Chapter 188: Chapter 188: Preparing to Leave

Louis Grant wanted to say something more. In fact, he had also thought about inviting Stella Sterling to his home to get to know each other better.

He and Stella Sterling had known each other for some time, but truth be told, they weren’t that close.

But relationships are built over time, after all.

However, seeing Stella Sterling focused on her food with her head down, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

She clearly wasn’t interested, so he decided it was better not to bring it up.

He could tell that Stella Sterling wasn’t the type to get overly friendly with people; she always maintained a certain wariness.

The only reason he’d been able to exchange a few words with Stella Sterling over the past few days was that he knew his place. He never pushed things. While he was enthusiastic, he was careful not to make her uncomfortable.

He was good at reading people. The moment he sensed someone was displeased, he knew to take a step back.

And right now, he could tell that Stella Sterling didn’t want to go to his home. If he pressed the issue, he would only displease her.

So he fell silent as well, saying nothing more as he lowered his head to his porridge.

"Stella, did you move? I went back to look for you yesterday, but you weren’t there."

Seeing the silence fall over the table, Vivian Larkin, who was sitting nearby, decided to chime in.

Hearing this, Louis Grant also looked at Stella Sterling with a puzzled expression. He’d been too scared yesterday to ask her why she had moved again.

"Yeah, it was a bit noisy there, so I moved to a quieter place."

Stella Sterling nodded at Vivian Larkin.

At this, Vivian Larkin’s mouth fell slightly agape. Stella was a newcomer, yet she had been able to get a private room right away. That was already exceptional treatment.

’More importantly, where did a newcomer like Stella get the points to move to a new place?’

But she was tactful as well and knew not to ask questions she shouldn’t. She just nodded.

"I can’t believe we were only neighbors for a day. Still, I really like you. You should come hang out with me when you have time."

"Once things settle down in a couple of days, let me treat you both to a meal. We’ll say it’s to celebrate making two new friends."

While you weren’t allowed to frivolously spend points in the base cafeteria, the base wasn’t completely inflexible.

There were always channels to get extra ingredients for a better meal.

Stella Sterling considered the offer for a moment, then shook her head and declined. "I’ll be leaving the base soon, so let’s get together in the future if we have the chance."

Vivian Larkin was surprised to hear this.

She didn’t overthink it, though. She just assumed Stella Sterling was going out on a mission and didn’t imagine she was actually leaving the base for good.

’After all, life in the base is good, and Stella’s perks are great. There’s no reason for her to leave.’

After a moment of thought, she said, "Did you decide to join the field personnel? With your medical skills, going out with a base team would be a good fit. The benefits are great, but it’s also very dangerous. You have to be careful. We’ll get together again when you get back."

Stella Sterling knew Vivian had misunderstood, but she didn’t bother to explain. She just nodded as if accepting her words.

’Even though I haven’t joined Meridia Base, who can say what the future holds? Perhaps I might come back someday.’

When Louis Grant heard Stella Sterling’s words, his expression fell.

It suddenly hit him. Stella Sterling hadn’t even decided to stay at the base. He hadn’t managed to win her over yet, and now she was about to leave.

He was genuinely interested in Stella Sterling. She was his type in every way, and on top of that, she was incredibly strong.

He had a thing for strong people.

After the three finished their meal in the cafeteria, they went their separate ways. Louis Grant was busy with something as well, no longer as idle as he had been the day before.

And today, Basil Xavier, who had been out of sight for nearly two days, appeared before Stella Sterling.

"You look like you’re recovering well."

Stella Sterling nodded, looking at Basil Xavier’s much-improved complexion.

"Well, I’m not being rushed around like I was on the ship anymore. A full day of rest yesterday did me some good. I feel like I could stand, jump, and wolf down three big bowls of rice right now."

Basil Xavier laughed heartily.

Then he looked at Stella Sterling. "What about you? How have you found the base these past couple of days?"

"It’s been fine. It’s not like I have to do anything, so I’ve just been wandering around." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"What do you think of Meridia Base?"

Basil Xavier asked curiously.

They didn’t have the proper facilities on the ship, but after he arrived, Ethan Young had arranged a full check-up for him.

He was then given special medicine that eliminated any underlying health issues.

His wounds had been soaking in water for so long that they were bound to get infected, but that issue was taken care of yesterday as well.

He hadn’t had a chance to come out and find Stella Sterling until today.

Whether it was because Stella Sterling was his savior or because of Gordon Ford, he felt he had to look out for her as much as he could while she was at the base.

"It’s impressive. Very powerful."

Stella Sterling nodded, making no effort to hide her admiration for Meridia Base’s power.

Before Basil Xavier could respond, she continued, "I’m leaving in a couple of days. If you see Gordon Ford, please tell him for me that I’m doing fine and that he doesn’t need to worry."

In the past two days, she had gotten a general sense of the base. There were other things that couldn’t be learned in such a short time, and some things that were simply beyond her reach to know. There was no point in staying any longer.

’I should leave,’ Stella Sterling thought. ’I need to go to the place I set out for in the beginning. That was my original goal, after all.’

Basil Xavier swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. He looked at Stella Sterling. "Are you really not going to change your mind?"

Stella Sterling just smiled, not answering his question, but her silence was answer enough.

Basil Xavier couldn’t help but remember what Stella Sterling had said before. His expression grew complicated, but finally, he smiled. "In that case, I wish you a safe journey."

"Thank you."

"But you’re not going to wait a bit? Gordon Ford should be here in a couple of days himself. Aren’t you two going to see each other?"

Basil Xavier said.

Stella Sterling didn’t hesitate. She smiled, her tone casual. "I’m still here for two more days, aren’t I? If we happen to run into each other, we’ll see each other. If not, then it can’t be helped."

’We wouldn’t know what to say to each other even if we did meet. I would still be leaving even if Gordon Ford were here right now, so seeing him isn’t that important.’

Basil Xavier said no more and just nodded.

"Oh, right. I heard someone tried to trick you yesterday. You weren’t hurt, were you?"

Basil Xavier changed the subject. He hadn’t been able to show up yesterday, but he had heard about it from Ethan Young. ’It’s a good thing Ethan Young dealt with that person right away,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let them off the hook.’