-139- Powder!

"Powder wants to be an idol!"

"Don't be silly, Powder. Do you think we're just playing around?" Linwin saw Powder stand up, excitedly raising her hand and shouting, so he reached out and grabbed Powder's hand with a lack of enthusiasm.

However, Powder tried to jump, and seeing this, Linwin stood up and gently held Powder in his arms. Powder, being much shorter than Linwin, felt effortless in his embrace, and it didn't look awkward.

Caught in Linwin's arms, Powder immediately tried to wriggle free, but Linwin had a gentle hold, preventing her escape. The result was Powder flailing and exclaiming, "I'm not making trouble! Linwin, I want to be an idol too! I can sing!"

Turning her head back to Linwin, she said, "Let me go, I want to go! I can sing well!"

"Powder, not this time! This is not a joke," Linwin told Powder and then looked apologetically at Mel before giving a stern look to Jayce, who was stifling a laugh.

Perhaps, in Jayce's eyes, this scene was genuinely amusing. Or maybe, whenever Linwin suffered a setback, Jayce found it quite satisfying.

"Even though we're trying to promote Seraphine as Piltover's idol, Powder, what we're doing here fundamentally aims to foster unity between Piltover and Zaun. We want Piltover to accept Zaun, and Zaunites to embrace Piltover. So, it's a crucial matter, more important than anything else right now."

"Jayce, Mel, Camille, Silco, and I all have our respective roles. Powder, you can't join in to cause trouble."

"Mn!" Hearing Linwin, Powder immediately pursed her lips and lowered her head, silent.

She would continue causing trouble. As long as she kept at it, Linwin would eventually agree. She knew Linwin spoiled her the most.

But now, after calming down, Powder's face turned red, realizing she was not sitting but lying in Linwin's arms, held securely by his embrace.

If Powder could see her face, she would notice it blushing bright red.

"Uh, I got it. I got it, okay."

"Linwin, you can let go now."

"Oh!" Linwin immediately released the grip around Powder's hands.

But just like Powder, Linwin's heart was pounding, making a loud thud.

Yes, indeed.

Linwin has always treated Powder like a younger sister. Even though Powder is now an adult, when Linwin was holding her just now, he only thought about how to stop her, without considering anything else.

But now, upon reflection, Linwin realizes that Powder's body is soft, and her hair is fragrant. Without him noticing, Powder has truly grown up.

Finally, Linwin notices that Powder is no longer the little girl, always reaching out for something to eat. She has blossomed into a beautiful young lady. Powder is no longer a little troublemaker.

Silco, wearing a stern expression, observes the scene. 

After a while, he coldly snorts and then speaks in a disapproving tone, "Linwin, Powder has grown up. You need to be more mindful of your actions. She's not the same mischievous little girl from ten years ago. I understand that your relationship is close, but no matter how close, you have to remember the boundaries between men and women!"

Linwin smiles wryly, nodding, "Alright, Silco, I understand."

"It's fine!" However, as soon as Linwin agrees with Silco, Powder, who has been silent, immediately protests, glaring at Silco and saying through gritted teeth, "It doesn't matter! I don't mind at all."

"Yeah, that's right! Linwin can hug me if he wants to. Well....Ugh.... Silco, in any case, you don't need to interfere!"

"It's none of your business!" Powder says to Silco.

Silco: "..."

Helpless, Silco sighs, covers his face with his hand, and shakes his head heavily.

Indeed, age brings changes. 

Jayce bursts into laughter, holding his stomach. Mel is also covering her mouth, laughing. Even the usually cold Camille shows a faint smile.

Despite Powder's lively and eccentric behavior, her openness about her feelings and unabashed affection for Linwin make Camille appreciate her.

If only she could have faced her own emotions so directly from the beginning.

Would her life be different now?

Camille wonders, lowering her head in silence.

But some things... are better left unexamined. Once pondered upon, they bring sadness.

If her heart were still human, it would probably tighten and ache now. But she can't manage that.

Camille speaks up, saying, "Linwin, Silco, I think there's no harm in letting her participate."

"What we're doing this time, essentially, aligns with what Linwin said – to promote harmony between the twin cities. It's a kind of...song gathering? Party? Anyway, we're using Seraphine's magic to change the perceptions between the citizens of both cities, right?"

Linwin nods.

"So, why not make it more lively? It would be even better." Camille smiles and continues, "I've been thinking about this for a while. Zaun gained independence, Piltover counterattacked against Noxus, and we've given up our hatred to form the Twin City Alliance."

"Shouldn't we celebrate this with a grand party?"

"Uh, I see what you mean, Camille. I understand," Linwin says, smiling and nodding at Camille.

Camille is right. The essence of this event is to use Seraphine's magic to change the perceptions of the citizens of both cities. So, why not make it grander and more memorable?

"But Powder, how are you planning to sing?"

"I-I can become an idol?"

Seeing the situation change, Powder immediately speaks up, "I can sing songs by Mr. Melon, Queen Powder, and the song about the big crab slaughtering the chubby dragon."

"..."

"Are these songs you made up yourself, Powder?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Powder clasps her hands together beside her face, looking at Linwin expectantly. "Can I sing?"

"..."

Camille turns into Silco. She places her hand on her forehead, and this elegant lady sighs softly, saying, "I suddenly regret this."

"Hahaha, Linwin, your sister is so interesting. I finally understand why you always talk about her and why you like her so much," Jayce laughs heartily. Mel is also smiling as she looks at Powder.

Is Powder causing a scene?

Certainly.

Just like her name suggests.

Powder's personality is as explosive and lively as her name suggests.

She's a Gun"Powder".

//// It's entirely different in Chinese but it's practically the same meaning. ////

However, it doesn't make people feel repulsed; instead, it comes across as genuine and adorable.

Now, watching the lively scene unfold with laughter after she mentioned the titles of the songs she intends to sing, Powder clenches her fists in frustration and stomps her feet.

"What are you all laughing at?!"

"What's so funny?!"

"I'll sing for you right now!"