Chapter 176: Not Enough to Eat

"But I remember the base has a separate area just for medical personnel. It’s a place where they can both work and rest. Why weren’t you assigned there?"

Vivian Larkin asked, a little confused.

The 6th floor was for technical staff, but only the more ordinary ones.

Talents who were considered more important were housed elsewhere.

Based on her job, she wasn’t supposed to be here either.

It was just that her own skills were average. Her mentor was the truly skilled one, and Vivian was just riding her coattails. That was why she was assigned here, a result she was actually quite happy with.

’But what about the girl in front of me?’

"My situation is a bit special."

Stella Sterling explained briefly and said no more.

After two years of the apocalypse, Vivian Larkin had matured a great deal. She was no longer her old self; she knew what questions to ask and which ones to avoid.

Seeing what Stella Sterling said, she tactfully dropped the subject. They made idle small talk.

Through their conversation, Stella Sterling learned quite a bit about the base.

"Stella Sterling, there you are! I’ve been looking all over for you."

The two of them were heading to the dining area when a voice called out from behind.

Stella had gotten to know Louis Grant quite well over the past few days. She didn’t even have to see him; she recognized his voice immediately.

"Sounds like your friend is calling for you,"

Vivian Larkin said with a smile. Many people joined the base in groups, so it was perfectly normal for newcomers to already have friends.

She stopped and turned to look, just as Stella Sterling did.

But when she saw the slightly chubby man jogging toward them, a flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. She sized him up slowly. ’This person looks so much like...’

Stella Sterling glanced at her. Vivian Larkin was frowning, looking as though she was trying to remember something.

Louis Grant had jogged up to them. Noticing the woman scrutinizing him, he felt a little strange.

He asked Stella Sterling, "And this is...? You know people in the base too?"

Stella Sterling explained, "This is my neighbor from the same floor. She’s also a researcher for the base."

Then she introduced Louis Grant to Vivian Larkin. "This is Louis Grant, an acquaintance."

’Seeing Stella Sterling act like this, Louis Grant was a bit surprised. He’d always thought she was cold and indifferent to everyone.’

’I had to be so proactive in trying to befriend her, and it took ages for her to stop being so guarded around me.’

’But she seems to be getting along just fine with this girl.’

Though he was thinking this, he didn’t let it show on his face. Flashing a wide, eight-toothed smile, he extended a hand to Vivian Larkin. "Hello, pretty lady. I’m a new member here at the base. We might end up working together, so I hope you’ll look out for me."

’A researcher... that’s not an ordinary position.’

"Hello, I’m Vivian Larkin."

Vivian Larkin quickly shook Louis Grant’s hand, her own smile a little excited.

She was still studying him, the confusion in her eyes deepening.

Louis Grant couldn’t help but ask, "What is it? Do I have something on my face?"

He then glanced quizzically at Stella Sterling, who just shook her head. This only made Louis Grant feel more perplexed.

’This woman has been staring at me with that strange expression ever since we met. It’s making me a little uncomfortable.’

’He was suddenly starting to understand why Stella Sterling had been so guarded when he first approached her.’

’Now that he was the one being sized up like this, he couldn’t help but feel a little paranoid himself.’

Hearing his question, Vivian Larkin realized she was being rude. She quickly shook her head and waved her hands. "Oh no, it’s not that! It’s just... you look really familiar. I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before."

"Oh, is that all? You had me worried for a second. I thought something was wrong."

Louis Grant scratched his head, breathing a sigh of relief. "I may be new to the base, but my parents work here. Maybe you’ve seen them around, and that’s why you think I look familiar!"

"Yes, that’s it! I remember who you look like now! You look just like Dr. Grant. Your last name is Grant, too. You aren’t related to Dr. Grant, are you?"

Vivian Larkin clapped a hand to her head as the realization hit her, speaking with excitement.

’Standing off to the side, Stella Sterling watched them. She was starting to get a clear picture of Louis Grant’s background. Even though he hadn’t answered yet, Vivian Larkin had to be right.’

’She couldn’t help but sigh internally. It really pays to have connections.’

’Judging by Vivian Larkin’s reaction, this Dr. Grant must be a big deal at the base.’

’And Louis Grant had mentioned yesterday that he’d gotten a lot of points from his parents. Someone who could spend points that freely couldn’t possibly be ordinary.’

’No wonder Louis Grant had been so confident when he said he could look out for me.’

’Louis Grant has connections, Basil Xavier’s background isn’t simple, and Vivian Larkin has a mentor to guide her.’

’The more I think about it, the more pathetic my own situation seems. I have to fight for everything myself.’

’The only reason I’m getting any special treatment at Meridia Base right now is because of Louis Grant and Basil Xavier.’

’But my relationship with them isn’t something I can rely on forever.’

’Ultimately, I’ll have to rely on myself.’

’It’s fine. If I can’t be born with a silver spoon, I’ll just have to work hard and earn my own fortune!’

She gave herself a small, joking pep talk.

Seeing that the other two were engrossed in their own conversation, and feeling her stomach rumble, she asked someone for directions and headed toward the mess hall.

Inside the mess hall, she saw many familiar faces—people who had been on the boat with her.

As newcomers, they didn’t have any points, but their ID cards allowed them to eat for free in the mess hall for three days.

Although Stella Sterling had points, she also had this newcomer privilege. She used her card to get a bowl of thin porridge.

Staring at the small bowl of porridge, Stella Sterling was at a loss for words.

For those from the outside who often went hungry, ate only once a day, or worse, once every few days, getting three meals a day with rice was a true blessing. The other people in the mess hall were certainly eating with relish.

But...

’It wasn’t that the porridge was bad, but this tiny portion wouldn’t even begin to fill me up.’

She took out her card, intending to buy something else, but was informed that even paying with points would only get her a bowl of thin porridge. The rations were the same for everyone.

The base was now strictly controlling food distribution to prevent anyone, even those with points, from wasting provisions.