[edited]

Jiang Ning, pretending to be clueless, dug her toes into the ground. “Are you misunderstanding something? I’m not on guard against you.”

As long as she wasn’t embarrassed, others would be.

“Do you want to know?”

“Know what?”

“My secrets.”

No, Jiang Ning didn’t want to know. She still wanted to keep living, not be dissected or silenced.

Huo Yishen continued planting potatoes. “Anning, I believe in time.”

Huh? What does he mean by that?

Jiang Ning felt something was off and awkwardly said, “Sorry, it’s just my nature to be suspicious. It’s hard for me to open up to people.”

Despite gaining the opportunity for rebirth, her post-traumatic stress disorder hadn’t disappeared. She was trying to control it, and she was much better than before.

Huo Yishen reiterated, “You’re fine. I’d be the same if I were you.”

Hmm… doesn’t his words seem contradictory?

Forget it, I’ll just pretend I’m dead.

After planting the potatoes, the two went to 1803 to cook.

They unanimously decided that all three families would start cooking together on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year and they are taking turns to prepare lunch and dinner.

All of them were big eaters but Jiang Ning’s New Year supplies weren’t enough, so the three families had to contribute more.

She brought 5 kilograms of frozen potatoes, 1 fish, and, considering Coke was one of the biggest eaters on the 18th floor, she added a few more pounds of grain and noodles.

Huo Yishen brought a bag of frozen pears, 10 salted eggs, and two pounds of pork belly.

1803 contributed charcoal, gas, rice, flour, oil, seasoning, melon seeds, peanuts, and white wine for heating.

At the end of the year, the most important thing is the New Year’s Eve dinner.

With Huo Yishen as the chef and Jiang Ning as the advisor, the kitchen soon filled with delicious aromas.

Lu Yu aired out on the balcony and keenly smelled the fragrant dishes from other households.

Hmm, the taste was nowhere near that of the 18th floor.

But in such extreme cold and disaster, being able to celebrate the New Year was already good.

The relevant departments were particularly supportive. To ensure that the people could celebrate the New Year well, each person received an extra kilogram of relief grain.

Although it’s nothing much per survivor, the population of Fengcheng was large, so the total amount of food distributed was still considerable.

Thinly sliced potato with pork, beef with tomatoes, braised fish, pork bone with white radish, Laoganma chili sauce, and a big pot of rice.

There were no firecrackers for the New Year, but the ceremony had to be observed.

Lu Yu took out a fireworks tube, opened the door with a “bang,” and colorful paper scraps fluttered down, marking the beginning of the New Year’s Eve dinner.

With two people setting the mood, the New Year’s Eve dinner was quite lively.

Although there weren’t many people, it was Jiang Ning’s first time experiencing such a festive New Year. Despite not knowing what the future held, there was a warm feeling lingering in her heart at this moment.

She hopes that next year will be the same.

Zhang Chao raised his glass. “Brother Shen, your cooking skills are getting better and better.”

Lu Yu laughed, “Of course, don’t you see who’s been teaching her very well.”

What does “been taught well” mean? Jiang Ning frowned. These two must be itching for trouble.

Huo Yishen remained calm and composed. ” Well, it was Aning who taught me well. “

Jiang Ning looked at Zhang Chao and Lu Yu, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “Come on, let’s eat.”

Uh, every time she showed this kind of trademark smile, the two would definitely get into trouble. Suddenly, their hearts trembled a bit. “Come on, let’s eat quickly before it gets cold.”

The room was warm, and everyone ate heartily.

After eating their fill, Zhang Chao took on the task of washing dishes.

Lu Yu and Zheng Weili brewed tea, and they set out peanuts, melon seeds, and candies.

Feeling the atmosphere was too dull, Jiang Ning asked Coke to bring the tablet.

Before the disaster, she had downloaded many movies, TV series, and variety shows from major video websites, all to pass the time.

Who knew every day would be so busy, they either go out to find supplies or read and farm, which leaves a little time for watching dramas.

She opened the tablet and found that the Spring Festival Gala program was downloaded, so she opened it to set the mood.

The familiar music, the unchanged blessings, instantly brought memories back to before the disaster.

The group felt a bit sentimental, but the younger generation leaned towards optimism, and reality couldn’t be changed. Compared to ordinary survivors, life on the 18th floor was clearly much better.

Jiang Ning sat on the sofa, slowly munching on her melon seeds…

Coke pushed aside the nearby seed, and the dog’s head rested on the legs of the litter picker, its shiny black eyes staring at her.

Jiang Ning had no choice but to stuff the melon seeds into its mouth.

Feeling the melon seeds weren’t enough to fill the gaps between its teeth, the dog signaled with its eyes: Who do you think you’re underestimating? Give me a bigger piece!

So, Jiang Ning peeled peanuts for the King dog.

She didn’t peel much, so as not to spoil the King dog. She would give it extra meals when they got home.

Really, she was afraid of bankrupting 1803, so she consciously controlled its food intake at dinner.

The Spring Festival Gala lasted for four hours, and it was already late at night when it finished.

Back home, she took a shower and put on comfortable and soft temperature-controlled clothes and lay down in bed.

Just as she was about to sleep, the walkie talkie rang, “Are you asleep?”

“No, I was just about to sleep.”

They just came out of 1803 together, could it be that something happened to him?

There was a pause at the other end of the conversation. “Anning, Happy New Year.”

Jiang Ning looked at the clock and found that it had just passed midnight.

“Yeah, Happy New Year. I wish you and Doudou had a better year ahead.”

“The same to you. Have a happy and joyful year with Coke.”

“Woof!”

The dog, who had dragged its nest in, suddenly became fierce and barked at the walkie talkie; Sleep! What are you talking about!

Jiang Ning came to her senses. “Coke wants me to sleep. Good night.”

After the poop scooper hung up the walkie talkie, the dog carried the intercom out of the room and threw it into the living room.

Sleeping late was not good.

Jiang Ning chuckled. Who was the real master here? It was addicted to managing rabbits, and now it dared to boss her around.

Was she being managed by a dog?

Turn off the lights and go to sleep!

Breakfast on New Year’s Day was equally important, but in the freezing cold, who would want to get up early and leave the warmth of their bed?

They lazed around until about ten o’clock when Jiang Ning felt cold again.

Checking the balcony, it was fifty degrees below zero.

The cold air rushed into her lungs, which frightened Jiang Ning, who quickly put on her temperature-controlled mask.

After washing up in the space, she applied her skincare products before coming out.

At noon, Huo Yishen was still in charge of cooking, with Jiang Ning giving guidance on the side.

She didn’t have any talent, but she made up for it with diligence. After a long time, she gained experience, and her cooking skills were much better than those of 1803.

Doudou who was wearing new clothes and a new hat, happily ran into the kitchen. “Brother, the food you made smells delicious.”

Jiang Ning couldn’t help but laugh. This cotton-padded jacket wasn’t easy to satisfy. Finally, Doudou stopped criticizing her brother’s cooking skills and started praising him.

Huo Yishen didn’t forget to teach his sister how to be a good person. “Doudou, Brother’s cooking is delicious. Who do you think you should thank?”

Without hesitation, Doudou hugged Jiang Ning. “Thank you, Sister. It’s Sister who taught Brother how to cook.”

As she spoke, she took out a candy from her pocket and stood on her tiptoes to put it in Jiang Ning’s mouth. “Sister, have this.”

Candy symbolizes good luck and fortune, an essential candy for the New Year.

Jiang Ning had eaten it when she was a child. At that time, getting a piece of candy made her happy for a long time.

“Thank you, Doudou.”

Not only Jiang Ning, but Coke also had a share, and she gave it an extra one, secretly putting it in its handsome suit.

After lunch, Zhang Chao and Lu Yu found it boring, so they suggested playing Landlord.

Lu Yu and Zheng Weili teamed up, while Doudou dragged her brother to sit next to Jiang Ning. The naughty dog kept peeking at the cards of the other two groups and came back to grumble to the poop scooper.

It couldn’t speak, otherwise, Jiang Ning would have to give up her seat to the King dog.

Zhang Chao, feeling like he’d been struck by lightning, “…”

Normally it was fine, but even on New Year’s Day… What mistake he had made to receive such a blow!