-94- Linwin: ?

The words echoed in her mind, almost slipping out at one point.

But Powder held back.

"Powder, we are working right now," Vander said, looking at his beloved daughter who stood behind the door with a disapproving tone. "I know you want to see Linwin, but you can wait. Let us finish our discussion first."

Silco, sitting in a chair, tapped his forehead with two fingers, watching Powder shaking her head slightly. He thought to himself that she lacks patience, her feelings laid bare in front of Linwin. But it could be both good and bad. At least, she boldly reveals her emotions, always has been.

Silco thought Powder's mind might be in turmoil right now, indulging in some imaginative scenarios. 

Yeah, self-indulgence.

She really enjoys doing this; Silco thinks this might be one of the reasons she's a genius.

"Did I disturb you?" Powder stepped away from the door but didn't leave, walking in.

"Of..."

Vander opened his mouth, ready to say it's a obvious matter. 

Still, Silco beat him to it, issuing the command: "Alright, let's call it a day. Rest up, but reconvene at 8 PM tonight. Some matters need to be addressed in the next few days, or nobody's leaving. We've delayed long enough."

"Why are you looking at me when saying this?" Linwin blinked, displeased, looking at Silco.

Is this guy targeting me? I haven't received a warm welcome since my return.

Silco lifted his eyes, calmly looking at Linwin, saying, "Whose fault do you think it is that we've come to this point?"

Linwin was rendered silent.

He just shut his mouth and stared at slico.

"Heh," Silco waved his hand, loudly declaring, "Meeting adjourned."

Vander wanted to say something more, but seeing Powder running to Linwin, he just shook his head with a bitter smile.

This kid, Linwin...

"Have a good chat. I'm going to eat something."

After everyone left, only three people remained in the room, or rather, two and a half. 

Kai'Sa, unaware of what transpired, looked at Linwin and the blue-haired girl who was much shorter than him, leaving her in a fog.

Linwin also gazed at Powder in front of him with a strange feeling.

This appearance, Linwin initially thought, Vi is still Vi but Powder is not Jinx, but once Powder's hair grew long, forming two distinctive braids, he couldn't help but think – isn't this Jinx?

"Your hair."

"How is it? Looks good, right!"

"What were you thinking? Letting your hair grow so long."

Powder shook her head, swaying the two braids behind her. She stole a glance at Kai'Sa, who stood there, seemingly wanting to ask Linwin who she was. Still, the thoughts and the words that came out were different.

"After you left, I started growing my hair, thinking about when you'd come back. I planned to cut it when you returned, but you were away for so long."

"Then it ended up like this."

Powder held one braid with her hand, gently swaying it, as if cracking a whip.

Linwin listened, momentarily taken aback. He used to help Powder with her hair, just as he did with Vi, but Vi didn't like him touching her hair.

Linwin wore a helpless smile, instinctively reaching out to pat Powder's head. However, when his hand hovered over her head and met her gaze, Linwin hesitated.

Old Zoran, Silco, and Vander – everyone seemed to believe that Powder and he had a certain kind of relationship. Linwin realized there were reasons for this perception; he used to spoil and be very close to Powder. Consequently, people often regarded them differently.

Linwin's hand lingered above Powder's head, unable to come down. Besides acknowledging this aspect, there was a certain distance that naturally crept in after being away for so many years. This distance would take some time to dissipate.

Unexpectedly, Linwin did manage to pat Powder's head. 

Rising on her toes, Powder proactively rubbed her head against Linwin's hand. Linwin, unable to see her face, playfully patted her head, saying, "Now that I'm back. But there's no need to cut it. You look good this way."

"Really?"

"Of course, when have I lied to you?"

"If you say something like that again, I might get angry. Linwin, you promised to come back soon."

"I said I'd come back on Progress Day, and today is Progress Day, right? That doesn't count as lying to you, does it?"

"Well, okay, I'll let it pass."

Powder jumped back, raising her eyebrows as she glanced at Kai'Sa beside her. Her courage had depleted after that moment, and she wasn't sure what she had been thinking.

Examining Kai'Sa with her eyes, Powder asked, "Who are you?"

Linwin, smiling, attempted to introduce Kai'Sa. He put his hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her forward, starting to say, "She—"

"I want her to say it herself," Powder interrupted, looking at Linwin's hand with pursed lips.

Kai'Sa, meeting Powder's gaze, sensed a subtle hostility. It wasn't intense, but Kai'Sa could feel it. Unlike the other Zaunites Linwin had introduced her to, Powder seemed to harbor a dislike towards her.

Kai'Sa, sensitive to such attitudes, could understand. After all, her appearance could be quite intimidating.

Remaining calm, Kai'Sa replied, "I'm Kai'Sa."

"Kai'Sa? That's a strange name. Where are you from?" Powder questioned.

Linwin: "."

Strange?

Stranger than strange, whose name could be stranger than yours?

Powder sounded cute when she was little, adorable even, but now that she has grown up, being called Powder always feels a bit odd.

"Shurima."

Powder continued, "And why does your clothes look so weird?"

"I can't tell you about the clothes," Kai'Sa replied coolly.

"That's okay," Powder said, spreading her hands, facing Kai'Sa's indifferent demeanor.

Despite Kai'Sa's strong presence, Powder showed no fear. Stepping forward, she asked, "What's your relationship with Linwin?"

"Powder," Linwin quickly interjected in a hushed tone.

Something's off. What's with this atmosphere? It's not just Kai'Sa's attitude.

Let's forget about Kai'Sa for now. What's Powder trying to do?

"A friend. He asked me to come to Zaun," Kai'Sa answered, eyeing the girl who was shorter than her.

She's very cute but always looks fierce. Kai'Sa noticed that Powder's attitude toward her was different. Not exactly fear, but a strange feeling.

This left Kai'Sa perplexed. She didn't understand what she had done to provoke such a reaction.

"Where are you staying now? At an inn, tavern, or did Linwin find you a place?" Powder inquired.

"I'm staying at Zoran's house," Kai'Sa replied.

Powder stepped back, and the imposing aura disappeared in an instant. She pointed at Kai'Sa with a trembling hand, then looked at Linwin and exclaimed, "You two... You two... s-s-slept."

"Dong!!" A light punch landed on Powder's head, and Linwin vigorously rubbed her head. "What are you thinking?"

"We're just friends," Linwin explained.

Powder looked up at Linwin, then at Kai'Sa, and back at Linwin. "Really?"

"Really."

"Really?" 

"."

"Is she just a friend even though she's so pretty?" Powder persisted.

Powder is still not giving up.

Who knows what he's been doing all these four years!

Linwin: ?

Just tell me what you want!!