At that time, both her parents were still alive, and she had an adorable younger sister, only a year younger than her. After the shelter reached its designated opening date, they witnessed together the first ray of sunlight piercing through that cold steel gate.

Then, they were separated.

It was only later that she learned many mercenary groups specifically targeted those shelters with simple defenses, the ones that had just opened. Taking advantage of the lingering conscience in the hearts of those just emerging from the shelters, they plundered survival supplies and kidnapped people... It was during that chaos that she lost her family.

And from that moment on, she abandoned all the kindness that remained in her heart and became a true “wasteland survivor.”

But for some reason, at this moment, that frozen heart of hers began to thaw, just a little.

Home...?

In a daze, Grace Bennett actually had such an illusion. Realizing her own thoughts, she felt her face inexplicably grow a little hot.

These past two days are probably the most emotionally rich days I’ve had in years... Grace Bennett shook her head with a wry smile and put the tomatoes she had cut, as Jason Carter requested, into the bowl.

To suppress those restless emotions, a deep breath was enough, yet the feeling that touched the softest part of her heart was something she simply couldn’t bury...

Perhaps even Grace Bennett herself hadn’t realized that the man beside her, beating eggs, had already started to occupy a special place in her heart.

……

Watching Grace Bennett devour her food, Jason Carter couldn’t help but smile. It was the first time he’d seen someone eat tomato and scrambled eggs with such creativity.

“I know you have a lot of questions, like why I have so much food.” Jason Carter put down his bowl and chopsticks, looking at Grace Bennett as he spoke quietly.

“I don’t know how to describe this feeling.” Grace Bennett gradually stopped eating, put down her chopsticks, and gazed at Jason Carter with a dreamy look in her eyes. “You give me a feeling... as if you walked out of a fairy tale.”

“Pfft, a fairy tale?” Jason Carter was dumbfounded.

“Some pre-war books, in the shelter, we called them fairy tales.” Grace Bennett sighed and gave a self-mocking smile. “Everyone lived a happy life, had family, friends, even lovers. But no matter how you think about it, it’s just a fairy tale, right? After all, the first time I ever touched sunlight was when I was seven.”

Jason Carter was silent. He just walked to the fridge, took out a few cans of beer, and turned back to give Grace Bennett a comforting smile.

“Where I’m from, when we feel tired, we have a drink.”

Grace Bennett grabbed a beer, tilted her head back, and took a big gulp, her throat making a satisfied sound.

“Burp—this stuff doesn’t taste as good as cola.”

“But it lets you vent. All in all, it’s a good thing.” Jason Carter also took a big swig of beer.

How long had it been since he’d had a drink? Probably ever since graduation. He’d come alone to a strange city, entered a strange company, endured the pressure of work and the burdens of life, until he was finally laid off.

The countless dreams he’d had in the ivory tower had been mercilessly crushed by reality.

To be honest, the moment he received the layoff notice, he felt truly miserable.

At least in this apocalypse, there was someone to drink with him, and she was a beauty... This apocalypse wasn’t so bad after all.

The two of them drank can after can, using the unique numbness of alcohol to briefly release the exhaustion pent up in their hearts.

“Ugh... I can’t anymore, I feel... EP, why won’t EP open?”

“That’s not EP, that’s my shoe, idiot.” Jason Carter roared, snatching the empty bowl from Grace Bennett’s hand and stomping it under his foot.

“How dare you... dare you steal from me, you’ve got a death wish... burp... hehe?” Grace Bennett giggled drunkenly, tilting her head as she looked at Jason Carter.

That chilling look in her eyes actually sobered Jason Carter up for a moment, but only for a moment. As they say, alcohol gives cowards courage. Jason Carter tossed the can behind him and staggered to his feet.

“Damn, you crazy woman, just what did I do wrong... hehe, when I get rich, I’ll tie you up and... hehe... burp.” Because he stepped on a bowl, Jason Carter slipped and fell awkwardly to the floor.

Alcohol had torn away the mask of civility. At this moment, Jason Carter didn’t want to think about anything, he just wanted to vent his depression and negative emotions in a pure and wild way.

That woman—Jason Carter clenched his teeth so hard they creaked, and that cold, frosty face appeared in his mind again.

Clang.

A can was knocked to the floor.

“You, who are you calling names? Burp...” Grace Bennett crawled under the table, climbed on top of Jason Carter, and giggled drunkenly, her alluring red lips exhaling hot, boozy breath.

But the person in front of him was Grace Bennett.

With that terrifying strength of 44 points, she could easily pin Jason Carter to the ground.

“Get off, I want to be on top.” Jason Carter muttered, pushing at Grace Bennett who was straddling him without budging her, then simply rolled over and lay face down on the floor.