18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 49

Both sides were cautious, wary of each other's intentions, the vast expanse of floodwater between them was the perfect buffer.

202 pounds of wild boar meat was traded for 202 pounds of fresh rice, with another transaction scheduled for 7 p.m.

Upon returning, Stella had already prepared everything: a frying pan, salt, spices, crushed chili peppers, and supplies for the night. Concerned for Angela's safety, Lukas was also asked to stay.

Upon seeing them, Drew, with a broad grin, blocked the staircase. "Where are you folks off to? Running around like this must be exhausting. How about we lend you a hand and bring everything back in one trip?"

They had a few rubber boats follow the residents on the 18th floor in the morning, but Jasper had managed to shake them off. Despite their daily excursions, the supplies Drew brought back were dwindling, causing dissatisfaction among the group members. They often compared their haul to that of the 18th floor.

"Just a few bundles of firewood, there's no need for Mr. Drew to worry." Stella replied with a tight-lipped smile, "Our resources are limited. Even if we were to bring back a few bundles of firewood, I'm afraid there wouldn't be enough to go around."

"Stella, you misunderstand. It's just a neighborly gesture. We wouldn't take your things."

"Well, we can't accept." Stella was firm. "There's no such thing as a free lunch, is there? You've already borrowed our boats; you wouldn't want to borrow our firewood too, would you?"

Drew choked on his words, his face turning green. These stubborn people, they better not fall into his hands.

The journey to Ivywood Estates was far; it took more than an hour by speedboat and was almost at the edge of the city. Ignoring the floodwaters beneath their feet, it was indeed a beautiful natural haven. Green mountains and forests could be seen, along with distinctive, chic villa clusters.

The lower terrains were already flooded, the floodwaters had already reached the front yards of the higher terrains, and everyone had been evacuated.

All the collected supplies were centralized in the highest building of the villa. There were furniture, water tanks, several unused gas cylinders, scattered boxes of charcoal, and more.

Jasper and Cody went up the mountain to bring down the wild boar, while Stella cleaned the kitchen to prepare the brine.

the wild boar was brought back, Jasper cleaned it up and cut

while Stella took

with seasonings and chili added, and then continuously stir-fried on the stove. To prolong

thin slices of meat had all been braised and placed in a basin to drain. Hearing Cooper's warning, Stella put everything that shouldn't appear back into Arcadia. Cody was almost taken aback when he saw

that's me," she

started a fire to grill the meat.

killed the pig last time. We only had these two, and plan to finish the trade by tomorrow morning," Cody

new rice, Cody breathed a sigh of relief. "Once this batch is done, we won't have to

go there, there's still a chance to survive. The three of

damp; only with more

taken back to the 18th floor to be heated up and then served. Smelling the meat aroma, Cody couldn't help but swallow. He grabbed a knuckle and

along

foodie, couldn't help but make a sarcastic comment, "Such a great cooking skill, I don't know which lucky man will benefit

anything, but he

over

its head,

be ridiculous." Cody joked, "You can't cross

"Cooper,

baring its

begged for mercy, "Ah, I was wrong. Mr. Cooper, please

coldly. Cooper not only did not let go,

of laughter and noise, they continued to grill meat in the night. A pound of raw meat was grilled into half a pound of dried meat. A large bag full of it weighed several dozen pounds, plus meat sauce and braised pork. Once everything was done, it was already past three in the morning. With another trade scheduled for the morning, the group

all they needed to do was change into their own sheets and clothes. With Cooper on night watch, everyone slept

already completed the trade, exchanging four wild boars for over 800 pounds