-90- Reunion

Zaun's Grand Avenue stands tall over Zaun's dark alleys, serving as the commercial hub for these shady streets.

Countless shops line this street, but the largest one, spanning several hundred square meters and consisting of two floors, is a massive iron building. The neon sign above, turned off for the night, bears the name of the store.

The store is named — Zoran's Emporium.

Zoran's Emporium can be considered the largest store in present-day Zaun, whether in the mid-layer or the Sump. It sells a variety of goods, and the shopkeeper, a frail old man, even offers affordable repairs for mechanical tools, though only when he's in a good mood.

Now, the question arises.

In a chaotic place like Zaun, having such a store with an elderly, feeble man as the owner, could it be dangerous?

Certainly not!

Thanks to the efforts of the recently established Zaun Enforcers, the order has improved significantly. While there are still a few with occupational diseases, they dare not harbor ill intentions toward Zoran's Emporium.

Simultaneously, even the drunkards of Zaun dare not cause trouble at Zoran's Emporium. It is safe to say that the store is the safest place on this street.

After all, the store's owner is called Zoran.

He's the kind of person who can point at Vander, the father of Zaun, on the street and scold him fiercely.

Even the recently "notorious" Enforcer of the Undercity, Vi, when she sees him, respectfully takes off her hat and greets him with a polite "Uncle Zoran."

But Zoran's attitude towards Vi is different from how he treats Vander. He warmly receives Vi, greets her kindly, and even offers her water and snacks from the store.

You see, he's known for being stingy, a little old man who has a knack for counting every coin.

As for why he behaves this way towards Vi—well, who knows?

And on the 9th of November, the third day of Progress Day, in the early morning hours, right now, outside Zoran's Emporium, two figures are standing surreptitiously.

One of the taller guy let out a sigh and whispered, "I never expected this. I've only been away for a few years, and Zoran has turned the small shop into a big emporium?"

"The changes are truly significant."

Most of Linwin's frustrations were cleared away. After meeting and conversing with Jayce, Linwin became more certain about his own convictions. Despite the irritations, accompanied by Kai'Sa's presence, Linwin had shed many of his worries. Now, upon seeing the words "Zoran's Emporium," all his troubles were cast aside.

He's back.

Back to his home.

Where Zoran is, that's his home.

However, an untimely voice interrupted Linwin's reflections.

"Wait, are we going to climb walls again? Sneak in through the window?"

Beside Linwin, a slightly shorter girl with black hair stared at his profile, making an odd remark, "Is this really your home? What if you're deceiving me again?"

Linwin pushed Kai'Sa aside with a sigh and said, "Don't be silly. I'm still confirming, alright?"

Kai'Sa stepped back, and their current relationship was just like that – partners, comrades, and friends. Despite knowing each other for only a month, Linwin had always intended to get close to Kai'Sa, and she, eager for conversation after the difficult days talking to rocks in Shurima, naturally welcomed Linwin's company. Moreover, after facing Void creatures together, even though Kai'Sa didn't say it explicitly, she had started to trust Linwin.

To reiterate, Kai'Sa was a kind, strong young woman.

Her kindness was innate. Even though people disliked her, ostracized her, she was still willing to sacrifice herself for those who had harmed her.

Kai'Sa, an incredibly good woman!

However, at this moment, this good woman was deeply suspicious of Linwin.

"Linwin, I deeply doubt you now, I super-duper doubt you. I suspect that you were lying to me before. Do you really have the ability to make my life better?"

Standing next to Linwin, Kai'Sa looked at him with perplexity, her eyes tinged with a bit of disdain.

Oh boy, does this look like we're about to steal again?!

What? Me stealing sheep?

That's not stealing! I asked, and if no one wants it, then it's mine! 

Anyway, the reason Kai'Sa suspects Linwin is, who sneaks around like a thief when visiting a friend or returning home? Is there any logic in that? So, what else could it be if not thieving? 'Linwin, tell me, you're actually a very annoying person, right?'"

Linwin looked up at the wall, his mind racing, then replied to Kai'Sa, "Kai'Sa, if we interpret your words differently, does it mean that you used to really like me?"

"No way!"

"Fuck! Don't kick! That hurts!"

Linwin let out a cry and squatted down, rubbing his shin vigorously. Kai'Sa's strength was around three hundred, and without control, her full-force kick could have broken someone else's leg, or worse, turned it into minced meat. Kai'Sa, infected by the Void, was a mutant!

Looking up at Kai'Sa, the instigator immediately put on an innocent act. Just as Linwin was about to continue, the lights on the second floor of Zoran's Emporium suddenly lit up. Bright lights beamed down, illuminating Linwin's head. Next to the light source, a thin old man in pajamas was holding a large gun, glaring menacingly at the ground below and simultaneously shouting, "What kind of dog crap is this? Don't you know where this is? Hurry up and get lost. I can forgive you now, but if you ignore my warning, I'll put two holes in you right away!"

Kai'Sa quickly raised both hands, lifting her head to make a surrendering gesture, blinking innocently.

Linwin stared blankly at Kai'Sa. "What's with you?"

"He has a gun, and I recognize guns."

Kai'Sa hurriedly explained, but her hands were slowly lowering. The atmosphere became silent as Linwin and Kai'Sa locked eyes.

The latter slowly turned her head: "."

"What are you looking at?" 

Kai'Sa is also very embarrassed! What can she do about this reflex action! In Shurima, they had guns too, and she knew from a young age that guns were powerful weapons. Years of common sense told Kai'Sa that when facing a gun, she had to make this gesture. But she's not a human anymore.

"You're quite something," Linwin murmured. Can bullets break Kai'Sa's skin? It's probably difficult. Well, it's my fault. I shouldn't be too harsh on her. After all, she's an ignorant country girl, the one who mistakes a recliner chair for a soft bed. So being a bit out of line is normal.

"Look up, didn't you hear me talking?" The old man above scolded.

But the next moment, he froze. Linwin raised his head, smiling at the old Zoran standing on the second-floor balcony, waving and saying, "Old man, why are you so cranky not sleeping at this late hour?"

Zoran's lips moved, the hand holding the gun lowered, and his cloudy eyes lit up.

"You little Brat."