Chapter 110


    Facing his invitation, Ste tly declined, "No thank you, we''re just civilians."


    Evan shifted his gaze to Jasper, saying, "What about you? If I''m not mistaken, you have a military


    background. The country needs people like you now. Have you considered joining us?”


    Rosie, taken aback, instinctively clung to his arm, "Jasper."


    Jasper, calming his sister, responded, "I''ve been discharged due to an injury. Our parents are dead,


    and I have to take care of my little sister."


    "I''m sorry," said Evan, somewhat regretful. "If you change your mind, you can always find me at the


    police station."


    They got in the car and left. With plenty of time to spare, they headed to the mall.


    Throughout the journey, Jasper was solemn and silent. Although he was usually a man of few


    words, Ste could tell something was off. He seemed a bit downcast.


    Could Evan''s words have affected him?


    It was possible. Military men were known for their spirit of sacrifice and dedication, and his skills


    were definitely up to par. His discharge due to injury could just be a ruse.


    He probably had deeper secrets, and only retired because he had no choice. Yet, the


    responsibilities and mission of a soldier were still tormenting him.


    People always had to make choices. You can''t please everyone.


    Rosie held her brother''s hand, a smile appearing involuntarily in her eyes.


    Ste couldn''t help but lower her head, just as Cooper looked up, his eyes reflecting her full image.


    Cody and Lukas were fooling around in front, with Ang following behind.


    The mall was crowded, and for safety reasons, Ste put the dog in her backpack and entered the


    bustling market.


    It was her first time here, but Cody and the others had been here several times and were familiar


    with the ce.


    Despite the cold, it was certainly busier than during the flood, with peopleing and going.


    However, there were more onlookers, and very few sessful trades.


    The goods on the stalls were varied, but the needs of the stall owners were remarkably consistent:


    food, coal, or medicine. They came every day but left empty-handed every time.


    Ste wasn''t sure what she wanted and could only walk and look around. She stopped at a stall.


    The stall owner was a veterinarian who used to run a pet clinic before the disaster. The stall was


    filled with pet supplies and toys, deworming medicine, fur conditioners, grooming tools, nail clippers,


    etc. If it were before the disaster, he would be making a fortune. But now, no one was interested.


    Ste hadn''t prepared anything for the dog since she hadn''t found him earlier, but now she couldn''t


    resist.


    She picked a teething toy, a chew ball, a leash, a grooming tool, and deworming medicine that


    hadn''t expired and was unopened.


    She didn''t mind spending on the dog and took everything she might need, "How much for these?"


    He was a bit excited and held up three fingers. Just three pounds of rice.


    Three pounds of rice might be a lot for others, but not for Ste. Not wanting to reveal her wealth,


    she didn''t rush to ept, but instead pretended to be distressed.


    The owner, fearing she wouldn''t agree, hurriedly reduced the price, "Two pounds. I really can''t go


    any lower. I have a child to feed."


    The man was thin as a rail, his eyes sunk deep into their sockets, giving him a haggard


    appearance.


    When Ang and the others moved forward, Ste finally spoke, "Two pounds of white rice or three


    pounds of broken rice, which one do you want?"


    The man was taken aback for a moment before excitedly saying, "Three pounds of broken rice."


    Ste, under the pretext of looking for her purse, took out three pounds of broken rice from Arcadia


    and put it in a ck stic bag.


    The man quickly took it and stuffed it into his thick clothes, fearing that someone would see it and


    pose a threat. He gave Ste the items and exined how to use the deworming medicine as he


    packed up his stall, ready to go home.


    As she got up to leave, Ste noticed Jasper not far away. Rosie was picking a hairband, and he


    was holding Rosie''s hand, asionally ncing in her direction.


    "Ste." Rosie was having trouble choosing, "Which one looks better?"


    The colors her brother chose for her were ugly. Children liked bright colors, like red, pink, orange, or


    blue. Looking at what Jasper chose. It’s all ck, white, and gray. No wonder Rosie didn''t like them.


    Ste bent down to help Rosie choose, when the vendor, a shrewd man, saw the protective stance


    of the man behind the woman and came up with an idea. He stealthily moved closer and asked,


    "Miss, need any protections?"


    Protections? Ste was a bit confused and didn''t react for a moment.


    The vendor mysteriously took one out of his pocket and waved it in front of Ste, "It''s genuine, and


    the quality is definitely guaranteed."


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    Damn. So that was what he meant. Why did think she would need them?


    "With the current situation, it''s hard enough for you two with a child. If you get pregnant again, it


    could be life-threatening. The child might not be born, and even your life could be in danger."


    The vendor was eagerly promoting his product, "Miss, buy some to keep at home. They can be


    used repeatedly, guaranteed to be worth your money."


    Ste felt very embarrassed. But considering that Arcadia had three thousand of them, and she


    would never use them, she decided to ask the price of the condoms. She was wrapped from head


    to toe with only her eyes exposed; there was no question of being embarrassed. So, out of curiosity,


    she asked, "How much?"


    Her attention was diverted, and she seemed to forget that Jasper was standing behind her.


    The vendor held up one finger, "Five pounds of white rice or flour."


    Five pounds of rice or flour for a condom? Ah, she was going to be rich.


    Of course, she wasn''t nning to sell them now. Those who came here were struggling to survive,


    and it wouldn''t be easy to sell them. Once the stock was depleted, she would bring them out to


    trade with the wealthy, exchange them for gold, jade, antiques for Arcadia, or trade for something


    she didn''t have.


    Seeing her frown, the vendor thought she found it expensive and started to show off his persuasive


    skills, "Miss, I can see you''re not short of food, but you can''t neglect entertainment. These are brand


    new and unopened. I need four and a half pounds of food to get these. I can''t sell them at a loss,


    can I? If you think it''s expensive, I have second-hand ones here. They''re just two pounds of food.


    The quality is durable, and you can check the goods on the spot. By the way, what size do you


    need?"


    Second-hand? Ste was instantly thunderstruck, feeling nauseous.


    Yet the vendor, oblivious, nced at Jasper, "Bro, what size are you?"


    Ste, who had misspoke, realized toote and instinctively turned to look at him.


    Whether it was because Jasper was a man of self-cultivation or simply did not understand, his deep


    gazes remained calm, "No need, thank you."


    Ste felt mortified. Without another word, she turned and hastily retreated.


    "Hey, hey, hey, don''t leave. We can negotiate the price. Don''t you want the hairband?"


    Rosie, bewildered, "Jasper, my hairband."


    "There are prettier ones further ahead."


    "What''s up with sis Ste?" Rosie looked up, asking her brother, "Is she mad at me?"


    "It''s not about you." Jasper contemted for a moment, "She''s probably just feeling shy."


    As long as she wasn''t mad at her, Rosie felt relieved. She quickly paced forward, shouting, "Wait up


    for me, Ste."