Chapter 113: Chapter 113: We Won’t Meet Again, Gordon Ford

But she knew this was just a facade, so she couldn’t bring herself to be happy.

’Then again, if I didn’t know anything, wouldn’t I be just like my past self? There was nothing to be happy about in those days, either! Right now, aside from being a little bored, my life is pretty good in every other respect!’

She ignored Stephen Lawrence’s somewhat surprised expression and turned to leave the medical room.

Inside the medical room, Stephen Lawrence heard the main door shut with a BANG and guessed she had left.

He stared outside as his mind started racing. ’If... if this damn apocalypse is really over, does that mean we don’t have to live this hard life anymore? In that case, is there any need for me to stay here with her?’

His eyes darted back and forth before his thoughts slowly settled.

’The situation is still unclear. I’d better stay put for now. Once I’m certain the apocalypse is over, I can figure out a way to escape from her. Better safe than sorry. Besides, I’ve already gotten used to this life as a daily guinea pig.’

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

A knock came from outside. Gordon Ford wasn’t home, so it was Basil Xavier who opened the door.

Seeing him, Stella Sterling’s brow furrowed slightly.

"Hey, I’m a handsome guy too, you know. Do you have to look so miserable every time you see me?"

Basil Xavier sounded a little hurt.

But Stella Sterling’s expression had already returned to normal. She ignored his teasing. "Where’s Gordon Ford?"

"That guy’s probably gotten a taste for scavenging. He went out again first thing this morning!"

Basil Xavier’s voice was tinged with emotion; he never expected Gordon Ford to be so passionate about such things!

Hearing this, Stella Sterling raised an eyebrow and shot him a disdainful look.

Being looked at like that by Stella Sterling, Basil Xavier nearly flew off the handle. "Hey, lady, why are you looking at me like that? I haven’t done anything to offend you, have I?"

Stella Sterling scoffed, her tone dripping with contempt. "Gordon Ford is still injured, yet he knows to prepare for the future, dragging his body out to find food. And you? A grown man, and you have the nerve to sit around!"

Basil Xavier looked embarrassed and quickly said, "I work hard too, okay? Don’t you go accusing me unfairly. I’ve been with Gordon Ford all these days, and I’m the one doing all the dirty, tiring, and heavy work."

Stella Sterling looked him up and down. Basil Xavier looked sheepish and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Don’t look at me like that. I’m not lying. I may not be as proactive as Gordon Ford, but I don’t slack off when it’s time to work!"

After a moment’s thought, he added another explanation, "I just think that since we won’t be here for long, we just need enough food to get by..."

Stella Sterling gave him a half-smile but didn’t say anything. Everyone’s circumstances were different, so their ways of thinking were different too.

His way of thinking just showed that he had never truly suffered and had no sense of crisis.

She shook her head, not wanting to say more. Just as she was about to speak, footsteps sounded from the stairwell. Gordon Ford was back.

When Gordon Ford saw her, his eyes lit up. His leisurely pace quickened, and he walked swiftly over to Stella Sterling, said her name, and then waited for her to speak.

In all this time, she had never come to find them unless she needed something. She didn’t like being disturbed, and she didn’t like disturbing others.

’So for her to come looking for me now, she must have something to say.’

Since Gordon Ford hadn’t been home, Stella Sterling had originally planned to tell Basil Xavier. But now that Gordon was back, she ignored Basil and turned to Gordon. "The weather outside has improved. You should be able to contact your organization now. So, get in touch with your people and have them come pick you up as soon as possible."

As soon as she said this, there was a moment of silence, and then Basil Xavier cried out excitedly, "The weather’s improved? Does that mean the snow has stopped?"

He ran to a window in the hallway to look outside. The next moment, he shouted in delight, "The snow has stopped! It’s really stopped! Gordon, we can leave!"

Basil Xavier couldn’t hide his excitement. After being stuck here for so many days, he felt like he was going crazy. At the thought of leaving so soon, he was ecstatic.

In contrast to his excitement, Gordon Ford was silent. He looked at Stella Sterling, his lips moved, but he said nothing.

He knew she meant well.

After a long moment, Gordon Ford said, "Okay. We reported our position to the organization before, but they couldn’t get here because of the weather. Now that things have improved, they should be here soon."

He paused, then continued, "Come with me. I’ll take you away from here."

"No, I’m fine here."

Stella Sterling shook her head, refusing. Of course she knew it would be much safer if she could go back to his base with him.

’But that safety is for other people. For me, it’s a different story.’

’With my secrets, the safer the place, the more dangerous it is for me in a different way!’

’Besides, as far as I know, even the official government won’t be able to hold out for much longer under these continuous natural disasters.’

What surprised her, though, was the speed of the rescue. If Gordon Ford and Basil Xavier were just ordinary soldiers, she doubted the higher-ups would send a rescue team as quickly as Gordon had claimed.

’The identity of at least one of these two men must be anything but simple.’

"Is she out of her mind? She has the chance to leave this chaotic place for a safe military base, and she’s refusing?!"

Watching Stella Sterling’s retreating back, Basil Xavier was dumbfounded. He wondered if she even understood the significance of what she had just done.

So many people would kill for an opportunity like this!

Gordon Ford said nothing, his expression grave and doubtful.

...

Gordon Ford was right. The people coming to get them were incredibly fast. Before nightfall, the sound of a helicopter echoed from outside.

Before leaving, Gordon Ford came to find her. This time, however, he didn’t bring up his offer for Stella Sterling to leave with him again.

He just handed Stella Sterling what he was holding. "This is the food I’ve gathered during this time. Take all of it."

"Stella Sterling, you don’t want to leave with me, and I can’t force you. But the government is already starting to establish bases. It’ll be done soon. When that time comes, I’ll come back for you."

After saying this, Gordon Ford didn’t give Stella Sterling a chance to respond before turning and leaving.

Stella Sterling stood at the window, her expression calm as she watched the helicopter fly further and further away. Her fingers, however, were unconsciously tapping against the glass.

"We probably won’t have a chance to meet again. Goodbye, Gordon Ford."

Stella Sterling murmured to herself.

Only when the helicopter had completely vanished from sight did she turn and return to the living room.