[edited]

Huo Yishen thought for a moment, “I grew up with the love of my parents, graduated smoothly, and got a job. There’s nothing special.”

“Pfft, Brother Shen is not so honest. He looks like a boy with a story!”

Regarding his brief summary, not only did 1803 not believe it, even the dog didn’t believe it. “Woof!”

Bluffing.

However, his aura was there, and Jiang Ning didn’t speak. So, 1803 didn’t have the guts to get to the bottom of it.

“Eat quickly,” Jiang Ning urged, “or the dishes will get cold.”

Zhang Chao hurried down the steps, “Yes, let’s eat quickly.”

Taking a bite of the delicious, braised pork, fatty but not greasy, felt like the soul was being elevated in the apocalypse.

Lu Yu quickly took a few bites, intoxicated, “Anning, Chinese New Year is coming soon, how do we plan to celebrate?”

Jiang Ning had no objections; any ways of celebrating were fine.

Zheng Weili suggested, “How about the three families gather and have a lively celebration?”

In fact, Jiang Ning and the others never liked Chinese New Year; it was a time for family reunions, but they were homeless.

But Zheng Weili was different; she had a family. Even if she couldn’t go back now, she still wanted to celebrate the New Year in a strange place.

Speaking of which, Lu Yu felt a bit sad. His wife had promised to take him to meet her parents during the summer vacation, but then the disaster struck.

Considering his wife’s feelings, he quickly agreed, “The disaster is hard enough. Let’s celebrate together; maybe things will be back to normal next year.”

In the three years of the apocalypse, “lively” meant danger, so Jiang Ning didn’t like it.

But after living on the 18th floor for a while, spending every day indoors, even though he sparred with Huo Yishen, he was still quiet. Besides professional training guidance, he didn’t say much.

On the other hand, Zhang Chao and Lu Yu were more relaxed. Growing up together, they were used to each other’s company. “I have no objections,” Zhang Chao said.

As a culinary disaster, Huo Yishen had no objections either, his eyes sparkling.

“Great, I can finally celebrate the New Year with my brother.”

He patted her head, “Yes, this year, brother doesn’t have to work and can spend the New Year with you.”

For some reason, when Jiang Ning heard him say this, it seemed like not just for one year, but for an eternity.

After eating grilled fish and adding noodles and sweet potato flour to the soup, everyone ate until they were full and sighed in satisfaction.

“Indeed, we need Anning to be here so we can have meat and wine.”

“Don’t be greedy,” Jiang Ning tapped the weak and frail, “I’ve already spent almost everything I have.”

“We still have frozen meat, but without your skill, we’re afraid to ruin it.”

Jiang Ning didn’t dare to boast, “The braised pork was made by Ah Shen, it has nothing to do with me.”

“You’re biased, Anning, you teach Brother Shen but not me.” Lu Yu joked, “One day teach me, I want to cook for my wife.”

Jiang Ning felt nauseated, “Chao, I pity you.”

Zhang Chao, nearly in tears, “…”

Living was truly not easy!

After eating a satisfying meal and being covered in oily smoke, Jiang Ning went home, locked the door, and took a comfortable hot bath in her space.

Changing into pajamas, she sat on the bed, read a book, and casually opened the box of chocolates given by Huo Yishen.

Hmm, liqueur-filled chocolates, silky smooth and delicate in taste.

Needless to say, it’s expensive.

When it was time for a nap, Jiang Ning put down the book, tidied up the snacks and chocolates, and unexpectedly found that the chocolate box was heart-shaped…

Well, it was just a marketing tactic. If it didn’t involve love between men and women, how could it sell for a high price?

Luxury goods and packaging are all gimmicks, so maybe it’s just a coincidence.

As the New Year approaches, if you’re going to celebrate, you have to celebrate well.

Wanting to have a warm New Year, all members of 1803 went out to chop firewood, but the trees in Fengshan had long been chopped down, and even the nearest villa area on the mountainside would take a whole day to get to and from.

“Anning, are you going?”

Jiang Ning chose to be lazy, “Don’t worry about me, just let me freeze to death.”

Huo Yishen also chose to be lazy, “Both Doudou and I aren’t cold.”

When Grandma Zhong heard that 1803 was going to chop firewood, she enthusiastically suggested, “Firewood is too heavy to carry back and forth. You can turn it into charcoal and bring it back.”

Making charcoal? The 18th floor didn’t know how.

Grandma Zhong clapped her hands and laughed, “Making charcoal is simple, I’ll teach you.”

So, Grandma Zhong passed on the decades-old traditional method of making charcoal to 1803.

Lu Yu, who was not very knowledgeable about such things and was completely confused, unable to tell rivets from nails. Zhang Chao, on the other hand, who ran the business, was quick-witted, “Thank you, Grandma Zhong, we understand.”

It wasn’t practical to go back and forth every day, so 1803 took snow shovels and tents, swearing not to come back without several hundred pounds of charcoal. “Anning, Brother Shen, we’ll leave the 18th floor to you; wait for our triumphant return.”

Going out to chop firewood was dangerous, but without charcoal for heating, they couldn’t survive.

Jiang Ning cautioned, “Be careful, don’t sleep too deeply at night.”

Regarding safety, 1803 was confident. Carrying crossbows and peanuts with them, any one of which could be lethal, and with Zheng Weili, the old martial artist, Zhang Chao, and Lu Yu felt completely secure.

But Zhang Chao wanted to take the Coke.

Although the dog wanted to wander, it ultimately resisted the temptation and firmly held onto the master’s thigh.

1803 left, and the 18th floor fell silent. Jiang Ning suddenly didn’t know how to communicate with Huo Yishen, “Um, it’s almost New Year’s. I want to go out and buy some New Year goods. Will you stay home?”

Huo Yishen didn’t need to buy anything, and the closer it got to the New Year, the more dangerous it became. After all, even thieves and robbers celebrated the New Year. The 18th floor needed someone to stay and guard it, “I’ll stay.”

When leaving, Jiang Ning left the dog for him to train.

As a friendly and helpful neighbor, she asked, “Is there anything you need me to bring?”

Huo Yishen thought for a moment, “Not for now, but if there’s something suitable, you can bring it for me.”

She had no idea what would be suitable for him.

Perhaps it was just something he said casually. Jiang Ning didn’t take it to heart and went to the department store alone.

Actually, none of the department stores had everything she needed, but her supplies needed to be clear, and Jiang Ning had never celebrated the New Year for three years in the apocalypse.

Now that conditions allowed, she naturally wanted to enjoy the present. Otherwise, she wouldn’t know when she would die, and all the supplies in her space would be wasted.

Since she was going to do it, she would make it lively. She needed to go and learn.

As the Spring Festival approached, the stalls in the department store were much livelier than before, with even people selling couplets and auspicious phrases.

Unfortunately, survivors found it difficult to even fill their stomachs, let alone have extra to buy couplets.

Watching the hustle and bustle in front of the stall, reminiscing about the prosperous times of the Spring Festival, her expression suddenly became extremely melancholic.

To be honest, the couplets were written really well, with profound calligraphy skills. It seemed that before the apocalypse, they had achieved something in this field.

“How much?”

The embarrassed middle-aged man rubbed his hands to keep warm, “Five pairs of couplets plus a stack of auspicious phrases for half a pound of rice or flour.”

Having not made a single transaction after several days of setting up the stall, the middle-aged man was quite anxious, “Little girl, these are couplets I wrote myself. Just look at the penmanship, it’s definitely worth the price. You won’t get cheated buying them.”