The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 549

Chapter 549

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Sven was secretly pleased.

His son was finally showing some backbone. In the past, Brandon had never argued with him. The boy kept everything bottled up, whether he was happy, upset, or angry.

“Poppy’s family is having guests, too,” Sven said, trying to reason with him. “You see Poppy every day anyway. Why don’t you invite them over for dinner the day after Christmas?”

Brandon looked disappointed. “Okay. I’ll ask Poppy tomorrow.”

“It’s always Poppy this and Poppy that with you. Don’t you ever play with the other kids?”

Weasel and several of the others had children as well, but Brandon never invited any of them over. Sven began to suspect that his son might have a little crush on Poppy.

Sven studied Brandon but didn’t notice anything unusual. They probably spent so much time together simply because they lived next door.

Besides, Poppy was sweet and adorable. It was hard not to like her. They really had lucked out with their neighbors.

They had chickens, ducks, geese, and a large flock of quail, so they gathered fresh eggs every day.

Nicole couldn’t help thinking about the Christmas dinner they had shared on the 18th floor.

The disasters had been going on for nearly four years, yet they were all still alive and able to celebrate together. That alone was something to be grateful for.

They decided to butcher a chicken and a duck, then cook six pounds of quail eggs in a savory sauce.

Nicole had barely finished breakfast and hadn’t even started cooking when Beatrice and the others arrived.

The guards only let them in after confirming their identities.

As they passed the rows of beautiful villas, the four of them suddenly felt painfully out of place and nearly turned around.

Fortunately, the fortress-like Villa 50 made them feel much more at ease.

Cola froze when he saw them after so many years, but he quickly recognized them and barked excitedly.

“Cola!” Jeremy rushed over, wrapped his arms around the dog’s neck, and kissed the top of his head. “Look at you! You’ve gotten even bigger.”

Poppy came out to greet them, her dimples showing as she smiled. “Jeremy, Hughie, Beatrice…”

“Wow, Poppy, you’ve gotten so tall.”

She threw herself into Beatrice’s arms. “Yep! I’m almost nine.”

Every day of the apocalypse was a struggle, yet somehow, the years had still flown by.

The four of them had brought gifts: a carton of cigarettes and two bottles of whiskey.

The cigarettes were expired, but they could still fetch a high price in the apocalypse. Whiskey was just as valuable.

Jeremy and Hughie had dressed up for the occasion and arrived in new clothes.

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Hughie, in particular, had started paying attention to his appearance again whenever circumstances allowed. He looked far less worn down than when they first reunited. His skin was cleaner, and some color had returned to his face.

At their last late-night dinner, both men had looked exhausted and defeated. Now, they were practically glowing.

Apparently, the birth control Nicole had given them had done wonders for their quality of life.

Nicole knew she shouldn’t laugh, but she couldn’t help it. Neither man was embarrassed about the subject, so they laughed along with her.

No explanation was necessary.

Nicole invited everyone inside. To keep them from feeling awkward, she didn’t treat them like guests. Anyone who came over had to help, so she put Jeremy and Hughie in charge of slaughtering the chicken and duck.

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She poured the soaked soybeans into the blender, then called Beatrice over to help her make soybean fritters.

“You used to make these back on the 18th floor, too. I can’t believe you still remember how.”

“I sprouted some beans, too. We’ll sauté them for lunch.”

The atmosphere was warm and lively. Everyone kept busy while occasionally reminiscing about their days in Crownview Residences.

After more than six months of recovery, Beatrice was much healthier. She had gradually put some weight back on and no longer looked skeletal the way she had when they first reunited.

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