The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 543

Chapter 543

Zeph had eaten there in his previous life, when Jasper treated everyone to a late-night meal as a reward for their hard work during disaster relief.

That one meal cost Jasper an entire month’s salary, and no one even left full.

So Zeph suggested that Nicole bring some food with her. That way, Jeremy and Hughie wouldn’t feel pressured by the cost, and everyone could still enjoy the gathering.

Nicole thought it was a good idea, so she took some food from her storage space.

She packed seasoned potato wedges and sweet potato fries, all made from varieties grown after the disasters. They were stringy and didn’t taste particularly good.

She also added grilled eggplant, onions, and cabbage.

For meat, she only brought a few strips of bacon, some smoked sausage, and beef jerky. She didn’t dare take out anything fresh. She also added three bottles of beer.

After packing everything into an insulated food container, she set off on her bicycle.

Jeremy chose a government-run late-night diner. He and Hughie just got off work and were exhausted, but they were still glad to meet up with an old friend.

Hughie got lucky that day and recovered more than ten pounds of sweet potatoes while chasing down a thief.

“Beatrice only got better because Nicole took such good care of her and gave her all that expensive medicine. I’m paying tonight, so don’t even try to argue with me about the check.”

Beatrice wasn’t the only one struggling. Hughie was under crushing pressure as well, but he kept it all bottled up because he refused to cry or complain.

Jeremy could see what Hughie was going through, but aside from helping with supplies, there wasn’t much he could do.

Now that Hughie was finally starting to relax, Jeremy let out a long breath. “Feels like Nicole saved us again.”

It was the same when they were kids. Without her leading the way, they might never have earned enough to pay tuition or made it to college.

After everything they had been through, they somehow found their way back to Westbridge and finally caught a glimpse of hope again.

And Nicole was the one who brought that hope with her.

Hughie ordered enough food to cover the table and was about to get in line to pay when someone stopped him just in time.

Nicole had arrived at exactly the right moment. She made him put back the bacon, smoked sausage, and beef jerky.

They couldn’t bring in their own food without ordering anything unless they wanted to get kicked out.

Nicole ordered a few vegetable sides and two large plates of loaded home fries.

More than three years into the disasters, regular potatoes were hard to come by. The diner made its home fries from a bland mix of potato and sweet potato starch, and Nicole asked for extra hot sauce.

1/2

+15 Agnus

The waitress just lost a sizable commission and looked at Nicole as though she had personally ruined her life

Nicole smiled and casually handed her a piece of candy. “Thanks.”

The three of them found a table in the corner, and Nicole took out the food she brought.

“Did you forget what kind of business I used to run? I don’t have much left, but I can still spare this.”

The familiar smell made Hughie’s and Jeremy’s mouths water. “Nicole, you always come through.”

The taste of food from before the disasters, especially the smoky barbecue seasoning, was almost enough to send them into heaven.

Both men closed their eyes in bliss, looking downright intoxicated.

Nicole smacked each of them on the head. “Look at you two. How pathetic.”

“You don’t get it. Ever since we moved out of the 18th floor, the good times have been over.”

Nicole gave them something to look forward to.

“Just hang in there and take it one day at a time. Someday, you’ll have more than enough food, plenty to drink, and a big house of your own.”

As it turned out, they really did have plans for the future.

Beatrice was getting better every day. Patrol work was dangerous, but on a lucky day, what they quietly pocketed from a single job could be worth more than most people earned in an entire month.

They were renting for now, but they hoped to buy a place someday and finally have a real home of their own.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify