Chapter 148: No Guarantee for Tomorrow

After about half an hour, Nathan Thorne finally walked out of the small room.

He was a stark contrast to his pale, incredibly weak state from just moments before.

Now, Nathan Thorne’s face was ruddy and he was full of vigor, with no trace of his previous listlessness.

The moment he stepped out, Nathan Thorne burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha! I’m all better! Let’s go! Time to eat!"

Superpowers could be restored with Crystal Cores, but physical stamina could only be replenished by eating.

Nathan Thorne rubbed his stomach. "I feel like I could eat a horse right now!"

Sierra Sullivan looked at him, amused. "You wish. Where are we supposed to find a cow for you now?"

Even if we did find a cow, it would be a mutated one.

And if we really ran into one, it’s hard to say who would be eating whom!

"Ah!" Nathan Thorne waved his hand dismissively. "I was just saying! It’s all the same to me what we eat! I’m not picky!"

Nathan Thorne knew full well that when you’re a guest in someone’s home, you go with the flow. You eat whatever the host is eating.

If he started making requests, how would that be any different from looking for trouble?

At this thought, Nathan Thorne couldn’t help but recall his and his father’s words and actions during their first meeting...

It was one thing not to think about it, but now that he was, he was so embarrassed he wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it.

All of a sudden, he not only felt too ashamed to speak, but he didn’t even dare to look at Sierra Sullivan and Jayce.

Seeing Nathan Thorne’s awkward demeanor, Sierra Sullivan found it strange. "What’s wrong with you?"

He was fine just a moment ago. Why the sudden bashfulness?

Nathan Thorne hadn’t planned on saying anything.

But after a moment’s thought, he finally looked at Sierra Sullivan and Jayce, his back straight and his attitude incredibly earnest.

"I’m sorry!"

Sierra Sullivan raised an eyebrow. "What? Why the sudden apology out of nowhere?"

’Nathan Thorne’s train of thought is so strange.’

Nathan Thorne’s cheeks were a little red, as if he was embarrassed.

But since he had chosen to speak up, he wouldn’t stop now. Otherwise, it would have been better not to say anything at all.

"I’m apologizing for when we first met... I’m sorry!"

"I was wrong back then!"

"I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I still want to apologize!"

Listening to Nathan Thorne’s explanation, Sierra Sullivan finally understood what was going on.

"Oh, so it’s about that!" Sierra Sullivan smiled. "I was wondering when you’d finally apologize. It’s sooner than I expected. Not bad! I accept!"

Nathan Thorne had thought Sierra Sullivan would say something else. He had even braced himself for her to give him a hard time or even make some sarcastic remarks.

He never imagined that when Sierra Sullivan finally spoke, this is what she would say.

"You... you forgive me just like that?"

’Is this a dream?’

Sierra Sullivan looked at Nathan Thorne, amused. "What? You don’t want me to forgive you? You’d rather I gave you a hard time?"

"Of course not!"

"Then do you think I’m the type to hold a grudge?"

"No, no! Definitely not that!"

"Then there you have it!" Sierra Sullivan gave a brilliant smile. "It wasn’t a big deal to begin with. You’ve recognized your mistake and given a sincere apology, so of course I accept!"

Jayce clapped Nathan Thorne on the shoulder. "Don’t overthink it. In the world we live in now, nothing is a big deal except for life and death. As long as you don’t backstab us, everything else is negotiable!"

"I’ll never do that!" Nathan Thorne immediately raised his hand as if taking an oath. "I’ll never backstab you! I’ll always be on your side!"

Hearing Nathan Thorne’s earnest promise, both Sierra Sullivan and Jayce felt like laughing.

Although Nathan Thorne had been quite annoying at first, he didn’t seem so bad anymore.

He was even a little... cute.

When that thought popped into her head, Sierra Sullivan even scared herself.

’I actually think Nathan Thorne is cute...’

’It must be because I haven’t eaten in too long. I’m hallucinating from hunger!’

Sierra Sullivan shook her head slightly. "Alright, that’s enough talk. Let’s go! Time to eat!"

Nathan Thorne had said everything on his mind, so he didn’t dwell on it any longer. Hearing Sierra Sullivan say it was time to eat, he immediately followed.

Sierra Sullivan didn’t leave right away. Instead, she went to speak with Dr. Hayes. "Dr. Hayes, we’re heading out. If you need Nathan Thorne, just contact us on the walkie-talkie."

Without looking up, Dr. Hayes said, "Go on, go on!"

Although his tone was flat, Sierra Sullivan could still detect a hint of annoyance in his words.

’Does he think I’m bothering him?’

But on second thought, it seemed like all researchers were like this, so she let it go.

Before leaving, Sierra Sullivan took out several boxes of fruits and vegetables from her space and placed them against the wall.

Dr. Hayes and the others worked very hard on their research. These fruits and vegetables were a little something to reward them.

She just wondered if they would remember to eat them.

Many researchers were the type to neglect sleep and forget to eat when engrossed in their work.

What Sierra Sullivan didn’t know was that just as the three of them walked out the main door, Dr. Hayes, who had been hunched over his work, lifted his head. He glanced at their retreating backs and then turned his gaze to the fruits and vegetables Sierra Sullivan had left behind.

The corners of Dr. Hayes’s mouth curved upward in a very gratified smile.

But the smile was fleeting, and no one saw it.

...

It only took Sierra Sullivan’s group of three ten minutes to get back to Kevin Everett’s house.

Yvonne Shelby had already finished making dinner.

The large round table was laden with all sorts of dishes, completely filled.

Superpower Users have large appetites, and there were several of them at the table. If she didn’t make a lot, there would never be enough to eat.

If Yvonne Shelby had to cook this much food all by herself, she would probably be exhausted.

Yvonne Shelby had hired two ladies to help, both excellent cooks with good character.

With their help, cooking was much easier for Yvonne Shelby.

Money was useless in the apocalypse, so the two ladies’ wages were paid in rice, flour, cooking oil, vegetables, and fruit.

It wasn’t an extraordinary amount, but they were definitely not being shortchanged.

The payment they received was more than enough to support a family of four.

Countless people were fighting tooth and nail for a job like this.

The two ladies were content people. They knew such an opportunity was rare, so they didn’t dare to be neglectful in the slightest. They were diligent and wouldn’t even think of trying any funny business.

If they were discovered, they would be fired, and the loss would truly outweigh the gain.

When Sierra Sullivan’s group arrived, the two ladies were just about to leave.

Their work was done for the day after they finished cooking dinner.

Both of them were carrying large and small bags.

This was their pay for the day.

That’s right, Yvonne Shelby had arranged to pay them daily.

After all, the world was different now. No one knew if there would be a tomorrow, so daily payment was the best way.

Seeing Sierra Sullivan and the others return, Yvonne Shelby quickly called out to them, "Come on! It’s time to eat!"