"Um... shouldn't we help her?"

"Hm?"

Bai Ling knew it might be rude to ask, but she couldn't hold back as she followed him upstairs.

Duan Heng didn’t explain. He simply led her up, then suddenly pinned her against the wall!

*Thud—*

"Ugh!"

Bai Ling gasped, eyes wide with shock.

Duan Heng leaned in, his expression deadly serious. His voice dropped to a low growl:

"Listen, Bai Ling. You still know too little about human nature. Let me tell you this—*you can only trust yourself*. Never fully believe anyone else. Letting her in would only bring trouble. Got it?"

"Uh..."

His gaze was sharper than usual—eyes hardened by countless betrayals. He wanted her to etch every word into her memory. So she’d survive even if he wasn’t there.

But...

Bai Ling just stood frozen, lips parted, face flushing pink. Her mind went blank like a startled kitten:

*Huh? What did he just say?*

*Those cold eyes... kinda hot...*

*Wait—why are we even in this position?! This feels wrong!*

"Um..."

Her brain short-circuited. Words tangled on her tongue—she hadn’t heard a single thing he’d said.

Duan Heng didn’t press it. He smirked, tilting her chin up.

"Besides, Bai Ling—you always hated ‘holy maidens’ in novels, right? Don’t tell me you wanna become one~"

*Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!*

Bai Ling shook her head violently, creating a breeze.

Satisfied, Duan Heng finally released her. He patted her head, chuckling.

"Good. Now go familiarize yourself with the kitchen. Dinner’s on you. Ingredients are in the freezer."

"O-Okay..."

Bai Ling nodded dumbly.

Then she froze.

"Wait—*dinner*? I have to cook *that* too?!"

Duan Heng didn’t even turn around as he inspected his sniper rifle.

"What did you expect? You eat my food, live in my shelter, use my supplies, and owe me your life. Did you think I’d cook for you too? From today, you’re my maid. Cooking, cleaning, laundry—all yours. Unless..." He finally glanced back, grinning. "...you’d prefer to repay me another way? I wouldn’t mind."

A chill shot down Bai Ling’s spine. She clutched her chest.

"I’ll cook! I’ll do it!"

"Good~"

Duan Heng nodded, pleased. Bai Ling trudged toward the kitchen, shooting him a betrayed glare:

*What kind of apocalypse is this?!*

*If this were a novel, the title’d be ‘Apocalypse: I Became My Buddy’s Housekeeper’! Author’s gonna flop hard.*

*Want me to cook willingly? Hah...*

A sly glint sparked in her eyes. Her hand reached for the innocent tomatoes...

—

Later that evening.

"Dinner’s ready! Come eat!"

"Huh? So early? It’s only six."

Duan Heng emerged from his room, still assembling guns. Bai Ling stood by the table in fishnet stockings and an apron—looking oddly like a young housewife.

She pouted. "Six isn’t early! *You* made me cook. Sit down."

"Alright, alright."

He smiled indulgently and took his seat.

Then he stared.

Steaming rice sat beside three dishes—all violently red.

"Ta-da!" Bai Ling untied her apron, beaming across the table. "Tomato egg-drop soup, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and sugar-dusted tomatoes. Hot dish, cold dish, soup—nutritious and healthy! Dig in~"

"............"

Silence swallowed the table.

Duan Heng studied the meal, motionless. Bai Ling’s heart raced:

*Say it’s bad! Then I never have to cook again!*

*We’ll survive on canned food and instant noodles—I don’t care!*

*Go on! Say it!*

Her mind screamed while her face stayed calm.

But just as she braced for outrage...

Duan Heng picked up his chopsticks. He shoveled scrambled eggs into his mouth, tears streaming down his face.

"You made *three whole dishes*... It’s so good. So good┭┮﹏┭┮"

"??????"

Bai Ling’s jaw dropped.

She had no idea—he’d survived on bread, milk, and burgers for *half a month* while building this shelter. He hadn’t even had time to save her in the first fifteen minutes of the Apocalypse.

Between mouthfuls, he choked out, "I’d almost forgotten... the last time I ate your cooking... It’s divine┭┮﹏┭┮"

*I’ve never cooked for you!*

Bai Ling’s smile twitched. "R-Really? I’m glad you like it..."

Steam curled from the dishes. Duan Heng was lost in bliss.

Just as Bai Ling opened her mouth to suggest *taking turns* cooking—

Duan Heng wiped his tears, beaming.

"Bai Ling! You handle meals, I’ll kill Zombies. We’ll be the perfect team—the best husb—*partners*!"

—

*WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?! I HEARD THAT, YOU JERK!*

*AND YOU ATE ALL THE EGGS! I HAVEN’T EVEN TASTED ANY!*