The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 480

Chapter 480

Nicole looked up and spotted Lydia standing a few places ahead in line.

Lydia quickly walked over. “What a coincidence. You’re here to pick out a house, too?”

Nicole nodded. “How’s Gabrielle doing?”

“Much better.” Lydia smiled brightly before lowering her voice.

“It’s all thanks to your medicine. My mom’s cough is gone, her concussion symptoms.have improyed a lot, and she’s feeling so much better now. I know medicine like that isn’t cheap, and we don’t have anything worth giving you right now. But once we’ve managed to save up some grain in a few months, we’ll pay you back. Would that be okay?”

Derek and Victor both had stable jobs. Once the research institute relocated, she would be able to return to work as well. As long as the family lived frugally, they would eventually save enough grain to repay the debt.

Nicole had never planned to take anything from the Goodmans, but turning them down outright could easily make them feel they owed her nothing.

“No hurry. Get Gabrielle fully recovered first. Everything else can wait.” Since they rarely crossed paths, Nicole asked, “Did you get a two-bedroom apartment?”

Lydia nodded.

“Under the policy, every researcher gets a two-bedroom unit. Since both Derek and Victor work at the research institute, our family was assigned two apartments, both in the staff housing. The living conditions there used to be awful, so we moved into the unfinished building here a while back. We’re only here today to register the properties.”

Without Derek and Victor’s positions at the institute, they probably would’ve still been living on the streets.

Nicole hadn’t expected the government to provide free housing for researchers. That was one policy she could fully support.

The line crept forward as she and Lydia chatted between pauses.

The new district wasn’t just adding housing. Factories, schools, and government offices were all part of the plan.

“A lot of departments have merged with their counterparts in Grayport. Both cities are expanding toward each other. Grayport’s agricultural research institute is relocating here to Westbridge, while its alternative medicine research institute will stay in Grayport. Once phases two and three are finished, the two new districts will be connected.”

Schools. Factories.

The reconstruction plans sounded ambitious, but whether they could actually hold onto everything they built was another matter.

Once the two cities were linked, security would likely improve. But by the time construction was finished, polar night would probably have arrived.

Darkness was a criminal’s greatest ally.

Nicole hoped she was worrying for nothing. The government had invested so much into rebuilding that they had to have contingency plans in place.

1/2

+15 Benus

When it was finally Nicole’s turn, the employee entered her registration information before reminding her, “If you ever decide to sell or rent out your villa, you can register it through the property office. We’ll match you with buyers or tenants for a service fee.”

Unable to resist, Nicole asked, “If someone renovated one of the detached villas before selling it, how much could they get?”

“That depends on whatever price the buyer and seller agree on. But if demand stays this strong, it should easily sell for at least twice what it cost.”

Her ownership information was uploaded to her electronic card, though the official deed wouldn’t be ready for another month.

The employee added, “Construction on the detached villas will be finished the day after tomorrow. You’ll be able to start renovations and move in after that.”

Nicole thanked him, left the government service center, and headed back to Oakhaven Gardens.

As soon as she returned to Building 5, she shared the news with Alex to return the favor. “You should go pick out your houses, too. The earlier you get there, the better your chances of getting a good one.”

If they waited for the official notice, all the prime locations would already be taken.

Alex had been thinking the same thing. He was already discussing with Isaac how to get the property office staff on their side.

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