At two o'clock in the morning, two furtive figures moved far apart in the alley behind Fugen Tavern. But soon, the shorter figure ran up to the other and offered him her hand. He took her hand and walked out of Fugen Tavern.
Behind the two adult figures was the figure of a small child.
Isha looked at Li Ke and Jinx walking together ahead, a speechless look on her round, chubby face. She covered her head and followed them, whimpering.
Have they forgotten about me?
Little Isha thought with some distress.
The New Life Day celebration was perfect.
Although there are still many shortcomings, such as when Li Ke made a bold statement at the council building that he would hold a grander celebration than Piltover's Progress Day, in reality, the New Life Day is a festival that only the Zaunite know about, and the people of Piltover are basically unaware that Zaun is holding a festival.
If it weren't for those fireworks, especially the enormous ones that overshadowed the Piltover fireworks, the Zaunite would have been entertaining themselves entirely last night.
Even so, all the Zaunite stayed up very late yesterday. The streets were full of Zaunite at three or four in the morning. The Sump enforcement officers patrolled everywhere, afraid that someone might cause trouble because they were drunk.
Zaunite don't really care what others think of them; they just care about their own lives.
Therefore, everyone is happy on their New Life Day.
After the New Life Day, there is a relatively long statutory holiday in Zaun, but Zaunite can't stay idle, so even on statutory holidays, many people still voluntarily go to work.
Li Ke was devastated, exclaiming, "Where can I find such a good employee?"
As long as their jobs are safe and their wages are stable, they don't even need good benefits. They are full of enthusiasm and drive for their work, and even without supervision, they don't slack off at all.
Li Ke thinks this is probably because Zaunite now feel like they are building Zaun, contributing to their hometown, so they don't slack off like they do in Piltover?
So, because of their lack of experience, everyone thought Zaun's first New Life Day was perfect, but Li Ke always felt it was missing something.
It seems that in the future, Zaun will need someone specializing in organizing events for festivals and celebrations.
Playing is an art, and gathering a group of people to have fun requires excellent leadership and ideas. Li Ke clearly lacks these qualities. He can talk about the big picture, but when it comes to actually doing it, Li Ke really has no experience.
New Year's Day, January 5th, around noon.
The Li Ke family was having lunch. Jinx was standing very close to him. Silco was also there. He had been coming over to Li Ke's place frequently these past few days, coming over for lunch and dinner in addition to breakfast.
On the table, Vi was holding a bowl, rummaging through her food in an unseemly manner, her eyes glancing at Li Ke and Jinx.
"Why are you smiling so gently these past few days? I'm starting to feel a little uncomfortable with it," Vi suddenly said to Jinx as she put down her bowl.
Something's wrong. Something's really wrong!
As the Sump enforcement officer, Vi has developed a keen eye; she can spot even the slightest changes in others or unnatural expressions. Jinx, on the other hand, has changed drastically in the past two days.
It's so big that even NIO is finding it a little hard to get used to!
This isn't the crazy Jinx I know and love; this is the gentle Jinx I'm familiar with!
Vander and Silco looked up at the same time. Although they were looking at each other, they were clearly glancing at Li Ke and Jinx out of the corner of their eyes. They were watching Li Ke and Jinx.
"Shut your mouth and eat properly, Vi. Can't food shut you up?" Jinx looked at Vi, raised an eyebrow, and said.
Wei was taken aback. "Okay, that's the right vibe. This is the Jinx we're talking about."
Wei Qi chuckled and said, "So your gentleness is only for Li Ke, and you won't even share a little bit with your sister, is that right?"
Jinx ignored Vi, put a piece of pork rib into Isha's bowl, and then picked up a piece of meat for herself, crunching it with her little white teeth.
Seeing this, Wei raised an eyebrow and looked at Li Ke with a teasing expression. "Li Ke, did you two do something the other day?"
"I remember she rarely wore lipstick. When I first met Jinx, her lips were pale purple and chapped, but look at them now, wow, they're plump, red, and she's even started wearing lipstick."
Vi wondered if the two had confessed their feelings to each other in private, since Jinx never used to dress up.
"I noticed that too." Silco picked up a napkin, wiped her mouth, and looked at Li Ke with a slightly cold gaze.
Why has he been going to Li Ke's place every day these past few days?
Didn't he only notice Jinx acting strangely the day after her New Life Day?
With a smile on her face, when she went shopping with Isha, she stopped buying snacks and toys and started buying things that young girls like, such as lipstick, foundation, and pretty dresses.
But Jinx never used to wear skirts!
Silco was the person who spent the most time with Jinx in the arena, so naturally, Silco would be the first to notice the changes in Jinx.
Then, he privately told Vander about it, and Vander immediately became serious.
The two elderly fathers are really worried sick about Jinx.
Seeing Wei looking at him and asking such a question, Li Ke coughed, thought for a moment, and said, "Well... something happened, it's nothing, no need to worry about it."
"Why are you asking Li Ke! Just ask me!" Jinx immediately stepped in front of Li Ke, saying with dissatisfaction, "Besides, why are you two so concerned about our business?"
"Instead of wasting your time, Vi, why don't you Piltover and check out your old flame, Vander. Silco has already started looking for women. I've met the woman he found; although she's a bit older, she has a strong presence, is very beautiful, and matches Silco perfectly. But look at you! Haven't you ever thought about finding a mother for Vi and me?"
"Okay, Wei and I are all grown up now, so you don't need to worry about us anymore, but can't you think about yourself?!"
Jinx goes all out, bombarding her family!
First, he told Wei that he was so angry he wanted to bite her.
Caitlyn again, Caitlyn again!
I've said it a million times: I have nothing to do with her. I do admire her, but I know my limits, okay?
Then Silco stared at Jinx in disbelief, completely unexpected that Jinx would think he and Renata had that kind of relationship. But finding a mother figure?
If Jinx needs it, Silco might consider it.
Not for himself, but for Jinx, Renata does seem like a good choice. She definitely wouldn't want to, but if he tempted her with power and status, the woman might relent. A contract marriage could also stabilize Zaun's politics, which doesn't seem like a bad idea?
Silco began to think.
And what about Vander?
He turned to look at Silco dumbfounded, completely unaware that Silco had done something so big behind his back without saying a word!
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Meeting Vander's gaze, Silco rolled his eyes, picked up his glass of juice, pursed his lips, and then said, "Jinx, swollen lips aren't suitable for lipstick. Be careful and don't wear it anymore. Or, you could try kissing Li Ke less often."
"Ah, cough cough!" Li Ke coughed forcefully, interrupting Silco.
Jinx, who had just stood up and fought the three of them, quietly sat down, tucked her blue hair behind her ear, lowered her head and obediently ate her meal, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Her lips were indeed swollen, and she bought lipstick to cover them up, but just as Silco said, they felt itchy and uncomfortable after applying the lipstick.
Hmm. I need a kiss to stop the itch!
"Um, wait a minute, what's with those expressions? No, what do you mean?" Wei asked blankly, not understanding.
Li Ke stole a glance at Wei, his eyes filled with disdain.
I don't understand anything. You, with your pathetic attitude, expect me to teach you?
Wei has cultivated a persona of being experienced in this area, acting like a seasoned veteran, but when it comes to actual combat, he's a complete novice.
After all, Wei didn't have that opportunity when she was young; she was imprisoned when she was a little older, and she was only recently released.
As for why Jinx's lips are swollen, well, that's naturally because Li Ke and Jinx are honing their skills together.
Those who frequently kiss know that beginners are often clumsy at this, but they love doing it. Therefore, only through constant practice can one achieve the ability to kiss frequently without swelling.
Li Ke looked at Jinx, who was eating with her head down and looking guilty, and found it amusing.
We still need to study harder, Jinx.
We need to do more sets tonight, we need to double our training!
Don't neglect your daily studies!
The Grandstone Mine in the Sump was originally a private mine belonging to a gang, but after the gangs in Zaun were disbanded, the mine was confiscated and put into Zaun's treasury.
Now, the company in charge of mining it is Renni's "company," a legitimate mining company composed of gang members.
Today, Renni brought her son to the mine. The mine is closed for the days of Progress Day, but people are sent to guard it. After all, it's a statutory holiday, but in reality, some positions can't get a proper rest, such as the Sump enforcement officers or soldiers. On her New Life Day, Wei was exhausted like a dog, wasn't she?
However, shifts can be changed, so the workers are happy to work.
As long as we don't work on those two days of Progress Day, it'll be fine, right?
Renni got the news from a miner yesterday. The miner claimed to have heard strange noises at the bottom of the mine. At first, he thought it was the sound of rats scurrying around, but as the sounds became clearer, the miner realized that they seemed to be talking.
It's like a language they don't understand?
"It's here, Ms. Renni. I heard a strange sound. It got louder and louder as I was falling asleep, and then... then I was too scared to go down and look."
Listening to the miner's words, Renni picked up a flashlight and looked at the people on both sides. "Let's go in and take a look."
The employees followed Renni and headed into the mine.
After about several dozen meters, the group arrived at a dark, deep wellhead. Next to it was a crane and an iron ladder that allowed miners to descend to the bottom.
Renni went down first, followed by several employees.
"I didn't hear anything." As she walked further inside, Renni frowned, but she knew the miner wouldn't lie to her. Although she had reformed, she hadn't lost her former reputation.
"I really heard it, I'm not lying to you!" the miner said quickly.
Renni could only keep walking forward, but strangely, the further Renni walked, the lower the air temperature became, and the surroundings smelled of blood.
Contaminated wastewater has appeared in the mine shafts; it seeps down from the soil. Zaun has not yet carried out comprehensive wastewater treatment, and apart from the residential communities, the rest of the area is still being polluted.
Just as Renni felt that the trip was a waste of time, she suddenly heard a whisper.
"Luminar ascensus, vitae aetherialis nexus"
This was a language Renni had never heard before. She immediately grabbed her flashlight and shone it ahead, only to find that all she saw were giant rocks.
Where did that sound come from?
Renni felt something was amiss, and boldly stepped forward, getting closer to the boulder. Renni noticed that the sound was becoming clearer and clearer.
The voice seemed to be calling to her, guiding her.
As she slowly approached, Renni's eyes suddenly rolled upwards, and she walked forward blankly.
The adults accompanying her didn't notice Renni 'Renni behavior, but the little boy following her did.
"Mother!"
The boy's shout snapped Renni back to reality. She bit her tongue; the pain brought her to her senses. Renni shouted, "Everyone, back off!"
"Back off!"
At the sound of Renni's voice, everyone began to back away, including Renni.
As she ran, she picked up a little boy, Renni face filled with fear.
What just happened?
She felt her consciousness disconnect, as if her whole body was enveloped in blood, immersed in blood and darkness. If it weren't for her son's voice, Renni could hardly imagine what she would have encountered.
Once inside the mine, standing at the entrance, Renni smoked a cigarette, her hand trembling.
One of her subordinates, who had been with her since she was still Alchemical Baron, whispered, "Boss, there seems to be treasure hidden behind that rock. Should we..."
"Go to hell, they're all about the size of your ass, that's not something we can handle." Renni slapped him across the face and then yelled, "Besides, if Silco finds out about this, I'll be going to Bilgewater tomorrow to deal with those pirates."
"Stop giving me fucking bad advice. Alright, send someone to the parliament building to report this to the higher-ups."
"What's inside this mine?"
Renni swallowed hard and said seriously, "It's very dangerous!"