powder wiped away the tears on her face, "It's okay, big sister. I can take care of myself."

Vi looked conflicted, still hesitating.

"To be honest, leaving Powder here is the only choice."

To Vi's surprise, Claggor also shared the same opinion.

After much contemplation, she sighed heavily, looking at Li Lin with a very serious expression. "...Then, we'll trouble you!"