18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 168

These two were the largest private fishing organizations. Odeberg International was the leading organization of Swan Hill's seafood industry, while Aqua Base was established after the apocalyptic catastrophe. They were now in competition with each other, always trying to outdo each other in the business world.

Emotionally, Stella leaned more towards Odeberg International. It was a family business, and they had stuck to their guns even after surviving the extreme cold.

As for Aqua Base, it was a private base established after the apocalypse. Stella wasn't too fond of private bases, and she refrained from speculating too much about them.

Thus, she did a U-turn in her car and headed to the office store under the watch of Odeberg International in the fishing village.

Since the heatwave outbreak, they'd been operating from evening till eight the next morning.

Stella didn't let on her real intentions. She claimed she was there to buy on behalf of the neighborhood, both dry and fresh goods, 200 pounds of each daily.

The sales clerk dealt with bulk orders daily, and Stella's was nothing extraordinary. The discount offered was hardly different from retail prices.

However, the seafood quality was indeed top-notch.

Next, Stella went to Aqua Base's store nearby. They offered larger discounts, but their products were of lesser quality. The clerk's inquisitive gaze also put Stella off; it felt like she was being assessed like goods.

Stella had experienced such gazes too many times in her past life. Her post-apocalyptic instincts told her something was off and she had no intention of making a deal. Playing the role of a poor, naive woman, she said, "It ain't easy for us to grow crops. Seafood is meat, sure, but y'all only got seafood. How about trading 3 pounds of dry goods for 1 pound of grain?"

The clerk, getting a whiff of her sweaty smell, rolled his eyes continuously, almost wanting to have her kicked out. Stella wouldn't back down. She grumbled loudly a few times before leaving.

Back in the car, they deliberated their options.

It seemed impossible to buy in bulk from the government or big companies; only small stockpiling was possible. Besides, cultivating crops took time, and a large-scale trade was not feasible.

This place was dangerous. Just driving an old car had attracted the attention of several groups of people. However, these people were just insignificant characters. They just needed to be cautious.

As for Aqua Base, Jasper also strongly advised against any further contact.

Stella had no objections, so they went to the seafood market to haggle over and pick out some good quality seafood, exchanging a total of 200 pounds of dry goods.

Just as they were about to leave, a water truck blocked their path. A shiny head popped out of the window, "Hey."

Monkey, smiling brightly, said, "Didn't expect to see you again so soon."

Stella was surprised, "You came here for water?"

"Of course." Monkey replied, "Since you left so suddenly, I had to make do and come here for water to sell back home. So what are you two up to?"

Stella gestured to the boxes in her hand, "Getting some dry goods."

Monkey was surprised. Stella was a tough woman. Why would she be getting goods from a small store?