If that ex-boyfriend is so amazing, why would he end up being an ex? From the look Natalie gave him today, Cassian was certain—she definitely thought he was more attractive than the guy she used to date. His steps grew lighter as he walked down the stairs. When he reached the third floor, someone came up from the opposite direction. Cassian shifted aside to make room, but the person stopped and greeted him with a smile. "Mr. Holland?" Cassian glanced more carefully. It was the bald woman who lived across the hallway from Natalie. He nodded politely. But then he noticed something strange—she was smiling at him the way a sweet, caring mom might smile at her future son-in-law. Cassian was baffled. Why did she give me that strange look? Olivia noticed his confusion. She figured he probably didn't remember her, so she quickly explained. "Mr. Holland, you don't remember me, do you? I'm Olivia, Nat's friend. We met back during the floods, when we traded fertilizer." Cassian suddenly realized. So this was the friend who had fought side by side with Natalie. Back then, Olivia had long hair. Now, with her shaved head, she looked completely different. No wonder he hadn't recognized her before.Knowing she was Natalie's friend, Cassian's expression softened. "Nice to see you." Olivia beamed. "You're here to see Nat, aren't you?" Cassian nodded. "Yes." Her grin stretched even wider. "You should come more often!" Cassian didn't understand what made her so happy, but he smiled politely anyway. "Alright." Olivia's smile turned even warmer. In truth, after living through so much with Natalie, Olivia no longer saw her as just a friend. She had lost her parents, her husband, and even her child over the years. Natalie was now the only emotional anchor left in her life. To Olivia, she felt more like family. When she saw Cassian, Olivia couldn't help but slip into the role of a protective relative. After a few more words, Olivia waved goodbye. "I'll head home now. See you!" Cassian nodded and continued downstairs. But after a few steps, something crossed his mind, and he suddenly turned back. "Wait." Olivia paused, surprised. "What is it?" Cassian climbed back up a couple of steps. "I have a question for you." "Go ahead." "Do you know what Natalie likes?"What does Natalie like? Olivia's eyes lit up. He must be planning to bring her a gift! She thought carefully. Then it hit her—she remembered Natalie braving the scorching heat just to come home with a backpack stuffed full of jewelry. "She loves jewelry," Olivia said firmly. Then she added, "Especially emeralds." Olivia remembered how, at the floating market, Natalie had wandered around forever and still hadn't found much she liked. In the end, she only traded for an emerald bracelet and Roderick's emerald ring. Cassian nodded, thoughtful, also recalling that ring on Roderick's finger. He gave Olivia a grateful smile. "Thank you." Olivia waved it off. "No problem." Once Cassian left, she hurried upstairs and knocked on the door of 1402. Natalie opened it, surprised. "Olivia? Weren't you out to run the mobile clinic?" Olivia frowned. "Don't even mention it. I almost reached the market and realized I forgot my medical kit, so I had to come back." Before Natalie could answer, Olivia grinned mischievously. "I just ran into Mr. Holland downstairs. You two seemed to be having a good talk?" Natalie thought about it. "It was fine, I guess." Olivia looked pleased. "Get along with him. I think he's a good man." Natalie blinked in surprise. "You've barely met him. How can you tell?" Olivia answered honestly. "If he were just average, you wouldn't be interested. But you do. That means he's something special." Natalie shot back, "Since when am I interested in him?" Olivia gave her a look that clearly said: I'm not going to argue with you. Then she said, "Anyway, don't overthink it. If you don't like him, fine. But if you do, don't let him slip away." With that, she hurried off. "Can't talk anymore. My patients are waiting!" Natalie closed the door slowly, thoughtful. The days that followed were still scorching hot, but the pandemic eased up. Fewer people coughed in the neighborhood. Bit by bit, residents started going outside again to search and trade for supplies. Cassian's helicopter returned a few more times. But this time, instead of circling overhead and leaving, he landed and always found some excuse to hang out on the 14th floor. Soon, a rumor spread through the neighborhood. The psycho with the chainsaw had bewitched a rich tycoon—so much so that he flew his helicopter in every few days just to see her. When the plague eased, people began trading again. Some took out their leftover echinacea medicine to exchange for food.