Chapter 49
Both sides were cautious, wary of each other''s intentions, the vast expanse of floodwater between
them was the perfect buffer.
202 pounds of wild boar meat was traded for 202 pounds of fresh rice, with another transaction
scheduled for 7 p.m.
Upon returning, Ste had already prepared everything: a frying pan, salt, spices, crushed chili
peppers, and supplies for the night.
Concerned for Ang''s safety, Lukas was also asked to stay.
Upon seeing them, Drew, with a broad grin, blocked the staircase. "Where are you folks off to?
Running around like this must be exhausting. How about we lend you a hand and bring everything
back in one trip?"
They had a few rubber boats follow the residents on the 18th floor in the morning, but Jasper had
managed to shake them off. Despite their daily excursions, the supplies Drew brought back were
dwindling, causing dissatisfaction among the group members. They oftenpared their haul to
that of the 18th floor.
"Just a few bundles of firewood, there''s no need for Mr. Drew to worry." Ste replied with a tight-
lipped smile, "Our resources are limited. Even if we were to bring back a few bundles of firewood,
I''m afraid there wouldn''t be enough to go around."
"Ste, you misunderstand. It''s just a neighborly gesture. We wouldn''t take your things."
"Well, we can''t ept." Ste was firm. "There''s no such thing as a free lunch, is there? You''ve
already borrowed our boats; you wouldn''t want to borrow our firewood too, would you?"
Drew choked on his words, his face turning green. These stubborn people, they better not fall into
his hands.
The journey to Ivywood Estates was far; it took more than an hour by speedboat and was almost at
the edge of the city. Ignoring the floodwaters beneath their feet, it was indeed a beautiful natural
haven. Green mountains and forests could be seen, along with distinctive, chic vi clusters.
The lower terrains were already flooded, the floodwaters had already reached the front yards of the
higher terrains, and everyone had been evacuated.
All the collected supplies were centralized in the highest building of the vi. There were furniture,
water tanks, several unused gas cylinders, scattered boxes of charcoal, and more.
Jasper and Cody went up the mountain to bring down the wild boar, while Ste cleaned the kitchen
to prepare the brine.
Grilling raw meat was too slow. It was quicker to first boil it in a pot to lose the water, then grill it over
charcoal. When the wild boar was brought back, Jasper cleaned it up and cut it into thin strips
ording to Ste''s instruction.
When the time was right, they took the boar and Cody to trade.
When the two left, Cooper was put on guard at the door while Ste took out a sr energy storage
box, shredder, and induction cooker from Arcadia.
The shredded lean meat was poured into the pot, with seasonings and chili added, and then
continuously stir-fried on the stove. To prolong the shelf life, the meat sauce was stir-fried until very
dry, smelling especially tasty.
When Jasper and Cody returned around nine o''clock, tworge pots of meat sauce had been
prepared, and thin slices of meat had all been braised and ced in a basin to drain. Hearing
Cooper''s warning, Ste put everything that shouldn''t appear back into Arcadia.
Cody was almost taken aback when he saw that most of the work had been done, "Ste, your
efficiency is soaring, isn''t it?"
"Well, that’s me," she responded.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Ste started a fire to grill the meat. "How''s your trade going?"
"We met at the ce where we killed the pigst time. We only had these two, and n to finish the
trade by tomorrow morning," Cody replied.
After gathering several hundred pounds of new rice, Cody breathed a sigh of relief. "Once this batch
is done, we won''t have to worry for a year or two. By then, order should be restored, right?"
Ste echoed, "Perhaps."
Once they''d survived the extreme cold and the floodwaters had evaporated, the country''s base
should also bepleted. If they were willing to go there, there''s still a chance to survive.
The three of them sat around a charcoal stove, cing the drained braised meat on the grill. When
the meat loses most of its water, it grills particrly fast.
Cody tasted a piece, "So salty!"
"The weather is too damp; only with more salt can it be preserved longer," Ste exined.
After teaching the two how to grill, Ste went to braise more meat. Once ready, they could be taken
back to the 18th floor to be heated up and then served.
Smelling the meat aroma, Cody couldn''t help but swallow. He grabbed a knuckle and began
nibbling directly.
Finally, the whole pot was brought down, and the three of them, along with the dog, ate their fill with
bread. It was a hearty feast.
Cody, being a foodie, couldn''t help but make a sarcasticment, "Such a great cooking skill, I
don''t know which lucky man will benefit from it in the future."
Ste nced at him and calmly replied, "As long as it''s not you."
Jasper quietly ate and didn''t say anything, but he instinctively looked at her.
"Woof!" The lonely Cooper ran over to join in on the fun.
Ste stroked its head, "I''ll live with Cooper."
"Don''t be ridiculous." Cody joked, "You can''t cross species!"
Ste ordered, "Cooper, growl at him."
The dog immediately lunged over, baring its teeth, ready to spray him with drools.
Cody immediately begged for mercy, "Ah, I was wrong. Mr. Cooper, please spare me."
Jasper coughed coldly. Cooper not only did not let go, but also scratched Cody with its paw.
After a full meal ofughter and noise, they continued to grill meat in the night. A pound of raw meat
was grilled into half a pound of dried meat. Arge bag full of it weighed several dozen pounds, plus
meat sauce and braised pork.
Once everything was done, it was already past three in the morning. With another trade scheduled
for the morning, the group decided to stay in the vi.
The beds were still there, and all they needed to do was change into their own sheets and clothes.
With Cooper on night watch, everyone slept soundly.
When Ste woke up, Jasper had alreadypleted the trade, exchanging four wild boars for over
800 pounds of new rice. They cooked a pot of soup, ate their fill, and departed.
Back at the 18th floor, Ste called Jasper over to check his wound. He sat down and Ste began
to check his wound, finding that it was bleeding, "Why didn''t you say anything yesterday?"
"It''s not a serious wound."
"Rosie is still young. You should take it seriously." Infections could be deadly in their situation, with a
lack of medication and frequent exposure to water.
Ste disinfected and re-bandaged the wound, "Don''t touch water for a few days."
As they were close, Cooper tried to get in on the action, stretching his paw out to Ste. It’s like he
also wanted to be bandaged.
Ste chuckled, "Go away, buddy."
With 860 pounds of rice, 72 pounds of dried meat, 30 pounds of meat sauce, and other
misceneous items, Ste took her share and focused on reading and exercising at home, leaving
the others to handle Ivywood Estates'' affairs.
Cody and Lukas had been on the move for several days, hauling back a water tower and stacks of
firewood.
There was construction going on at Ivywood Estates, so the pair managed to salvage a fair amount
of piping. They were figuring out how to install the water tower on the rooftop.
Rosie had been quite shaken up, but kids were resilient. Before long, she was back to her cheerful
self.
Jasper''s injury hadn''t fully healed, but he came over every day to spar. He was only able to use one
hand, which made it difficult for Ste to go all out. She feared it wouldn''t be a fair fight if she did.
Young and robust, Jasper met the criteria for having his stitches removed in just five days. Ang''s
injuries were more severe, and she didn''t get her stitches out until day ten.
After the wild boar incident, Ang stopped seeking Jasper out for sparring sessions. She realized
his skills were far beyond her reach.