Chapter 168


    These two were thergest 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 inpetition with each other, always trying to outdo each other in the


    business world.


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    Emotionally, Ste 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. Ste wasn''t too fond of


    private bases, and she refrained from specting 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 vige.


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


    Ste didn''t let on her real intentions. She imed 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 Ste''s was nothing extraordinary. The discount


    offered was hardly different from retail prices.


    However, the seafood quality was indeed top-notch.


    Next, Ste went to Aqua Base''s store nearby. They offeredrger discounts, but their products


    were of lesser quality. The clerk''s inquisitive gaze also put Ste off; it felt like she was being


    assessed like goods.


    Ste 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. ying 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. Ste 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 bigpanies; only small stockpiling


    was possible. Besides, cultivating crops took time, and arge-scale trade was not feasible.


    This ce 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.


    Ste 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."


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


    "Of course." Monkey replied, "Since you left so suddenly, I had to make do ande here for water


    to sell back home. So what are you two up to?"


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


    Monkey was surprised. Ste was a tough woman. Why would she be getting goods from a small


    store?


    But he soon figured it out. She hadn''t established a connection yet. His boss had also struggled to


    establish a rapport before.


    When he learned about Ste''s purchase price, he suddenly realized something. "Why didn''t you


    say so earlier? This price isn''t good. If I''d known earlier, you could''ve gotten goods from my boss.


    Why go through all this trouble?"


    He pulled them aside, "I won''t overcharge you. How about this price for Odeberg International''s


    goods?"


    Ste was surprised, "You have a connection?"


    "Of course, we get our goods from Odeberg International."


    Ste didn''t believe him. The amount of dry goods they bought at a time was less than hers; there


    was no way they could get such arge discount.


    Monkey revealed a smug and mysterious smile, "I guess you don''t know. The boss saved Dexter''s


    life. Well, he actually just helped him find some medicine."


    The disaster struck suddenly, and life-saving medicine wasn''t easy to find. This led to a


    coboration betweenAustin and the Odeberg family. They provided the Odebergs with the supplies


    they needed, and in return, the Odebergs cut them a massive discount on seafood.


    Ste hadn''t expected Austin to be so adept at building rtionships.


    After they found a more secluded spot to continue their discussion, Ste cut straight to the chase,


    "What do you want?"


    "Water."


    Ste was taken aback. She''d tasted the well water in the fishing vige. Compared to actual


    seawater, it was much better. Strictly speaking, they weren''t reallycking water here. So the


    demand for water wasn''t high. Plus, if they brought it back to Griffith to sell, the tolls wouldn''t be


    cheap.


    "You don''t strike me as a real rich person." Monkeyughed a little helplessly, "We''re in the middle


    of an apocalypse, sure, but you probably don''t know that rich people''s daughters still take baths in


    wine or milk."


    The boss'' most profitable business was never aimed at the lower market.


    Ste was speechless. Recalling the recent pool party with ice cubes, she admitted to herself that


    her view had been narrow.


    If they needed grain, she wouldn''t have been able to provide much, but if it was fresh water, that


    wouldn''t be a problem. They were old business partners, and Ste was tempted, but she feigned


    hesitation, "I should be able to get the water, but the journey isn''t very safe. I need to think it over."


    "As long as you can sort out the water, the boss can get you as much seafood as you want."


    Ste didn''t immediately agree but gave Monkey her address before heading back to the vi to


    escape the oing heatwave.


    They had a seafood feast for lunch that day.


    Boiled shrimp, sautéed crab with ginger and onions, braisedrge yellow croaker, and stir-fried


    squid with celery.


    The atmosphere was great. Ste opened a bottle of red wine to share, while Cooper and Rosie got


    soda.


    After a few drinks, she was slightly tipsy. Jasper helped her back to her room and closed the door


    on his way out.


    Cooper, who was still gnawing on a shrimp shell, was left speechless.