Chapter 679: Chapter 679: Treating Guests

"Watermelons would be great. The other fruits are out of season, so taking them out might make people suspicious."

Evelyn Ford nodded. "Alright, let’s just pick a few watermelons then."

The two returned to the cabin with the watermelons to find everyone else already busy. The summer heat had been draining on them lately. Even though there was no sun in the space, nobody had much of an appetite. To help with that, Taylor Vance and Zion Lowell had made pickled radishes and cucumbers. Evelyn Ford had a sudden idea to toss fruit with chili powder, and to her surprise, everyone loved it.

At five in the afternoon, the meal was nearly ready. Evelyn Ford left the space, hopped on her tricycle, and set off for the hospital to pick up her guests.

The wind outside was fierce today. Evelyn Ford nearly steered her tricycle into a ditch by the side of the road. Pedestrians struggled to walk, and lighter people were practically blown off their feet. Luckily, the buildings in the base blocked much of the wind, allowing Evelyn to reach the hospital safely. After getting off her tricycle, she jumped in place a couple of times, shaking off what felt like pounds of yellow sand.

Good thing she had worn a hat and mask. Evelyn Ford took off the mask, patted the dust from it, then pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her face.

Just then, Dr. Turner and the others emerged.

"Dr. Ford, you must have been waiting long." Seeing Evelyn, Yolanda Lawrence and the others hurried over.

"Not at all, I just got here. The wind is pretty strong today. Here, these are for you." Evelyn Ford pulled new masks from her satchel and handed them over.

"Dr. Ford, how many people live with you?"

"There are fifteen of us." Evelyn Ford wiped down the small stools in the tricycle’s cargo bed with a rag and motioned for them to sit. "Dinner’s all ready back at the house. Let’s get going."

"Dr. Ford, this is just a little something from us. You have to take it. We know you’re not short on supplies, but if you don’t accept it, we’ll be too embarrassed to come to your home for dinner."

Seeing the large bag in Jane Warren’s and Nina York’s hands, Evelyn Ford was both amused and exasperated. The usually taciturn Dr. Turner also offered his bag to Evelyn. One glance told her it was full of eggs.

"Alright, I’ll take them. Now you can come back with me for dinner, right?"

Seeing Evelyn accept everything so readily, all four of them were delighted and happily climbed into the tricycle.

As the tricycle started up, a gust of wind hit them, and the four in the back quickly ducked their heads. Evelyn swiftly pulled a pair of goggles from her pocket and put them on. The blowing sand was too intense; it would be a real problem if any got in her eyes.

The wind was still howling on the way back. If she hadn’t been wearing goggles, Evelyn’s eyes would have been in serious trouble. Once they entered the small courtyard, the wind gradually subsided. Yolanda Lawrence and the others lifted their heads, brushed the dust from their clothes, and started to take in their surroundings.

"These little courtyards are really nice."

In reality, they were just ordinary brick houses, the same as all the others in the area, with common asbestos-tile roofs. But they felt spacious. Compared to the apartment buildings, this area felt like a luxury estate.

"This area has its downsides, too. It’s pretty far from the main part of the base, and there are no toilets in the courtyards. You have to walk several minutes to get to one."

"That’s so inconvenient. The apartment buildings are cramped, but every floor has a restroom and a public bathhouse, which is pretty handy. Thankfully, men and women live in separate buildings and there’s security on the first floor. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even dare to go wash up."

Evelyn had been to the apartment buildings before. Someone like Yolanda Lawrence could get a private room, but it would be tiny—just five square meters. Inside, there was only a 1.5-meter-wide wooden plank bed and a small window, with no other furniture.

Someone like Dr. Turner, however, could be assigned a ten-square-meter, two-room apartment because he held two jobs. Doctors and teachers were considered essential professions and received special treatment at the base. Meals at the canteen were free for them, and they also received a subsidy at the end of the month.

Dr. Turner’s subsidy was just enough to support his elderly parents, so for cases like his, the base provided additional assistance.

"It might be a little small, but it’s just right for one person. It’s so wonderful to have your own space. I’ll never have to be crammed in with other people again."

Evelyn nodded. "That’s true. The base also has dormitories where dozens of people live together. It’s always chaotic. Living in the apartment buildings is pretty good, all things considered. The base is still growing, so after you’ve worked for a few years, you’ll be able to apply for a bigger place."

"I just want to apply for a room with a private bathroom, but that will probably take years," Nina York said, a bit discouraged.

"You’re only fifteen. You don’t need to worry about all that. You’ve got your whole lives ahead of you."

After parking the tricycle, Evelyn went ahead and pushed open the courtyard gate. The guests got out, carrying their things, and followed her timidly.

Hearing the gate open, Officer Graham and the others came out from the kitchen.

"You’re back? Head to the dining room. The food’s ready, we’re about to eat." Officer Graham casually took the gifts from Dr. Turner and the others and led them into the dining room.

Evelyn pushed the tricycle into the courtyard, and just then, Quincy returned with Zoe and Annie.

"Perfect, everyone’s here now."

When they reached the dining room, the tables were already laden with food. There were so many people that they had split into two tables—one for the men, and one for the women and children. Yolanda Lawrence and her two friends were a little stunned. They hadn’t expected such a lavish meal. Already feeling awkward, they now felt completely overwhelmed.

Dr. Turner, having seen a lot in his time, was much calmer. He was already deep in conversation with Taylor Vance.

"Yolanda, Jane, Nina, you three can sit next to me."

After they sat down, Evelyn poured them some corn juice.

Wyatt Vaughn encouraged the three to eat, constantly adding meat to their plates. "Help yourselves, please eat! We didn’t know what you like or if you have any dietary restrictions. I heard from Evelyn that you’re only fifteen or sixteen this year. Are you getting used to working at the hospital?"

Wyatt Vaughn broke the ice, and Yolanda Lawrence and her friends were no longer so shy and reserved. By the end of the meal, everyone had eaten and enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

After dinner, Dr. Turner was the first to make his excuses, as he needed to get back to care for his parents. Evelyn brought out the gifts she had prepared for them and also gave each of them a watermelon to take home.

"Dr. Ford, we can’t accept these. Times are hard for everyone, and you have so many people to feed. We can’t just take your food and accept gifts on top of that." Dr. Turner was insistent, but Evelyn pressed the items into his hands anyway.

"This part isn’t for you," Evelyn said. "It’s vitamins for your mother and father. And for you three—I heard you go sunbathing by the lake on your days off. The sun has been brutal lately, so you need to protect yourselves. A sunburn isn’t just about getting tanned; your skin will start to peel."

"We’ll accept these, but we really can’t take the watermelons." Dr. Turner knew exactly how expensive they were. The base had just harvested its first batch, and they were already for sale in the base market for ten jin of grain coupons each.

"If you refuse again, it means you don’t consider me a friend."

"Dr. Ford..."

"That’s enough. Just take them. I’ll drive you back. It’ll be dark soon, and the wind will only get worse at night."

Without another word, Evelyn pushed the items into their hands. The four had no choice but to take everything and climb back into the tricycle.

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