Jiang Ning wore her pajamas and went out to the balcony. The typhoon still looked quite strong, but the wind had clearly started to weaken, although the rainfall was increasing.

The entire second floor was flooded, and water was rising onto the third floor. The hallway was again chaotic, with people running around like chickens and dogs.

For breakfast, she had hand-grabbed pancakes stuffed with fried eggs, ham, vegetables, and ketchup. Taking them out from her space, they were still crispy and warm, with the aroma spreading on her taste buds.

Jiang Ning had made over a hundred of these and stored them in the space; they could last for quite a long time.

Delicious as they were, they were a bit oily.

She also poured herself a cup of honey grapefruit fruit tea, sipping it while flipping through a second-year pharmacy textbook.

Around ten o’clock, there was a knock at the door. She thought it would be Zheng Weili, but to her surprise, it was 1801.

Jiang Ning was somewhat surprised. He was usually reclusive and quiet; even though Dou Dou often came running to her, she had barely exchanged a few words with him.

Immediately, she became alert.

Huo Yishen’s usually cold and stern face showed signs of nervousness. “Dou Dou is sick. Can you treat her?”

Jiang Ning was surprised. “What illness?”

“Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and delirium.”

Sick children still needed to go to the hospital, but the typhoon and storm made it impossible to get out. Jiang Ning bluntly said, “I can help take a look, but I only know a little. Don’t put too much hope on me.”

“Thank you.”

Considering he had killed someone and disposed of the body, Jiang Ning reluctantly agreed, went back inside, and grabbed a folding fruit knife to tuck into her pocket.

It was her first time stepping into 1801’s place. The three-bedroom apartment was quite spacious, with good lighting and layout. The living room was furnished with old-style furniture, clean and neat, much better than her own cramped place.

These days, there weren’t many guys who knew how to take care of a home.

She looked up at the balcony glass — newly installed double-layer tempered glass, plus a three-layer stainless steel door. The whole apartment was like a fortress.

Well, clearly her mindset wasn’t open enough.

Pulling back her gaze, Jiang Ning went to Dou Dou’s room.

Dou Dou not only had a fever but also a rash. Her two black shiny eyes were now dull and listless. “Sister.”

Jiang Ning took her temperature, checked her pulse, used the four diagnostic methods (looking, smelling, listening, questioning, and palpating), and examined her bruised body.

Her medical skills were rough but sufficient.

Jiang Ning looked at 1801 and said, “Dou Dou’s body is weak. Moderate exercise can improve stamina and boost immunity, but don’t overdo it.”

She didn’t know how 1801 trained Dou Dou, but judging by the bruises all over her, it seemed like the training had basically disabled her.

High-intensity training in a short time caused a stress response in her body, resulting in not only low immunity but also disorder. Catching a cold led to vomiting, diarrhea, and the rash.

She knew he wasn’t good at taking care of children, but she didn’t expect it to be this bad.

After learning the cause of Dou Dou’s illness, Huo Yishen looked guilty. “I didn’t take good care of Dou Dou.”

Seeing the terrible bruises on his sister, he was a bit overwhelmed. Dou Dou never complained of being tired every day. When he rubbed the bruises on her forehead, she still smiled and said it didn’t hurt.

He brought over a medicine box, which contained quite a few medications. “Jiang Ning, can you see which ones can be used?”

If nothing worked, they would have to risk going to the hospital.

Jiang Ning flipped through the box, surprised at how well stocked he was, mostly with children’s medicine.

Since the illness was simple, treatment was symptomatic. Jiang Ning picked out medicine for colds and gastrointestinal issues, and also put a medicated patch on Dou Dou’s navel. “Once Dou Dou recovers, she should first restore her body gradually.”

Seeing the bruises, she went home and fetched half a bottle of medicinal balm for bruises and injuries. “Apply four to five times a day, with massage for better effect.”

Huo Yishen thanked her. “Dou Dou is prone to bruising. I also have some medicinal herbs here; can you help me see which ones can be soaked in alcohol?”

Although he couldn’t take care of children well, he really had many supplies.

He took out two large bags of Chinese medicine from another room, all individually packed and moisture-proof.

Jiang Ning picked out more than a dozen, all promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. “Put them in a glass jar, add one liter of white liquor, seal it, and let it sit for half a month before use.”

Seeing some Korean ginseng, she singled it out. “This can also be soaked. Drinking a small amount in cold weather warms the body and replenishes qi and blood, but children shouldn’t drink it.”

Rock sugar soaked in white liquor was also excellent; it could reduce internal heat and help nourish the kidneys and blood.

Enough talking—teaching apprentices to starve the master.

Dou Dou fell asleep quickly after taking the medicine, but occasionally muttered deliriously.

Sick children were pitiful; tears hung on her eyelashes, and her pale lips murmured, “Mommy, I want Mommy, Daddy…”

Huo Yishen sat by the bed, gently wiping her tears and comforted her guiltily, “Dou Dou, don’t be afraid. Brother is here.”

Judging by his look, he really cared for his sister, just the way he went about it was wrong.

Just as she was about to leave, 1801 called her back. He handed over a packet of dried noodles. “Thank you for treating Dou Dou.”

Before the disaster, dried noodles were just a few yuan, but in this post-apocalyptic world, they could keep people alive for several more days.

Jiang Ning accepted it without hesitation, feeling it was well deserved.

Back home, she put rock sugar soaked in white liquor into a glass jar. “I always teach others but forget to do it myself.”

In the freezing weather, sitting around the fire with a cup was indescribably pleasant.

She also took out several pounds of grapes, washed them, and placed them on the balcony in her space to dry for making fruit wine.

Outside the space, she clearly felt the typhoon change again.

She wasn’t the only one to notice; many people did, and some shouted and cheered at the windows.

They couldn’t contain their excitement, feeling the disaster was about to end.

In a good mood, Jiang Ning took out some boiled fish and soft fragrant rice.

After eating, she didn’t throw away the plastic lunch box. Although her space had plenty, these were non-renewable resources, so cleaning and reusing them was better.

She was sleeping soundly after lunch when the roar of engines woke her.

It was a speedboat, with firefighters wearing bright orange-yellow life jackets.

The typhoon had not stopped, but its strength was rapidly weakening. Careful driving could avoid the waves.

Eighteen whole days had passed with no contact with the outside world. Just as people were running out of supplies and hope, the dawn of rescue finally arrived.

The moment they saw the speedboat, many people broke down crying. “Rescue is here. The government hasn’t abandoned us. Sob, sob…”

They cried and laughed, both helpless and excited, wiping away tears nonstop.

There were only three speedboats, but they were everyone’s hope for survival.

A loudspeaker sounded, and the firefighters comforted the crowds in each building, “Everyone, please don’t panic. We won’t abandon anyone who needs help. We will evacuate building by building. Please pack your essentials simply. Priority goes to the elderly and children.”

This evacuation and rescue targeted only those on the lower floors that were flooded, but still many residents rushed downstairs, surrounding the firefighters.

“Comrade, our house is still standing. What about food and drink?”

“My family has been starving for three days, just relying on rainwater. Can you bring us some food?”

“Yes, why did you come empty-handed? Doesn’t the government provide us with aid? We pay taxes, so how can you support yourselves without us?”

The crowd grew larger and more chaotic, and the complaints became more unreasonable, turning from initial gratitude into resentment, as if demanding explanations before they would leave.