Chapter 44


    Ste was taken aback. The man standing opposite her was a former SWAT officer. She felt out of


    his league. However, backing down wasn''t in her nature. She believed that challenging the big guns


    was the way to level up, "Alright, bring it on."


    In fact, Ang had been itching to spar with him for a while, but never found the right opportunity to


    propose it. Now the opportunity had falled on Ste’sp.


    After exchanging greetings, she wasted no time in throwing punches his way, engaging him in


    combat. She was like a young bull, unafraid and ruthless in her attacks.


    But in front of Ste, Jasper seemed like a seasoned master, disying a sense of effortless skill.


    No matter how fast or fierce her moves were, he always managed to dodge and counterattack,


    leaving Ste in a bit of a bind.


    Living through three years in a post-apocalyptic world in herst life, coupled with her refusal to


    ept defeat, itpletely sparked Ste''spetitive spirit, making her moves less conventional.


    They were vicious techniques she had taught herself. Though they were crude, they proved


    particrly effective when facing enemies in this dog-eat-dog world.


    Upon seeing the two engage inbat, Cooper, the dog, immediately assumed the role of


    peacemaker, lunging at Jasper from behind and mping down on his shirt, pulling him away. In a


    swift move, Cooper had pulled off a ssic ''monkey steals the peach'' maneuver.


    Caught off guard by Cooper''s interference, Jasper was unable to dodge in time and was caught off


    guard. His body stiffened instantly, and his typically cold, handsome face turned beet red.


    Ste was equally shocked. Finding herself at a disadvantage, she felt like she was reliving a


    nightmare of being cornered in the post-apocalyptic world. This sparked a fierce determination in


    her, and she subconsciously resorted to using a cheap shot.


    Shended a hit on his groin.


    The air suddenly became still, and the atmosphere turned eerily awkward. She quickly withdrew,


    stepping back a few paces and turning her face away in embarrassment, "I''m sorry."


    After a long silence, Jasper finally spoke, "You''ve got good skills, just don''t use them on me."


    The pain was indescribable.


    Ste felt so embarrassed that she wanted to hide. This technique had indeed been effective, she


    had used these underhanded tactics to escape being cornered and counterattacked sessfully in


    her past life. Just didn''t expect that a momentarypse of concentration caused this move to be


    used on Jasper.


    Cooper, who had been acting as a peacemaker, was equally dumbfounded. Why had they stopped


    fighting?


    Jasper exited the living room and stood at the door, calling, "Cooper."


    Cooper cocked his head at Ste, waiting for her approval before leaving with his food bowl.


    "You did well, always protect your owner when faced with bad guys," Jasper patted its head in


    approval, "However, I''m not the bad guy. I''m your teammate."


    Hearing this exchange outside, Ste covered her face in embarrassment. How was she ever going


    to face him again?


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    Without saying anything, Jasper handed Rosie over to her.


    After teaching and sending Rosie back, Ste found Jasper''s door locked. He had taken the dog


    out. Just then, Katie came up for treatment, and Ste let Rosie stay in the room to y.


    In the midst of the acupuncture session, Jasper returned with Cooper, holding a bundle of bamboo


    in his hands.


    Seeing Katie there, he didn''t greet her and entered the room with a dark expression. He was


    probably still upset.


    When Katie left, Jasper came to pick up Rosie, carrying a ck stic bag in his hand, "This is


    what Cooper caught."


    Ste opened the bag to find a fish weighing about three or four pounds.


    There were many fish ponds in the outskirts of Griffith, so finding a fish in the flood wasn''t


    surprising. What was surprising was that Cooper had actually managed to catch one. This dog was


    getting better and better every day.


    "How do you like your fish?" Jasper asked.


    Ste wanted to apologize for her rash behavior in the morning, "I didn''t mean to, I''m sorry."


    If she hadn''t brought it up, it would have been fine. Upon hearing her apology, Jasper''s face turned


    red again, and he looked extremely ufortable, "It''s alright. I''m fine."


    After a moment of silence, he added, "Rosie and Cooper can''t eat spicy food. What about salt


    grilled fish?"


    When Cody and others heard about Cooper''s prowess, they all gave a thumbs up, "Our dog is


    awesome. From now on, whether we get to have meat will depend on Cooper."


    Cooper seemed pleased with the praise, "Woof!"


    It had been a few days since they had a meal together. Jasper wasn''t skilled in cooking, so he took


    out three pounds of pork belly.


    They couldn''t always cook in 1803, as the smell of food would attract unwanted attention. Since


    there wasn’t enough space in Ste’s kitchen, they decided to move the operations to 1801.


    In order to show her sincerity in apologizing, Ste not only cooked herself but also brought some


    veggies.


    Dealing with the fish was a bit of a challenge, but it was no biggie for her, and the others certainly


    wouldn''tin If she messed up. After all, this was a live fish. Hardly anyone in this day and age


    could have the luxury to eat fresh fish.


    As expected, Cooper was hailed as a hero. Cody and Lukas wished they could worship him, "Why


    don''t we take Cooper out for a walk more often? Who knows, he might continue to catch fish."


    Ste didn''t agree. With just the two of them? They might end up needing the dog to protect them.


    Life outside was tough, and if people saw Cooper, they might set their eyes on the dog.


    Cooper, however, was very excited, wagging its tail at the mention of going out.


    As Ste was busy with the fish, Jasper was washing the pork belly, "Rosie loves pork belly. I


    messed upst time and gave her an upset stomach. Can you show me how to cook it this time?"


    "Sure, no problem."


    She was also curious about Jasper''s disastrous cooking skills. This wasn''t the first time Rosie had


    gotten an upset stomach.


    After the fish was ready and the cutting board was cleaned, it was handed over to Jasper. He


    seemed to be pondering how to start.


    "Cut it horizontally, about the size of ice cubes."


    With clear instructions, things became easier. He started cutting quickly.


    Despite Jasper''sck of cooking skills, his kitchen was well stocked with ingredients. Even garlic


    and old ginger were avable. Ste stood by, patiently instructing him.


    Ang wanted to help, but watching the harmonious scene in the kitchen and considering the


    recent tutoring sessions between the two, she felt there might be something brewing between them.


    It wasn''t that she was overly sensitive, but Jasper was usually very cold towards everyone except


    Ste, whom he seemed to treat with a bit more warmth. As for Cooper, he absolutely adored him.


    So, she decided not to intrude.


    The pork belly was cut, blood was drained, and it was nched and drained. Oil was put into the


    pot to stir-fry the pork pieces until slightly yellow.


    Ste stood by guiding him, noticing that Jasper seemed a bit nervous when handling the spat.


    She was puzzled. How could a man who killed people be afraid of cooking?


    Sensing her surprise, Jasper exined, "When I was a kid, I was naughty and insisted on helping in


    the kitchen. I ended up spilling hot oil on my arm and never stepped into the kitchen again until I


    brought Rosie here and started learning to cook."


    No wonder his cooking was so terrible. It turned out he had a psychological trauma.


    Remembering the morning''s awkwardness, Ste not only taught him how to make pork belly, but


    also taught him how to cook some other home-style dishes.


    Jasper was listening intently, only to be interrupted by Rosie. "Jasper, you are hopeless. You even


    mess up dishes following recipes."


    Jasper felt little embarrassed.


    Rosie clung to her like a lifeline. “Ste, your cooking is heavenly. We wish we could eat your food


    every day."


    Jasper patted her head gently. "I will learn, I promise."


    He genuinelycked the knack for cooking, finding it hard toprehend the culinary terms like "al


    dente", "Baste", etc.


    "Rosie has be much more lively recently, thanks to you."


    Upon sending Rosie off to y with their dog, Jasper turned to Ste. "I can''t cook, and I don''t know


    how to handle kids. If there''s anything I need to know about Rosie, please let me know."


    Ste had been wanting to share her thoughts, but she had been hesitant due to their new budding


    rtionship. Now that he asked, she decided to speak upfront. "Rosie is generally a good kid, but


    she might be having some issues with her temperament."