When Nadia spoke, Harrison furrowed his brows in confusion. "Lily is timid and afraid?" Nadia shook her head gently. "It's more that she has a people-pleasing nature. She seems terrified of upsetting others and instinctively tries to keep everyone happy." For instance, she'd go out of her way to bring eggs for her and Colby or subtly peek at Nadia's homework, afraid she'd fall short or disappoint. She even seemed wary around Harrison; she had once hurt herself practicing military drills, just to impress him and never made a sound about it. Kids like her could tug at the heartstrings. Harrison stayed quiet for a long moment. "Lily was my parents' second child. Two years ago, they died in a car accident, and I couldn't make it back from work in time. She ended up being cared for by my Uncle Calvin." He paused, a distant look settling in his eyes. "Lily used to be so lively, always smiling. I never imagined that when I returned from service, she would feel like a different person." Then, a glimmer of warmth softened his voice. "But I think she's slowly coming around. Now, she'll even tell me when I'm out of line. I appreciate you helping her with that." Nadia understood deeply; she'd once been the same way. Life in the orphanage had been a constant balancing act. She was always trying to prove herself to be noticed, always afraid of slipping up. It hadn't just been her—most of the children there had the same struggle. Thankfully, she'd been able to find her way out over time. What Lily needed most was encouragement, but more than that, the freedom to express her real emotions—even the hard, messy ones. In a world this unforgiving, if Lily didn't learn to stand firm and speak her mind, she'd be at serious risk dealing with strangers.It would be no easy task, and Harrison would have to guide her through it one step at a time. Meanwhile, the braised pork continued to simmer over high heat, the sauce reducing to a thick, glossy glaze. The air filled with a rich aroma, the meat tender and soft, striking the perfect balance between savory and sweet. Whoever had once called him a disaster in the kitchen would have to mince their words. With a bit of guidance, Harrison handled the kitchen with the discipline of a trained soldier, eager to tackle the next dish—fish stew. With six people and one dog, two dishes barely made a dent in their hunger. Harrison grabbed six eggs and a couple of sausages, gesturing to Nadia to continue teaching him. Caleb and the others looked on, visibly stunned. How did this guy have so many supplies stashed away? The thought made them all a bit envious, but they knew better than to ask. Digging into someone else's resources was risky business—it could easily lead to misunderstandings, even conflict. And in a world like theirs, that was the last thing anyone needed. They were simply grateful for whatever Harrison was willing to share. Three hearty main dishes and a plate of stir-fried bean sprouts later, everyone was full and content. They scraped up every last bit of broth from their bowls. "Nadia, how did you grow these bean sprouts?" Jasmine asked, still savoring the rare taste of fresh greens. She hadn't had any vegetables in days, and though missing them wouldn't kill her, it made... other things a lot harder. She was lucky to have Nadia next door—her very own survival guide. "It's actually quite simple. All you need is water," Nadia replied with a smile, not one to keep helpful information to herself. "We found plenty of mung beans and red beans in the office building. They're perfect for sprouting, and they'll keep us going for quite a while." She explained the process briefly and then added some good news. "And in about two weeks, the lettuce we're growing hydroponically will be ready to harvest. Once it's ready, I'll show you all how to grow your own." Caleb, still savoring the taste of braised pork, couldn't help thinking ahead. "What do you think? If we went further out, maybe we could find more supplies?" Nadia encouraged them with a nod. "Things are only going to get tougher. We might as well be prepared. I've been spending time with medical books recently, so I haven't been out gathering supplies myself. But if any of you get the chance, it wouldn't hurt to venture out. It's also getting colder, so grabbing some firewood wouldn't be a bad idea either." Levi grinned and teased, "If I were you, Nadia, I'd stay right here. With your medical skills, you could keep us all going without ever leaving the building." Nadia had, in fact, taken on another patient that very day—a little boy who had been writhing in pain from a stomachache. His parents couldn't get him to the hospital, so they climbed all the way to the 18th floor, hoping Nadia could help. The poor child had an upset stomach from drinking contaminated rainwater. His parents had some food but kept it hidden, worried about being too open with others. In the end, desperate to show their gratitude, they slipped a gold ring off a finger and handed it to Nadia as payment. Nadia carried the child upstairs with unwavering determination, firmly blocking the parents' attempts to follow. Once in the privacy of the room, she began her work with acupressure and acupuncture. Slowly, the tension in the child's body faded, and the pain seemed to lift. She turned to the parents, offering a final piece of advice: ensure the water was boiled before drinking and, if possible, use purified water tablets for extra precaution. With a quick motion, she tossed her gold ring into the domain, watching it vanish as it entered. She waited in silence, her gaze steady. Sure enough, after a few moments, she noticed the ring had been consumed. This small success bolstered her resolve, reinforcing the notion that by practicing medicine, she could gather resources. There was no longer any need to venture into dangerous territory. The domain offered supplies that could help her face the challenges ahead. Meanwhile, the floodwaters continued their relentless rise, but life pressed on with its quiet, measured rhythm. After finishing his dog training tasks, Harrison saw Nadia emerge from the room, sweat beading on her brow. "Care for a spar?" he asked with a hint of mischief in his voice. She had no hesitation—testing her skills against a master was exactly what she wanted. But didn't he fear his secrets being exposed in the process? "Sure," he replied with a calm grin, his confidence unshaken. If he wasn't concerned about being caught off guard, why should she be? Harrison, ever sharp, turned to Lily. "Take Colby outside to play." The living room was pristine, cleared of all unnecessary clutter, leaving a space that felt both open and inviting. Nadia had taken care to make the area feel both functional and free from distractions. The sparring began. Both fighters were far more focused this time, their movements calculated, almost like a dance. Nadia knew Harrison was a master, so she did not hold back. Her strikes were aimed at vital points, each movement a blend of deliberate feints and sharp precision. His dark, fathomless eyes flickered with surprise. "You've learned quite a few styles." She smiled inwardly, aware that she had always been a jack-of-all-trades—never mastering one style, but instead adapting to whatever was needed. Her movements, unpredictable and fluid, responded to each shift in the flow of their duel. In her previous life, survival had demanded that she learn many ruthless techniques, and now they all came to the forefront in her sparring. During the sparring session, Harrison could feel a noticeable shift in Nadia's energy. She was no longer the composed, measured person he had come to know. In that moment, she exuded a cold fierceness—almost the same intensity she'd shown when severing someone's arm that fateful day. There was a dangerous edge to her movements, and Harrison found himself quietly admiring the change. As they sparred, he observed her form, pointing out the flaws in her technique with ease, adjusting her movements in a casual, almost instructive manner. "You train by yourself every day?" he asked, his tone curious. Nadia, impressed by his perceptiveness, nodded. "How about we exchange some tips?" she suggested, a glint of challenge in her eyes. Two hours of sparring passed, and Nadia had proven herself far more formidable than Harrison had expected. Sweat dotted his brow, but he couldn't help but acknowledge her growth. "Sure, let's do it," he said, his voice steady. The following day, Lily arrived with a variety of supplies, including noodles and eggs. Nadia, having gained a free coach in Harrison, accepted the offer with a grateful nod. By the time Harrison returned with Colby, the eggs and vegetable noodles were already prepared, filling the air with a warm, comforting aroma. "The eggs are starting to turn yellow," Nadia remarked as she took a seat to eat. "They'll spoil soon if we don't use them. If you don't have many, finish them quickly. Otherwise, turn them into salted eggs." Salted eggs, while pungent, could last much longer. Harrison paused, considering her advice. "How do you make salted eggs?" Nadia continued eating as she explained. "First, wash the eggshells with strong alcohol. Then, dampen them and roll them in salt. Wrap them in plastic wrap, and seal them in a bag. It's simple." She spoke casually, but then her tone shifted slightly. "By the way, Lily has eczema. You should put some medicine on her." Harrison nodded, realizing that while he had plenty of medicine, the packaging had been opened, leaving him unsure of which one to use. "Thank you. Could you help me find the right one?" After dinner, Nadia had prepared the meal, and Harrison was left to casually wash the dishes. The assortment of medicines sprawled across the counter. After rummaging for a while, Nadia found the right one and carefully applied it to Lily's skin. "Don't scratch it with your hands. It'll leave a scar." Lily, looking up with wide eyes, smiled shyly. "Miss, you're so nice, like my mom." Nadia couldn't help but laugh softly, but her attention was quickly diverted by Colby, who was whining at her side. The dog, though sweet, was fiercely jealous. Even though it had a close bond with Lily, it would nudge her aside, curling into Nadia's lap as if to claim her attention. Despite Lily sitting nearby, Colby didn't relent, pushing in closer as if trying to win the spot by sheer persistence. Only after showering the dog with a few affectionate pats on the head did Nadia manage to calm it down.When it was time for her to leave, she noticed Harrison still struggling in the kitchen. He was rolling the eggs in salt, unsure of how much to add, his brow furrowed in concentration. It was a small, almost endearing moment, reminding Nadia that perfection didn't exist—not even in someone as seemingly flawless as Harrison. His appearance and skills were impeccable, but when it came to the practical matters of daily life, there was still room for learning.