Jinx: I Have to Go On Stage, I'll Eat With You Next Time

The Black Alley is centered around a platform suspended in mid-air. Behind that platform hangs a strange, enormous mirror that appears to stand in mid-air, like glass.

The mirror emitted a blue light. Outsiders didn't know what it was, but Piltover locals and Zaunite knew at a glance what it was made of.

It's Hextech Gem, of course! Can't you see it emitting a faint magical glow?

Then, the people from both cities were the first to enter the Black Alley and head towards the seats at the very back.

Countless round tables of all sizes were set up in the Black Alley, and the stalls on the streets and alleys were cleared out. This was all thanks to Auntie Marna. At her command, the residents of the Black Alley community responded to the call.

Then, the Demacia delegation could be seen. They were seated in the fourth row at round tables. At the head of the group was a beautiful, mature woman with striking burgundy hair. She was squinting and looking around, seemingly searching for something.

The Noxians delegation was represented by Katarina, who also had red hair, but Katarina's hair was longer and a lighter shade of red. She sat in her seat, smiling and playing with a dagger, her gaze meeting that of the Demacia soldiers. Katarina's eyes were bright.

Soon, the venue was almost half full.

Today, as long as you're willing to come in, no one will stop you.

Therefore, anyone can attend this wedding.

A dense crowd surged into the Black Alley. Amidst the flow, a young man with black hair patted the shoulder of the person next to him and said, "Wait for me, I'll go find you some clothes to wear."

His two companions were startled at the sound, then looked down at their own clothes. One was wearing only a dirty cloak, while the other was wearing a tight-fitting robe, which also looked dirty and had many holes.

"By the way, Jax, Yi, why don't you two be my best men?" This person was of course Li Ke. After a long journey, Li Ke sent a message to Janna as soon as he returned to Zaun, and Janna immediately informed Silco.

Silco also used Janna to relay a message to Li Ke, telling him what to do now.

Is it considered late to Li Ke?

Although the bride-fetching ceremony didn't happen, Silco said that Jinx had disappeared somewhere and was currently hiding in a corner of the Twin Cities.

Li Ke did try to use his divine sense to perceive Jinx, but he was blocked by a force— Janna.

Just as Silco thought, Janna was helping Jinx.

But Li Ke wasn't worried about it at all; on the contrary, he found it quite amusing.

Because Li Ke believed Jinx wouldn't run away from the wedding, and since she's hiding now, she's probably out having fun again.

Xiao Jin is so carefree; it was supposed to be her wedding, but she was running around everywhere, which made Li Ke sigh.

If Jinx really has children in the future, they'll probably be born to be her toys.

Therefore, what Li Ke needs to do now is go to the back to change into his wedding clothes, and then go find his Jinx.

"Best man, Li Ke, are you talking about the groomsmen?" Jax asked curiously. He was an old-fashioned guy and didn't really understand the new term "best man." After all, in the entire Valoran, only the Twin Cities had a ceremony with a groomsmen and bridesmaids.

In places like Demacia and Noxus, aristocratic customs prevail, with traditional and solemn weddings.

The wedding in the Twin Cities, Li Ke's wedding, was something Jax found very novel.

Just imagine, if a noble archmage in Icathia were to get married and invite commoners to his wedding, he would only be besieged by other mages and nobles.

Because those in positions of power and authority are too proud to lower themselves to do that.

But Li Ke was different; Li Ke really had no airs, which made Jax's impression of Li Ke even better.

Yi, standing to the side, recognized the term. After all, there were Ionia in Zaun in the past, so naturally there would be Zaunite living in Ionia as well. Under Ionia's strong inclusiveness, the Zaunite' culture naturally blended in.

Therefore, wedding customs in some parts of Ionia are very similar to those in the Twin Cities.

"Be a groomsman? Li Ke, do you really think we can do that?" Yi asked hesitantly.

It wasn't that he wanted to refuse, but rather that this would allow him to build a good relationship with Li Ke, even though their relationship was already quite good.

That's how it is between men sometimes; they might have a fight, exchange some pointers, and suddenly they can become good buddies.

"What's wrong with that? It's just for fun," Li Ke said with a smile, patting Yi on the shoulder as he did so.

Well, this also helps me achieve something.

The strongest groomsmen team in history?

Look, in Li Ke's groomsmen, Jayce, Viktor, Ekko, and Malson are now confirmed. Although there's a slacker in there, the first three are scientists who will definitely go down in history.

Now, with the addition of Yi and Jax, two of the pinnacles of human combat power, wouldn't it be fair to call them the strongest groomsmen group in history?

Anyway, Li Ke didn't think it was excessive.

Li Ke walked to the back and pointed to where Yi and Jax were, instructing the enforcer to take Yi and Jax to find Jayce and the others. The enforcer quickly obeyed and excitedly ran towards Jax and the others.

Li Ke finally met the makeup artist, and also saw the girl touching up her makeup nearby.

Li Ke glanced at her and laughed.

"What are you doing here?" Li Ke asked.

The girl turned her head, revealing an oval face with exquisite makeup. Her short, blonde bangs were curled up, some of her hair was pulled back and braided, while the rest fell naturally. This beautiful blonde hair, combined with her lovely face and bright Big Eyes, along with her white knee-length princess dress, made her look exactly like a Disney princess who had escaped from the world.

"You've finally shown up!" Lux exclaimed upon seeing Li Ke, blinking her eyes. She added, "This wasn't my request; Jinx said she wanted me to be her bridesmaid. She said she really likes me."

"Does Fiora know about this?" Li Ke asked curiously.

Lux shook her head. "I haven't met her yet."

"..." Li Ke looked at Lux with a strange expression and nodded.

Okay, no wonder Jinx likes you. With your thought process, you and Jinx are a perfect match.

The youngest princess of Demacia's most powerful noble family has run away to be a bridesmaid in another city-state. When this news reaches Demacia, how do you think Demacia nobles, both high and low, will view the Crownguard Family?

Does Lux have absolutely no idea what the title "Crownguard" she carries actually represents?

What she is doing now is like a signal, telling the nobles of Great City of Demacia that the Crownguard Family wants to befriend Twin Cities, and for this reason, they have all sent their eldest daughters to be bridesmaids.

Another point is that Marshal Tianna enjoys the deep trust of King Jarvan III. Do you think this might also be due to Jarvan III's influence?

But Li Ke didn't say much. Let the misunderstanding be; Twin Cities isn't afraid of misunderstandings now anyway.

Li Ke sat down, closed his eyes, and waited.

Soon, two makeup artists came up and began to do Li Ke 'Li Ke makeup from both the front and back.

"Did you spot Jinx among the guests who registered their names upon entry?"

"No, there are just too many people. Excluding our own people, the number of outsiders entering the Black Alley right now has already exceeded 70,000. With this flow of people and the time involved, the law enforcement officers can't conduct detailed questioning; they just ask everyone to sign their names and come in."

In response to Silco's question, Renata immediately replied.

Upon hearing this, Silco rubbed his messy hair. Unlike in the morning, Silco now had makeup on, covering his scars and revealing a face that wasn't particularly handsome, but was still quite good-looking.

At least Silco felt his image was pretty good, because it was definitely better than that damned Vander's, right?

As for why, given that the Twin Cities have advanced to such a level of technology that changing skin or even replacing a head wouldn't be difficult, why does Silco still insist on having this disfigured face?

Only Silco himself knows the real reason. Perhaps he wanted to remember the mistakes he had made, to repent, or perhaps he wanted to use the story on his face to remind himself never to go astray?

In short, Silco had his reasons.

"Alright, now that Li Ke is back, let's keep things the same." After thinking it over, Silco waved his hand and said calmly.

Looking at Silco like this, Renata suddenly felt like teasing him, but as for why...

It's not about feelings. Although there are rumors in both cities that they are a couple, both Renata Silco know very well that there is no such feeling between them.

Or rather, for people like them, love is a luxury.

Perhaps, ten or twenty years later, they'll get together out of necessity, but not because of feelings, but because of interests?

Renata only wanted to tease Silco because she was annoyed.

After all, given her abilities, her professional skills have long surpassed those of Silco, yet she is still being suppressed by Silco as her secretary.

Of course Renata was unhappy. What was her dream anyway? It wasn't to become the secretary of some local Second Hand, okay?

She doesn't want to be in charge! From the very beginning, Renata wanted to be the Queen of Zaun, okay?

Of course, Renata also knew that after Silco stepped down, his position would be hers, and Renata didn't even need to fight for it. Every councilor knew this, and Renata was acting in Zaun as Silco's successor.

Therefore, she wouldn't necessarily run away just because she had a minor complaint, but after thinking about it, she realized, "Damn, this is probably just one of Silco's tactics."

"Are you so sure Jinx isn't leaving? Maybe she suddenly called off the engagement?" Silco felt the situation was under his control, but Renata insisted on creating a problem for him.

Silco glanced at Renata and said calmly, "I've already said it, that's impossible. I know Jinx better than you do; I raised her myself."

"Furthermore, even if she really wants to call off the engagement and doesn't want to get married anymore, then we won't get married."

"Don't you care about the reputation of Twin Cities now? Don't you care what the outside world thinks of Zaun now?" Renata rolled her eyes, her scarlet eyes full of displeasure.

Tsk, no emotional fluctuation, which means that Silco really thinks that way and will do it.

"Nothing is more important than her happiness." Silco spun around in his chair, turning several times before stopping with one foot out. He picked up an old, graffiti-covered cup from the table and took a sip of water.

Then, Silco issued an order to leave:

"You can go now. Remember to take care of all the things I asked you to do."

"Yes," Renata replied.

Playing around is fine, and being annoying is acceptable, but when it comes to serious matters, you can't go against Silco's wishes; Renata knows this better than anyone.

Besides Jinx, oh no, now maybe we can add Isha too?

As for the rest, Silco didn't care at all. In fact, if one day the destruction of the Twin Cities and Vander's life and death were tied together, Silco would choose the former without hesitation.

If Silco were to tie himself to Vander's position, then Silco's choice would be the same.

However, if the topic were changed to "The Destruction of Twin Cities and Jinx," then Silco would choose the latter without hesitation.

Tsk, what a heartless, doting father!

In a corner of the Black Alley, behind which was a house belonging to a Zaun, and in front of her was a table. A girl with messy, unkempt hair, like a puppy, and freckles on her face, was looking at the food on the table and making a swallowing motion.

"Eat if you're hungry, what are you afraid of?" A voice rang out from the side. The girl looked to the side and saw a person wearing a cloak that covered their face sitting down.

The girl looked at him for a fleeting moment, then immediately turned her head away. She wasn't used to looking people in the eye; she hated the feeling of being stared at and scrutinized.

"Eat, don't be shy," the girl said again, shaking her body as she spoke, revealing a tuft of blue hair beneath her cloak.

"But... but not everyone has arrived yet," the girl hesitated before speaking.

She was indeed hungry. She drifted to Zaun yesterday evening. You heard right, she drifted here.

She boarded the wrong ship and became a slave to the Noxians for a time. After the Noxian-Ionian War ended, the general on the ship did not surrender or choose to return to Noxus, but stubbornly resisted. This made things difficult for her. Although she was not on the front line, as a "slave," she had to work as a shipwright on the ship at the rear.

She was only granted a brief moment of freedom when a man named Draven boarded the ship and beheaded the general in front of all the crew.

But by then the ship had already sailed far from Ionia, so to avoid being taken back to Noxus by those guys, she resolutely jumped off the ship and drifted to Zaun.

And after hearing that they could get a free feast, they ended up here in a daze, for what seemed like a wedding?

"It's alright, eat up, I'm hungry too." Hearing her words, the cloaked girl smiled and stretched out her hand, revealing a clean and beautiful hand with long, slender fingers and well-proportioned knuckles. Her skin was especially fair, almost glowing, and as smooth as silk.

She was stunned for a moment, then looked at her hands. The environment of Shurima had made her skin rough, and the scorching sun had given her a wheatish complexion.

It's really incomparable to the other side's.

"Eat, I said you can eat, so you can eat." Seeing that she didn't understand, the cloaked girl said again, and then picked up some delicate pastries from the table and placed them in front of her.

After hesitating for a moment, she reached out and picked up the pastry, then quickly swallowed it, and began chewing with her head down.

"Hehe, you're so funny."

"Your hair is just like my sister's. She has naturally curly hair, which isn't long and looks like a messy bird's nest."

Hearing what the other person said, she felt even more inferior.

But then she heard the other person's giggling voice.

"But I really like it. Your hair is beautiful. By the way, what's your name?"

She looked up, cake crumbs still clinging to the corner of her mouth, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, "Taliyah."

"Taliyah? Nice name. My name is Jinx."

"Just call me Jinx," she said with a grin.

Taliyah nodded, and just then, the main character of the wedding finally made her appearance.

Looking up, Taliyah saw the crowd ahead gasp in surprise, and then Mr. Li Ke from Zaun appeared on the stage above.

A woman exuding affability appeared on stage with a microphone, seemingly acting as a witness at a wedding.

Then, Taliyah witnessed a scene she would never forget, and she believed that most people, like her, would never forget this sight for the rest of their lives.

Suddenly, a magnificent blue bird appeared in the sky above Zaun. It was enormous, and its outstretched wings blotted out the sun. The blue light it cast formed a curtain and then blue steps that descended from the stage.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the steps stopped at the feet of a middle-aged, thin man. He was dressed in a neat suit, his hair was neatly combed, and he stood there calmly.

Someone recognized him and called out his name.

It's Silco; he's here because of his daughter.

But here's the problem: the groom is here, and the bride's father is here too. So, where is the bride?

The middle-aged woman on the stage coughed and said, "Please welcome the bride," but no one answered; only Silco remained standing there.

It wasn't until things started to get a little strange, and many of the tourists were wondering where the bride had gone, that Taliyah began searching for her.

A hand patted Taliyah's shoulder, and when Taliyah turned around, she saw the very outgoing cloaked girl.

She said with a smile, "It's my turn to go on stage now. So, Taliyah, let's have dinner together again next time."

Taliyah stared at her blankly as she watched as the woman removed her cloak.

Then Taliyah's eyes widened.

Because the girl in front of me was wearing a very beautiful wedding dress.