[edited]

Grandma Zhong is a prudent person. Every now and then, she would inquire about the growth of the potatoes on the 18th floor and then let her son and grandson find a way to get an antifreeze solution in advance.

Even though the progress was slow, after three months, it had accumulated a full bucket.

When Jiang Ning spoke, Grandma Zhong readily agreed and poured out 5 kilograms of antifreeze solution, they refused to accept her potatoes no matter what.

Potatoes are in exchange for seeds, and she dislikes owing favors. Seeing how generous the Zhong family was, she secretly stuffed a piece of frozen pork belly into the bag.

Not much, about a kilogram.

Meat is a luxury and it’s enough in exchange for the antifreeze solution.

But they’re pushing back and forth.

Jiang Ning is not good at socializing, so she quickly slipped away with the antifreeze solution.

Grandma Zhong shook her head, “This child is really stubborn. She always insists on keeping things so clear.”

She picked up the potatoes from the 18th floor and inspected them, “She was worried before that she wouldn’t know how to plant them, but she didn’t expect her to do better than us.”

People who live well really rely on their abilities.

…

After getting the antifreeze solution, it took two days to plant all the potatoes.

The planting pots obtained were not enough, so Huo Yishen nailed wooden boards together, making several wooden troughs. The two of them worked together to plant 100 kilograms of potatoes.

Not only was the balcony filled, but even the corridors and stairs were all occupied.

He really doesn’t slack off at work, taking on all the physical work while Jiang Ning does some lighter tasks.

There weren’t enough supplementary lights, so they had to supplement them in batches and at different times. It was still Huo Yishen who did it, he never asked Jiang Ning for help.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Anything, I’m fine with whatever.”

Being a freeloader, she doesn’t order dishes but eats more of what she likes, and less of what she doesn’t.

From that day on, Jiang Ning didn’t cook again, she took her dog to eat next door every day.

Even she couldn’t imagine that she would end up eating there for three months.

Really, she didn’t give a single grain of rice or a single vegetable.

But no matter how much she ate, she kept accounts in her heart, just to see when he couldn’t hold back and showed impatience.

Then, she would repay him with interest.

Who knew he was so patient, it turned out Jiang Ning couldn’t handle it.

The bitterness in her heart led her to secretly seek out Lu Yu.

It was useless to talk to Zhang Chao about this; he had never succeeded in love.

“Why don’t you want it?”

In matters of love, no one had more experience than Lu Yu. Hearing the situation, he became anxious, “Anning, are you stupid?”

What? He actually scolded her!

“A laborer you get for free, can fight, can earn, can work, and can even relieve your loneliness for you.”

This was the first time Lu Yu was so disappointed in her, “You’re so smart, but why are you so confused about this? If Brother Shen liked men, I would have been with him long ago. When can it be my turn?!”

Jiang Ning was thunderstruck, seriously suspecting his orientation.

“Anning, we grew up together. It’s different now from before. As long as you work hard, you can have food to eat but it’s too hard to eat a full meal now.

You see, we can bring back a lot of good stuff every month, but it’s all at the risk of our lives. We don’t even know if we’ll survive tomorrow.

“Whether you love someone or not isn’t that important. Surviving is the key. When someone teams up with you, stands in front of you in danger, you don’t have to be as guarded as you are against outsiders when facing them. In that way, you can be happy”

Growing up, it was the first time Jiang Ning had heard Lu Yu say so much, and it was heartfelt words.

With a face more beautiful than a woman’s, everyone in the orphanage knew he was the one being supported instead.

But he never got angry, and he always still had a smile on his face.

Jiang Ning was a little curious and asked softly, “Do you really love Zheng Weili?”

Lu Yu lit a cigarette, took a few puffs, and then said, “Before, I just felt safe with her, but now I can’t live without her.

You have the ability; Zhang Chao has a sharp mind, but I have nothing, and my body is so weak. If I don’t take shortcuts, what should I do?”

Everyone feels stifled at times, but what can you do about it? Cry to show them? Tears are worthless.

Actually, he’s quite grateful for this natural disaster. His health is improving, and he can still earn money to support his woman.

It feels good to stand tall!

“Anning, you will become really tired if you stay alone for too long. You need someone to face the storms with. Don’t close yourself off or lose the ability to love just because you were hurt by Yang Weicong.”

“I also think you didn’t misjudge this time. Yang Weicong isn’t even worthy to tie Brother Shen’s shoelaces.”

“I may not be as good as you and Zhang Chao in other aspects, but I’m quite accurate in judging people.”

“I guarantee you this time, you should give yourself a chance.”

“And besides, who says being together must be forever? There’s no eternity in the apocalypse. If you grow weary or find it unsuitable someday, just part ways!!!”

He patted her shoulder confidently and returned to the room, expressing loyalty to Zheng Weili, “Darling, I miss you.”

Thinking about what he said, Jiang Ning felt a bit conflicted but also a bit enlightened.

She felt lazy when it came to making meals, but not lazy when it comes to sparring.

But somehow, during the evening practice, Huo Yishen, who had always been open-minded, suddenly became aggressive, suppressing Jiang Ning everywhere.

Jiang Ning fought back while retreating, looking extremely embarrassed. Under extreme pressure, she resorted to her ultimate move…

The sneak attack failed, and she was caught by him and slammed into the wall. “You still dare to use that?”

Jiang Ning instantly sobered up, wishing she could dig a hole and hide in it. “I…”

Just as she was about to speak, Huo Yishen suddenly lowered his head and kissed her on the forehead.

Jiang Ning was thunderstruck, her face instantly turning crimson. “What are you doing!”

“If you ever use this move again, I’ll kiss you.”

If she hadn’t dodged, with her stubbornness, it wouldn’t be impossible for her to be completely defeated.

Feeling embarrassed, Jiang Ning turned her face away. “Sorry, I was impulsive.”

She tried to push him away, but it didn’t work.

Huo Yishen stared at her. “Anning, are you really not going to give me an answer?”

“Let go of me first.”

He released her and handed her a towel and hot water.

Jiang Ning wiped her sweat and sat on the sofa drinking water. After thinking it over, she said, “Do you really want to be with me?”

“I like a girl for the first time, and I don’t want to give up easily.”

Jiang Ning thought for a moment. “I didn’t have a rebirth. Three days before the typhoon, I suddenly had a dream that was so realistic I couldn’t tell if it was real or not. And when I woke up, I had the space.

I had just started my second year of college, and I didn’t have much money on hand, just some essentials. There wasn’t much food, and even with Coke, I could only last for three years.”

She paused and looked at Huo Yishen seriously. “Do you know why I have to keep Coke?”

“You tell me.”

“In the dream, it was killed and cooked alive because it tried to save me.”

Thinking of her past life, Jiang Ning took a deep breath. “If it weren’t for it, I would have died long ago.”

So, no matter who it is, she can’t give up Coke.

“If you want to be with me, it means that in the future, both I and Coke will have to depend on you. This isn’t fair to you. I don’t want you to regret your choice later when you run out of supplies.”

“Coke to you is like Doudou to me, I’ll treat them both equally.”

Huo Yishen looked at her. “Don’t worry about food. When the extreme cold is over, I’ll figure out a way to earn.”

He laid out his attitude and position. Jiang Ning didn’t have any objections. “Since you insist, we can try. But if it really doesn’t work out, we can’t force each other, okay?”

“Okay.”

From that moment on, the two looked into each other’s eyes, and Huo Yishen held her hand.

Although they had just confirmed their relationship, having known each other for nearly a year, practiced together every day, and considered it for three months, having faced life and death tests, there was nothing shy or affected about it. Jiang Ning didn’t pull away from his hand.

“Clang!”

The food bowl fell to the ground. The dog looked at the scene in front of it, utterly shocked.

It rushed over like the wind and forcefully pushed them apart…