18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 467

People naturally gravitate towards those they click with.

Stella raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised. "We're not soldiers. Why should we go to a party?"

"Parties are a good chance to bring family or friends. I went to a bash at Central Base a couple of days ago. More friends, more opportunities."

Stella wasn't one for crowds. "No thanks, you go and have fun."

Bran didn't push it. He planned to invite others instead, leaning casually against the doorframe with a grin. "Hey Dottie, how'd you make that dipping sauce last time?"

Rosie, generous with her secrets, spilled the recipe. "Ginger, green onions, garlic, chili, oil..."

The first few ingredients were easy to come by, but the oil was a hassle.

Might as well play it cool and just go with the flow when it came to meals.

After sending everyone off, Stella retreated to her room to lie down and read.

On the night of the party, Bran took extra care to wet his hair, slicking it back into a cool, stylish look, and donned his cleanest outfit.

He'd thickened his skin and begged his brother-in-law for some clothes. Surprisingly, the man was generous, giving him several pieces. One of them was a brand-new floral shirt that fit him perfectly, as if tailor-made for him, ready to be flaunted come summer.

In addition, his sister had given him a pair of sandals. They were the kind you'd wear in the shower, the kind that would've been dirt cheap before the disaster, maybe even part of a buy-one-get-one-free deal. Forget that price; he wouldn't have been caught dead in them before. But now... well, they seemed to be of decent quality, likely to last a few years.

All in all, his sister hadn't let him down!

Bran mused, wondering if he could score a pair of sunglasses or some pomade if he clung to his sister's leg and wept next time. Speaking of which, his underwear had developed a couple of holes. Maybe his brother-in-law could spare a couple of new pairs? Preferably boxer briefs-they had style.

But that was beside the point. The gathering was mostly folks from South Base, but there were plenty who brought family, hometown pals, or friends.

all, over fifty people came together for a

They had fillings of leeks, cabbage, and a mix of potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. There was no soy

something many

sharing news, and when it comes to spinning yarns, the

story about a haunted pair of red heels by a campus lake was interrupted by another scoffing

perked up.

Triangle." Thinking of his past experiences, he still felt a chill. "We were adrift at sea for ages, never expecting to bump right into

pirates?" The crowd was baffled. "I thought that

but they didn't all go down with it. Plenty

blindsided when their boats encircled

the sea and devoured by sharks. We seized the moment to fight the pirates on our ship, throwing every last one of them overboard. We were out

that tall tale before.

almost had

events on a transport ship from Shandong was well-known-a lot of

the man grew agitated. "I

cursed, unpredictable weather, brutal storms. We nearly capsized several times.

Hearing the coordinates, Hans

his brow.

couple hundred nautical miles away and it was some time ago. That area is indeed strange, probably due to the complex ocean currents. We

diamond-shaped

weren't

accidentally bit his tongue. It was a bad bite, bleeding

Should they take him to the hospital? The ferry was still a wait

"I've got some herbs that should help stop

went to his room and returned with a bag. No Yunnan Baiyao or clotting powder, just some dried herbs. Hans picked one out. "Lucky I still have

open his mouth, and applied the powder to the wound. "Press on that

man pressed his hand

someone shifted the topic to the herbs. "Can this