18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 616

Stella shared a snippet of her past, and when they found out she was born because Lillian couldn't get an abortion, they couldn't help but feel indignant on her behalf. Yet, at the same time, they envied her for having a big-shot dad.

Stella was luckier than them; in her lifetime, she had found her biological parents and got to experience the warmth of a family.

They no longer had that chance.

They'd passed the age of yearning for familial love, but they were grateful to have found their life partners to face the apocalypse together.

That alone made them luckier than 80% of the population.

They also knew that their survival up to this point was, on several occasions, thanks to Stella pulling them back from the brink of death.

That debt of gratitude was something they could never fully repay, and they hoped for an opportunity to do so.

The tent was basic, without even simple furniture like tables and chairs, so they sat on the ground and briefly talked about their experiences after the land had sunk.

The past was the past, and they subconsciously avoided the most harrowing memories, trying to find some peace of mind.

After chatting for over an hour, Stella was planning to head to the farm. "Why don't you guys come over for dinner tonight? What do you fancy? Hotpot or stir-fry?"

The hostel was full of people from the camp, and it wasn't convenient to gather for a meal there—it wouldn't be right to eat meat while others could only smell it.

Cody didn't want to trouble her. "No need. It should be us treating you and Jasper to dinner."

They didn't have furniture or dishes yet; that would have to wait until work assignments were handed out.

"There will be time for that," Stella said with a raised brow. "We grew up together, didn't we? A disaster doesn't change that."

"That's not what I meant... I just worry..."

Stella was the daughter of a high-ranking official, and they were concerned about causing her any trouble by just showing up.

"Afraid of gossip?" Stella couldn't help but laugh. "As kids, we made a pact that whoever found their real parents first would share them with the others."

"That was just a childish joke."

Stella gave him a look. "Cody, that still holds. My dad is your dad. Don't overthink it."

Cody was speechless, not sure how to respond.

Lukas, ever the carefree one, chimed in, "Stella, we're in the mood for hotpot."

Stella, with Cooper by her side, left them. "Alright, I'll grab some veggies from the farm. Come by early."

Lukas and Cody walked her to the hostel entrance.

Watching her leave, they didn't rush back inside.

Cody frowned slightly. "Rain, we haven't settled on our work yet. Going to Stella's place like this, could it cause trouble for her and Jasper?"

It wasn't about fearing gossip for using back doors, but rather the number of people who had approached them privately in the past few days.

After more than a decade of struggle, even if they didn't represent anyone significant, they understood the complexities behind the facade of a city.

When gods war, mortals suffer.

Being human, who doesn't harbor some ambition?

The four of them were human, yet not entirely ordinary.

Bringing over a thousand people, they were destined to be courted or used.

Bran was the quickest to approach them, slick as an eel, but his every word was a subtle guide.

Survivors of a harsh selection, Cody and Lukas were not fools. Bran's ease of navigating today's waters, when stripped to the basics, was not just his own effort but also holding on to the right coattails.

Back in the New City villa district, he had tried every means to get close to Stella.

It just goes to show, clinging to the right leg not only spares you but can also lead to a phoenix-like rise from the ashes.

The two knew all too well that without Stella's repeated interventions, they would be nothing but bones by now.

They owed her their lives.

Lukas was more optimistic. "Cody, you're overthinking it. If Stella invited us, she wouldn't be worried about idle talk."

At first, the higher-ups didn't know their relationship with Stella and sent people to woo them discreetly, hoping to bring them under their wing.

Stella commended her, "Not bad. Once the mushrooms really start growing, I'll get you some spore bags. That way, we can have fresh mushrooms for our hotpots."

That's right, even after over a decade of disasters, her Arcadia's spore bags were far from depleted. She could easily start a mushroom cultivation garden.

Stella gave Rosie a goal, "I have high hopes for you."

Rosie was overjoyed, "Thanks, sis."

She believed a smile could heal others.

With her brother and sister-in-law's protection, Rosie had not suffered as much as Vera but had her own battles with depression. Saying they shared a common misery wasn't far off.

Rosie approached Vera, her voice gentle and sweet, "Vera, could you help me guide these gourd vines up the trellis?"

As Vera carefully followed her instructions, Stella moved on to pick the vegetables.

Once everything was in order, seeing Vera engrossed in her work, Stella quietly signaled to Cooper and slipped away.

On the way to the neighboring livestock farm, she did not miss a chance to encourage, praise, or entice with promises.

Poppy had a new idea, "Stella, we've been collecting feathers from the poultry, and I'm thinking of collaborating with the textile factory to make some down jackets.

If it works out, it could solve some of the warmth issues for the people, and also bring new revenue to the farm."

At such a tender age, she's all hustle and bustle, her mind teeming with business prospects, Stella couldn't help but be reminded of Bentley's mom.

Looks like the Porras clan is on track to produce another powerhouse businesswoman.

"No worries, go for it with gusto."

Poppy was over the moon. She was set on becoming a supplier of down jackets, and once her breeding farm scaled up, she even planned to open a meat product supply factory.

Teaming up with Rosie's farm, they were bound to create a solid agribusiness hub.

Watching her buzz with excitement, Stella was deeply moved, reflecting on how the youth of today really have the guts to dream and the grit to chase those dreams.

Of course, she was all in to support her.