Chapter 118


    Facing the baffling questions from the crowd, Mikey was at a loss, his face etched with worry and


    confusion.


    "Perhaps in ten years, twenty years, or maybe fifty or sixty years. Nobody knows for sure.”


    The anticipation that usually apanied Christmas was dampened by Mikey’s words. It felt like a


    punch to the gut.


    Ste voiced her concern. “Are we all facing this extreme cold weather globally?”


    “With different geographical locations and differenttitudes, disasters won''t be the same. But


    ording to scientists, due to unstable weather, various disasters will only intensify. That is,


    droughts might be more severe, floods more widespread, and in some ces, deserts might


    even turn into oceans.”


    Deserts turning into oceans? Chills ran down everyone''s spine.


    Ste was surprised. “Was this from Griffith Agricultural Institute?”


    This was a development that had not urred in her previous life. In the past, researchers were


    chasing after natural disasters, and many had died from exhaustion trying to keep up with them.


    Could it be that the letter she sent out was really taken seriously?


    “The Griffith Agricultural Institute is overwhelmed. It is a joint development by the coastal cities.”


    All the cities were working tirelessly, sharing technological achievements, joining hands to fight


    against natural disasters, hoping to survive this ordeal.


    Ste was slightly moved. None of these had happened in her previous life. Maybe they had tried,


    but were not sessful, or maybe they seeded, but it was beyond her reach as amoner.


    Either way, once she got her hands on the cold-resistant experimental seeds, she would know if


    they worked after trying to nt them.


    Katieforted the young ones. “Our country is strong, and you''re all still young. As long as you


    strive to live and don''t give up, prosperity will return."


    Katie''s optimismforted the anxious Ang and others.


    "Here''s to Granny’s good words, things will get better.”


    “No matter what happens tomorrow, let''s first enjoy our Christmas Eve dinner today." Katie stood up


    with a smile. "I wish you young ones happiness. May you have a full meal every time, with meat on


    every te.”


    “To Granny’s good health and long life.”


    After seeing off Katie, everyone temporarily set aside the Christmas Eve dinner to discuss how to


    nt the cold-resistant potatoes. It was not feasible for the three households to nt separately and


    supplement light individually.


    “How about you nt them, Ste? We don''t have the experience and will take care of generating


    electricity. You have the nt pot and soil, and you can supplement the nts with light at night. If


    there is a harvest, you can take the lion''s share?”


    Ste weighed the potato in her hand. Though it was small, it had quite a few buds; one potato


    could be cut into five or six pieces.


    “I have the nt pot and soil, but I can''t fit them on my balcony. Plus, I have a dog and rabbits at


    home, they might end up digging them up.”


    “You can use my balcony to nt them.” Jasper chimed in. “You cane over to check on them


    from time to time, and if there''s a problem, you can deal with it in time.”


    And just like that, it was happily decided. While the people from 1803 prepared dinner, Ste and


    Jasper would nt the potatoes.


    Once back home, Ste took out the Arcadia nt pot and harvested the second batch of potatoes.


    Then she went to Apartment 1801 to ce the nt pot on the balcony.


    The windows of Apartment 1801''s balcony were also covered with one-way peeping film. It wasn''t


    clear from the outside, but if the lights were on, they could still be spotted.


    Jasper thought for a moment. “We can supplement the light during the day, or install ckout


    curtains.”


    Either way, he could handle this small issue.


    The two of them emptied all the soil from the nt pot, sprinkled it with antifreeze, and mixed it


    evenly with a shovel. Incredibly, the soil did not freeze and even felt a bit fluffy.


    Ste took out a knife and taught Jasper how to cut the potato buds.


    The potato skin was thick and hard to cut. The inside was rich in starch, but the coarse veins were


    visible to the naked eye. It would certainly fill you up, but the texture would definitely not be good.


    Ste teasingly suggested, “You should try it.”


    Jasper actually cut a piece and tasted it, then frowned.


    “You''re so cute. When I told you to taste it, you really did.” Ste burst outughing. “How does it


    taste?”


    “It''s very hard, rough, and fibrous. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.” Jasper shot her a nce.


    “It''s not as tasty as the ones you grow.”


    Ah, why did she suddenly feel a bit embarrassed hearing this?


    To her surprise, Jasper took the knife from her, lowered his head, and started cutting the potatoes


    into chunks.


    Ste adjusted the medicine water on the side and ced the cut potato chunks into the pot to


    soak. They needed to soak for three hours. The two of them went to Apartment 1803 to help out.


    Thinking about their uing roles as chefster, they decided to simply start practicing in the


    living room.


    Yes, even on Christmas Eve, they were practicing non-stop.


    When it was about time, Ste taught Jasper how to nt the potatoes. The usually reticent Jasper


    suddenly asked, “Ste, it seems like you know how to do everything?”


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Ste paused, then gave a bitter smile. “Children without parents have to run faster than others.


    They have to outrun normal people to survive.”


    Jasper wanted tofort her, but didn''t know what to say. “I''m sorry.”


    “It''s nothing.” Ste chuckled sardonically. “I was sad when I was young, but now I''m grateful. Living


    alone is carefree and unrestricted. I don''t have anyone to hold me back.”


    “In fact, you''re not alone. There are people who care about you.”


    “Yes, as friends, Cody and the others are great. They''re able to tolerate my bad temper.”


    Jasper was puzzled. “Bad temper?”


    Ste countered, “Don''t you think I have a bad personality?”


    “Why would you think that?” Jasper''s eyesnded on her, with a subtle smile in his gaze. “I think


    you''re pretty good.”


    With no outsiders around, Ste ventured, “Don''t you think it''s selfish of me not to share the


    firewood and vegetables from Arcadia with Lukas and the others?”


    “That''s your exclusive chance. Whether you want to share it or not is up to you.”


    Jasper pondered. “People can be ruthless. If things continue to deteriorate, even cannibalism


    wouldn''t be surprising. How can you ensure that people won''t change their hearts? Your Arcadia


    can cultivate crops. Sharing them with Lukas and the others might not be a big deal, but when the


    weather gets bad and they want to take shelter and rest in Arcadia, while you want to save for


    future use, what will you do then?”


    Jasper didn''t think Ste did anything wrong. “You''re doing just fine.”


    Just fine? What did that mean!


    Ste couldn''t read him and wondered how to respond.


    “Don''t worry, I won''t reveal your secret.” Jasper suddenly looked up at her. “Everyone has secrets. If


    I tell you my secret, will you stop being so wary of me?”


    Ste was taken aback and didn’t say anything.