With no other choice, Stella Sterling had to abandon the idea.

In addition, she learned that she could also use points to buy other daily necessities within the base, but purchases were rationed and based on need.

Even if you had points, you weren’t allowed to go on a spending spree. Otherwise, it would be difficult for the base to maintain its supplies.

Although Stella Sterling was frustrated that she couldn’t spend her points, she had to admit that, for now, this was undoubtedly the best approach.

She was halfway through her congee when Louis Grant and Vivian Larkin finally arrived.

After getting their food, the two sat down across from her. "Stella, sorry about that. We just forgot about you for a moment."

Louis Grant sat opposite Stella Sterling and said, "Why’d you leave without calling us? I thought you were still waiting for us."

"I was starving. You two seemed to be having a nice chat, and I didn’t want to interrupt, so I went ahead."

Stella Sterling said with a smile, then waved a hand at the apologetic Vivian Larkin. "No need to apologize. Let’s just be casual with each other."

As she spoke, she took a large spoonful of congee.

The congee was bland, with almost no salt, not to her liking.

Stella Sterling found herself missing the days when she used to have plain congee with seafood.

Hearing this, Vivian Larkin didn’t think much of it and said cheerfully, "That’s right! We’re all friends, so it’s better to be casual with each other!"

"You’re both new to the base, right? You don’t know it as well as I do. When I have some free time, I can show you around and help you get to know the place. But not today, I have work."

"Haha, that’s not necessary. I have plenty of free time, so I’ll just wander around on my own."

Louis Grant declined her offer. He wasn’t in a hurry to earn points and had all the time in the world to explore.

However, he gave Stella Sterling a curious glance. He felt she seemed much more approachable now, far more so than when he’d first met her.

’Could it be that Stella Sterling dislikes men? Maybe she’s cold to me because I’m a guy, but she’s different with women.’

As he drank his congee, he secretly sized up Stella Sterling.

He saw that she had short hair and a certain sharpness to her features.

’Could she be...?’

At this thought, he shook his head and shuddered. His gaze toward Stella Sterling became complicated and strange.

Noticing his strange look, Stella Sterling shot him a warning glare.

Louis Grant immediately cowered and retracted his gaze, not daring to look any longer.

But the thought in his mind only grew stronger.

’No way, it can’t be. I finally find a girl I’m interested in, and she might not even like men? What am I supposed to do then?’

Stella Sterling was unaware of the strange thoughts running through Louis Grant’s head. Seeing that he was no longer staring at her, she decided not to address it.

Vivian Larkin didn’t notice the strange tension between them. Hearing Louis’s words, she said, "Are you planning to just slowly tour the base? I’d advise against that."

"You’re newcomers now, so the base gives you a three-day grace period. But after three days, you’ll have to spend points on everything. So don’t waste your time. Use these three days to figure out a way to earn points."

She trailed off mid-sentence, a look of embarrassment crossing her face.

She gave an awkward laugh. "I only remembered that you’re newcomers, but I forgot that you’re different from the others."

How could she have forgotten? One of the two people with her was Dr. Grant’s son, with a high-ranking parent at the base. Why would he need to worry about points?

And the other was a talented individual with medical skills. The base wouldn’t treat someone like her poorly. As long as she worked, she would naturally earn points and wouldn’t have to worry about them either.

Sure enough, Louis Grant said nonchalantly, "I’m not worried about that. Besides, I need to get to know the base first before I can figure out what kind of work suits me."

Stella Sterling also said lightly, "I’m not in a hurry."

Hearing Stella Sterling’s words, Louis Grant chimed in, "Right, right. It’s not like you’re short on points to spend right now. Just take these few days to get a good look at the base. Maybe you’ll change your mind by then."

Vivian Larkin looked from one to the other.

She could understand why Louis Grant wasn’t short on points, but what about Stella Sterling?

She also didn’t quite understand the meaning behind his words.

Her eyes flickered for a moment, but in the end, she chose to say nothing and lowered her head to drink her congee.

Although they seemed to be getting along well, she had only just met them today. Their relationship wasn’t deep enough for her to ask too many questions.

"Alright, I’m finished. I’ve already wasted some time today. If I’m late, my mentor will scold me again."

Putting down her bowl, Vivian Larkin spoke to them hurriedly, then clutched her little notebook and rushed off.

After she left, Louis Grant said, "See? The base is very different from the outside, isn’t it? In some ways, life here isn’t much different from before the apocalypse. And its system is already very mature, completely beyond what those small bases outside can compare to."

"Yes, it’s quite impressive."

Stella Sterling nodded, not refuting him.

Although she hadn’t had much contact with Meridia Base yet, from her conversation with Vivian Larkin, she could tell it had a strong foundation and substantial resources. Plus, the higher-ups seemed relatively approachable.

The residents living here still had to work to get what they wanted.

But at least if they were willing to work hard, they could secure a certain amount of food.

Out there, however, it was no longer a matter of hard work. Many people simply had no way to get food at all.

Hearing that Stella Sterling actually agreed with him, Louis Grant’s eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "So, are you thinking of changing your mind?"

Since she wasn’t in a hurry, Stella Sterling had eaten slowly and was just now finishing her bowl of congee. She shook her head. "I already have plans. I’ll probably be leaving in a few days."

As for exactly when, she didn’t know yet herself.

Besides wanting to learn more about how the base operated, she also wanted to wait a bit longer before making a final decision.

Getting the same answer from her again, Louis Grant didn’t press the issue.

Even now, he still couldn’t figure out what Stella Sterling was really thinking.

So many people would do anything to join the base, yet here was the opportunity right in front of her, and she was turning it down.

After they finished eating, the two of them began to tour the base. Although they were both newcomers, Louis Grant started acting as Stella Sterling’s guide.

She didn’t refuse. Given Louis Grant’s status, he would know and have access to more information.