Chapter 184


    The new development probably wasn''t updated on the map. That wasn''t a surprise.


    Jasper had shared the general direction of the rescue efforts, and Ste had a hunch. They headed


    southwest. The area was a newly developed suburb, a part of the city''s expansion, and indeed, new


    properties were under construction, and thend was rather vast.


    Jasper drove while Ste navigated. Upon reaching the area, they were met with the sight of


    abandoned buildings, dried-up riverbeds, and cracked earth.


    They drove up an overpass and, using binocrs, Ste spotted a few buildings that showed signs


    of habitation. After she eliminated the old ones, they drove around, and sure enough, they found the


    ce - it was the Eastwood Eden.


    It was a riverfront luxury development, and the main entrance was grand yet artistically designed.


    There were about a dozen buildings inside, spaced far apart. Had the disaster not struck, the


    properties here would have started at $5 million.


    Although the development was massive, it didn’t seem to house many people. Surprisingly, it was a


    whole other world inside.


    There was a security booth at the entrance, and there were six guards on duty. Calling them guards


    might not be urate. Judging by their clothes, they seemed to be residents of themunity.


    Noticing the Hummer parked at the entrance, they immediately became alert, "What do you want?"


    Ste leaned out the window, shing a friendly smile, "Hey there, we''re looking for a ce to rent.


    Do you have any vacancies?"


    Renters? The guards didn’t let their guard down, "Where did youe from, and why do you need


    a ce?"


    "We live near the university town, and our house has developed cracks. It’s not safe."


    The guards whispered among themselves, "We have ces, but you need to pay rent and pass an


    interview."


    An interview for renting? Ste was surprised, but she got it. After all, in a world post-disaster, trust


    was a raremodity. Who would dare to let strangers in?


    Despite the surprise, Ste noted that the Eastwood Eden seemed united. They even had residents


    on guard duty. Unlike Sunrise Sanctuary, where anyone could walk in and the gates wide open and


    unguarded.


    Ste couldn’t help but be more interested, "How much is the rent?"


    "Depending upon the conditions, it ranges from 10 to 20 pounds of grain per month."


    "Is it coarse grain?" Ste asked. After receiving an affirmative answer, she inquired, "When is the


    interview?"


    "Wait here. I''ll go and inform them now."


    Before they arrived, Jasper had already driven around Eastwood Eden. The entiremunity was


    enclosed by walls, and the top embedded with shards of ss. Plus, the residents took turns


    guarding the entrance; they seemed to have a strong sense of security.


    Even though they were sitting in their car, Ste was observing the guards at the same time.


    They say you can''t judge a book by its cover, but in a world post-disaster, you often had no choice


    but to do so.


    Their car windows had anti-spy film. Even though the guards were scrutinizing them, Ste only


    sensed caution and wariness, but no malice. Besides, she had the advantage of having Jasper, an


    expert lip-reader, by her side.


    She found herself looking forward to living in the Eastwood Eden.


    After waiting for about half an hour, the interviewer finally arrived. He was a man in his forties,


    wearing an old but clean gray T-shirt. His lean, square face had a schrly look.


    He stepped out of themunity, and they got out of the car. Jasper recognized him. He was the


    man who had led themunity in forming a rescue team after the quake.


    The man extended his hand, "Are you two looking to rent a ce?"


    Jasper shook his hand, "Yes, we''d like to have a look around here."


    It was hot, and they were soon sweating. The man invited them into the guard booth and introduced


    himself, "My name is Mark. May I know your names?"


    "My name is Jasper."


    Mark invited them to sit down and handed them a couple of palm-leaf fans.


    As they fanned themselves, Mark asked them detailed questions - age, gender, address,


    hometown, family members.


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    Ste frowned, "We just want to rent a ce. Are you conducting a census?"


    "I''m sorry if you''ve misunderstood," Mark exined, "Eastwood Eden was justpleted when the


    disaster struck. A few property owners, including myself, had just moved in, and the rest of the


    properties were empty.


    “We decided to band together for survival and gradually took in more people. Now, ourmunity


    has over a hundred members.


    “Given the harsh living conditions and the unpredictability of people, we are very selective about


    who we rent to.


    “As a former psychologist, I conduct the interviews. My hope is that everyone who moves in here is


    a good person and can find a sense of home."


    So he was a psychologist. No wonder he questioned them so thoroughly. He could make judgments


    about their character from their conversations. Just a simple conversation could help him filter out


    the majority of survivors with ill intentions, keeping danger out of themunity.


    The interview continued. Mark turned to Jasper, "Mr. Jasper, what did you do before the disaster?"


    "I was a SWAT officer, but I retired due to an injury."


    Hearing about his profession, Mark became very interested and asked many more rted


    questions.


    After about 15 minutes, it was Ste''s turn. She introduced herself, "I grew up in an orphanage, and


    I have no family. I''m a medical student."


    Mark looked at Ste for a moment, "If you move in, other than a child, do you have any pets?"


    Pets? Ste was taken aback.


    Mark smiled, "If I''m not mistaken, you have a dog, specifically a German shepherd."


    Despite the heat, Ste felt a chill. How did he know?


    Then she remembered that Cooper had brushed against her when they left the house. Sure


    enough, there were a few dog hairs on her clothes.


    Right, you can''t hide anything from a psychologist.


    Afraid she might get the wrong idea, Mark quickly said, "Don''t get me wrong. Pets are allowed in


    ourmunity. I have a dog too, a mini poodle."


    Ste was even more confused. Was this a paradise in the post-disaster world? She had Arcadia as


    a cheat, but what kind of financial conditions would a regr person need to afford a pet in this


    post-disaster world?


    She hoped this wasn''t some kind of trap.


    When they got around to discussing rent, Ste asked curiously, "How much grain would we need


    to pay?"


    After a moment, Mark said, "Every household needs to provide a worker to patrol themunity


    every day. Do you have a problem with that?"


    "No problem."


    "For ordinary people, it''s 20 pounds of grain."


    Ste was a bit surprised, "20 pounds isn''t cheap."


    "If Mr. Jasper could teach self-defense to the young adults in the neighborhood, and Miss Ste


    could provide medical care for the residents, we could offer a reduction of ten pounds of groceries."


    Ste spoke candidly, "Even ten pounds of groceries is not a small amount."


    Mark smiled, "The neighborhood has other perks. Ten pounds of groceries isn''t much."


    Ste also wanted to be a therapist for a change, "Does your neighborhood have a well?"