18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 168

These two were the largest private fishing organizations. Odeberg International was the leading organization of Swan Hill's seafood industry, while Aqua Base was established after the apocalyptic catastrophe. They were now in competition with each other, always trying to

outdo each other in the business world.

Emotionally, Stella leaned more towards Odeberg International. It was a family business, and they had stuck to their guns even after surviving the extreme cold.

As for Aqua Base, it was a private base established after the apocalypse. Stella wasn't too fond of private bases, and she refrained from speculating too much about them.

Thus, she did a U-turn in her car and headed to the office store under the watch of Odeberg International in the fishing village.

Since the heatwave outbreak, they'd been operating from evening till eight the next morning.

Stella didn't let on her real intentions. She claimed she was there to buy on behalf of the neighborhood, both dry and fresh goods, 200 pounds of each daily.

The sales clerk dealt with bulk orders daily, and Stella's was nothing extraordinary. The discount offered was hardly different from retail prices.

However, the seafood quality was indeed top-notch.

Next, Stella went to Aqua Base's store nearby. They offered larger discounts, but their products were of lesser quality. The clerk's inquisitive gaze also put Stella off; it felt like she was being assessed like goods.

Stella had experienced such gazes too many times in her past life. Her post-apocalyptic instincts told her something was off and she had no intention of making a deal. Playing the role of a poor, naive woman, she said, "It ain't easy for us to grow crops. Seafood is meat, sure, but y'all only got seafood. How about trading 3 pounds of dry goods for 1 pound of grain?"

The clerk, getting a whiff of her sweaty smell, rolled his eyes continuously, almost wanting to have her kicked out. Stella wouldn't back down. She grumbled loudly a few times before leaving. Back in the car, they deliberated their options.

It seemed impossible to buy in bulk from the government or big companies; only small stockpiling was possible. Besides, cultivating crops took time, and a large-scale trade was not feasible.

This place was dangerous. Just driving an old car had attracted the attention of several groups of people. However, these people were just insignificant characters. They just needed to be cautious.

As for Aqua Base, Jasper also strongly advised against any further contact.

Stella had no objections, so they went to the seafood market to haggle over and pick out some good quality seafood, exchanging a total of 200 pounds of dry goods.

Just as they were about to leave, a water truck blocked their path. A shiny head popped out of the window, "Hey."

Monkey, smiling brightly, said, "Didn't expect to see you again so soon."

Stella was surprised, "You came here for water?"

"Of course." Monkey replied, "Since you left so suddenly, I had to make do and come here for water to sell back home. So what are you two up to?"

Stella gestured to the boxes in her hand, "Getting some dry goods."

Monkey was surprised. Stella was a tough woman. Why would she be getting goods from a small store?

But he soon figured it out. She hadn't established a connection yet. His boss had also struggled to establish a rapport before.

When he learned about Stella's purchase price, he suddenly realized something. "Why didn't you say so earlier? This price isn't good. If I'd known earlier, you could've gotten goods from my boss. Why go through all this trouble?"

He pulled them aside, "I won't overcharge you. How about this price for Odeberg International's goods?"

Stella was surprised, "You have a connection?"

"Of course, we get our goods from Odeberg International."

Stella didn't believe him. The amount of dry goods they bought at a time was less than hers; there was no way they could get such a large discount.

Monkey revealed a smug and mysterious smile, "I guess you don't know. The boss saved Dexter's life. Well, he actually just helped him replace some medicine."

The disaster struck suddenly, and life-saving medicine wasn't easy to replace. This led to a collaboration betweenAustin and the Odeberg family. They provided the Odebergs with the supplies they needed, and in return, the Odebergs cut them a massive discount on seafood. Stella hadn't expected Austin to be so adept at building relationships.

After they found a more secluded spot to continue their discussion, Stella cut straight to the chase, "What do you want?"

"Water."

Stella was taken aback. She'd tasted the well water in the fishing village. Compared to actual seawater, it was much better. Strictly speaking, they weren't really lacking water here. So the demand for water wasn't high. Plus, if they brought it back to Griffith to sell, the tolls wouldn't be cheap.

"You don't strike me as a real rich person." Monkey laughed a little helplessly, "We're in the middle of an apocalypse, sure, but you probably don't know that rich people's daughters still take baths in wine or milk."

The boss' most profitable business was never aimed at the lower market.

Stella was speechless. Recalling the recent pool party with ice cubes, she admitted to herself that her view had been narrow.

If they needed grain, she wouldn't have been able to provide much, but if it was fresh water, that wouldn't be a problem. They were old business partners, and Stella was tempted, but she feigned hesitation, "I should be able to get the water, but the journey isn't very safe. I need to think it over." "As long as you can sort out the water, the boss can get you as much seafood as you want."

Stella didn't immediately agree but gave Monkey her address before heading back to the villa to escape the oncoming heatwave.

They had a seafood feast for lunch that day.

Boiled shrimp, sautéed crab with ginger and onions, braised large yellow croaker, and stir-fried squid with celery.

The atmosphere was great. Stella opened a bottle of red wine to share, while Cooper and Rosie got soda.

After a few drinks, she was slightly tipsy. Jasper helped her back to her room and closed the door on his way out. Cooper, who was still gnawing on a shrimp shell, was left speechless.