Chapter 265
Liam was still a potential rival in Derek’s eyes.
How could he possibly feel at ease knowing Suzy was heading over there?
Thomas, however, showed no trace of jealousy or dissatisfaction. He simply reminded her, "Their apartment doesn’t have heating. It’s cold. Dress warmly this time. Don’t come back frozen like yesterday."
"Don’t worry. I know."
Suzy returned to her apartment first to prepare lunch for the brothers.
The top container held instant rice porridge she had stocked before the apocalypse. The lower container was filled with yesterday’s homemade dumplings.
She also packed a small box of dipping sauce that Derek had prepared.
Everything was placed inside a black insulated bag and then covered with an additional black plastic bag. From the outside, no one could tell what was inside.
Once lunch was ready, Suzy returned to her room to change.
This time, she bundled herself up properly: a thick sweater. A fleece-lined outdoor jacket. A scarf wrapped snugly around her neck. Gloves and a hat completed the outfit.
Thomas stood at the door watching her, and only after confirming she was thoroughly protected from the cold did he nod.
"Go on. Come back early."
Suzy answered with a smile and headed downstairs.
The trip from the twentieth floor to the thirteenth took a little longer than it had the day before.
When she reached the thirteenth floor, she pushed open Liam’s security door with practiced familiarity.
The moment she stepped inside, she noticed someone standing outside Liam’s apartment.
The stranger had his back to her and appeared to be talking to someone inside.
Another visitor?
Liam’s place seemed unusually lively these days.
Suzy studied him curiously. He was tall and lean, wearing a dark gray down jacket and black-rimmed glasses.
There was a distinctly academic air about him.
Because of the angle, she couldn’t see his face clearly. She only saw the small cardboard box in his hands as he passed it to Liam.
"These are the medications you wanted," the young man said.
His voice was clear and pleasant, carrying the bright energy of youth.
"I managed to find two boxes. Hopefully that’s enough."
Liam accepted the package and glanced inside. Relief and gratitude flickered across his features.
"It’s more than enough. Thank you. Wait a moment. I’ll get what you asked for."
The young man nodded and remained by the doorway.
Suzy stepped closer.
Perhaps sensing her presence, he turned his head.
Their eyes met.
He paused briefly before giving her a polite nod in greeting.
His eyes behind the lenses were bright and intelligent, yet beneath that youthful appearance lay an unexpected steadiness.
Only then did Suzy realize how young he looked––he was eighteen or nineteen at most.
Fair-skinned. Refined features. Black-framed glasses perched neatly on his nose.
He looked like the kind of top student teachers adored. A model student who had somehow stepped straight out of a textbook.
Then Suzy remembered where she had seen him before––he was one of the four men living downstairs. The sharpest one among them.
The same person who had noticed her watching through binoculars weeks ago and had looked directly toward her window.
"You’re from upstairs, aren’t you?" He spoke first. His tone was calm and curious without being intrusive.
Suzy nodded. "And you live downstairs?"
She already knew the answer but asked anyway.
He smiled. A row of neat white teeth appeared.
"Yeah. My name’s Aaron. We moved in recently."
Then he added politely, "And you are?"
"Suzy."
He silently repeated her name to himself but didn’t pry any further.
At that moment, Liam emerged from the apartment carrying a plastic bag.
"Everything you wanted is inside."
His gaze passed over Aaron’s shoulder and landed on Suzy. For a moment, surprise crossed his face.
Then he smiled.
"You’re here."
"I told you I’d come around noon."
Aaron glanced between the two of them and immediately caught the atmosphere. With admirable tact, he stepped back.
"Pleasure doing business. I’ll get going."
Liam nodded.
Before leaving, Aaron looked at Suzy once more. For a second, it seemed as though he wanted to say something. In the end, he simply turned and headed downstairs.
His footsteps were light. They echoed faintly through the stairwell before disappearing completely.
Suzy watched him leave, deep in thought.
"Come inside. It’s cold." Liam’s voice pulled her back to reality.
She nodded and followed him inside. The door closed behind them.
The apartment was still chilly, but it felt considerably warmer than the hallway.
"Where’s Noah?"
Setting down the insulated bag, Suzy looked around.
"He’s in his room." Liam smiled faintly. "He knew you were coming and spent the entire morning waiting. Eventually he got tired and fell asleep on the bed."
As he spoke, Liam walked toward Noah’s room and pushed the door open slightly.
"Noah. Suzy’s here."
Rustling sounds immediately came from inside. Then rapid footsteps. A moment later, Noah burst from the room.
His hair was sticking up wildly. His eyes weren’t even fully open yet. But the grin stretching across his face was already enormous.
"Suzy! You really came!"
Suzy crouched down and opened her arms.
Noah launched himself at her without hesitation. The impact nearly knocked her backward.
Laughing, she steadied herself and ruffled his messy hair.
"I said I’d come, didn’t I? When have I ever lied to you?"
Noah lifted his head from her embrace. His smile grew even brighter.
"That’s true!"
"I bet you’re both hungry." Suzy pointed toward the insulated bag. "I brought lunch."
"What are we having?" Noah asked eagerly.
"Rice porridge and dumplings."
The moment she lifted the lid, steam poured out. The rich aroma of hearty porridge immediately filled the room.
Noah’s stomach growled audibly.
Taking a deep breath, he leaned forward as though he wanted to bury his entire face in the bowl.
Liam caught him by the back of his collar and gently pulled him away.
"Noah. Behave."
The boy pouted but obediently sat down.
Suzy arranged everything on the table. Two bowls of porridge. A plate piled with dumplings. Small dishes of dipping sauce.
Liam helped set out utensils.
"The guy from earlier," Suzy spoke casually while working. "His name was Aaron, right?"
Liam nodded.
"Yeah. He’s the youngest of the four." After a pause, he added, "The others are his brothers."
"Really?" Suzy looked surprised. "He seemed like a high school student. Although he’s much more mature than most kids his age."
"Kids grow up fast these days." Liam smiled. "Apparently he’s the top student in his grade."
After a moment, he continued, "The guy who came yesterday was Bill. He’s the older twin. His younger brother is Elijah."
Suzy blinked.
"You’re already that familiar with them?" Then she remembered something. "What about the fourth guy? What’s his connection to them?"
"I don’t know his name yet." Liam shook his head. "But he’s a friend of the twins."
"I see." Suzy nodded thoughtfully.
Her hands never stopped moving. She filled bowls of porridge for both brothers.
For Noah’s portion, she even blew on the spoonful first before placing it in front of him.
"Noah, eat slowly. It’s still hot."
The boy nodded obediently. He scooped up a spoonful, blew on it twice, and took a bite.
His eyes widened instantly.
"It’s amazing!" His entire face lit up. "So good!"
Liam picked up his own bowl and tasted it.
His movements were graceful and refined. Every now and then, his eyes drifted toward Suzy before quickly moving away again.
Suzy served herself a small bowl as well. After several spoonfuls, warmth spread through her entire body.
Suddenly, she looked up.
"Liam."
"Hm?"
"Were you trading medicine with Aaron earlier?"
A note of concern entered her voice.
"Are you sick? Missing medication? Why didn’t you tell me?"
The questions came one after another. A faint smile surfaced in Liam’s eyes.
"I’m fine." His voice was gentle. "Don’t worry."
He opened the cardboard box and showed her the contents.
"It wasn’t for me." He explained. "Someone on their side got sick. High fever. It’s been going on for several days."
"Aaron came looking for medicine. I traded him some fever reducers and antibiotics."
Inside the box were several packages of cold medicine.
Apparently, Aaron’s group had exchanged cold medication for Liam’s fever medicine and antibiotics.
Then Liam remembered something.
"Oh." He looked up. "The man who came yesterday, Bill..."
He paused. "He’s a doctor."