Chapter 76: The Instantly Familiar Girl
Jinx swore this was absolutely the healthiest, most satisfying, and most fragrant meal she had ever eaten. One must remember that where she lived—Zaun, the undercity—it wasn't even certain if the water was clean enough not to dissolve your esophagus, let alone produce such delicious, non-toxic food.
Jinx also successfully proved one thing: that a girl's stomach and her figure are disproportionate. Despite Jinx being very slender, almost waif-like, she actually managed to eat that huge bowl of Mala Xiang Guo and a bowl of rice without exploding.
Ren looked at Jinx from behind his book. She was currently sprawled on the chair, one hand resting on her flat, unmoving stomach, the other hanging limply by her side. She looked like a cat that had eaten too much cream and was now contemplating the meaning of life. Occasionally, she let out a little hum of contentment.
Although Jinx claimed to be crazy, she was actually very cute when she wasn't threatening to blow up city blocks.
Ren closed his book and walked over. "Are you full? How do you feel? Still want to blow up the wall?"
Jinx lifted the arm that was hanging by the chair and waved it at Ren weakly, then let it fall back down with a thud. Jinx didn't want to talk to anyone or do anything right now; she just wanted to lie there and digest. She had no more worldly desires. Destruction could wait.
Ren smiled and shook his head. He went back to the kitchen and brought out a glass of dark brown liquid with ice cubes clinking softly. He placed it in front of her.
"I knew you'd need it, so I prepared this for you earlier. Try it. It helps with the spice and the fullness."
Jinx cracked one eye open. She looked up at Ren, then at the drink beside her. She sat up slowly, groaning, picked it up, and downed half of it in one go.
Ren paused. Do girls really have two stomachs? Or just a black hole?
"Phew... Ha! What is this?" Jinx asked, smacking her lips. "Flat cola? But this sweet and sour taste is quite different from that fizzy thing~. It tastes like... smoked plums?"
Ren said with a smile, "Of course it's different. Because this is Sour Plum Soup (Suanmeitang). It's a traditional drink for digestion. I put a little dried tangerine peel and osmanthus in it, which can aid digestion, enhance the flavor, and also help calm your mind."
Jinx glanced at Ren, her purple eyes studying him. Then she slumped back onto the table, resting her chin on her arms.
After a while of silence, she softly said, "Chef... you're the first person to treat me like this~. Without wanting something or trying to arrest me."
Ren smiled, leaning against the counter. "Didn't you also say that I was the first person who would quietly listen to you talk~?"
"You're a weirdo," she mumbled. "Someone like you definitely isn't suited for living in Zaun. You'd be robbed clean in five minutes. Or eaten by a chem-baron."
"So, you're saying you can live very well there?"
Jinx got excited at this. She immediately sat up, her braids swinging. "You got that right! Whether it's Zaun or Piltover, there isn't a place that doesn't know my name, Jinx! Besides those Cops, no one dares to make me angry! I run this city!"
After Jinx finished speaking, her face was practically screaming, "Praise me! Tell me I'm terrifying!"
Ren smiled and said, "That's quite impressive~. A queen of chaos."
Jinx grinned, revealing her teeth. "Of course!"
Ren thought for a moment and said, "In that case, even in the Zaun you mentioned, I could still live there comfortably~."
"Eh? Why? You're too soft!"
"Hmm. That's right. But your skills would scare all those guys away, wouldn't they?"
Ren looked at Jinx directly. "I think you'd look out for me~."
Jinx blinked. She pointed at herself. "Me? Look out for you? You took my guns! You kidnapped Fishbones! It's more like you looking out for me!"
"But you can keep the bad guys from bothering me while I cook~. You'd be a great bouncer."
Jinx thought for a while, tapping her chin. "That's certainly no problem... I could blow them up... wait! Why should I help you, you bastard Chef! You stole my guns! I hate you!"
Ren said very naturally, "Because there are no friends that can't be made over a meal~. And I make excellent desserts."
"Friends?! Are you kidding me? I don't want to be friends with you! Friends leave! Or die!"
Ren smiled and said, "Haven't you noticed that our current conversation is how friends talk?"
Jinx paused. She froze.
She thought about it. She really hadn't talked to anyone like this before—just casual banter without threats or manic laughter. Talking to Ren wasn't that annoying either. Besides the fact that he took her guns (which still bothered her greatly), everything else seemed pretty good, actually.... The food was warm. The chair was comfy.
Jinx quickly shook her head, her braids whipping her face. "That's just because I'm in a good mood! The spicy food made me generous!"
Ren smiled and said, "Alright. Then, Miss Jinx in a good mood, would you mind chatting with me for a bit longer? It's a long night, and I'm a bit bored too~."
Jinx asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes. "What do I have to talk about with you~? I don't know recipes. What should we talk about?"
"Anything. Including your acts of destruction. I'm curious. After all, here with me, such things aren't that common. Oh, tell me why you were being chased this time. What did you blow up?"
Jinx got excited at this. Her eyes lit up with manic glee. She smiled as she said, "You know how to chat! Okay, listen! This time, I made those Cops in Piltover turn green with anger! I painted the Sheriff's office pink! And that woman Caitlyn—the Hat Lady—chased me for several streets! And that idiot Vi... she was completely played by me! Her motorcycle was blown to bits! Hahahaha! It went BOOM!"
Watching Jinx suddenly get excited, Ren chose to listen quietly, refilling her sour plum soup occasionally. Jinx's story had no exaggeration; it sounded thrilling, chaotic, but also very dangerous and lonely. However, seeing Jinx's excited expression, Ren found it quite amusing.
It proved that having something to do makes time pass much faster than doing nothing. With Jinx there, Ren found a bit more enjoyment, and the night passed much more quickly.
Ren wasn't just listening; Jinx would occasionally ask him about his own affairs, about the weird people who came here. Jinx clearly hadn't noticed that she and Ren had so much to talk about! And she was actually quietly listening to someone else tell a story without interrupting with an explosion sound effect!
Just as Ren and Jinx were taking turns telling stories, the bell chimed.
Ding-dong~
The door suddenly opened.
A pink-haired girl poked her head in. She had a black bow in her hair and a cheerful, slightly chaotic energy that matched Jinx's, but in a much more wholesome way.
Ren smiled and whispered to Jinx, "Remember our bet? You can prepare to lose, Jinx. New friend incoming."
"Hmph! Impossible! No one likes Jinx!" Jinx crossed her arms and looked away.
Ren smiled without speaking, then stood up and said to the girl at the door, "Welcome. Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
The girl paused, then looked around the room. Her eyes landed on the cozy interior. "Oh! So this is a night restaurant! Are you the owner? How amazing! So young and already an owner! You look like a high school student!"
Ren smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment. Do you need to rest for a while, or would you like to eat something?"
The girl walked in, bouncing slightly with each step. She found a seat near Jinx and sat down, then said, "Don't you have a menu here? I don't see one."
"No. Anything you want to eat, if we have the ingredients here, we can make it~."
The girl nodded enthusiastically. "That's amazing! Like a magic kitchen! Well, let me think... I want Fried Rice! I'm starving after the student council meeting! As for what kind of fried rice... you decide, Owner! Surprise me!"
Ren nodded. "Alright~. Please wait a moment. Do you need anything to drink?"
"Iced Orange Juice! Lots of ice!"
"That's a good choice. Please wait a moment then."
Ren said and walked into the kitchen.
The girl smiled, looking around the spacious and clean shop. She nodded in approval. Then her gaze settled on the only other customer—the blue-haired girl slumped at the next table.
As the Little Devil from Zaun, how could Jinx not feel someone looking at her? Her paranoia flared.
Jinx turned her head sharply and glared at the girl, her purple eyes narrowing. "What do you want? Take a picture, it lasts longer!"
The pink-haired girl didn't flinch. Instead, her eyes lit up with genuine admiration.
"Wow! What a cool girl!" she exclaimed. "Your hair is amazing! And those tattoos! Are you in a band?"
"Huh?"
Jinx was stunned... her mouth opened slightly, but no snarky retort came out. She didn't know what to say.... This wasn't the usual reaction of fear or disgust.
"I'm Fujiwara Chika!" the girl announced, extending a hand. "Let's be friends!"
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