Nadia felt a pang of jealousy; it was as if Harrison had whisked her beloved dog away right under her nose. Thankfully, Colby's loyalty never wavered—after every training session, he returned to her side, nestling into her arms and even carrying his bowl in his mouth whenever they went out. Since Harrison's cooking wasn't even fit for a dog, Nadia had to stay prepared, keeping plenty of dog food on hand. When Jasmine saw how well-behaved Colby had become, she shot a look of disdain toward Levi and Caleb. "Look at you two! Even a dog has more discipline than you." Rain poured steadily, yet no one in the group had time to rest. Jasmine put Levi and Caleb through intense training daily, giving them no chance to slack off. Whether their strength had improved was anyone's guess, but judging by the fresh bruises on their faces, Nadia figured at least they were getting used to taking a hit. Her fingers itching for a little test, she threw a few moves their way. Both dodged her strikes with quick reflexes, smirking back at her. "Oh, you're trying to hit us now? Not a chance!" Their smug grins were maddening. While despair and complaints echoed from other floors, things on the 18th floor were different. Everyone was making progress. Even little Lily was learning—practicing phonics and memorizing fables. The hydroponic vegetables were thriving splendidly, each plant lush and vibrant. Nadia's face brightened as she admired the row of crisp green lettuce flourishing on her balcony. These hybrid greens, packed with nutrients, grew larger than any ordinary lettuce. Every day, she checked them carefully and, so far, saw no sign of pests. Once she finished her outdoor chores, Nadia stepped into her private space to harvest timothy grass for the rabbits. The grass, along with bundles of wild herbs and saplings, had been brought back from Firridge. She planted whatever she could make use of and stored the rest away. Her garden overflowed with endless furniture and building supplies, but there was still plenty of empty soil left. Rather than growing more vegetables or grains, which she already had in abundance, Nadia decided to skip anything time-intensive. Her two-hour daily limit in this space barely scratched the surface of what she wanted to accomplish. Food wasn't what she needed most; it was time—to freely live and work within her sanctuary. She used the remaining plots to plant fruit trees, which required little attention, allowing her to make the most of her precious minutes in the garden. Just as she stepped back from her private realm, Nadia noticed Colby pawing at the door. Opening it, she saw someone calling for her from downstairs. Descending the stairs, Nadia spotted a young man supporting an elderly woman. He greeted her politely, "Hello, miss, do you know anything about healing?" Through the iron gate, Nadia observed the grandmother's pained expression. Her own face remained impassive as she asked, "What happened?" "My grandmother threw her back out, and the hospital's out of medicine. They suggested we find someone skilled in acupuncture." The young man, introducing himself as Austin, wore glasses that lent him a gentle, refined look. His tone was courteous, almost pleading. "I heard you studied medicine. Could you help my grandmother?" Nadia considered his request, her expression calm. "I know some acupuncture, but I'm hardly an expert. Are you sure you're comfortable trusting me with this?" Austin hesitated. The truth was, he wasn't entirely comfortable, but his grandmother's pain was overwhelming. She could barely sit or lie down, and sleepless nights had left her exhausted. Nadia almost refused but paused, then said, "I can try to help, but I won't promise a cure. Also, I'll need to charge you." Austin looked uncertain. "Could we perhaps set up a tab?" He hesitated, explaining, "All my money's tied up in my bank card, and I can't withdraw it until the floods recede. I'll pay you as soon as I can." Seeing her expression, he quickly added, "I'd even be willing to pay interest." Nadia shook her head. "Grain works as payment." A troubled look crossed Austin's face; he had little food to spare. At the mention of grain, Elizabeth gently placed a hand on her grandson's arm. "I'm old, and I've lived long enough. I don't need treatment, really." Though she looked frail, she was barely in her early sixties. Survival was instinctual, a part of her that clung to life. But she didn't want to be a burden to her grandson, even if it meant enduring the pain. Austin gently comforted his grandmother, then turned to Nadia, asking, "Is there any other way to settle the payment?" "We can figure something out," she replied, "but it'll depend on the value.""I have a mountain bike I bought for eighteen hundred dollars. I've barely used it," he offered. Nadia nodded in agreement. "That'll work." Austin went downstairs and returned, carefully hauling the bike back up. "Take a look—it's practically new." The trade was settled, covering ten treatments. Nadia accepted the bike but wouldn't let Austin back in just yet. "Come back in an hour and a half," she instructed. With steady hands, she helped his grandmother upstairs. Though wincing in pain, the older woman managed a warm smile. "Thank you, young lady." "No need to thank me. I'm charging for this," Nadia replied with a soft smile. She led the grandmother to the hallway without inviting her inside and began the examination right there. It wasn't anything too serious—just a lumbar strain and a slight sprain—but an injury like that would need a hundred days to heal and could be agonizing. From her supplies, Nadia brought out a soft, comfortable bench and set it up in the hallway, gently helping the grandmother lie down. Seeing how much discomfort she was in, Nadia poured a little herbal medicinal wine into her hands and massaged it in. Her technique wasn't perfect, but her touch was skillful enough to ease some of the woman's pain. Once the muscles had loosened, Nadia pulled out her silver needles and began acupuncture. She'd practiced in school and had recently refreshed her skills, so each needle was placed with careful precision. To her surprise, the grandmother, who hadn't slept in days due to the pain, drifted off midway through the treatment. She only woke when Nadia removed the needles, her face brightening with relief. "I didn't expect you to be so skilled." Lower back injuries were slow to heal, especially in damp weather, so Nadia reminded her to rest well. She could have used some specialized ointments from her supplies to speed up the recovery, but she held back. It wasn't out of stinginess—she just didn't want word getting around that she had extra medicines to give out. The grandmother hesitated, then spoke gently. "May I ask for a favor?" She slowly slipped a jade bracelet off her wrist. "That bike means the world to my grandson. Could I trade this instead?" The bracelet gleamed, its jade rich and beautifully crafted, clearly worth a fair amount. Nadia waved her off with a kind smile. "Your injury won't be healed in just ten treatments. When the floodwaters recede, you can come back and pay to redeem the bike." The grandmother's face finally relaxed, reassured. Her family was well-off enough, but the younger generation wasn't in the habit of keeping cash on hand, leaving them strapped at times like this. Just as Nadia finished, Austin returned to pick his grandmother up. Noticing how much brighter she looked, he remembered to thank Nadia politely before they headed out.Moments after they left, Caleb's door opened, and he grinned at Nadia. "Nadia, you're good at this! Already making a profit with your medical skills?" "It's nothing big," she replied with a modest shrug. "Just getting some practice." Skills were vital, especially in a world turned upside down. That's why Nadia hadn't abandoned her studies. Someday, if they all ended up on a survival base, her skills would be her key to security. Levi, watching the exchange, looked over with a hint of envy. "You picked the right field. Look at me—I've got a software engineering degree, practically useless now." "Don't be so sure," she said, offering a gentle smile. "You never know when you might need it." Levi watched Nadia with a renewed sense of urgency. Her quiet resolve inspired him, and he headed to the courtyard to train with Jasmine, deciding that if he couldn't apply his studies, at least he could work on his physical endurance.The thick humidity hung in the air, making everyone feel sluggish. Inside, Nadia set up her training in the living room, pushing herself through an intense two-hour workout until she was drenched in sweat. A knock sounded at the door, drawing her dog, Colby, over to paw it open. It was Harrison, there to pick up Colby. When he entered, he paused, catching sight of Nadia practicing military boxing. He watched her movements intently. "Your form's a bit off; your punches should go higher." His guidance was precise and more practical than anything she'd seen in tutorials. Nadia didn't hesitate, raising her fists as he instructed. "Like this?" "Close, but not quite." Harrison stepped closer, gently lifting her fist a little higher himself. After finishing the set, he pointed out a few more minor adjustments. It was rare to see a young woman punch with such strength and boldness—her form more disciplined than he'd expected. Watching her, Harrison felt his hands itch in anticipation. "Want to spar?"