CHAPTER 23 - My name's Powder, not Jinx

After exchanging numerous words with Li Lin, Vi, and giving some cautious advice to Powder, Ekko, Vi, and Milo left the balcony by climbing over the wall.

Now, only Li Lin, who breathed a sigh of relief, and Powder, who was nervously seated after Vi had placed her in a chair, remained in the room.

A quiet atmosphere lingered in the air.

To alleviate the somewhat oppressive mood, Li Lin took the initiative to break the silence, "Your name is... Jinx, right?"

"Jinx?" Powder's eyes sparkled with a bewildered look, "No, my name is Powder."

"Uh..."

Li Lin hesitated in her words, suddenly realizing that the chubby boy from earlier had called her the same way.

So, Jinx was called Powder before she went crazy.

"Sorry, I confused you with a little girl from my memory."

Li Lin casually shifted the topic, looking down at his watch.

"It's 6:30 now, and dinner at Kiramman's house is at 7:00 sharp. I estimate we'll have to wait for a few more minutes. It's safest when everyone is having their meal."

"I... I'm okay," Powder said, her whole person shrinking in the chair, her voice sounding unnatural.

Li Lin looked at her swollen ankle and sighed softly, "Your foot is not lightly injured, but there should be no fractures. I'll ask the servant for medicine and ice. Is there anything else you need?"

Powder shook her head, "No, there isn't..."

This was her first time being alone with a stranger without Vi around, making her a bit nervous.

But as soon as she finished speaking, an incongruent "gurgle" sound came from her stomach.

"Uh..."

Powder couldn't help but blush, burying her small face in her arms in embarrassment.

Li Lin, with a smile on her face, asked, "Do you want something to eat?"

"No, that's not necessary..." Powder's voice was hesitant.

"For tonight's dinner, they should have bacon and egg sandwiches made with Shuriman sun bread, probably some Bilgewater-style spineless grilled fish, and sweet cakes."

"Kiramman's family is wealthy, even hiring the best local chefs to ensure the perfect representation of different regional cuisine..."

Listening to Li Lin's description, Powder's throat subconsciously squirmed, swallowing saliva.

"Oh, and there's specially imported fermented yak milk from Freljord, made through a special process. Do you want to try it?"

"I do!"

Li Lin chuckled, "Okay, wait for me, I'll be back soon."

Watching this young and somewhat handsome brother leave the room, Powder finally relaxed a bit.

"Is this the life of rich people..." Her eyes were a bit absent-minded as she murmured softly.

However, this state did not last too long. She soon had a new idea.

"Someday, I want to be rich too, let Vi, Vander, and even Claggor and Milo live this kind of life with me..."

"What kind of life?"

A sudden voice startled Powder.

She quickly looked towards the source of the voice on the balcony, and a familiar face that delighted her appeared again, "Vi? You scared me! Didn't you leave?"

"I had Claggor and Milo leave first; they'll be waiting nearby." Vi said, walking to Powder's side and affectionately rubbing her hair, "Fool, I couldn't possibly leave you alone with a stranger"

Powder heard the distrust in her sister's words and couldn't help but ask, "But didn't this big brother say he's Vander's friend?"

"He said that, and you believed it?" Vi bent down, rubbing Powder's face with both hands, "Vander has always been nagging not to easily trust others. Have you forgotten? Be cautious."

"You're annoying, don't rub my face~" Powder mumbled incoherently, "But he also said he would bring me food. I think he shouldn't be a bad person..."

Hearing her little sister actually saying this, Vi couldn't help but sigh, "Oh my, Powder, this guy managed to win you over with just one meal?"

"No, no..." Powder's little face blushed, "But he also said he would bring me food, and I feel he shouldn't be as bad as you think..."

Listening to her sister's words, Vi couldn't help but shake her head, "Forget it, from what I see, he seems to be sincere."

Vi straightened up, "I'll be outside. If anything happens, remember to shout, and I'll come in immediately to help you."

"Okay, I know."

Although she said this on her lips, Powder didn't really take Vi's warning seriously.

This big brother shouldn't be a bad person, at least not as bad as her sister thought.

Powder pondered while waving to the balcony, leaving the room and climbing back onto the roof.

After a few minutes, the door clicked, and Li Lin entered with a tray in hand.

On the tray were two metal cups, a golden loaf of bread, at least the size of a palm and exuding warmth, bacon and fried eggs, a sizzling and oily grilled fish with a reddish hue, and two pieces of cream cake adorned with cherries.

For a moment, the rich aroma of bread and grilled fish filled the entire room.

"So fragrant!" Powder exclaimed, her eyes blue eyes widening slightly. Suddenly, her appetite surged, and saliva nearly dripped from the corners of her mouth.

She had never smelled something so delicious before.

Li Lin placed the tray on the worktable, used a fruit knife to slice the fragrant and soft Sun Bread into two pieces, then layered bacon, fried eggs, and boneless grilled fish on one slice before covering it with the other.

A common Piltover sandwich was created just like that.

It would be perfect with lettuce leaves and tomato sauce, he thought.

While contemplating, Li Lin handed the sandwich to Powder.

Powder, too excited to remember to say thank you, eagerly opened her mouth and took a bite.

The fragrance of Sun Bread, bacon, fried eggs, and grilled fish blended on her taste buds, exploding in her mouth, filling it with a delightful aroma.

Tears of happiness welled up in Powder's eyes. She had never tasted anything so delicious.

"Take your time eating. Don't choke; no one is competing with you. There's also cake and milk," Li Lin said, watching Powder completely engrossed in her food. 

Seeing that Powder paid no attention to him, Li Lin helplessly smiled and took out a small bottle from his pocket.

It was Piltover's best recovey potion, effective but expensive, something ordinary people could hardly afford.

He opened the bottle, poured some liquid onto his left hand, then crouched in front of Powder.

"I'm going to apply the medicine. Let me know if it hurts."

Powder nodded, and Li Lin, holding her foot arch with his right hand, gently pressed his left hand on the swollen part of her ankle.

"Um..." Powder made an unclear hum, indicating some discomfort.

He lightened his touch, refraining from further action, then looked up, locking eyes with his little girl. "Does it hurt?"

With her mouth full of food and cheeks puffed, Powder shook her head, but all he could see in her eyes was him.

"Then I'll continue."

Li Lin evenly spread the medicinal liquid on his palm and gently massaged it in.

Following the steps mentioned on the bottle label, after completing all the procedures, he wrapped all the ice cubes in a cup on a tray with a towel and applied it to her injured area.

After more than ten minutes, the ice had almost melted.

Noticing the slight reduction in the swelling on Powder's foot, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Feeling better?"

"Yeah, much better. Thank you," Powder whispered, expressing her gratitude.

"That's good."

Li Lin used the towel to wipe away the water stains on her foot, then put her socks and shoes back on, glancing at the time.

"It's almost time; I'll walk you out."

His left hand embraced Powder's shoulder, his right hand under her knees, lifting her in a princess carry.

"Oh, by the way."

Just then, Powder blinked, suddenly remembering something. "I, I don't even know your name."

"Is that so?" Li Lin was taken aback.

Under Powder's expectant gaze, he slowly revealed his name, "I'm called Li Lin."

"Li Lin...?" Powder thought for a moment, nodded thoughtfully, then beamed with a bright smile.

"Next time you go to The Last Drop, you must come and find me to play!"

(End of this chapter)