After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World

The two old friends were speechless for a while, not knowing how to begin.

”I…”

”I…”

”How have you been?” They asked at the same time, and they paused, chuckling.

Sheila blinked curiously at the interaction and the very palpable chemistry between them. She wanted to ask desperately, but they were in their own bubble at the moment.

She gave up gossiping in the end, swearing to make Eugene spill the beans when he got back home.

She cleared her throat, and the two turned their heads to her simultaneously. ”I… er… have stuff to do back in the pharmacy. Uhm. Eugene? I’ll leave Melissa to you?”

Eugene blinked and then turned to Melissa, who was shyly looking down at her shoes. ”I… well, yes, okay.”

”Okay~” Sheila smiled and said her farewells to the two, saving herself from being a third wheel.

Melissa and Eugene were silent for a while, genuinely unsure where to start. Melissa couldn’t help but look at his legs. Although it was covered with pants, it was obvious that he had been amputated. He was limping because his left leg still had thighs, while the other one had lost that high.

Eugene caught her stare and massaged his shoulder in embarrassment, looking away a bit. However, thanks to his accomplishments lately, he had gained enough confidence not to feel too self-conscious about it.

Fortunately, Melissa didn’t seem to mind much. However, she did look like she was about to cry for him.

”Ummm… is there any place you want to see?” He asked, trying to distract her. ”I will guide you.”

Melissa blinked prettily, looking at him. ”I… can you take me to your favorite place?”

”Other than my lab?” He asked. That place was really messy there at the moment.

She blinked at this, startled. But then some memories resurfaced and she couldn’t help but chuckle.

”Okay, other than your lab.”

…

Eugene led her to the riverside parks, with the waters now shimmering in golden hues beside them.

It was built quite meticulously. With the stone path walk lined with shrubs and plants parallel to the river, it was easily one of the most beautiful places in the territory.

The trees here were well-maintained and, because the Boss chose a young forest to build on, none of the trees were intimidatingly big with invasive roots, allowing for peaceful forest walks for nature lovers.

The Boss also commissioned Baron’s team, in the name of the territory, to make plenty of benches and picnic tables. Hence, every thirty meters or so, one would be able to see a group of picnic areas available for use at any time.

Some existing trees along this area were uprooted and replanted somewhere else. Instead, colorful trees were lined along the main pathwalks.

This was a very specialized job as it was not easy for uprooted trees to survive. The boss’ formulations had a lot to do with the high survival rates of these plants.

The cost was not low, but it was worth it.

Not only was the atmosphere around the place more open and airy, but the canopies of these colorful trees made beautiful arches. It created a sort of arched pathway, and people who walked through it would think they entered some sort of fairyland.

This pathway, which was called Path to Heaven by residents, extended beyond the river to one of the luxury zones.

They walked in companionable silence, with Melissa’s light footsteps combining with Eugene’s slightly metallic sound. After a while, the two reached their destination.

Eugene furtively looked at Melissa who was silently marvelling at the sight. He smiled. ”There’s a gazebo area over there.” He said, leading her out of the main pathwalks and to the soil roads, passing through forests and gardens, and ending up on a hill area with gazebos and picnic areas.

This was one of the places Boss added farms in, but with flowers planted instead of crops. Not only was it beautiful, but they could also be harvested for use nearly every day.

On paper, the boss ’buys’ the harvest to use as raw materials for her own beauty line (coming soon), adding to the public funds used by the territory.

The beautiful flower arrangements surrounded the gazebos, framing the entire area, and appearing otherworldly.

It was a gorgeous sight and Melissa gasped, walking faster to admire the roses and orchids and other flowers.

Eugene smiled and chose a gazebo slightly along the hill’s higher area, with a view of the clear river dividing the territory.

After paying the rental fee to the territory system, the pair sat down on the beautifully carved bench in relaxation.

Melissa sighed dreamily. ”This is so beautiful, I wish I could live here.”

”Can’t you?” Eugene asked, looking at her deeply.

”My brother…” She paused and looked at this old friend. ”We’ll see…” was all she said and stared at the man.

They couldn’t bear to taint this moment with their dark pasts. Instead, they started a conversation about the happy times. Mostly, it was during their school years, and they ended up chuckling at the various memories.

”You were so stupid back in physics class. How could you switch the charges?”

”You weren’t very good with tools. I remember you almost losing a dainty finger of yours…”

”We used to do projects together often, we really liked to stay in the library. Mina, she—”

The two paused, looking at each other at the mention of the name.

In fact, there was nothing to be guilty about, because Eugene and Mina only became ’more than friends’ from their sibling-like childhood friendship long after Melissa left.

Not to mention, they were never really together. They had sparks—big ones—but she had to drop out and he was conscripted, and they thought their fates ended there.

But still…

Almost immediately, the warm atmosphere between them was doused with something a little bit depressing.

They didn’t speak for a few beats, and Eugene cleared his throat to get her attention. ”In fact… this is just a small park compared to the main garden parks in the territory. Do you want to go?”

Melissa, not wanting the conversation to turn to that depressing direction, nodded hurriedly.

And so, the two of them stood up with awkward smiles, heading to these so-called territory gardens.

They barely talked after that, all the way until they reached the gorgeous bridge around eight meters wide, connecting them to the other side of the river tens of meters away.

It was a fascinating piece of construction, and it distracted Melissa away from any of the earlier awkwardness that filled the air between them.

Eugene smiled. As always, Altera never failed to amaze.