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.

time to pick up their supplies, Stella had arranged for

Eden, she had specifically chosen an open truck. Upon

a cigarette hanging from his lips. "How are

about Aqua Base acting up, so we left an hour early. Just as we were reaching the foot of the

"What doesn't kill you

about her request for iodine tablets. He knew her supplier could even

her supplier, her face darkened. "My supplier was arrested following a tip-off. He's now mining coal in the

was stunned. He had hoped to tap into this supply line to earn some supplies. Not willing to give up, he asked, "Can you think of any other way to

he would have been dead by now. Water

reported me?" Austin was taken aback. "My clients are all wealthy.

no idea. But if you're

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

truck the next day, and Austin would have it delivered that night. Austin

some grain when

mention of grain, Stella had a new idea. "Austin, can 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

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

half truck load of water, Stella stopped going out. She spent her days seemingly lounging at home, but in reality, she

their time digging up soil from the ground beneath the building and transferring it to the rooftop. With the iron gate installed

her, "What do you want to

sweet potatoes, peanuts, greens, beans, and

wouldn't grow well in the heat, but the rest

to teach her how to plant them, only to find out that neither of them knew how to. Stella ended up

protecting the plants in such high temperatures would be