He Did It

With the temperature-controlled greenhouse, all the ice houses melted, allowing people to set up tents in the open space. Within the confines of the base, life was peaceful and harmonious. However, stepping outside the base exposed them to biting cold winds, sleet, and other weather conditions that brought them back to reality. The natural disasters had not passed, and returning to their previous way of life seemed nearly impossible.

Alice didn't want to confine herself to the "greenhouse" forever, fearing that her body wouldn't adapt well to the outside world in the future. Once a month, she would venture outside to search for supplies or participate in the "posting" events where the base would announce the needed items, all rewarded with labor credits. The harder-to-find items earned more credits.

One day, Alice exchanged vegetable seeds for credits and, coming out of the office building, coincidentally met Hurley. The man was surrounded by base leaders, speaking in low tones, while Hurley's expression remained calm, occasionally responding.

As they crossed paths, Hurley stared directly at her, his lips curving slightly. Alice nodded in greeting and made way for them.

Hurley addressed the group, "I'll report to you in a few days. I have some matters to attend to and need to leave."

The leaders didn't mind at all and said with smiles, "Sure, we can discuss it another day."

Alice left first, and Hurley followed her.

They arrived at the edge of the artificial lake, where Alice, looking at the elegantly handsome man, smiled and said, "The temperature-controlled greenhouse is very successful. Congratulations!"

Leaning casually against the railing, the tall and graceful man gazed at her with a sly smile, teasing, "You heartless thing, it's been so long, and you still haven't come to find me."

He had been tied up with commitments in the past few days, and while he was tired of hearing all the grateful words, this particular person had never shown up."I know you're busy, so I won't disturb you," Alice said, finding an excuse.She wasn't an assertive person and never considered having deeper connections with anyone. For her, Hurley was just someone she could greet when passing by on the road.

Hurley also knew she had a reserved personality and didn't force anything. Seeing her in a down jacket, he raised an eyebrow, "Heading out?"

Alice nodded, "Going out to find some supplies to exchange for labor credits to buy rice."

"Where do you live? I'll send you some rice later," Hurley offered.

"Why would you send me rice?" she asked, puzzled.

"I have a lot of rice at home, more than I can eat. I'll give you a portion," he explained.

After receiving 300 kilograms of rice from the base's food distribution, along with 500 kilograms for contributing to the temperature-controlled greenhouse research, and the regular 'wages,' they couldn't possibly consume it all.

Alice replied, "…Speak softer. Aren't you afraid of getting robbed?"Especially after Hurley spoke, a few people happened to pass by, and their eyes turned in their direction.

"The base has assigned security personnel to protect me. No need to worry about personal safety," Hurley said with a magnetic voice.

Alice still declined, "The days are long. Keep it for yourself; I have enough to eat."In the future, various natural disasters would challenge human survival limits, and it wasn't certain whether they could grow enough food. Therefore, one could never have too much grain. Although the base currently didn't lack rice, if they continued to fail in cultivating crops, they would eventually run out.

Seeing that Hurley was always thinking of giving things away, Alice couldn't bear it any longer. "Listen, you must hide the rice you get. It's something that could save your life in the future."

After a pause,Alice added, "If you trust me, I can help you store it. Come to me when you need rice."

"Okay, I'll leave 500 kilograms of rice at your place. Take it whenever you need it," Hurley agreed without hesitation.

Alice: "…"

Hurley did indeed deliver the rice to her after returning home.Five bags of rice, totaling 500 kilograms, were carried upstairs by the two. Upon reaching Allen's family and seeing Blanche, Hurley greeted her with a gentle smile, "Auntie!"

Blanche, rarely seeing her daughter bring a stranger home, especially a man, began to give him a scrutinizing look. "Mom, this is my friend Hurley," Alice introduced. Just as she was about to explain the situation regarding the rice bags, Blanche subtly remarked, "Isn't this a betrothal gift?"

With the old currency being useless now, things like getting married required resources. Not many were as generous as Hurley. Alice's eyelids twitched imperceptibly, able to imagine what her mother was thinking. "Mom, he's storing the rice at our place, it's not a betrothal gift."

Blanche quipped, "Does that mean a betrothal gift is something different?"

Alice: "..." Ineffective communication.

Hurley cleared his throat and spoke with a pleasant voice, "Auntie, Alice and I are just friends for now. If anything progresses, I'll be sure to visit you again."

Blanche sighed, "Ah, what a pity! I was hoping for a good match, even if it was just for show."

Blanche didn't conceal her disappointment, leaving Alice nearly unable to watch. In the evening, Hurley stayed for dinner, and when the three men who returned from work saw him, they surrounded him.

Alexander recalled Alice's attitude toward Cecilia and the family's aversion to strangers, so he immediately adopted a stern expression. "In the future, don't come here if there's nothing important. We're all very busy and don't have time to entertain you."

Hurley, confused, looked towards Alice for an explanation. Alice clarified, "Big brother, second brother, Hurley is my friend. Is it okay for him to visit occasionally?"

"Little sister, you've changed," Arnold's voice was gentle, but his gaze towards Hurley was unfriendly.

"Have I?" Alice was puzzled.Alexander nodded firmly. Just as he was about to speak, Blanche interrupted, "Guests are guests. Can't you be a bit more hospitable?" Both women in the house simultaneously 'betrayed' the Allen family's usual stance, leaving the three men dumbfounded.

Looking at Hurley's extraordinary face, the Allen family trio suddenly found the reason. The three men in the Allen family felt a bit sour inside. Were they not good-looking? How come all of a sudden, the women were showing interest in a stranger?

Alice and Blanche were unaware of the thoughts brewing in the minds of the Allen family men, inviting them to sit down for dinner. Atticus watched his wife circling around Hurley, paying no attention to him, feeling even more sour. Arnold and Alexander saw their little sister chatting and laughing with Hurley, their faces turning green with jealousy.

Hurley, noticing their gazes, thought to himself, "The Allen family men are not easy to handle!"

Since the temperature-controlled greenhouse was built in the base, the factories had resumed operations, and many people found employment. During the day, the apartment building was silent, with no sounds of activity.

Alice was getting ready to go to the supermarket when she waited for the elevator for a long time with no response. She decided to take the stairs. While passing the sixth floor, a man brushed past her. Alice paid no attention, but suddenly, she caught a whiff of something.Her steps paused, and she turned to follow the man.

When the man reached the fifteenth-floor staircase, he saw that an iron gate blocked his way. He vigorously shook it several times and attempted to pick the lock, but all in vain. He muttered a curse under his breath, just about to turn and leave, when he unexpectedly found Alice leaning against the wall, her cool eyes fixed on him.

The man hadn't heard any footsteps and had no idea when Alice had arrived. He was startled.