Chapter 56
Suzy’s mind buzzed for a split second, and her hands froze mid-motion.
Her bodyguard in M Country—who else could it be but Thomas Kim?
"You mean Thomas?" she still asked, just to be sure.
"Yes," Leonard replied. "He just texted me. Said he’s coming back home in the next couple of days and asked me to recommend a place."
Suzy felt her heartbeat quicken, beyond her control. She tried to sound casual when she asked again, "Doesn’t he have a home here?"
"No idea. He’s never really talked about his family."
Leonard paused, then said thoughtfully, "How about... we have him come to A City?"
With the disaster about to unfold, sending Thomas somewhere unfamiliar didn’t seem wise. If he came to A City, they could look out for one another.
Thomas was loyal, dependable—the kind of man worth keeping close. That was exactly why Leonard had trusted him enough to protect Suzy in the first place.
"Sure," Suzy answered a little too quickly. "He should come to A City. It’s not like traveling around is convenient right now anyway."
"Alright. I’ll tell him."
Suzy’s fingertips trembled faintly. If Thomas truly returned... if he really came to A City...
What would that mean?
It meant she would have another chance to build favorability.
Given that she was Leonard’s niece, raising enough goodwill to trigger binding shouldn’t be impossible.
As long as they were in the same city, opportunities would arise.
And with her uncle as a bridge, there would always be excuses to meet.
"I’ve told him," Leonard said with a faint smile. "He said once he gets here, we’ll have to treat him to a proper meal."
What an opportunity.
Suzy barely stopped herself from pumping a fist in victory.
"Of course," she replied promptly.
Just then, Leonard’s phone rang. After hanging up, he said, "The delivery’s here."
They opened the door. Two workers pushed in carts stacked with large barrels of bottled water.
Leonard didn’t let them enter the apartment itself. Instead, he had everything unloaded into the entryway by the elevator.
The small foyer quickly filled up.
The water delivery and the bulk supplies were arriving separately.
Suzy and Leonard carried the water barrels one by one into a spare room designated as storage.
Soon after, the second delivery team arrived with the rest of the supplies.
Again, they were instructed to unload everything at the entryway.
It took nearly two hours of hauling and organizing before everything was finally in place.
The apartment was now packed with supplies.
Used sparingly, what they had outside the space alone would be enough for the two of them to survive for half a year.
That didn’t even include what Suzy had stored in her spatial dimension.
Leonard was drenched in sweat and retreated to his room for a shower.
Suzy resumed installing the tiny surveillance cameras outside the door.
She had just secured one in place when her phone rang.
It was the auto shop owner.
She had urged them to expedite the process—apparently, the modified vehicles she had ordered were ready.
She had almost forgotten.
After informing Leonard, she headed out immediately to collect them.
At the auto shop, several vehicles stood in a neat row, each professionally modified according to her specifications.
Beside them were dozens of large crates containing spare parts and equipment.
The shop owner was all smiles and courtesy.
Suzy paid the remaining balance and instructed them to drive the vehicles to a warehouse she had rented on the outskirts of the city.
Once the cars were parked, the staff left.
After confirming the area was clear, Suzy raised her hand slightly and stored every modified vehicle and crate into her space.
Another major burden lifted from her chest.
She checked the time.
Still early.
She decided to make one more stop nearby.
Her thoughts drifted to the noodle shop owner who had once generously packed extra side dishes for her.
Why not buy another large batch? The shop was in this district, not far at all.
The noodle shop owner still remembered Suzy. The moment she saw her, her face lit up with surprise and delight.
"It’s you! I haven’t seen you in ages!"
Suzy hadn’t expected to be remembered. A warm, unexpected emotion stirred in her chest.
As usual, she ordered a large amount to go.
And as usual, the owner enthusiastically added extra side dishes into the bags—this one on the house, that one freshly packed, all with motherly insistence.
This time, though, Suzy had come with another purpose.
While waiting, she carefully suggested, "Madam, you might want to stock up on more supplies for the future. Just in case."
If she started now, it would still be all right.
The owner laughed and agreed readily. Whether she would truly take it to heart, Suzy didn’t know. This was all she could do.
As before, the owner asked her son to help carry the boxes to Suzy’s car.
"Just put them in the trunk. Thank you," Suzy said.
She handed the teenage boy a cup of milk tea she’d just bought. "This one’s for you."
He accepted it awkwardly and murmured a thank you.
After hesitating, he glanced at her and asked in a low voice, "Miss... did you also see that post?"
Suzy paused. "What post?"
"A few days ago, I came across a thread online. It told people to stock up on supplies..."
He had overheard her conversation with his mother.
Suzy’s eyes flickered. "Where did you see it?"
"A small forum. Not very mainstream."
She didn’t press further. Instead, she repeated quietly, "Find a way to convince your family to buy more things."
The boy nodded.
Suzy drove off.
For some reason, the boy reminded her of Derek Martin.
It had been a while since they’d contacted each other—he had been busy preparing for final exams.
She wondered whether he had taken her earlier advice about stocking supplies seriously.
The apocalypse was practically here. If he hadn’t prepared at all, that would be a disaster.
Suzy pulled over and sent Derek a message.
Coincidentally, he had been about to message her too.
Almost the instant her message went through, his popped up.
[Derek Martin: Hey, Suz, I just finished up here. Are you free lately?]
Suzy blinked. He didn’t even know she had returned.
[I’m back in A City.]
The "typing..." indicator lingered at the top of the chat window for a long time.
Nearly two minutes passed before his reply came through.
[Derek Martin: Then... are you free tonight?]
[I am.]
Suzy took the initiative and suggested dinner.
He agreed almost immediately.
It was settled.
She informed Leonard before heading out. He didn’t object, only reminding her to come home early. He had his own matters to consider as well.
***
Seven o’clock that evening.
Suzy arrived at the restaurant they had agreed upon.
After parking, she had barely reached the entrance when she spotted Derek.
He was wearing a loose white tank top that exposed well-defined shoulder and back muscles, paired with light-washed jeans. His tall, lean frame stood out effortlessly.
It had been a while. His hair seemed slightly shorter than before.
His face—still strikingly handsome.
Suzy quickened her pace toward him. She was just about to greet him when he turned and saw her.
His amber eyes lit up instantly, bright with unmistakable joy.
"Suzy!"