[edited]

Jiang Ning was surprised. The other person used to be a special police officer. Would she be at a disadvantage? 

But that wasn’t her character. She believed she could only improve herself by competing with the boss. “Okay.” 

Actually, Zhang Weili had wanted to challenge him earlier, but she never found the opportunity to speak up. She didn’t expect it to happen like this. 

After exchanging some greetings, Jiang Ning immediately got down to business. She starts punching and practicing with him. 

A newcomer isn’t afraid of challenges, and she fought fiercely. 

But in front of Jiang Ning, Huo Yishen seemed like a grandmaster, with the skill to effortlessly counterattack her every move. It made Jiang Ning somewhat embarrassed. 

After three years of surviving in the apocalypse, combined with her unwillingness to lose, Jiang Ning’s competitive spirit was fully aroused, and her attacks became less conventional. 

All of her vicious techniques were self taught. Though not elegant, they were particularly effective in fighting enemies in the apocalypse. 

Seeing the two of them fighting, Coke immediately intervened, rushing from behind to bite onto Huo Yishen’s clothes and pull him back. 

She did the move of a monkey stealing peaches… 

Huo Yishen was distracted by Coke’s interference and didn’t dodge in time and he got ‘picked’!!! 

His body froze instantly, his handsome and stern face turns red with embarrassment. 

Jiang Ning was equally stunned. In her disadvantaged position in the apocalypse, she felt like she was trapped and surrounded by enemies, evoking a desperate fighting spirit within her. She unconsciously resorted to dirty tricks. 

A hit landed! 

The air suddenly grew quiet, the atmosphere becoming terrifyingly strange. 

She quickly stopped, taking a few steps back in embarrassment, turning her face away. “Sorry.” 

Huo Yishen remained silent for a while before speaking. “Well done, but next time, don’t use it on me.” 

He dodged, but not completely. 

This kind of pain couldn’t be described in words. 

Jiang Ning felt so embarrassed she could almost dig a hole with her toes. This move was indeed effective. In her past life, she had used these dirty tricks to escape a few ambushes and successfully counter attack. 

She just didn’t expect to slip up and use it on Huo Yishen. 

Even Coke, who intervened, looked bewildered. Why did the fighting stop? 

Huo Yishen stepped out of the living room and stood at the doorway, calling out, “Coke.” 

Coke glanced at Jiang Ning with a tilted head, waiting for approval from its poop scoop officer before carrying the food bowl away. 

“You did well just now. You should protect your owner when you encounter bad guys,” Huo Yishen praised as he patted Coke’s head, showing approval. “But I’m not a bad guy, I’m your teammate…” 

Listening to the conversation outside, Jiang Ning’s face turned hot with embarrassment. How was she going to face him later? 

Huo Yishen didn’t say anything else, just handed over Doudou. 

After teaching Doudou and sending him back, Jiang Ning found that Huo Yishen’s door was locked, indicating he had gone out with the dog. 

Coincidentally, Grandma Zhong came up for treatment. Jiang Ning asked Doudou to stay inside and play. 

Midway through acupuncture, Huo Yishen returned with Coke and he’s holding a bundle of bamboo in his hands. 

With an outsider present, he didn’t greet her and entered the room with a dark expression, presumably upset. 

After seeing Grandma Zhong off. Huo Yishen came over to pick up Doudou, holding a black plastic bag in his hand. “This is what Coke caught.” 

Jiang Ning opened the bag and found a three or four pound grass carp inside. 

There were many fishponds on the outskirts of Fengcheng, so it wasn’t uncommon to find fish after floods. What was remarkable was that Coke could actually catch them. 

“This guy is getting more and more extraordinary.” 

“Do you prefer sour and spicy fish or boiled fish?” Huo Yishen asked. 

Jiang Ning wanted to apologize for her rash behavior in the morning. “Um, I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry.” 

Not mentioning it would have been better. Huo Yishen’s face turned red again, his expression was extremely awkward. “It’s okay, I’m fine.” 

Stunned for a moment, he added, “Doudou and Coke can’t eat spicy food. Sour and spicy fish is better.” 

Upon learning of Coke’s prowess, Zhang Chao and the others gave a thumbs up. “Coke, you’re amazing! From now on, whether it’s soup or meat, we’ll count on you.” 

Coke wagged its tail happily. “Woof!” 

It had been a few days since they had a meal together. Since Huo Yishen wasn’t skilled in cooking, he took out three pounds of pork belly. 

They couldn’t keep using the stove in apartment 1803, as the smell might attract unwanted attention. 

Since Jiang Ning couldn’t cook there, they moved to apartment 1801. 

To show her sincerity in apologizing, Jiang Ning not only cooked herself but also brought some pickled cabbage and bean sprouts. 

Though slicing the fish posed a slight challenge, it wasn’t difficult for her, and others wouldn’t mind. 

This was a live fish. Who else could have live fish to eat now? 

Coke was elevated to an unprecedented height of importance. Zhang Chao and Lu Yu even joked about taking Coke out more often, suggesting it might catch more fish. 

Jiang Ning didn’t agree. Just the two of them? They might even have to rely on the dog for protection. 

Life outside was tough. If they let others see Coke, wouldn’t they be envious? 

But Coke was excited at the thought of going out, wagging it’s tail eagerly. 

As Jiang Ning sliced the fish, Huo Yishen washed the pork belly beside her. “Doudou loves pork belly. Last time, I didn’t cook it properly, and she got a stomachache. Let me do it this time. Can you teach me?” 

“Yeah, no problem.” 

She was also curious about Huo Yishen’s culinary disasters. Doudou had already had a stomachache more than once. 

After preparing the fish, she handed over the clean cutting board. But when he held the knife, he seemed a bit nervous about how to start. 

“Slice horizontally, about the size of mahjong tiles.” 

With instructions, things became easier, and he quickly sliced the meat. 

Despite Huo Yishen’s lack of cooking skills, he had all the necessary spices. There was garlic and ginger, and Jiang Ning patiently guided him. 

Zheng Weili wanted to help but seeing the harmonious scene in the kitchen and remembering how the two of them took turns taking care of Doudou, she sensed something was brewing. 

It wasn’t that she was sensitive, but Huo Yishen was extremely aloof with everyone except Jiang Ning. He showed a slight softness in his demeanor, especially toward Coke. 

So, she wisely refrained from disturbing them. 

After cutting the pork belly and removing the blood, they blanched it and drained it. Then, they heated some oil in the pan and stir fried the pork until it turned slightly yellow. 

Jiang Ning stood beside him and offered some advice. She noticed that Huo Yishen seemed a bit nervous when handling the spatula. It made her wonder, why wasn’t he afraid of killing people? 

Seeing her surprise, Huo Yishen explained, “When I was young, I was mischievous and wanted to help in the kitchen. I accidentally spilled hot oil on my arm. Since then, I haven’t stepped into the kitchen again. I only started cooking after bringing Doudou here.” 

No wonder his cooking skills were so poor. It turned out to be a psychological trauma. 

After caramelizing the sugar, they added cinnamon, star anise, and chili to the pan, followed by cooking wine and soy sauce. They let it simmer over low heat. 

Thinking about the morning’s embarrassment, Jiang Ning not only taught him the steps for cooking pork belly but also shared some recipes for other home cooked dishes. 

Huo Yishen listened attentively. But Doudou interrupted, “Brother can’t remember. Even when he’s following the recipe, he still messes it up.” 

Huo Yishen felt a pang in his heart, “…” 

Doudou hugged her and wouldn’t let go. “Sister’s cooking is so delicious. Brother and I want to eat your food every day.” 

Huo Yishen patted her head. “Brother will learn.” 

He really didn’t have a talent for cooking. Terms like “a pinch” or “a moderate amount” in recipes were difficult for him to understand. 

“Doudou has become much livelier lately, thanks to you.” 

Sending his sister out to play with the dog, Huo Yishen asked Jiang Ning, “Not only can’t I cook, but I also don’t know how to take care of children. Is there anything I need to pay attention to with Doudou?” 

Jiang Ning had wanted to say some things earlier but hesitated because she wasn’t close to Huo Yishen. Since he asked now, she didn’t hide anything. “Doudou is fine in other aspects, but she might have some personality issues.”