18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 538

Stella walked into the house, setting up a folding camp table and chairs in the living room.

Meanwhile, Jasper was busy installing a high-tech range hood from China in the kitchen. Despite its compact size, the gadget could absorb and neutralize 98% of cooking fumes, making the air almost odorless. Once he finished, he whipped up a dish of dehydrated veggies. It was impressive, and even though he couldn’t get rid of all the smell, 80-90% was good enough.

With the front and backyards far apart, he figured the smells wouldn't travel. Except for particularly pungent dishes, he felt confident about cooking.

Next door, Rosie sneaked over her pets—a mischievous hound and a sneaky mutt—when no one was around. After being apart for days, the two animals were desperate for their mother’s affection. Stella, with a dog in her left hand and a wolf in her right, was having a blast.

But she noticed that Snowflake's belly seemed to have grown—again. Another pregnancy. Stella guessed it would be about a month before the new litter arrived.

Daniel didn’t make it home until after dark, worn out from the day’s work. His stomach was killing him, but hearing that Stella was back, all his worries vanished, and he didn’t hesitate to come over.

Seeing his exhausted state, Vanessa couldn’t help but scold him, “You know you’ve got a chronic issue, yet you keep giving away the medicine Stella made for you. Now we’re out of antacids, and there’s no chance of finding any at the hospital. What are we supposed to do?”

“It’s nothing. I can tough it out,” he replied.

Vanessa, worried about his health, suggested, “Maybe you should skip it today. I'll make you some plain oatmeal to settle your stomach.”

Everybody had their ailments, but Daniel didn’t take it to heart. “I'm feeling much better.”

Not even a bleeding ulcer could keep him away. With no other choice, Vanessa accompanied him. She went out back, picked plenty of greens, and grabbed a bag of rice.

Compared to most folks, they ate quite well at home, but Stella had a hard time adjusting to the food. Only these two items had ever tempted her to pick up her fork.

When they arrived, Jasper was still busy in the kitchen. Stella pointed to the dozen or so cardboard boxes piled up in the living room. “These are the medical supplies we brought back. Do you think they’ll cover the expenses for the house and land?”

As head nurse, Vanessa was overjoyed at the sight of the medicine—antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, blood activators, anesthesia, gauze, surgical instruments, iodine, alcohol—each item was desperately needed by the hospital. Medicine was a rarity in this post-apocalyptic world, and the stash before them could save many lives.

Especially when Vanessa spotted the painkillers, she didn’t hesitate. “Stella, your father has been having stomach pains lately. Could we trade some of these for a few boxes?”

Stella was taken aback. She had prepared plenty of stomach medicine before; it shouldn’t have run out so quickly. Realizing either they were lost at sea or given away, she looked at Daniel and noticed his poor complexion.

Daniel, embarrassed by Vanessa’s bluntness, didn’t want Stella to worry. “It’s just an old issue, nothing serious.”

The wrong medicine could be as harmful as poison. Stella checked his complexion and knew he was plagued with issues. Between worrying for his country and enduring the disaster, his health had suffered. She sat down to take his pulse, inquired about his symptoms, then retrieved a couple of bottles of medicine she had made back at South Base. “Take two before meals.”

Her care was better than any magic potion, and Daniel suddenly felt as if his stomach pain had eased. After taking his medicine, Daniel explained about the medicines' value and suggested that the hospital administrator and the land management department come over the next day to discuss in detail.

Stella expressed her thanks, unsure of what else to say.

Dinner was ready, and Rosie brought the dishes to the table—stir-fried dried veggies, shredded potatoes, scrambled eggs with ham, steamed salted fish, and white rice. Vanessa was astonished. Where on earth did they find eggs these days?

But she didn’t dare ask. Stella explained, “We found them while raiding Union Base. They had hoarded a lot of fertilized poultry eggs, kept in high-tech stasis pods. Surprisingly, they were still good, and we got a box.”

They could be hatched and raised. How could they just eat them!

Not only Vanessa but even Daniel looked...

Well, what was done was done.