"Miss Sterling, while there are other places to live in the base, they’re all pretty similar. Your single room on the sixth floor is perfectly fine for one person. It’s very expensive in terms of points to move again so soon. There’s really no need."

"Points are extremely important in the base. You should save them for when you really need them."

Ms. Ward tried to persuade her. She couldn’t understand how a newcomer like Miss Sterling had so many points to spend.

It wasn’t her place to ask.

However, Miss Sterling was very generous, and Ms. Ward had taken a liking to her, which was why she bothered to offer this advice.

It was likely that, as a newcomer, she simply didn’t understand the importance of points, so Ms. Ward felt she had to at least give her a warning.

"It’s not bad, but it’s too crowded and noisy. It’s hard to get any rest, so I’d like to move somewhere else."

"The points aren’t an issue. Could you please help me find a quieter, more spacious house, Ms. Ward?"

"Alright then. I happen to be in charge of that, so I’ll take you to see some places."

"But those places cost two hundred points a month. You might want to reconsider."

Seeing that she couldn’t change Stella Sterling’s mind, Ms. Ward didn’t press the issue.

Her job was to manage resident housing arrangements, so Miss Sterling had definitely come to the right person.

She had only tried to give advice because she thought Miss Sterling was a decent person. For anyone else, she wouldn’t have bothered to open her mouth.

After all, when people spent points on rent, she got a commission. Why would she turn down such a good deal? She’d be happy if more people did it.

Since it was clear Miss Sterling had already made up her mind, all Ms. Ward had to do was happily provide her service.

"Then I’ll have to trouble you to take me to see the place now, Ms. Ward. I’ll decide after I’ve seen it."

Stella Sterling nodded. ’If there was a more comfortable place available, why not enjoy it?’

She followed Ms. Ward to see another property.

It was another residential area with five or six buildings, each about six stories high. From the outside, it didn’t look much different from her previous area.

The difference was, fewer people lived here, and the units weren’t huge dormitories that housed a dozen or more people.

Instead, they were all small, single-occupancy rooms, and each one was a bit larger than her previous one.

Most of the residents here were either people with special talents, members of the armed forces, or others who had earned a lot of points.

Because only people like them had the points to live here.

The sixth floor where she had been staying also housed some technical personnel, but the base provided that accommodation for free, without any point cost.

Some special talents were unwilling to spend points, so they stayed there.

But others who wanted more comfort, a cozier place to live, and a bit of quiet would spend some extra points each month to rent a private room here.

Stella Sterling learned all of this from Ms. Ward on the way over.

Ms. Ward seemed very business-like at first, but she became much more talkative once you got to know her.

After seeing the place, Stella Sterling was quite satisfied. The private room was larger than her previous one, and the general environment and air quality were better.

And because fewer people lived here, it was also much quieter.

On top of that, besides the basic amenities, the room was also equipped with a television that you could watch by spending points.

This discovery made Stella Sterling marvel at the impressive resources and strength of Meridia Base.

Stella Sterling gave Ms. Ward 10 points to take care of the paperwork for her, and then spent 200 points to rent the room for one month.

She was on the sixth floor again.

’A month is more than enough. I won’t be staying here for a whole month. If it weren’t for the one-month minimum rental, I would have just rented it for a few days.’

Having received the points, Ms. Ward became even more enthusiastic. "Miss Sterling, there are other places available. They’re not quite as nice as this one, but they’re cheaper. Would you like to take a look before you decide?"

"No, this one will be fine."

Ms. Ward nodded. "Alright then. I’ll get this all settled for you. I’ll have the key and papers in your hands in a moment. You can go get your luggage now."

After saying that, she turned and hurried away.

Sarah Sterling had no luggage in the previous room. On the surface, her things were all in this black bag, and since she always carried the bag with her, there was no need to make a special trip.

’When Ms. Ward comes back later, I’ll just give her the key to the old room.’

Surveying her new accommodations, she was very satisfied.

Before long, Ms. Ward returned with some paperwork and a key, which she handed to Stella Sterling. Stella, in turn, gave her the old key.

"If you need anything, Miss Sterling, don’t hesitate to find me."

With that, Ms. Ward left.

She tidied up a bit and checked the time. It was around 6:30.

That was right around dinnertime, so she went to the cafeteria to get her evening meal.

’The food in the cafeteria isn’t to my taste, and the portions are so small I can’t even get full.’

’But I have to go for the sake of appearances; otherwise, I’ll surely attract unwanted attention.’

Dinner was a bowl of plain noodles. The portion wasn’t large, but compared to the thin morning congee, the noodles were at least filling.

"It’s you! The newcomer from next door. What a coincidence."

Just as Stella Sterling finished eating and was about to leave, someone sat down across from her.

Stella Sterling glanced at him. He was tall and built, but his scruffy beard made him look dirty, and he exuded an air of listlessness.

But his eyes were clear and bright, a stark contrast to his overall appearance.

Because he had made a strong impression, she recognized him with a single glance.

It was her neighbor from the sixth floor whom she had run into that morning.

Treating him as she would any other stranger, Stella Sterling gave a polite nod, then picked up her bowl and chopsticks to leave.

"Hey, wait for me! I’m almost done. It’s getting dark, so let’s walk back together. I was in a rush this morning and had to leave, so we didn’t get a chance to properly introduce ourselves. We’re neighbors, after all. We should get to know each other a little!"

"No, thank you. I’ve moved, so we’re not heading the same way."

Stella Sterling politely declined with a smile and then stood up and left.

Then, another voice came from behind her. "I’m telling you, Quinn Hudson, look at what a slob you are. Who’d be interested in you? And you still try to cozy up to her."

"What’s it to you? This is my personal style."

"HAHAHA—"

The voices behind her faded into the distance. Stella Sterling paid them no mind. After returning her bowl and chopsticks to the designated area, she left the cafeteria. She had to get back to finish her real dinner.