18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel 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?"

"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.