Chapter 4

Was Jasper thinking of me?

Or did he remember my grandma?

Beef sauce noodles were my grandma's specialty.

After Jasper’s family crisis, grandma often invited him over for meals.

Before she passed, she took his hand, trembling, entrusting me to him.

I cried in Jasper’s arms until I couldn’t speak: "Jasper, I only have you now, only you."

Jasper held me tightly, eyes red: "I won’t leave you. We’ll always be together."

From that day, Jasper and I became each other’s support.

This dish, therefore, had special meaning.

Whenever we argued, I would make him a bowl of noodles.

After eating, we’d calm down and reconcile.

After Jasper's family faced a crisis, Grandma often invited him over for meals.

Before she passed away, Grandma held his hand with a trembling grip and entrusted me to him.

I clung to Jasper, sobbing uncontrollably. "Jasper, from now on, it's just you and me, only you."

With tears in his eyes, Jasper hugged me tightly. "I won't leave you. We'll always be together."

From that day forward, Jasper and I became each other's lifeline.

This dish took on a special significance for us.

Whenever we argued, I'd make him a bowl of noodle salad.

After eating, we'd both calm down, reflect, and make up.

Just like when Grandma was around, soothing us when we were upset, "Once you've eaten together, there's no reason to stay mad."

Grandma, look.

So many years have passed, and I've lost both you and Jasper.

We were so lost in thought that neither of us noticed Hazel sitting at the table.

"What are we eating? It smells strange," she said, picking up a jar to inspect it.

"Beef sauce noodles," Jasper replied mechanically.

"Oh, so this was your secret weapon for making peace? That's quite amusing."

Jasper paused, slightly taken aback. "Yeah, it's kind of funny."

Hearing that felt like a devastating blow.

This was a private secret between Jasper and me, and while I cherished it, he had already shared it with someone else.

Together, they had trampled on it.

I shook my head, tears streaming down, feeling it was unfair to both me and Grandma.

The glass jar slipped from my hand and shattered on the floor, startling Whiskers.

"Sorry, Jasper, it slipped," Hazel quickly apologized.

"I'll get you a new one. I'll make even better food for you."

Jasper's knuckles whitened slightly, but he said indifferently, "It's fine, Lydia will make it again when she's back."

His words pierced through me like a knife.

The things I treasured most meant nothing to him.

There won't be any more!

Everyone who knew how to make that dish is gone!

We sat in silence until a sudden phone call interrupted.