18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 123

Seeing Rosie on the verge of tears, Cody, fearing a beating from Jasper, immediately stopped teasing her. "Alright, alright, Stella is part of your family."

Stella playfully tossed a cushion at him. "You never know when to quit, even going so far as to tease a child."

Cody caught the cushion, grinning ear to ear. "My bad, entirely my bad."

Rosie scratched her head, as if she'd found a solution. "Cody, I'll add her to the drawing."

And she didn't just add Stella, but everyone else as well – her, her brother, Cooper, their pet rabbits, and their big house.

After spending time in room 1803, Rosie seemed reluctant to leave, hesitating as if wanting to say something.

Stella beckoned her over. "Rosie, do you have something to say to us?"

Rosie hesitated a little. "Yes."

"What is it?"

However, Rosie didn't know how to go about it, especially since Cody and the others wouldn't be around then.

The people living on the 18th floor were able to fend off looters all thanks to Jasper's guidance, but all three had to work and couldn't take time off to celebrate for him.

Stella, who had been given a clear explanation, sighed.

The crew still left in the dark, departing at five in the morning and reaching the meeting point by eight.

The dog, in a playful mood, ran out of the apartment. First, he dug around the balcony, then in the other rooms, before coming back with his food bowl.

Half a bowl of bones, almost enough to make Stella faint.

Cooper was a bit crazy apparently, not even afraid of being picked on by his instructor.

"Thank you," Jasper paused on the other end of the call. "Would you like to have dinner together?"

"Uh... sure." No gift could compare to a meal, especially since he didn't lack for anything. Stella had an idea. "What do you and Rosie like to eat? You are the birthday boy, I'll make dinner."

"I'm fine with anything. What do you like?"

"Haha, I'm fine with anything too."

It was cold, and Stella didn't feel like cooking. "How about this, I cook and bring it over?" Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

"Sure, I'll come over and help."

"No, no, no, I can handle it."

After hanging up, she went into the bathroom to brush her teeth, wash her face, and change her clothes. She read a bit of her medical book, and around noon, she took a portion of beef brisket stewed with potatoes from the fridge, pouring it into a clay pot and boiling it on the gas stove.

The dog loved it, so she added enough for him, the pot bubbling with heat.

The pot was hot, and she told Jasper to open the door through the walkie-talkie. To her surprise, as soon as she opened the door to her apartment, he was already outside waiting, taking the hot pot from her. "Be careful. Let me handle this."

Upon entering room 1801, the aroma of food hit them.

Jasper had cooked as well – steamed pork ribs with corns, some pasta, and roasted pork belly.

Despite the large portion of beef brisket stew, Stella hadn't expected him to cook such a lavish meal, making her feel somewhat stingy. But she shrugged it off, deciding to just enjoy the meal.

However, the dog was even more shameless, actually bringing its half-eaten bowl of bones to Jasper.

Jasper the instructor, with a somewhat complex expression, patted his head. "I appreciate the thought, but you keep it."

Without any hesitation, the dog took his stash and hid it away.

Once the door was closed, they began to eat.

Stella handed over the gifts and cards from Cody, Lukas and Angela. "I won't be singing any songs, but you can make a wish."

Rosie clapped her hands excitedly. "Jasper, make a wish."

Stella couldn't help but feel that when he silently made his wish, he was looking not only at Rosie but also at her.

With that, they began to eat.

The beef brisket with potatoes was best enjoyed with chili sauce, and to Stella's surprise, Jasper had some. After two bowls of the spicy dish, she was sweating profusely.

There was quite a bit of food left over, and Jasper suggested, "Leftovers aren't good. Can you help finish them tonight?"

Well, why not!

After dinner, she sat on the sofa with her tablet, watching shows. Rosie, cuddling with Cooper, was giggling happily.

Jasper suddenly leaned over, startling Stella. "Could you get some red grapes for Rosie?"

Afraid she would take them all, he added, "Just half a bunch, eating too much in this cold weather isn't good for the body."

He only had two bunches, and he wanted her to take only half a bunch? He was even thriftier than her.

While the two of them were distracted, Stella grabbed the largest bunch of grapes. "Consider it mine, to make up for tonight's dinner."

Jasper didn't refuse, taking the grapes to the kitchen to wash them before cutting them up and putting them in a fruit bowl.

Back on the sofa, he peeled a grape for Rosie.

Rosie was overjoyed. "Thank you, brother."

The second peeled grape was naturally offered to Stella. "Try one."

Stella was both surprised and a little scared. She could peel the skin herself.

Just as she was about to refuse, Cooper came over and swallowed the peeled grape in Jasper's hand: ‘Thank you!’

After eating it, the dog didn't leave, instead sitting in front of him: ‘Come on, keep peeling.’

"Cooper, come here." Stella scolded the dog while twisting its ears, "Dogs can't eat grapes. They'll make you sick."

Cooper was greedy, constantly swallowing its saliva.

Stella ignored his hungry looks, and also warned Rosie, "Rosie, Cooper can't eat chocolate or grapes, so you have to remember not to feed it to him, otherwise it'll get sick."

"Okay, Stella."

The dog, being forbidden from eating grapes, feeling like his whole world was falling apart.

Stella spit out the grape skins but kept the seeds, as they would be valuable for planting once the disaster was over.

She placed the seeds on a tissue. Coincidentally, Jasper had the same idea, and their hands almost collided.

Even though there was a charcoal stove in the living room, it still took a lot of courage to eat grapes in the freezing cold. Rosie was freezing, but the grapes were so delicious. As she ate, she asked curiously, "Jasper, where did the grapes come from?"

Jasper's tone was gentle, but his answer was blunt. "Just eat them and don't ask so many questions. If you ask again, there won't be any more."

Jasper stroked her head. "Rosie, I'll try to give you the best I can, but you can't tell anyone about what you eat or use. Otherwise, not only will I be in danger, but also those good things will be gone."

Being scolded by her brother, Rosie felt a little hurt. "I won't say anything."

Stella could vouch for that, Rosie had become much more tight-lipped compared to before. She didn't say anything to her, and she certainly didn't mention anything to the crafty Cody.