18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 125

30 planting pots, made of plastic that was not resistant to low temperatures and could become brittle when frozen. However, they were thick, so as long as handled carefully, there shouldn't be a problem. Four packs of compound fertilizer, each weighing about 50 pounds.

Satisfied with the goods, Stella pulled out a flask of liquor from her bag.

Monkey, initially upset about not making a profit, was pleasantly surprised. The liquor alone made the deal worthwhile.

Having secured his goods, Monkey departed.

Jasper, to make Stella's job easier, had stayed out of the transaction, waiting outside with Rosie. Once sure the coast was clear, Stella stowed the items away in the Arcadia.

As she was about to leave, she noticed Jasper talking to Monkey at a distance, apparently negotiating a deal.

Only after Monkey had left did Stella come out.

Back in their neighborhood, Stella didn't rush home. She let Cooper out of her bag for a walk around the block. This guy was well-behaved and knew better than to whine while tucked inside the backpack.

While Stella walked the dog, Jasper watched over Rosie. They stood sheltered from the wind, quietly watching the two frolic in the cold.

The items exchanged were paid for by Stella, to which Jasper asked, "What do you want for today's deal?"

They usually split the goods, but as Jasper was the one primarily looking after the potatoes, Stella didn't want to take advantage of him. So, she included the cotton shoes in the deal, "Any chocolate left?" It was delicious, a bit addictive. "Yes," he replied.

Back on the 18th floor, the planters and fertilizer were temporarily stored in the Arcadia, and the cotton shoes were given to Jasper.

Jasper brought out two boxes of chocolate. Stella, being fair, only took one.

Once inside, Rosie looked up, "Jasper, I want some chocolate."

"It has alcohol, kiddo. You can have some toffee instead."

Two days later, Jasper dropped Rosie off at 1802, "I need to step out for a bit, can you look after Rosie?"

Stella agreed willingly; they'd been taking turns watching over the kid and the dog.

Just as she was about to make some instant soup for lunch at noon, Jasper returned, his backpack bulging.

Rosie, smelling the noodles, looked at him with longing, "Jasper, I want some."

Since his dog had been fed by him, Stella felt obliged to offer, "Would you like some as well?"

To her surprise, Jasper agreed, "Alright."

She added two more packs of soup to the pot, threw in some hams and fried an egg for each of them.

Stella's apartment wasn't big, and Jasper's arrival made it even more cramped. But the presence of a dog and a child somehow added a strange sense of peace.

A month later, the residents of 1803 returned safely from their day shifts. This time they looked much better than last time, not as haggard and weary.

Despite the weather, they only suffered minor frostbites, thanks to the frostbite ointment they had.

In addition to their wages, they also brought back several valuable items, including a piece of gold weighing almost half a pound. All of these were handed over to Stella for safekeeping and to trade for more useful items in the future. Work was different from school, but in just two months, Angela and Lukas had changed dramatically. Especially Lukas, who used to be reliant on women, now stood tall and strong, he had become a real man. Of course, he was still good to Angela, constantly praising his wife. Cody was envious, while Stella could only shake her head.

In the past two months, they had faced many dangers but made it through each time, gaining valuable experience and resources in the process.

"Stella, you're not going to believe this. I feel like I've opened my third eye," said Lukas with a grin, hugging a pillow on the sofa. "No matter who it is, as long as I look closely at them in a crowd, I can tell from their gaze, body language, and the way they walk if they're a good or bad person, or even if they're a petty thief or the worst sort of felon..."

"Isn't that expected of you?" Stella said, digging in her ear. "You're a security patrol officer, so the police station should provide professional training for you."

Lukas was speechless for a moment, before managing to stutter out, "Stella, are we still friends?"

Well, he had a bad stomach since he was little, and doctors said he should eat digestible foods. Now he had finally cured his stomach ailment, he was getting stronger and more powerful, and she was going to beat him down like this?

"Sorry, my bad." Stella reflected deeply on herself.

Angela laughed loudly, "Don't mind him, Stella. He's been pretty sensitive lately." Okay, as long as he was okay, it wouldn't affect unit 1803's shenanigans or rest.

Now they were well off with their food stocks, hence they were not feeling anxious.

In these last two months, they encountered many dangers but also luckily escaped each time. At the same time, they made a good fortune, which boosted unit 1803's confidence. They invited two neighboring families to a meal. There was meat, canned food, a bit of wine, and plenty of rice. As their combat experience with thugs grew, they unanimously decided to continue working to earn food.

Jasper, not wanting to freeload off 1803's generosity, taught them several close-combat techniques and life-saving skills. The police had also provided training, but their techniques were no match for those of a SWAT officer. Their jobs were different, and their techniques were different. The police taught arrest techniques which focused on reforming criminals, while Jasper's were about neutralizing threats.

They took the training seriously, practicing over and over.

In other news, Angela, thanks to her impressive combat skills, had caught the eye of the chief of security and was promoted to squad leader, resulting in a pay rise from 8 to 12 pounds of grain.

Cody and Lukas were envious and vowed to toughen up. They couldn't be outdone by a woman; they, too, wanted to be squad leaders.

They practiced not just in the hallway, but also in their beds at night, discussing how they could be as efficient as Jasper at taking down enemies.

And so, late at night, they practiced choking each other.

"Ouch, take it easy."

"Ah, you too."

Angela, hearing the commotion, banged on the door, "What are you two doing?"

Startled, Lukas quickly got out of bed, hurriedly putting on a jacket, "Honey, we were practicing the combat techniques Jasper taught us." In case she didn't believe him, he invited her into their room for inspection.

Not long after, Cody, who had been desperately blocking his ears from the sound next door, sighed deeply.

Over the next few days, Jasper went out a couple of times, bringing back various items. Once, he brought back a pair of rabbit fur gloves. Stella, already having a pair of heated gloves, instinctively declined, "No need, give them to Rosie."

"I got Rosie a pair. These won't fit her."

If she didn't accept them, he'd likely have to give them away. Stella had no choice but to accept, "What do you want in return?"

Jasper thought for a moment, "Your instant soup are delicious."

Stella was planning to give him her special spicy flavor, along with a couple of sausages.

Rosie, salivating at the side, chimed in, "Oh yes, Stella makes the best soup ever."

Flustered, Stella had no choice but to oblige, her lips twitching in a slight smile. "Alright, I'll make soup today."

She added mushrooms and cabbages, sausages, and a fried egg.

Unable to resist, Stella pulled out a jar of spicy pickled asparagus from Arcadia, adding a hefty amount to her own bowl. Just as she was about to ask if they wanted some, Jasper and Rosie simultaneously covered their noses, retreating in horror. "Ugh."

The dog kept opening its mouth wide, as if trying to vomit but couldn't. Its eyes, filled with disdain, looked at Stella: 'You, are you eating poop?!'