-86- Hey

Close to ten o'clock at night, Jayce visited Viktor in the laboratory and then returned to his office. 

Sitting at a desk covered with files, he examined documents related to Hextech, although these were issues regarding Hextech tariffs and weapon manufacturing requests, topics that Jayce found both tedious and distasteful.

Jayce, dedicated to advancing Hextech for the betterment of society, opposed the development of weapons. Despite his repeated objections, he knew that the research on Hextech weapons was already being conducted privately. They hoped Jayce and Viktor would participate since they were the foremost experts on Hextech.

Jayce had openly expressed his envy of Viktor before, and it wasn't just talk. As a councilor, he had been away from hands-on research for a long time.

The sound of a Hextech phone interrupted his thoughts. Glancing at the number, Jayce answered, and his stoic expression softened.

"Yeah, go ahead and sleep."

"Sure, I have some documents to handle. I doubt I'll get any sleep tonight."

"Well, tomorrow is another day, and anyway, I can't show up in the streets right now."

"Yeah, take care of yourself." 

"Goodnight, Mel."

After hanging up the Hextech phone, Jayce rubbed his chin, attempting to focus, but he couldn't. He couldn't shake off the restlessness.

"Damn it."

Jayce's thoughts had drifted away from the pile of documents in front of him. The reason for his agitation became apparent—Councilor Stevan.

Even though he and Mel were doing well, Stevan's appearance reignited the desire among the councilors to regain control of Undercity.

Among them even includes Caitlyn's mother.

Yes, even Mrs. Kiramman, who has always supported him, thinks the same.

"Why can't each one of you find a compromise instead of just thinking about exploitation?"

Jayce covered his face, feeling more and more annoyed the more he thought about it.

Listening to the sounds outside the window and watching occasional fireworks, Jayce suddenly felt like getting some fresh air.

Lost in thought, he found himself on the balcony, his hand pressing against the glass door.

Opening the door, Jayce intended to take a break on the balcony.

At least relax his mind a bit before going back to work.

But as Jayce opened the balcony door, a scene that terrified him unfolded.

Two unfamiliar figures appeared on his balcony!

One of them, Jayce noticed, had purple arms. Damn, what kind of monster is that?

"Who are you?!"

Jayce shouted loudly, hoping to attract the attention of the guards.

But he was on the seventeenth floor!

And just this afternoon, Jayce had given two enforcers a day off, hoping they would enjoy the festival.

Okay, with his physical condition, dealing with two small thieves shouldn't be too difficult, right?

Jayce swallowed hard, but then a question struck him.

How did these two guys climb up here?

Remember, he's on the seventeenth floor!

Seventeenth floor!

"Is this how you visit friends? Are you sure you're here to see your friend and not to steal something?"

"It's a surprise, a surprise ok? I never expected him to move to such a high place."

A female voice spoke first.

Then, a male voice followed.

Listening to the tone, pauses, and enunciation, Jayce suddenly realized something.

He stared at the figures ahead, and a thought struck him.

"Linwin?"

"Hey, Jayce, good evening."

Walking into the light, rubbing the back of his head, wearing an awkward smile, the person was indeed Linwin.

While Jayce looked at Linwin in shock, the latter, pointing to his own face, said, "What's wrong? It's me, Linwin."

"Uh..."

Beside him, Kai'Sa stared at Linwin with a skeptical look. Linwin, feeling awkward, didn't know how to respond. Suddenly, Jayce took a few steps forward and delivered a powerful punch to Linwin's chest.

"Ouch!"

Linwin remained unharmed, but Jayce, holding his sore fist, bent over in pain. Looking up at Linwin angrily, Jayce scolded, "You're a animal!"

The two locked eyes, and in the next moment:

"Hahaha!"

"It's not like you don't know the condition of my body."

"Not bad, you've grown quite a bit, taller than Viktor, and almost catching up to me."

Both burst into laughter, leaving Kai'Sa bewildered on the side.

When the two entered the house, Kai'Sa's eyes widened.

From the outside, these mansions already seemed extravagant, but upon entering, Kai'Sa realized the true meaning of luxury.

Magnificent and dazzling.

Is it okay to describe it this way?

In any case, Kai'Sa, like a country bumpkin, looked at every corner of the room — the furniture, walls, lighting, paintings — everything amazed her.

"Who's this?" Jayce noticed the sneaky Kai'Sa.

"Kai'Sa, my friend."

"Oh, a girl?"

"What do you want to say?" Linwin looked disdainfully at Jayce.

Simultaneously, Linwin said to Kai'Sa, "Alright, Kai'Sa, you can take off your hat now."

Kai'Sa removed the hat, and upon seeing her face, Jayce's eyes widened. He nudged Linwin's waist a couple of times, then whispered to Linwin, "She's so beautiful. She's not from Zaun, is she?"

"She's from Shurima."

"Looks like these four years weren't wasted huh?."

Jayce scrutinized Linwin, giving him a meaningful look.

"Don't overthink, my friend."

Rolling his eyes at Jayce's speechlessness, Linwin looked at Kai'Sa, who was still bewildered, and said, "Please find something for her to eat, and then let's talk? Okay?"

After hearing Linwin's words, Jayce remained silent for a moment, then opened his hands and said, "Of course, no problem."

"Linwin, I have a lot to talk to you about."

"Me too."

Linwin met Jayce's gaze and said seriously.

Actually, sometimes Linwin had thoughts. He shouldn't have appeared on that roof back then. He shouldn't have intervened. He should have just stolen the notes and left because that way, some things wouldn't be so hesitant for Linwin.

Not like now.

Even though meeting Jayce again, they could still chat and laugh.

But whether it was Jayce or Linwin, there was a certain distance between them.

And that invisible barrier.

It made them somewhat a bit like strangers to each other.