Van der

Vander hadn't stepped into Piltover's territory for a long time.

As the leader of the Undercity and the man who established the order of The Lanes, his identity was extremely sensitive; every move he made would be scrutinized and interpreted by others under a spotlight.

One must remember that the last time Vander intended to enter Piltover, he had led the Zaunite rebels in a riot, where the bodies of those who died on the bridge nearly covered its entire surface.

However, even knowing it might cause unpredictable consequences, Vander had to find a way into Piltover because his troublesome "eldest daughter" had caused a major mess.

He really didn't know what was going through Vi's little head, daring to go steal things on the Academy campus. How sensitive and important was that area? The slightest disturbance would attract a swarm of Enforcers.

At the thought of this, a sense of powerlessness inevitably welled up in Vander's heart.

Even facing the muzzles of the Enforcers' guns back then hadn't made him sigh like this.

How did his own old man use to teach him?

Vander recalled the belts and slaps he had experienced in his youth.

He finally understood his father's state of mind at that time.

Vi dared to be so audacious; who do you think she learned it from?

As the saying goes, 'if the top beam is crooked, the lower ones will be too.' Vander's glorious deeds from his youth had been widely circulated in The Lanes, so it was all part of the same lineage.

It was only because Vi was a girl; otherwise, Vander would have certainly carried on the traditional family education methods passed down to him.

*Smack!*

Vander struck Mylo's head hard, making him cry out in pain.

"Dad, why'd you hit me?"

"Nothing, just had an itchy hand,"

Vander said indifferently.

Fortunately, he had adopted two sons; otherwise, he wouldn't have anyone to vent his frustrations on.

When it came to hitting his sons, he delivered heavy punches.

He was the perfect example of 'valuing' boys over girls—by giving them the heavy-handed treatment.

"..."

Mylo's lip twitched as he hurried his pace to avoid getting hit again. The two of them leaped and tumbled across the rooftops.

Despite Vander's burly and sturdy build, his hands and feet were even more nimble than the young Mylo's. It was clear he had done this kind of work plenty of times in his youth.

"It's right there."

Mylo pointed toward the Academy apartment building not far away.

Vander vaulted onto the balcony and took a deep breath to calm himself. Since it concerned his children, he was even more nervous than when he had charged across the bridge.

However, when he pushed the door open, the scene before him left him a bit stunned.

Vander had originally thought Vi would be tied up and hung, suffering through torture.

When Piltover's Enforcers caught Zaunite thieves, they loved to interrogate them like that.

Yet, at this moment, Vi was sitting on a chair, one leg raised ungracefully to rest on the seat. Both hands held a bowl of steaming noodles, and she had her face buried in it with no table manners at all, making loud slurping sounds as she ate.

Compared to her, Powder next to her seemed quite poised and elegant, like a young noble lady.

"Oh, Dad, you're here."

Claggor was the first to notice Vander. His expression brightened as he quickly gulped down the remaining soup in his bowl, wiped his mouth, and went to greet him.

"Weren't you caught for a crime?"

Vander asked, frowning in confusion.

"Uh, yeah."

Claggor paused, only then realizing the situation was a bit off. How had they ended up eating noodles?

But truth be told, these noodles were cooked far too deliciously.

Claggor smacked his lips. If Vander hadn't shown up, he would have wanted to raise his hand for another bowl.

"Committing a crime is one thing, but it's not enough to deny them a bite to eat. Even if they were going to the execution ground, they'd have to be fed first."

Chen Nuo put down his chopsticks and looked up to speak.

Beside him, Caitlyn elegantly and briskly wiped her mouth, then stood up behind Chen Nuo, considering herself his strongest support.

Don't be fooled by Miss Caitlyn's youth; her Women's Combat Arts were top-tier. Three to five ordinary thugs couldn't get near her. Without sufficient strength, she wouldn't have supported Chen Nuo's approach.

"Vander..."

Vi put her foot down, feeling a bit guilty, and didn't quite dare to look Vander in the eye.

Stealing wasn't much of a deal—which child in The Lanes didn't have such skills?—but being caught and having a parent come to bail you out was another matter entirely.

"My apologies, you two. It's my fault for not disciplining my daughter well. I apologize to you on their behalf. This is my compensation; I hope you can accept it. If it's not enough, please give me some time to raise more."

Vander was straightforward and direct, placing a heavy bag of gold coins on the table. With a gentle push, the coin purse slid right in front of Chen Nuo.

If things could be settled with money, that was for the best.

Chen Nuo opened the bag and took a look; the coins were bright gold without any impurities.

"Very sincere indeed."

Seeing this, Vi wanted to say something, but Vander noticed and gave her a harsh glare, forcing her to lower her head in frustration.

"I'll take the gold, and you take the people. Let's call it making a friend. If there's a chance, I'll come visit you in the Undercity."

Chen Nuo hadn't intended to do anything to Vi and the others anyway. Since Vander had provided a way out, he simply took it.

Otherwise, what? Was he supposed to provide late-night snacks for Vi and the rest?

These half-grown kids were each more voracious than the last; better to throw them back to Vander to raise.

"If you really have such plans, you can find me at the Fuggen Bar. Just give them Vander's name. Everyone in The Lanes knows me, and I have a bit of a reputation there."

Vander was somewhat surprised by Chen Nuo's words. It was the first time he'd heard someone from Piltover speak of Zaun with such an attitude, as casually as if they were going to some tourist attraction.

This actually made Vander feel a bit of goodwill toward Chen Nuo.

What the people of Zaun lacked most right now was equality and respect, especially from Piltovans.

"Sounds like you're quite the big shot. I'm Nuo."

Chen Nuo said, looking at the bearded man before him.

"I just know a lot of people,"

Vander said modestly. The legendary figure once called the 'Black Hound' by the people of Zaun had now put on the collar of 'family,' drawing in his sharp edges and appearing much more approachable.

"Then I won't see you out. Be careful not to get caught by Enforcers."

Chen Nuo waved his hand, ending this brief meeting.

"Goodbye, Nuo. The noodles you cooked were very delicious."

Powder looked up at Chen Nuo, blinking her bright, large eyes.

"I'll cook them for you again next time."

Chen Nuo reached out and ruffled Powder's head; her hair was much smoother than Vi's.

"Don't touch my sister!"

Seeing this, Vi became a bit flustered and pulled Powder into her arms, glaring at Chen Nuo like a puppy whose territory had been invaded, asserting her sovereignty over Powder.

*This is my sister.*

"Vi!"

Vander barked a reprimand.

Chen Nuo was willing to let them off, which was already giving them plenty of face. How could she still have such an attitude? It seemed he really had been too indulgent with Vi lately.

Vander had already made a decision. Once they got back, he would definitely give Claggor and Mylo a good thrashing right in front of Vi.

Don't ask why the two sons were the ones getting punished.

Boys were tough and thick-skinned.

Making a mistake was one thing, but if they couldn't be made to realize where they went wrong, that would be a big problem.

Vander gave Chen Nuo an apologetic look and pushed Vi forward with his palm, which was as large as a cattail leaf fan. The family took the path less traveled, disappearing across the rows of rooftops.

"Is it over just like that?"

Caitlyn looked at Chen Nuo, her previously tense heart finally relaxing.

"Otherwise, what? They didn't manage to steal anything anyway."

Chen Nuo poured out the bag of gold coins, divided them into two halves, and pushed one stack in front of Caitlyn.

"Finders keepers."

"..."

Caitlyn shifted her beautiful eyes and swept the pile of gold coins into her pocket. A young lady like her didn't lack this bit of money; she was just doing it to give Chen Nuo face.

"You're not really going to Zaun, are you?"

Caitlyn narrowed her eyes, staring into Chen Nuo's eyes, trying to use the psychological knowledge she had learned to analyze his inner thoughts.

"That's a matter for the future."

Chen Nuo did not deny his intentions.

"That place is very dangerous."

"I know."

"You can't go down there alone."

"So I should take you with me, right?"

"Exactly, exactly."

Caitlyn blinked and gave Chen Nuo a little look that said, "At least you're sensible."

A young lady who wasn't rebellious wouldn't be normal. Underneath that lady-like facade, Caitlyn also harbored an adventurous and rebellious heart.

"Can I refuse?"

"Of course not!"

Caitlyn hooked her pinky with Chen Nuo's, forcibly making a pact.

"Pinky swear; if you back out, you have to swallow a thousand needles."

"No way, Miss Caitlyn. You still believe in this at your age?"

"What do you mean 'this age'? Am I very old?"

Caitlyn keenly caught the keyword, and her gaze instantly became dangerous.

"Pretend I didn't say anything."

Chen Nuo raised his hands in surrender... On the other side, Vander managed to take Vi and the group back to The Lanes via the underground lift before the bridge rose.

Seeing that they were almost home, Vi's originally stubborn and defiant expression was almost impossible to maintain, replaced by some apprehension and unease.

Anyone who has been a child understands.

Outside, parents might save some face for their children, but once they get home and close the door, there are no more such concerns.

The four youngsters kept communicating with their eyes behind Vander's back, but they clearly couldn't think of any good solution right now.

Running away was out of the question.

The entire Lanes was full of Vander's people; they could be easily caught no matter where they ran. It wasn't like Vi hadn't tried it before when she got into trouble, and the result was only a harsher punishment.

The people around them looked at the stone-faced Vander and could only give Vi a look of helpless sympathy, wishing her luck.

Back in the basement of the Fuggen Bar, Vander looked at Vi's stubborn, unyielding eyes, and his anger finally failed to hold up. His straight shoulders slumped as he sighed and said,

"That kid didn't look very sturdy; you actually couldn't beat him?"

At the mention of this, Vi couldn't help but speak up.

"Don't be fooled by that guy's appearance; his fists are incredibly hard. The three of us combined were no match for him."

On this point, Vi had indeed been beaten into submission; otherwise, she wouldn't have been so well-behaved while eating the noodles Chen Nuo cooked.

Children of The Lanes followed the rule of whoever had the bigger fist had the say.

That was how Vi had originally beaten Mylo and Claggor into submission.

"It was four..."

Powder weakly corrected.

Well, she indeed had a bit less participation in the whole process and hadn't even been punched in the end, but Powder felt she had still played a role.

As for what that role was, don't ask.

"I couldn't tell. I thought he would be a Scholar or a Mechanic in the future, but now it seems a Brawler might suit him better."

Vander's tone carried a sense of unmasked admiration.

He could fight, he had brains, and he was so young—a definite prospect.

This made Vi even more indignant. It had been a long time since she had been praised like this by Vander, especially when being compared to Chen Nuo. She couldn't help but say sourly,

"So what? He's not from Zaun."

"But he might be able to change Zaun."

"Him, a Piltie? Don't be ridiculous. Those Topside people don't care about us."

Hearing this, Vi became even more indignant. Even she had never been given such high hopes by Vander; what right did that brat Chen Nuo have?

Just because he was a bit better at fighting and a bit smarter than her.

As if no one else could grow a brain.

"Just because he's willing to communicate with us, and willing to show you some kindness instead of calling the Enforcers to throw you in prison—that's the most precious thing."

Vander said to Vi with serious earnestness.

He saw Vi as his successor, but her gaze was still fixed on the struggle with Piltover, seeing the Topside people as enemies, just as he had in his youth.

However, past facts had already proven that this path only led to greater conflict and sacrifice and could not bring peace or tranquility.

Vander hoped Vi could realize this, but it seemed she would still need a long time to understand.

"Hmph."

Vi turned her head away, expressing her dissatisfaction.

Having only just begun to try and understand the world through her own eyes, her understanding of the relationship between the two cities was indeed still too one-sided.

But there was one thing Vi had to admit Vander was right about: Chen Nuo really was a bit different from the Pilties she had encountered before.

Though he was just as annoying, it wasn't the kind of visceral loathing that made her uncomfortable. Instead, it left Vi with a bone to pick, making her want to find a good opportunity to pay back the punches she'd received.

By then, Vi reckoned she would be willing to be friends with Chen Nuo.

Yeah, it would be best to be sitting on top of Chen Nuo, reaching out a hand to him with a condescending look.

Just the thought of this scene made Vi feel like she was about to fire up.

"Let's not talk about this anymore; you'll understand later. But you really went too far this time. Don't even think about stepping out of The Lanes for a week."

When Vander got serious, his voice still carried a lot of weight.

"I won't go out then!"

Vi shouted loudly, but she sounded quite submissive.

She actually was a bit afraid of Vander when he was angry.

The fact that this could be glossed over so easily this time made the few of them feel a bit lucky in their hearts.

Especially for Mylo and Claggor.

Vander had originally thought to let these two boys watch Vi, but he didn't expect them to be so disappointing and get led astray instead.