Chapter 267
It looked as though Liam had gathered every blanket in the apartment and piled them into this single room.
Suzy’s gaze drifted to a small space heater tucked into the corner. It was still running, quietly radiating precious warmth into the chilly room.
"We still have backup batteries," Liam explained when he noticed where she was looking. "That’s why the heater is still working."
Suzy nodded. "Is Noah sleeping in here with you now?"
Liam nodded in return.
"It’s too cold for him to sleep alone. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with that."
Sharing a bed meant they could at least keep each other warm.
The bedroom was noticeably warmer than the living room, but the cold still lingered.
Noah tugged Suzy over to a thick rug spread across the floor.
Liam picked up the space heater and moved it closer to them.
Looking up at him, Suzy asked, "How much longer will your power supply last?"
"It should hold out for a while." Liam glanced toward the backup battery. "We’ve still been getting sunlight occasionally. I can recharge some of it with the solar panels."
"If you ever run out, come find me. I’ve got spare power sources at home."
Liam’s fingers tightened slightly. His knuckles whitened.
Lowering his gaze, he spoke softly. "You’ve already done so much for us."
"What’s wrong with doing a little more?" Suzy said it so casually that it almost sounded effortless. "You’ve helped me plenty too. It goes both ways. Stop thinking someone owes the other."
Liam didn’t reply immediately. He simply nodded. Then he quietly nudged the space heater a little closer to her.
"I’ll be right back."
With that, he left the room.
The moment he was gone, Noah tugged gently on Suzy’s sleeve.
"Suzy, let’s build Lego."
The Lego set she had brought during her last visit still wasn’t finished.
Not because he hadn’t had time––he had been saving it, waiting for a chance to build it with her.
Opening the box, Noah dumped the pieces onto the rug.
"Help me with this one."
He held up a half-finished spaceship while simultaneously taking it apart and stuffing it into Suzy’s hands.
"I can’t get the wing attached. Please help."
"Alright, alright."
Laughing, Suzy accepted the model.
After examining it for a moment, she found two missing pieces among the scattered bricks and snapped them together.
The wing clicked perfectly into place.
Noah grabbed the spaceship and inspected it from every angle.
"You’re amazing, Suzy!"
Suzy chuckled and ruffled his hair.
"How is this amazing? It’s just Lego."
Noah set the completed spaceship aside and immediately dug out a much larger model.
His brows furrowed in concentration as he worked.
Lips pursed. Eyes focused. The resemblance to Liam was uncanny.
Watching him, Suzy couldn’t help smiling.
She leaned against the rug beside him, occasionally searching for pieces or helping with difficult sections, content simply to keep him company.
A faint sound came from the doorway.
Turning her head, she saw Liam returning.
This time he was carrying something.
Crossing the room in a few steps, he stopped in front of Suzy and offered her a steaming mug.
"Ginger tea. Drink something warm."
He handed another cup to Noah.
Accepting the mug, Suzy ran her fingers over its warm surface and smiled.
"This cup is beautiful."
"I bought it years ago," Liam said casually.
Suzy examined it more closely. The cup was made of delicate bone china. Its glossy white surface glowed softly beneath the warm light.
Painted along one side was a pale blue orchid, rendered with only a few elegant brushstrokes.
Even so, it possessed remarkable character. This clearly wasn’t some mass-produced item. It looked more like a handcrafted collector’s piece.
Apparently Liam’s financial situation before the apocalypse had been even better than she had imagined.
Beside her, Noah sipped from an ordinary glass cup.
Peeking over the rim, he glanced at the porcelain mug in Suzy’s hands, then at his brother.
Suddenly he said, "Liam, isn’t that your favorite cup?"
For the briefest moment, Liam froze. Color rapidly climbed to the tips of his ears.
Completely oblivious, Noah continued.
"You never let anyone touch it. Last time I wanted to hold it, you wouldn’t even let me. You scolded me and hid it afterward."
The grievance still sounded fresh.
Liam opened his mouth, then closed it again.
When he noticed Suzy looking at him, he hurriedly explained.
"I was afraid you’d break it."
"I wasn’t even going to pick it up," Noah muttered. "You wouldn’t let me touch it at all."
Back then, he had thought the cup was pretty and wanted to examine it.
Liam had rejected the idea immediately.
Now the same treasured cup was sitting comfortably in Suzy’s hands.
The unfairness was obvious.
Noah couldn’t help feeling slightly betrayed.
Suzy suddenly looked down at the mug.
"Now I feel bad using something this valuable."
"It’s really not a big deal."
Liam spoke so quickly it almost sounded defensive.
"It’s just a cup. It was made to be used."
After a brief pause, he added quietly,
"Besides, its value belonged to the old world."
The truth was harsh.
In today’s world, even the rarest collectible couldn’t be exchanged for a loaf of bread.
"Drink it before it gets cold."
His voice softened.
Since he insisted, Suzy stopped protesting. She lowered her head and took a sip.
Sweetness bloomed across her tongue. The fragrance of various herbs lingered pleasantly as warmth traveled down her throat and settled comfortably in her stomach.
"It’s really good."
Then she added with a grin, "The tea and the cup."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Liam’s lips.
"Aren’t you drinking any?"
"I will later."
As he spoke, he reached behind him and produced two hot water bottles.
They had already been filled and radiated comforting warmth.
"These are for you."
He handed one to Noah and the other to Suzy.
"You gave these to us, remember?"
Back when she had delivered winter supplies, several hot water bottles had been included among the items.
Suzy accepted hers without hesitation.
"So? Have they been useful?"
"Very." Liam smiled. "Noah sleeps with one every night."
As he spoke, Suzy noticed Noah pressing his hot water bottle directly against his cheek.
"It’s really comfortable," he declared happily.
After distributing the hot water bottles, Liam stepped out once more.
A few minutes later he returned carrying his own steaming mug of red date tea.
"You want to join us?"
Suzy gestured toward the Lego set.
Liam shook his head.
"No. You two have fun." He sat at the foot of the bed and rested his gaze on them. "I’ll just watch."
An hour passed. Then another.
Noah built while Suzy helped. Liam quietly watched the entire time.
Eventually, Noah completed his spaceship.
Satisfied with the result, Suzy finally stood.
"I should head home."
The bright smile on Noah’s face disappeared instantly.
"Oh..."
Disappointment flooded his expression.
Of course, he didn’t want her to leave. Still, he kept his complaints to himself. More than anything, he feared becoming a burden or making her dislike him.
Liam rose to his feet and sighed. "I’ll walk you out."