"Don’t worry, Uncle. Thomas can be trusted," Suzy cut him off, her expression firm.

In a world like this, where people’s hearts were impossible to read, she wasn’t naïve.

But Thomas was different. His favor toward her had already reached one hundred percent. The system had made it clear—no betrayal, unwavering until death.

She trusted the system.

And because of that certainty, she had dared to reveal her space to him.

To her now, Thomas stood on the same level as Leonard—someone she could rely on without hesitation.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have risked it, not even with a hundred times the courage.

She wasn’t reckless.

Telling him in advance also meant she no longer had to hide things, making everything easier moving forward.

"...Alright." Leonard clicked his tongue softly, clearly unconvinced.

It had only been a few days, and yet she already trusted this man so completely.

He couldn’t help feeling a little bitter about it.

"Fine. As long as you’ve thought it through." He sighed.

"Trust me, Uncle." Suzy paused, then added, "I know what I’m doing."

On second thought, having another capable person protecting her wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

But if Thomas ever betrayed her... A cold glint flashed through Leonard’s eyes.

He would never allow it.

***

After their conversation, Leonard stepped out of the kitchen and walked over to Thomas.

He patted him on the shoulder. "I know about you and Suzy."

Thomas looked at him, unsure what to say.

Leonard smiled. "You’ve got some nerve, kid."

Though his tone carried a faint edge, like he was holding back irritation.

Before Thomas could respond, Leonard continued, his voice turning serious. "Suzy is the only family I have. Let me be clear—if you ever hurt her, I won’t let you off."

Thomas paused, then nodded just as seriously. "I won’t."

Leonard studied him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled again. "Good. I’ve said what I needed to. Stay for dinner tonight."

With that, he turned and went back into the kitchen to tell Suzy.

She had been planning the same thing.

After everything they’d been through outside, it was only right to have a proper meal.

Now that Thomas was one of them, there was no need to hide anything anymore.

"Uncle, you can go. Leave dinner to me—it’ll be ready soon," she said with a smile.

"Soon?" Leonard raised a brow, surprised by her confidence.

"Yeah. I’ll just take it out of my space. I stocked up on a lot of restaurant food before everything happened."

Leonard swallowed instinctively. "Alright."

Just the thought made him hungry.

"Then go wait outside."

Once he left, Suzy lifted her hand.

In an instant, five or six dishes appeared on the table.

A perfect spread—meat and vegetables alike.

Braised pork gleamed with a rich, glossy red. Sweet and sour ribs were coated in thick, fragrant sauce. Stir-fried greens were bright and fresh. A steaming bowl of buttered rice sent up clouds of aromatic heat, filling the room with mouthwatering scent.

One by one, she carried the dishes out.

Leonard immediately leaned in, breathing deeply.

That smell was real restaurant cooking. High heat, heavy oil, bold flavors—nothing like home-cooked food.

He inhaled deeply, almost blissful. "Suzy... you really know how to live."

She set down three bowls of rice and laid out the utensils.

"Thomas, come eat."

Thomas stepped up to the table, staring at the spread in front of him, momentarily dazed.

Back during the extreme heat, he had occasionally come here to eat. Even then, the meals had been decent.

After that came the typhoons and relentless storms.

Since the rains began, the best he had eaten were self-heating hot pots, plain rice, and instant noodles with sausage and braised eggs.

It had been a long, long time since he’d seen a meal like this—steaming hot, rich in color, aroma, and flavor.

Suzy picked up a piece of braised pork and placed it in his bowl. "What are you waiting for? Eat."

He lowered his gaze to the glossy piece of meat, his throat tightening slightly.

He picked it up and took a bite.

Tender, rich, perfectly seasoned—the fat melted without greasiness, the sauce blooming across his tongue.

For a split second, his eyes stung.

Not because the food was lacking, but because it had been so long since someone had placed food in his bowl.

So long... he had nearly forgotten what it felt like.

"Is it good?" Suzy tilted her head, watching him.

He nodded, his voice a little hoarse. "Yeah."

Beside them, Leonard was already digging in, his mouth full as he spoke through a mouthful of food. "Suzy... this is incredible... I haven’t had braised pork like this in ages..."

Suzy started eating too, her eyes curving with quiet satisfaction.

The three of them sat around the table.

Outside, the sky was still dull and gray, rain falling in a steady hush.

Inside, warmth wrapped around them.

Dish after dish disappeared—braised pork, sweet and sour ribs, steamed rice.

When Leonard finished the last rib, he leaned back in his chair, patting his stomach. "Now this is living..."

In a world like this, being able to eat like this felt like a blessing across lifetimes.

There were still people outside starving.

For a moment, Leonard felt deeply grateful for his luck.

All thanks to Suzy.

He turned to her, suddenly grabbing her hand, his expression stirred—yet he said nothing.

Suzy blinked, confused.

A moment later, he let go.

"???"

Before she could ask what that was about, she felt another gaze—far more intense.

She looked over.

Thomas had already set down his utensils. He was watching her now.

"What?" she asked.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the heat, a faint smudge of sauce still at the corner of her lips. The expression made her look almost absentminded.

Something stirred in his chest.

Full. Tight. Like it might overflow.

"What are you looking at?" she asked, blinking up at him.

One after another, they stared at her without saying a word.

Strange.

Thomas looked away, the tips of his ears faintly red. "Nothing."

***

After dinner, Leonard took it upon himself to clean up.

Suzy brought out a fruit platter from her space, and the three of them settled onto the sofa, casually chatting as they ate.

The TV played a series she had downloaded in advance.

Warm yellow light filled the room, wrapping everything in quiet comfort.

For a moment, it felt no different from before the disasters began.

So much so that Thomas found himself slightly dazed.