"Ekko, you, what, what happened!"
Seeing Ekko raise his weapon to confront the Lotus Flower Gang members, Zeri, not knowing what was going on, immediately tensed up. Was there going to be a fight? But, but there are so many of them! If this escalated, would it be just me and Ekko against this whole group? But... Ekko and I just met today!
But... I just said I wanted to be friends with Ekko. If a fight really breaks out, I, I have to help Ekko, right?! Zeri was incredibly conflicted. On one side was a new friend she felt a strong connection with, and on the other was an organization she admired and desperately wanted to join. Zeri truly didn't know how to choose.
As soon as she spoke, Leo looked at her. When he saw her spark-like hair and that adorable face, Leo was first stunned, then instantly amused.
Holy crap... This was a buy-one-get-one-free deal?! Zeri and Ekko both delivered right to his doorstep?!
In Zaun, if there were only two young people who could change its future, it could only be Zeri and Ekko. One, a magic-wielding girl who defied the Chem-Barons with her inherent magical abilities, eventually even leading her community and loved ones in a rebellion against tyrannical rule. The other, an official "Son of Zaun," a guy so righteous it was almost unsettling, with frighteningly high charisma and brilliance. Leo, despite some of his own biases, had to admit he genuinely liked Ekko.
And now... both of them were right in front of him.
To use an in-game Easter egg: "Children of Zaun, unite!"
Both of these Zaun talents had appeared before him! Leo was instantly overjoyed. The slight melancholy he'd felt earlier, after giving Jinx dozens of gold coins for research with no results, immediately vanished without a trace.
"Zeri, run! Don't worry about me!" Ekko waved his hand vigorously at Zeri, shouting, "This is all a trick! They're all Silco's people! All Chem-Baron people!"
"This has nothing to do with you!" Ekko yelled. He didn't intend to drag Zeri into his affairs. From his perspective, this was clearly a conspiracy! Silco... damn him!
"But, but..." Zeri was at a loss, unsure whether to listen to Ekko or trust what she had seen. Ekko's behavior didn't seem feigned; his expression now was like that of a fierce wolf, very frightening.
But... everything Zeri had seen in the Hope Community wasn't fake either. So who should she believe now?
Just then, Leo looked at Zeri and gave her a gentle smile. Zeri looked at Leo's face; he was tall and lean, appearing gentle and handsome, especially with that particularly soft smile, like spring sunlight. Although Zeri hadn't seen the sun many times in Zaun, at that moment, her face suddenly flushed.
He's so handsome... This was Zeri's thought at the time. It was the first time she had seen a boy with such a beautiful smile!
Oh no... Grandma said she was at the age for "spring fever." No way... Could Grandma have been right?!
Leo had no idea that the ability he gained from Ahri was affecting Zeri at this moment. The boost in charm and affinity simply made those familiar with Leo find him even more pleasing. But for strangers meeting Leo, they would instinctively develop a good impression of him. While not as direct as Ahri's ability to make others bare their hearts, it certainly prevented any hostility from forming.
Because of this, Zeri felt dizzy and flushed.
Jinx: "?"
Jinx, who had been waving and provoking Ekko, saw this scene. She immediately stopped bothering the furious Ekko, turned, stood on her tiptoes, and stretched out her hands directly in front of Leo, blocking his eyes. She spoke in a very annoyed voice:
"Leo, you're not allowed to make eyes at other women!"
"Otherwise, I'll pluck out her eyes!"
Leo: "..."
After Jinx finished speaking, she tilted her head to look at Zeri, her face expressionless, but her eyes were very dangerous. Her beautiful blue eyes were full of a deathly aura, looking at Zeri as if she were already dead.
Zeri: "!!!"
That gaze immediately terrified Zeri, making her instantly snap back to reality. But wait, why my eyes?! Zeri trembled uncontrollably!
"Stop messing around," Leo grabbed Jinx's hand and pulled her closer, embracing Miss Jinx. Leo had become accustomed to this kind of physical contact with Jinx. She was someone who only expressed affection through "actions," using physical touch to show her liking. Her best way to show she liked someone was to hug them and cling to them. Because of this, Leo had also learned how to get along with Jinx.
Jinx didn't comply, pouting and saying, "Promise me first."
Narrow-minded, jealous, and prone to losing control now and then—that was Jinx. But... Leo had to admit, it was precisely this Jinx who was very charming. Of course, if possible, Leo still wished Jinx could become a bit more normal...
"Alright, alright, I'll only look at you, I promise," Leo said, looking down at Jinx.
Jinx was satisfied. She released her hands from around Leo's neck, stood beside him, legs apart, and leaned her right arm against Leo's side, just above his waist, looking at Ekko with obvious provocation.
Before Jinx could further provoke Ekko, Leo looked at Ekko and said:
"Ekko, I know you have many questions right now, but I assure you, what you're worried about won't happen."
"This is my territory, and Jinx is my person."
"Yes, his person," Jinx nodded her little head, leaning against Leo and raising her left hand towards Ekko. Her fingers moved as if playing a piano; her pale skin and slender fingers were very beautiful. The smug little expression on her face was completely undisguised.
"Who are you again? One of Silco's people?" Ekko looked at the strangely compliant Jinx, a little disbelieving. To be honest, Ekko's feelings for Jinx were very complex, filled with unnamable regret and resentment, but at this moment, Ekko felt more hatred towards Jinx. He wasn't just Ekko; he was also the leader of the Wildfire Gang. He represented more than just himself. Therefore, Ekko wouldn't change his opinion of Jinx because of personal feelings. If necessary... he would kill Jinx. As long as she was still Jinx.
"It's me, Leo. Did you forget the jar you sold me? You even lied and said it was a treasure from Shurima. I took it to show off, only to be told the jar I'd been bragging about all afternoon was Old Brown's spittoon," Leo said.
"..." Ekko immediately froze.
Zeri, standing nearby, looked at Ekko with a strange expression. Ekko... did he really do something like that? He didn't look like someone who would do something like that.
"Ekko, calm down. We have nothing to do with Silco; we actually confronted him recently," Vi said, extending her hands to comfort Ekko.
Leo heard this and felt like laughing. Nothing to do with him? Sister, the money you're eating with now is sponsored by Silco...
Ekko looked around at the environment. The newly established Lotus Flower Gang stronghold was in a state of disrepair, lacking everything, far from perfect. But there was one thing: hope. Every member of the Lotus Flower Gang looked healthy, showed no signs of shimmer contamination, and had hope in their eyes. Among them, many faces were familiar to Ekko. Though he couldn't name them, they were... very recognizable.
So, Ekko lowered his hand and looked at Leo.
"Wildfire Gang, Ekko," Ekko said, his tone becoming calm.
Leo looked at him and extended his hand:
"Lotus Flower Gang, Leo."
"Come, Ekko, I have a lot to talk to you about."
Leo turned and walked towards a house. Jinx quickly followed him, making a face at Ekko, then reached for Leo's hand, which he held behind his back. It was a hand Leo specifically left for her to hold. Indeed, besides Isa, it was her exclusive privilege.
"Little squirt, come on."
"If you don't come, you're scared!" Jinx stuck out her tongue, gave the middle finger, and shrieked.
Ekko's mouth twitched, his mind reeling. What the hell was happening today?! This morning he met Zeri and confidently invited her, only for her to have no interest in joining the Wildfire Gang. This afternoon he met Vi, who had been missing for years, and a bunch of friends he grew up with... and then there was this Jinx, still crazy but not dangerous?
This wasn't right! Every time he had encountered Jinx before, wasn't it a fight to the death? Guns and explosions were the sounds of their conversations, not this!
But, taking a deep breath, Ekko followed them.
Zeri stood in place, somewhat hesitant.
"Zeri, you come too."
Hearing Leo's voice, Zeri's eyes lit up, and she quickly followed.