18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 209

Mark was elated, "Stella, we've reached an agreement with the neighboring village. We're going to teach them how to drill wells."

Had it not been for their impressive display of strength that day, it would have been impossible to bring the village's arrogance down a notch and negotiate peacefully.

After the discussion, they had come to believe that the Eastwood Eden community genuinely wanted to help them drill wells.

Stella admired Mark's approach. Instead of resorting to brute force, he had chosen to negotiate the issue even when they held the upper hand. He might look weak physically, but he knew how to use his wit.

"Good job," Stella said, her joy undimmed. "Just remember to stay safe."

"We wouldn't have been able to turn things around so quickly without your help."

Stella smiled. "Mark, you said it yourself - once you join Eastwood Eden, you're family. No need for formalities."

She later shared the news with Jasper.

Jasper wasn't surprised. "In a post-apocalyptic world, it's survival of the fittest. It's rare for someone like Mark to choose kindness over retaliation. We can not blame the villagers for being skeptical. We took our time before deciding to join Eastwood Eden too." By helping the villagers secure a water source, they could put their safety concerns to rest.

But what about after the earthquake? With buildings collapsing everywhere, the living conditions were rapidly deteriorating, and Stella couldn't help but worry. "Do you know what happened to Eastwood Eden after the earthquake?"

Jasper shook his head. "We'll have to wait and see. If it's too dangerous, we'll leave."

Stella agreed. There were no safe havens in a post-apocalyptic world.

up their supplies, Stella had arranged for a late-night

chosen an open truck. Upon reaching

a cigarette hanging from his

acting up, so we left an hour early. Just as we were reaching

mused, "What doesn't kill you

was complete, and Austin was curious about her request for iodine tablets. He knew

"My supplier was arrested following a tip-off. He's

some supplies. Not willing to give up, he asked, "Can you think of any other way

clients aren't very decent. They buy water from you and then turn around to report you for rewards. If it weren't for my previous supplier's strong connections, he would have been dead by now. Water is becoming scarcer, and their internal checks are getting stricter. I can't smuggle it out anymore. This half truck load was only possible because I bribed my way through, and

"My clients are all wealthy. Who would be interested in

her head. "I have no idea. But if you're caught, you're going

unwilling to make more money, Austin didn't push it. "Alright, we'll work

next day, and Austin would have it delivered that night. Austin readily agreed to find iodine tablets for her, "But it's not

you some grain when the time

you get your hands on some grain seeds? The kind that can be replanted." Austin was skeptical. "It's been two years since the disaster. It won't be easy to find such seeds, and even if you do, they might not

transferred the water tower into Arcadia, and the rest of the supplies

She spent her days seemingly lounging at home, but in

to the rooftop. With the iron gate installed and the sunshade pulled up, the rooftop started to look like a real garden. Rosie

teased her, "What do you want to

to plant sweet potatoes, peanuts,

grow well in the heat, but the

plant them, only to find out that neither of them knew how to.

protecting the plants in such high temperatures would be