Apocalypse Trade Monopoly
Chapter 46: : Business can Wait

Chapter 46: : Business can Wait

Ava followed Lucas out of the apartment, her mind already mapping exits, potential threats, and the quickest way back.

Level Two was a mystery.

She had lived here for weeks but had barely seen anything beyond their shared living space.

Lucas had kept her hidden.

Now?

He was walking her straight into the heart of it.

The hallways were different from Level Three—cleaner, quieter. No overcrowded bunks, no desperate scavengers bartering scraps.

Here, people walked with purpose. Well-fed, well-armed, better dressed.

Ava caught more than one glance in their direction.

Not at her.

At Lucas.

His reputation moved ahead of him, like an unspoken warning.

And yet—people weren’t avoiding him.

They were watching. Calculating.

Ava leaned in slightly, voice low. "You bring me out here to start a war, Bai?"

Lucas chuckled, unbothered. "No war, Beauty. Just business."

Ava exhaled sharply. "Your kind of business always leads to war."

Lucas’s golden eyes gleamed. "Then you better keep up."

He turned a corner, leading her into a wide-open space—the real Level Two.

Shops, traders, entire storefronts built from salvaged luxury.

It wasn’t just survival here.

It was power. Control. The real economy of the bunker.

Ava was still taking in the scene when Lucas suddenly veered left.

"Food first," he said casually, as if he hadn’t just walked her into danger.

Ava blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "Wait—what?"

Lucas grinned, unbothered. "I said we were getting breakfast, didn’t I?"

Ava gave him a skeptical look. "You’re telling me you’re actually prioritizing food over business?"

Lucas tilted his head. "Beauty, do I look like a man who skips meals?"

Ava narrowed her eyes. "You came back looking half-dead last night."

"Exactly," Lucas said smoothly. "Which means I need to eat."

Ava sighed, but followed him anyway.

Lucas led her through the market, weaving past traders and their stalls, ignoring the occasional lingering stare.

Eventually, they stopped in front of a small, tucked-away shop with a faded sign.

The smell hit Ava first.

Not rations. Not canned protein.

Actual food.

Ava’s stomach growled before she could stop it.

Lucas chuckled, glancing at her. "Guess you’re hungry too."

Ava crossed her arms. "Shut up and order."

Lucas grinned, stepping inside.

The place was small, run by an older woman who barely gave them a glance before sliding two steaming bowls onto the counter.

Lucas handed over a token without hesitation.

Ava raised a brow. "You didn’t even check the price."

Lucas picked up his bowl, smirking. "When something’s worth it, you don’t argue."

Ava rolled her eyes but took her own bowl.

She had to admit—for once, he was right.

Ava picked up her bowl, the warmth seeping into her fingers.

Real food.

Not processed rations. Not protein bars.

Just steaming broth, thick noodles, and actual seasoning.

Lucas was already eating, golden eyes half-lidded in satisfaction.

Ava raised a brow. "You’re really enjoying this, huh?"

Lucas didn’t pause. "Beauty, after a week of scavenged scraps, I’d enjoy eating my own boot if it had enough salt."

Ava snorted but took a bite.

And immediately—she understood.

The broth was deep, rich, the kind of flavor that took time.

The noodles had bite. The meat was real.

Ava hadn’t had a meal like this in...

She didn’t even know how long.

Lucas tilted his head slightly, watching her. "Told you it was worth it."

Ava ignored him, focusing on eating.

For a few minutes, there was nothing but silence—no deals, no schemes, no talk of ambushes and bounties.

Just food.

Ava set her chopsticks down, exhaling. "Alright. I’ll admit it. This was a good call."

Lucas grinned. "Careful, Zhang. That almost sounded like a compliment."

Ava rolled her eyes. "Don’t push it."

Lucas chuckled but didn’t argue.

Instead, he leaned back slightly, watching the market outside fully alert but still relax and lazy. The usual Lucas Bai ahe had come to know more about.

"Eat up, Beauty," he murmured. "We’ve got a very long and exciting day ahead."

Ava huffed a little but kept eating.

Because for once—Lucas Bai had kept his word.

Food first.

Business could wait.

Ava finished the last of her broth, setting the bowl down with a quiet clink.

Lucas was already done with his third bowl, stretching slightly, looking far too pleased with himself.

Ava sighed. "Alright, Bai. We ate. Now tell me—what’s the real reason we’re here?"

Lucas grinned, slow and sharp. "Straight to the point. I like that."

Ava arched a brow. "I’m not here for sightseeing."

Lucas leaned forward, golden eyes gleaming. "And yet, you should be."

Ava folded her arms, waiting.

Lucas tilted his head toward the market outside. "Level Two isn’t just an upgrade from where you were. It’s where things actually happen. The real trades, the real supply chains, the real power."

Ava glanced toward the rows of stalls, traders bartering over high-grade weapons, rare medicines, tech pieces she hadn’t seen since before the collapse.

This wasn’t just another scavenger’s market.

This was infrastructure.

Lucas watched her reaction, voice smooth. "You think the military runs this bunker?"

Ava narrowed her eyes. "They control the laws."

Lucas chuckled. "Laws don’t mean anything without enforcement. And enforcement?" He gestured vaguely at the bustling market. "Costs money."

Ava exhaled slowly.

So that was it.

Lucas Bai hadn’t just brought her here to show off.

He was showing her where the real power was, the big picture why he was able to return. It was also the same reason he had a large target on his back.

Ava tapped her fingers against the table. "And where do you fit into all this?"

Lucas’s smirk widened. "Where do you think?"

Ava studied him carefully.

Lucas Bai wasn’t just playing the game.

He was building the board.

And he was letting her see the pieces.

Ava leaned back, crossing her arms. "Alright, Bai. Show me."

Lucas grinned, standing up. "That’s the spirit, Beauty."

He tossed a few more tokens onto the counter, then turned toward the market.

"Let’s take a walk."

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