18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 105

When the time was about right, Stella, carrying frozen fish slices, took Cooper to gather for a meal at 1803.

The dog's appetite had grown considerably, and anyone unaware of the situation might think he was a starving stray. He even insisted on using Stella's washbowl as his dinner dish.

Everyone on the 18th-floor knew that he was a voracious eater. Extra portions were prepared whenever meals were cooked.

The stew had to be spicy to satisfy everyone's palate. However, to cater to Rosie and Cooper, a special non-spicy soup was prepared. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Fish was served last to avoid any off-putting smell.

Cody uncorked a bottle of whiskey, and to prevent freezing, had it warmed in hot water for quite a while. “Here's to the defeat of all villains, and to us having meat and liquor every day.”

Stella chuckled, “To outsiders, we on the 18th floor are the villains.”

“Alright, let's say, to the defeat of all villains, excluding us on the 18th floor.”

Everyone raised their glasses and drank. The whiskey was smooth and flavorfu, truly a good drink. It was spicy on the tongue, but once it hit the stomach, it was warm and comforting.

Lukas felt extremely addicted just by smelling the stew aroma, but he had some concerns. “The smell is so strong. Won't it get out?”

Angela brashly retorted, “So what if it does? Who has the guts to take on the 18th floor?”

Stella agreed, “We are infamous now. If we don't even dare to eat meat, we are not living up to our reputation.”

Rosie chimed in, “I want to eat meat. I want to eat meat every day.”

“Right, from today onwards, the 18th floor fears nothing. We will eat meat and drink liquor every day.”

They chatted as they ate, Stella even brought out her tablet for some entertainment. The electricity was generated by her exercise bike, so now it was accounted for.

Cody, while enjoying his meat, sighed, “It's a shame we don't have any vegetables. I miss Stella's hydroponic greens and sprouts.”

When he said this, Stella instinctively glanced at Jasper. That guy knew that her rooftop garden had plenty of greens.

Jasper remained expressionless, “This meal is great. Many would kill for it.”

His eyes were pure, devoid of any greed. It seemed he didn't covet her vegetables. Relieved, Stella thought the dream she had was just that, a dream. It wouldn't come true.

After the first round of food, it was time for the fish stew.

Stella loved fish fillets. However, Lukas was faster and scooped up a piece and put it in Angela's bowl, “Baby, here you go.”

Her slowness cost her. Her ladle collided with another as they both vied for the last fish fillet. To her surprise, it was Jasper. And he was faster.

A little miffed, Stella planned to cook ten or twelve fish fillets later, and eat until she was sick of them.

Sitting close to her, Jasper smoothly put the fish fillet in her bowl, “Ladies first.”

The unexpected gesture left everyone shocked. They thought these two were just neighbors and partners. Stella had even insisted so. However, they quickly regained their composure, hiding their surprise. They didn't dare to gossip. Stella had a strong sense of pride and Jasper was an enigma. They didn't dare to make fun of them. It was more important for them to stay alive.

Only Rosie looked up at her brother, then at Stella, and cheerfully said, “Stella, why don’t you eat? The fish is getting cold.”

She thought her brother was partial. He used to give her the fish fillets, but now he had given it to Stella. But she really liked Stella, so it was okay.

Cooper squinted his eyes, “Woof!” It seemed like he was saying that he also loved fish fillets. Come on, put it in the bowl!

Stella was taken aback. She couldn't possibly throw the fish Jasper gave her into the dog's bowl, could she? Would they still be able to team up in the future if she did that?

“Thank you.” She smiled at him and reluctantly ate the fish fillet.

The reservoir fish was indeed delicious. She should've caught more. She would find an opportunity for them to have a fish stew.

Despite their happiness, some of the smell did escape. Even though it was just a whiff, the survivors' noses were more sensitive than dogs. They were salivating at the smell, cursing under their breath.

Those inhuman creatures on the 18th floor were having a stew again!

They silently cursed 18 times in their hearts, but no one dared to cross the people of the 18th floor.

These devils had even taken down those who came to collect protection food. They were violent, using real weapons, and had even electrocuted a few.

The news had spread. The ones who came for protection food were called The Chaos. They were taken down by the military forces yesterday. Several hundred criminals were also caught.

It was too much of a coincidence. The people on the 18th floor had just crossed paths with them, and then The Chaos was taken down. They suspected that there were influential people on the 18th floor.

What kind of people were they on the 18th floor? They weren't afraid of The Chaos, and even had connections with the military and government. They were not to be messed with.

But God, the aroma was so irresistible, they couldn’t even stop their saliva.

After the stew, Stella rinsed their mouths and crawled into their warm beds for a nap. When she awoke around three, the walkie-talkie rang, “Stella, do you want to practice?”

Stella was surprised, “Is your shoulder healed?”

“It's not a problem.”

But Stella couldn't get over it. Every time she saw Jasper, she couldn't help but think of of him in his swimming trunks. She really couldn't handle it.

“No, no, I'm a bit tired. Let's rest for a few days.”

“Alright, send Cooper out then.”

People could be lazy, but not the dog. He needed to become stronger.

Stella readily agreed, “Right away.”

“Sorry, Cooper. I do love you, but you go first.”

And so, in the harsh weather of below forty degrees, the dog was ruthlessly pushed out by his owner to undergo rigorous training.

Cooper was stunned. What’s going on?

While Stella's body was snuggled in her warm bed, her mind was in Arcadia, laboriously tilling the soil with a hoe. She had planted peanuts and corn, and was planning to try sowing a hundred square meters of wheat.

She hadn't expected Arcadia to expand, so she had only stored vegetable seeds. To plant wheat, she had to use a certain variety—drought-resistant, and high-yield wheat.

Wheat, unlike hybrid rice, could be used for seed saving. Otherwise, she wouldn't dare to waste it, as seeds became fewer with each use.

She wouldn't touch hybrid rice seeds.

Even with wheat, she didn't sow too much at once. She would wait until she was sure she could save the seeds before expanding the planting area.

It took three days to till the land, dig trenches, and sow seeds. Stella wasn't an expert, but luckily, she had downloaded a lot of information beforehand. Anything she didn't understand, she would look up.

After a few days of rest, when she was tired of reading medical books or watching video tutorials, she beckoned Cooper, “Come on, come here.”

With a bounding energy, Cooper rushed over, obediently lying down for her to pet him.

Every so often, Smoky and Snowy would scramble over, vying for attention. These two had indeed undergone some mutations, their personalities as fiery and untamed as wild horses. They were quick to throw down with Cooper at the slightest provocation.

Perhaps because he didn’t want to be alone, although Cooper would snarl and pin them down, showing them who's boss, he was surprisingly patient. He stopped the reprimand before going so far as to bite off their necks. He even shared his bones with them. And boy, the two rabbits indeed chewed obediently with their rabbit teeth, making a crisp sound.

Stella could only watch in sheer astonishment. It was a sight to behold.

As they grew in size, their appetites grew as well. Luckily, they had a good supply of hay in Arcadia, or it would have been impossible to feed them.

Katie knocked on the door downstairs. The people collecting protection rations were all defeated, and the danger on the 17th and 18th floors was resolved. She was in good spirits.

“Stella,” she said, “There will be a public trial in Peace Square tomorrow at nine. They'll be sentencing the criminals from The Chaos. Are you planning on going to watch?"