When Lin Wen entered the metal-walled room, he was completely sober.
He realized that he might have been a bit impulsive in hitting Vander earlier. Making Vander lose face in front of so many people, especially when the second-in-command of the team beats up the leader...
However, Lin Wen didn't regret it. Vander deserved a good beating; he always acted like the big boss, and his actions reflected that.
Rather than discussing things with Lin Wen, Vander seemed to be just venting to him. Whenever Lin Wen pointed out Vander's wrongdoings, he would switch from venting Vander to the authoritative Vander.
Did he really think that nobody in the Undercity could beat him? Lin Wen had just spared him some embarrassment!
Lin Wen shook his head and pushed open the door.
Upon entering, he felt something was off.
Little Powder didn't rush to his legs as usual, and Vi was sitting on the couch, hands crossed under her chin, in the same manner Vander often adopted.
Claggor and Mylo stood behind Vi, like bodyguards. Claggor looked at Lin Wen apologetically, and Mylo simply avoided making eye contact.
"What's going on?" Lin Wen asked, then he saw the white-haired little boy hiding in the corner.
"Ekko... you little rascal."
As soon as Lin Wen saw him, he understood the situation with everyone.
Ekko, the clever and sly guy in the group, had his ways.
He was intelligent and mischievous, and in this generation of the Undercity, there was no secret that Ekko couldn't uncover. His strange inventions were all over the Undercity, sometimes even benefiting Lin Wen.
He was indeed a very clever guy.
But... how dare he? He actually dared to use his little inventions on me? And he dares to eavesdrop on my conversation with Vander.
Benzo didn't teach him this, did he?
"Is your butt ready for a beating?" Lin Wen grinned, rolling up his fists, walking towards Ekko.
"Vi, Vi! You promised you'd help me!"
Ekko bolted, running to Vi."
"Lin Wen!"
Vi rushed to Lin Wen, looking up at him and pointing at his chest with her finger, speaking rapidly like a machine gun:
"Why did you hit Vander? Although I don't need Vander to clean up after me, because I'm not a child anymore and I'll take responsibility for my own mistakes. But Vander didn't do anything wrong. He was looking out for me. By hitting him like this, how do you think people outside of the Undercity will view him? Are you two breaking apart?!"
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm not talking nonsense. How could you hit Vander? He's... he's like a father to me... in any case, it's wrong for you to hit him!"
So it's okay if he hits me?
Hmm... Vander didn't seem to want to hit me either.
Lin Wen shook his head and quickly grabbed Vi's hand, then used his other hand to vigorously ruffle her hair. He raised his voice, speaking sternly:
"Who gave you permission to speak to me like this?"
Powder, seeing this scene, felt nervous, holding the blue rabbit plushie Lin Wen had given her, standing there unsure of who to help. However, judging by where her eyes were focused, she leaned more towards her sister.
Older and wiser Mylo simply started walking towards the door step by step, choosing not to take sides, and not even staying inside the room. He planned to eavesdrop from outside.
Claggor, having seen this kind of situation many times, wasn't surprised. Vi, with her quick temper, and Lin Wen, who often complained about Vander being the 'big boss' but still managed to protect and guide everyone. Ha... they easily ended up arguing whenever they were together.
"It's your fault!"
"How did I do anything wrong?" Lin Wen chuckled.
He lightly pushed Vi and then pressed her onto the couch, restraining her shoulder with one hand, making her sit still. Lin Wen then spoke again, his tone fierce:
"What? You want to fight me? I'm the one who taught you how to fight. Besides, even Vander can't beat me. You think you can beat me? Vi, wait another hundred years if you want to try!"
"Also, who told you that Vander's actions were justified?"
Vi sat on the couch, still huffing with anger, retorting, "Of course, I know he was wrong. I'll handle my own mistakes, and if I need to turn myself in, I'll do it on my own!"
"Smack!"
"Ouch, Lin Wen, what are you doing!" Vi held her head in pain after the hit.
Lin Wen withdrew his hand, bent down slowly, and looked at Vi. "Vi, maybe I've been too lenient in the past, or maybe you're going through your rebellious phase?"
Seeing that Lin Wen seemed genuinely angry, Vi stopped talking.
"I had my reasons for hitting Vander, and about breaking apart, do you want me to sever ties with Vander?"
"I didn't..."
"Sit down!"
"Okay"
Vi placed her hands on her lap, straightened her posture, and became obedient, looking ahead without saying a word.
Behind Claggor, little Ekko saw this scene and realized he was in trouble.
Vi always played with him and was his boss... but Vi had a boss too, and that boss was Lin Wen, right?
He didn't mess with the boss, but he managed to anger the boss's boss...
Ekko: I'm done for.
When Vander couldn't handle Vi, Lin Wen would step in. For certain reasons, Vander had never laid a hand on Vi, but Lin Wen was different. If Vi really did something very wrong, Lin Wen would indeed discipline her.
Her combat skills, aside from being honed in the streets, were primarily developed by Lin Wen's training.
Now she could easily handle several same-aged or even older troublemakers. This demonstrated Vi's talent in combat, but also implied that Lin Wen was tough when he disciplined her...
"Do you now understand where you went wrong?"
"Yes..."
"Tell me where you went wrong."
"I was wrong for being impulsive. I should have listened to your explanation first, big brother," Vi said, raising her head, looking at Lin Wen with a pitiful expression.
Lin Wen chuckled, lightly tapping Vi's forehead with his index finger, mimicking how she had pointed at his chest earlier.
"Explanation? Explain what to you? What you said earlier was somewhat right, but what about the things you said afterward?"
Lin Wen lightly tapped Vi's forehead again, causing her head to tilt backward.
"Sit here and reflect on your actions!"
He tapped her again.
"Surrender yourself? Surrender my foot! If it weren't for my permission, do you dare leave this room? Just wait and see."
"Claggor! Mylo!" Lin Wen called again.
"Yes, big brother."
"Here, big brother," Mylo hurriedly ran into the room, afraid of being scolded by Lin Wen for being too slow.
"Except for Powder, from today onwards, none of you are allowed to enter this room."
"And Ekko."
"Yes!" Ekko stood straight.
"Watch over this room for me. If things go smoothly from here, this incident can be put behind us. Otherwise..."
Ekko shivered and quickly agreed.
Finally, Lin Wen flicked Vi's forehead slightly before standing up.
Speaking in a softer tone, Lin Wen said, "I made a promise to you, and I'll sort all this out."
Vi nodded. "I know you will."
"So why did you act that way? Don't you trust me?"
"I do trust you. I just... I feel like all of this is my fault."
"It definitely is your fault."
Vi nodded again. "That's why I think I should take responsibility for it. I've grown up too."
"Ekko already told me."
Lin Wen teased Vi, "You're only thirteen, what do you mean 'grown up'?"
"You!" Lin Wen's teasing got Vi a bit upset. "But you were already helping Vander with things at my age. Why can't I?"
"Even if you've grown up, I won't allow you to do this."
"Why? You can't always be like this. Lin Wen, I know you want to protect me, but I really have grown up. I can make decisions for myself." Vi raised her hands, gesticulating animatedly. "You can protect Powder, and I can protect myself... mmph!"
Lin Wen placed a hand over her mouth and shook his head.
"You're my sister too."
Vi blinked, then turned her head.
Okay... she truly lost to this guy.
Always looking gentle, always pretending to be weak and inconspicuous.
But when something happened, he acted like Vander, asserting himself. Not only did he manage his own affairs, but also trivial things like posture and how she sat.
Truely a Big Brother...