18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 128

Katie, a prudent woman, would often inquire about the growth of the potatoes on the 18th floor. She would inform her son and grandson to make advance arrangements for frost-resistant agents. Little by little, she had accumulated a big bucket full over a span of three

months.

When Stella asked for help, Katie readily agreed. She gave out five pounds of antifreeze and declined to accept any potatoes from Stella.

The potatoes were in exchange for the original ones, and she didn't like owing favors. Facing the Moore family's generosity, she secretly slipped a frozen slab of bacon into the bag.

Not a lot, just about a pound. Bacon was a luxury, more than enough to compensate for the antifreeze.

They almost ended up in a quarrel over the exchange. Stella wasn't good at social interactions. She quickly left with the antifreeze.

Katie shook her head, "That child is so stubborn. Everything has to be clear-cut."

She picked up the potatoes from the 18th floor and looked at them, "I was worried she wouldn't know how to plant them, but she's doing better than us."

...

It took Stella two days to plant all the potatoes after getting the antifreeze.

The pots she found weren't enough, so Jasper nailed together some planks and made a few troughs. Together, they planted 100 pounds of potatoes. Not only was the balcony full, but also the corridors and stairs were all occupied. Jasper was no slacker when it came to labor. He took on all the physically demanding tasks, while Stella did the lighter ones.

The supplemental lighting wasn't sufficient, so it had to be done in batches and at different time intervals. Jasper was the one taking care of it, and he never asked Stella for help.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Anything, I'm not picky."

She didn't order anything since she was a freeloader. She would eat more of what she liked and less of what she didn't.

Cooper ate at Jasper's place every day. She couldn't believe that she had been eating there for three months. Really, she hadn't contributed a single grain of rice or piece of vegetable. But she kept track of how much she ate. She wanted to see when Jasper would show signs

was a determined one. Instead, it was Stella who couldn't keep up. She had never seen a man who could keep his cool like him. He cooked every meal and never let her wash the dishes. He didn't even mind that Cooper

secretly sought Lukas' advice. This was not something Cody could help with. He had

don't you

After hearing the whole story, he

He was actually

and help you alleviate loneliness." This was the first time Lukas was so disappointed with her, "You're so smart, how can you be so confused

you could have a meal as long as you worked hard. Now, it's too difficult

every month. In fact, we are risking our lives for them. We don't even

not isn't as crucial as staying alive. The key is having someone by your side, someone who stands in front of you when danger arises. You don't have to be as guarded when facing them as you do with strangers. That's true happiness." For the first time in her life, Stella heard Lukas say so much,

a woman, and everyone in the orphanage knew he always relied on women. But

asked in a

before saying, "At first, I just felt safe with her, but now I can't do without her. You're capable, Cody

had their struggles, but what could you do? Crying in front

better, and he

alone for a long time. You need a companion to face the storms. Don't close yourself off or lose the ability to love just because you've been hurt by Hector. I think you didn't get it wrong this time. Jasper is much better than Hector. I may not be as good as you and Cody in other aspects, but I'm pretty accurate when it comes to reading people. I guarantee you won't be

apocalypse. If you're tired or you feel you two are not suitable, just

and returning to his room, he declared his loyalty

Stella felt a bit confused, but also enlightened.

evening training, the usually easygoing Jasper

by him and slammed against

she was about to speak, Jasper

her face turning beet

move again,

not impossible that

and turned her face away, "I'm sorry. I

to push him away, but