Several projects were underway in Cloud City.
First came the construction of wind turbines. Then, following Mary's suggestion, plans were made to integrate the entire villa complex, from Zones A to D. Useless gates and small paths would be sealed off, and low perimeter walls reinforced and heightened with barbed wire.
This was to prevent any potential intrusions—especially from the Southwest Base. If their soldiers ever launched an attack, it would be all too easy for them to surround Cloud City and trap its residents like fish in a barrel.
The only frustration was the lack of top-notch tech specialists among them, which meant they couldn't build a comprehensive, flawless surveillance system.
Inside the villa.
Lisa gently massaged Miles's injured area, occasionally fanning it with her small hands.
"Hiss!"
Miles winced as he lay on the bed, glancing down with relief. "Thank God... still functional."
"Pfft!" Lisa couldn't help but burst into laughter, her voice like a string of silver bells. "That kid is such a character. Did he really go charging off to find Nathan?"
"He sure did!" At the mention of Ansel, Miles couldn't help but laugh too. "He practically wanted to swear an oath before leaving!"
"You're wicked, you know that?" Lisa teased, her laughter growing. "That poor fool—Nathan's in for a rough time now!"
"I always repay my debts!"
Miles gritted his teeth and growled, "That bastard Nathan! If I don't teach him to keep his mouth shut, who knows what chaos he'll stir up next!"
Lisa laughed so hard she could barely sit upright. She then cautioned, "Don't forget, Nathan is Isaac's prized apprentice. Don't push him too far. That kid can't beat him, you know."
"He won't." Miles glanced out the window and said calmly, "Nathan knows his limits. Sending Ansel after him isn't just for revenge—it's also to have Nathan teach the kid a thing or two."
Lisa looked surprised. "You think highly of that boy?"
Miles's expression softened, and he said quietly, "The other day at the base, when Mary and her brother ran the fastest, Ansel was standing at the door... and he didn't run."
"So, he's loyal," Lisa said thoughtfully, nodding slightly.
"It's more than that," Miles said, shaking his head. "That kid's an orphan. He's been on his own since he was little, scraping by in the streets. I was an orphan too, but I was lucky. Life gave me a hand."
"So this is sympathy, is it?"
Miles nodded. "Back in the mines, he once said to me, 'In times like these, you can lose anything, but you can't lose your luck.' That struck a chord with me. After all, isn't it luck that brought me to where I am now? I got into a good university by a stroke of fate, struck gold with my first startup, and after the apocalypse hit, I somehow ended up with billions in resources and superpowers. It's as if the heavens decided to spoil me rotten!"
For the first time, Miles shared a piece of his past with Lisa.
Lisa listened quietly, her gaze shimmering with unshed tears.
"Luck only gets you so far," she murmured after a moment, her tone slightly indignant. "Without effort, no one can help you."
Miles smiled, unbothered by her remark, and continued, "Mary's reaction today caught me off guard, though. I thought she'd bottle up her anger and wait for an opportunity to strike back. Instead, she..."
"Pfft!"
Lisa couldn't hold back her laughter again. She playfully poked his chest, pretending to scold him. "Serves you right! Mary must be furious with you after all you put her through. You just had to poke the bear, didn't you?"
"Fine, it was worth it." Miles chuckled self-deprecatingly. "That kick she gave me? It got us a wind turbine. If two more kicks mean..."
Smack!
Lisa slapped his arm lightly, feigning anger. "Two more kicks and you'd be done for!"
"Hiss!" Miles curled up in pain, cursing, "You're out for blood!"
"So what?" Lisa retorted, hands on her hips. "Serves you right for messing around—talking about mistresses and whatnot!"
"I didn't!" Miles bellowed. "Nathan! I swear I'll kill you!"
Smack!
"And now you're cursing again!"
"I... damn it—"
...
The storm passed quickly.
Miles lay on the bed, his eyes half-closed, with a tired Lisa resting in his arms. Neither spoke, basking in the rare tranquility.
"Did you enjoy yourself today?"
"What?"
Lisa nestled closer, her voice soft. "Since I've known you, this is the happiest I've ever seen you. You laughed so much today—joking, chatting, and being surrounded by so many people..."
Miles didn't respond, lost in thought.
Lisa placed her hand on his broad chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "We can't live in isolation forever. Even if this place is a paradise, it's still a prison-like paradise."
"You're right," Miles said quietly, nodding in agreement. "Do you know the happiest moments I've had in the past few months? It's when I go out into the world. Even though it's dangerous, it still makes me happy."
Lisa didn't reply. Instead, Miles felt the warmth of her tears against his chest.
Startled, he looked down to see her closed eyes glistening with tears that quietly streamed down her face.
After a moment, he took a deep breath and said, "Tomorrow, come with me to scavenge for supplies."
Lisa's breath hitched, and she slowly raised her tear-filled eyes to meet his. She hesitated, then asked in a trembling voice, "Aren't you afraid I'll run away? Or hurt you?"
Miles gazed at her, his expression tender. "If that's what happens, I'll accept it."
...
Early the next morning.
Lisa rummaged through the wardrobe, pulling out a colorful array of clothes—every piece brand new, high-end, and courtesy of Miles's stockpile.
She tried on outfit after outfit, occasionally seeking Miles's opinion.
"Do I look better in this one, or this one?"
Miles shook his head, exasperated. "We're heading out to scavenge in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, not going on a spring picnic!"
"You've got no sense of romance," Lisa huffed, ignoring him. After a while, she finally smiled in satisfaction. "This is it!"
"What is?"
Miles turned, still chewing on half an ear of corn, only to see Lisa holding up two identical mustard-yellow woolen coats.
"Do you like them?" she asked, smiling brightly. "They're matching outfits! Perfect fit for both of us. Let's wear them today, okay?"
"...Lisa," Miles said, glancing at the snow outside. "The temperature out there is below minus fifty at its worst and barely minus forty at its best. Are you sure you want to wear that?"
"You're such an idiot! We can wear thermal suits underneath!"
Miles blinked, then muttered, "Isn't that like wearing pants under your skirt?"
"Ugh!" Lisa pouted, rolling her eyes. "You've got no filter, have you? Today's my first time going out. I'm wearing this, and that's final!"
"Fine, fine. Wear it!"