-115- Vi: I met a friend

Despite strong opposition, Silco decided to set the assault on Piltover for the first day of the new year. 

However, what should have been a serious and solemn meeting gradually took a different turn.

Those who maintained seriousness during the meeting were only Silco and two chem barons. Others, including Vander and the female chem baron Black Ice, were incredibly relaxed.

Blaming Linwin and Powder for this change in the atmosphere was inevitable. Especially Powder, as she had a knack for making things lighthearted. Now, she was leaning on Silco's shoulder, causing the usually serious leader of Zaun to fall into a "no movement" debuff.

"Let me go, please, Silco! You always helped me!" Powder's hands were clasped together as she rubbed her head against Silco's shoulder. Using a sweet voice, she said, "This is a battle of destiny. As a person from Zaun, how can I possibly hide and watch?"

"Powder, I'll also stay in Zaun when the time comes."

Silco initially didn't want to engage with Powder. Despite maintaining this stern expression, he secretly enjoyed Powder's antics.

However, seeing the displeased looks from Vander and Vi, Silco sighed. In a hushed tone, he spoke to Powder, "Each of us has our own tasks. We need to focus on what we're supposed to do. Powder, fighting is not what we should be doing. You've already done everything you needed to do. Now, what you need is to calm down and patiently wait for their good news."

"I don't want to!"

"Powder, listen to me."

Silco tried to pacify her like he would a child.

On the other side, Vi approached Linwin.

"This time I finally get to act together with you, Sir Lorant?"

"Quit it, don't call me that."

"Then, big brother?"

"So? It's not like Vander is planning to stop you again this time?" Linwin looked at Vi, a hint of a smile on his face. Vi lightly punched Linwin and continued, "Vander can't beat me now."

Vi added, "So, of course, he won't stop me."

Linwin nodded.

Vi would, of course, join this mission. She was no longer the young girl she used to be. With the complete set of Hextech equipment designed by Powder and the emergency use of Shimmer, Vi's combat capabilities, excluding Linwin, Janna, and Kai'Sa, had become the top of Zaun.

Originally a natural fighter, Vi, with good weapons, had grown into the enforcer Linwin was familiar with from Piltover.

However, Vi was now a Zaun enforcer.

Linwin asked her, "Which team do you want to join? Do you want to go with Ekko's flying squad, or with me and Kai'Sa? Of course, I think you should go with Sevika."

"I'll think about it."

Vi looked up, thought for a moment, but then asked Linwin, "Uh, which team do you think I should go to?"

"You and Sevika don't get along well, and Ekko's team doesn't need a frontline assault. Their mission is to maintain order. So, just stick with me?"

"Linwin, I've grown up. I don't need you to protect me anymore." Vi, upon hearing Linwin's words, immediately looked at him with a helpless expression, her tone losing its previous excitement.

It's been so long, but does Linwin still see her as a child?

"No, what I mean is, I need you."

"?"

"Really?"

"Of course, I really need you and those fists of yours." Linwin patted Vi's head with a smile. Vi didn't dodge and instead chuckled, biting her lip.

"So, you finally admit my strength?"

"What kind of talk is that? I've always believed in you. It's just that before, it wasn't about lacking ability, Vi. It was about not being old enough," Linwin said confidently.

But Vi looked at Linwin and wanted to say, 'Then what about you? You're just one year older than me, Linwin, just one year!'

However, considering the things Linwin had done, she held back. If it weren't for that, Linwin wouldn't be the older brother she admired and looked up to.

"Oh, by the way, there's something I want to tell you."

Vi looked at Linwin, coughed, and then continued"

Go on."

"Linwin, I met a friend in the upper city. We have a good relationship, and her identity is quite complicated. So, can I go find her when the time comes? Of course, I will prioritize the mission, and I'll only look for her once the task is completed."

Vi, seeing Linwin's strange look, quickly added, "Just as you said, we're not fighting against Piltover but against the elite of Piltover. If they are good elites, we can spare them, right? She's a good person."

//// In Chinese, he and she sounds almost identical so when Vi is saying "she(ta)" Linwin think Vi was saying "he(ta)" ////

"Do you have a crush on someone?" Linwin looked at Vi strangely.

Vi wasn't someone who stumbled over her words, but when she mentioned that friend just now, her expression was quite strange. This made Linwin sensitive.

Is that punk trying to snatch my dear little sister?

"Of course not! Linwin, what are you thinking?"

"Tell me about this 'friend' from the upper city. Which family is it? Vi, you better inform him in advance to stay away from the Sun Gates on the Bridge and Piltover's Conference Center, because those are the only two places we're occupying."

"Other areas won't be affected; they will be safe. But Vi, I suddenly want to meet your friend, just as a brother."

Linwin said with narrowed eyes.

He couldn't predict how the people around him would end up now. After all, what he thought would be a pair, like Jayce and Caitlyn, didn't turn out that way. Now, Jayce is with Councilor Mel.

Viktor has a little assistant who secretly admires him. Luckily, she's a Zaunite girl who followed Victor to the Zaun Academy.

Powder and Jinx have a certain connection, although, well, if you know, you know.

Kai'Sa is no longer struggling in the sands of Shurima; now, she lives a comfortable life with Linwin in Zaun.

In short, the development paths differ significantly from what Linwin imagined.

So, if Vi has someone she likes and he's from Piltover...

Linwin would have to meet him properly, preferably bringing Vander along!

Because our precious family jewl isn't that easy to be taken!

Looking at Vi, who is clear-eyed, handsome, and beautiful, Linwin thought seriously.

"You..."

Vi helplessly spread her hands. 

"You're really overthinking it, Linwin. She's not a man; she's a woman."

"Uh, are you looking for your bestie?" Linwin blinked.

Well, if it's a woman, then there's no problem.

Vi couldn't possibly like women, right? 

Even though she's had a tomboy image since childhood, it was just to stand out among the boys. After all, long hair and skirts aren't convenient for fighting.

But Linwin quickly became flustered.

Because the Vi in front of him suddenly blushed.

Linwin immediately asked, "Why are you blushing?"

"Well, actually... if I tell you, promise not to laugh at me."

Vi pretended to clear her throat.

"I guess you could say I like her, and, well, it seems mutual. I can feel it...."

Linwin: "???"

Whoa, that's a lot of information! 

Hey, Vi, what are you doing?!

"Her name is Caitlyn. She's a councilor's daughter."

"Though she's from Piltover, my senses for her are good. We joined hands during a thief-catching mission in the upper city, and then... we got to know each other."

"Linwin, can you just let her...."

"Linwin?"

"Lorant?!"

Vi looked at Linwin, who seemed completely lost, and she was taken aback.

But what about Linwin?

He was genuinely shocked.

Is my sister really that kind of person?

No, I'm not naive!

But wait a minute.

Vi and Caitlyn?

This ship was quite popular though....

Linwin found the key point!

My sisters are not normal at all!

One is a potential Yuri, and the other with a brother complex!

Linwin: "..."