Surviving the Apocalypse: All I Want Is to Find a Husband
Chapter 54: The Deal

Chapter 54: The Deal

Everyone was too stunned to speak as they watched the fresh water flow from Medeia’s fingertips and fill the glass.

"How ... how can you do that?" Richard’s youngest sister couldn’t believe her eyes. "This is the first time I’ve seen someone with the ability to summon water!"

"You’re a diamond in the middle of rocks!"

"Hey, do you want to stay here?"

Medeia felt overwhelmed by their endless conversation. She didn’t say anything for a moment and handed them the glass of fresh water.

"Sisters, you haven’t even told her your names, but you’ve already asked her to stay here without shame!" Richard reminded her.

The eldest sister gasped. "Oh, dear. How rude of us." She introduced herself, "I am their eldest sister, Seraphina Black."

She then introduced her sisters from oldest to youngest: Vivienne, Odette, Camilla, and Celestine. The oldest was 42, while the youngest was 34.

Medeia raised one of her eyebrows. Their names sounded like they belonged to heavenly beings, but then there was Richard.

Just Richard.

It seemed as if their parents only had a boy to complement their family.

"They are my cousins on my father’s side." Lucian smiled. "Even though there are many bad rumors about them, they are not bad people."

Medeia nodded. "I can see that ..."

They looked too kind to be evil, but she couldn’t judge someone by their appearance alone, because Medeia even had an innocent face, but her heart was as rotten as rotten apples.

"Richard," Lucian called him. His face became more serious, so everyone knew he wanted to talk about severe matters. "I know we’re family and we’re supposed to help each other. But you know the world has changed, right?"

Medeia looked at Lucian and Richard. She had thought that Lucian would give his cousin the water supply for free, but it turned out that he wasn’t naive.

However, wouldn’t families usually be offended if their relatives asked for something in return?

Richard crossed his arms over his chest. "I respect that you’re treating this like a proper business deal." He smiled, easing the tension between them. "In fact, I would have been disappointed if you hadn’t."

Lucian breathed a sigh of relief. For a second, he had also feared that Richard would take offense at his words. "It’s nice to have you as a cousin."

"So, what’s the deal?" Richard asked, leaning forward. "Electricity power? Protection? Name it."

Lucian didn’t hesitate. "I want you to help me set up a permanent base in the Red Canyon. Power, advanced infrastructure, and gathering of valuable materials."

Richard tilted his head. "Big plans. I like that. And what’s in it for me?"

"2,000 gallons of fresh water supply and five crates of fresh vegetables once a week," Lucian replied, "I think that’s enough for you and your people."

"Fresh vegetables? You can do that?!" Celestine was shocked at his offer. "I have not eaten fresh food in years! Brother, you must accept this offer!"

"Calm down, Celes." Seraphina said, "Building a base will take so much manpower, so we need more offers."

Before Lucian could respond, Medeia said, "Then let me sweeten the deal."

The sisters turned to her, curiosity lighting their faces. Seraphine replied, "Oh? And what can you offer, sweetheart?"

"Knowledge." Medeia smiled. "Instead of giving you fresh vegetables, I can tell you how to fertilize the soil, and I’ll give you the seeds as a starter. Knowledge and seeds are valuable things, are they not?"

Medeia had to buy the seeds from the system at high prices, but if she could get a great base in return, it would be worth it.

On the other hand, Richard found her offer interesting. With that kind of knowledge and seeds, the people of the Junk Garden would never go hungry, and he could sell that knowledge to others at a high price.

"I think we have a deal," Richard decided and offered his hand to Lucian. "Let’s cooperate."

Lucian smiled and took his hand without hesitation. "You will not regret your decision, dear cousin."

As a token of goodwill, Lucian gave Richard a box of fresh vegetables. Celestine and Odette opened it as quickly as possible and took a few of the red tomatoes, which looked more precious than diamonds.

Celestine took a bite, her eyes widening and filling with tears as she tasted the sweetness and sourness of the tomato. "Good God! This ... this is heaven!" She brought the tomato up to Richard’s face. "Lil bro, you have to try it!"

Celestine passed the tomatoes around, making everyone feel like they had just eaten the greatest food in the world.

"Lucian, maybe you can sell this in the future!" said Celestine.

Lucian scratched his neck. "I don’t know about that, I-"

"Yes, we will sell our harvest when we have produced enough products in the future." Medeia continued, "That’s why ... let’s talk about the patent rights to our harvesting knowledge. If you sell the harvest in the future, you will have to share 40% of your profits with us."

Richard raised his eyebrows. "Make it 10%."

Medeia shook her head. "45%."

"12%."

"50%."

Richard’s face turned pale. "20%!"

Medeia smiled broadly. "Okay! Let’s do 20%!"

Richard clicked his tongue as he realized that Medeia had tricked him into sharing the profits by twenty percent. But he didn’t dare haggle any further for fear that Medeia would offer a higher price.

"Then let’s sign our deal," Medeia asked Richard to get some paper and a pen. "Words are easy to deceive, so it’s better to use an old-fashioned kind of contract."

Richard chuckled and then looked at Lucian. "Cousin, you’re lucky to have this woman in your life."

Lucian looked at Medeia, his emerald eyes softening as he gave a small smile. "I know. I’m lucky to have her." His voice was quiet but sincere.

Medeia felt her cheeks burning with fire, but she tried her best not to show it. She kept her expression neutral. "Flattery won’t get you out of the contract, Richie. Now get the paper."