I am a hero of the former civilization.

"When I met Hua, I was about the same age as Ling, and I had already accumulated experience. She's just a kid, so just praise her more. Don't worry, I'll be able to become friends with Ling soon."

Sakura took a breath, completely unable to reconcile the gentle man before her with the ruthless executioner in the desert.

I don't understand it, I really don't understand it...

Chapter 101 Sakura's Family Meal

The apartment was nicely decorated and ready to move in immediately. Some cardboard boxes were piled up in the living room, indicating that the two sisters had just moved in and hadn't had time to unpack yet.

The walls looked empty, but some photos had already been displayed, all of them group photos of the sisters.

Sakura stood in the kitchen, gently slicing potatoes with a cleaver. Each slice was two millimeters long, without the slightest mistake. She didn't even look at the cutting board, just blindly slicing while secretly observing the situation in the living room.

An animated cartoon was playing on TV. Ryan was hiding behind a rabbit doll, whispering something like "Mr. Rabbit's Big Quiz" or "Mr. Rabbit's World Travelogue," making Bell giggle one minute and listen intently the next.

He wasn't lying; he really is good at dealing with children.

Because her parents are not around and she rarely goes back home, Rin rarely makes friends and dislikes interacting with strangers. She seems to be wary of everything. When she brought Ryan over, she was worried that Rin might offend him.

The result was better than expected.

She understood Ryan less and less, because the first impression this man had left on her was too profound.

With overwhelming power and decisive methods, he took the lives of more than a dozen people without even blinking, as if he were a born executioner.

Even though things changed somewhat later because of Wilvi, he could never escape the label of a killing machine.

'And then this killing machine was sitting in my living room, playing house with Rin?'

She felt the world was a bit crazy, and the pale yellow walls and fabric sofa made the atmosphere even warmer. Anyone who saw this scene would think it was an ordinary family of three.

"Sister, when will dinner be ready?"

The clear child's voice brought Sakura back to her senses, and she quickly replied, "Ten minutes. I'll be there when I've made the curry. First, clear the table, and then remember to wash your hands."

Ling saw everything. She turned around and mischievously covered her mouth: "Brother Ryan, I've never seen my sister like this before. Are you two really okay?"

"I told you we're just colleagues, don't overthink it." Ryan winked, and after a brief interaction, he found the bell quite cute.

She has a lively personality and is somewhat precocious.

“But my sister has never brought any colleagues home, let alone boys.” Ling pouted, deep in thought. Seeing Ryan approaching with his claws outstretched, she shrank back. “Okay, okay, I won’t say anything more. Stop tickling me!”

"Hmph, that's more like it." Ryan put his hands on his hips, looking triumphant, and slowly got up. "You watch TV for a while, I'll go help your sister cook."

"Brother Ryan, are you secretly protecting the world?"

Suddenly, those words came from behind him. Ryan turned around and saw the girl staring intently at the TV screen, which was playing the hottest anime.

That was an animated film invested in by Moth Chaser. The theme was heroes fighting monsters. Of course, the heroes were Moth Chaser warriors, and the monsters were Honkai Beasts. It also included some educational segments on how to take refuge and escape.

Sometimes, being a moth drawn to a flame can be quite reliable.

Back to the present, Ryan knew that Ling had already guessed what was going on. Who would frequently travel for work and still constantly instill defensive concepts? Looking at the girl's fair profile, he thought of Hua.

Both of them wanted to get closer to the person they cared about and contribute their strength, but Sakura, out of a desire to protect Rin, hoped that Rin would live in a normal world, and besides, her previous work was not exactly honorable.

He walked over, squatted down, and whispered in the girl's ear, "Of course he's a hero, even more powerful than the ones in the cartoons, I promise."

Is my sister a hero?

For some reason, Ling believed Ryan's words, her eyes filled with excitement, and she nodded repeatedly to Ryan, who made a shushing gesture, indicating that she would keep the secret.

Kids are so easy to fool. Sakura wasn't exactly a hero before, but after teaming up with me, she's clearly saving humanity.

He went to the kitchen and saw that Sakura had already chopped the vegetables and was putting a bunch of food into a pot to stew. The curry she had made herself smelled of honey and milk.

Back in the desert town, Ryan had tasted Sakura's cooking and knew she was very skilled; she certainly didn't seem like an assassin.

The girl wore an apron and tied her pink hair into a ponytail. In addition to being shrewd and capable, she also had a touch of the gentleness of a Yamato Nadeshiko.

He was also surprised by what Sakura showed; at least at this moment, the girl had no connection with the assassin, which confirmed Alicia's words.

Humans can only understand each other through continuous contact.

Ryan's gaze did not escape Sakura's eyes. While wielding the spatula, he replied, "Rin used to be a picky eater, so I would cook different kinds of food for her. Later, I discovered that I have quite a talent for it."

“You’re already quite professional. Let me help you.” Ryan tied on his apron and saw Sakura’s astonished expression. “Don’t be so surprised. Strength is only one aspect; it doesn’t represent my entire life.”

“It’s your strength that has impressed me so much.” Sakura’s tone softened slightly, and she quietly smiled. “Of course, I still think that cooking is not your thing.”

"Then watch carefully, and don't blink."

Ryan smiled confidently, as if he had stepped into a sacred realm. He first glanced at the vegetables and seasonings that Sakura had bought, and then ran his fingers over the neatly arranged kitchen knives.

The breath of the strong.

For some reason, Sakura blurted out a completely unrelated word. Then she saw Ryan grip the cleaver, perform a dazzling knife trick, pin down a sea bass, and with a snap of the hilt, send it to its doom. And then—

Remove the scales, cut open the belly, use a flat knife to remove the fish meat, and make diamond-shaped cuts just to the skin.

Excellent knife skills.

Sakura began to believe him. She then saw him take a basin, wash the fish, coat it with starch, prepare tomato sauce and other seasonings, and pour half a pot of oil into the pan.

She took a half step back, looking at the pot with some concern: "You're frying fish? There's way too much oil in there."

"Heh, being generous with oil is a lifestyle, look at this."

Ryan didn't explain. Seeing the fish fried until golden brown, he decisively took it out and placed it on a plate, leaving only a little oil. He then poured in tomato juice and sweet and sour sauce, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning, and gradually cooked it until it thickened.

The room was instantly filled with a sweet and sour aroma. Sakura Ryan suddenly scooped a spoonful of clear oil into the pot, making the broth even brighter. Then he turned off the heat, ladled out the bright red sauce, and poured it evenly over the golden fish, finishing with a stylish ladle flick.

The fish meat is golden yellow, the sauce is bright red, and the colors are vibrant. The fish meat, after being cut with a decorative knife, is fluffy and looks like a squirrel's tail.

As an expert, Sakura didn't even need to taste it to know that the flavor was absolutely amazing.

"This is... Chinese cuisine? I've never seen it before."

“Squirrel Fish is a famous dish from Jiangnan. There isn’t enough seasoning in Singapore, and I also considered Ling’s taste, so I decided to make this sweet and sour version. The difficulty lies in the knife skills, but that’s not a problem for you and me at all.” Ryan wiped his hands and introduced calmly.

"It's not that simple. Most people can't control the heat when frying fish." Sakura shook her head. Just looking at the golden color, it must be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the technique must be precise to the millimeter.

"It's a pity we can't use Honkai energy to add some special effects."

"why?"

“Because good food always shines.” Ryan grinned, picked up his plate, and walked away. “Let’s go, it’s time for dinner.”

Why does it need to emit light?

Sakura was still a little confused, but she quickly came to her senses and couldn't help but smile when she saw the cheering bell.

Cooking is one thing, but she cares more about Ryan considering her sister's tastes, which makes her feel good and she doesn't even bother to think about what kind of person Ryan really is.

Whether it's an executioner or an eccentric, once you get to know them well, you'll find you get along quite well. Why overthink it and just create unnecessary trouble for yourself?

Squirrel fish, curry, and vegetable salad were placed on the table. Tonight's meal could be considered a fusion of three cuisines. Ling's eyes lit up. She picked up a piece of squirrel fish and stuffed it into her mouth, her eyes squinting.

"It's delicious, Brother Ryan, did you make this?"

Why did you start calling me "brother"?

Sakura then noticed that her younger sister had changed how she addressed her. She quietly turned her head and saw Ryan smiling.

"Yes, I think you'll definitely like the sweet and sour flavor."

"I wish you could cook for me every day."

"Haha, no problem, you can order whatever you want these next few days."

"Only a few days?" Ling's expression dimmed slightly, but fortunately she was already used to it; her sister always came back suddenly and left quietly again.

For a girl, a fleeting moment of happiness is all the more precious.

Unlike a spoiled child, she didn't pester him. After taking a spoonful of curry, she squinted her eyes contentedly and said, "Of course, my sister's curry is as delicious as ever."

Sakura felt a little better after feeling a bit sour, and patted her younger sister's head.

"Don't talk, watch out for fish bones."

"Mmm." The girl immediately lowered her head and began to eat heartily.

Seeing Ling's excited expression, Ying was also genuinely happy. All that she had done was for her. She picked up her chopsticks and put a piece of fish into her mouth.

Crispy and tender, with a sweet and sour taste that goes straight from the mouth to the heart, this flavor is impeccable.

Turns out he really can cook.

Sakura glanced at Ryan beside her, who was enjoying his curry with a satisfied expression, and noticed the questioning look in his eyes.

The girl made no attempt to hide her feelings, simply offering a genuine smile before glancing around.

The chandelier emitted a soft yellow light. The house was not decorated much, and the meal for the three of them was not particularly lavish. Everything was unrelated to luxury, which instead stirred up a sense of unfamiliarity in her.

That's the warmth that belongs only to 'home'.

Suddenly, she didn't care what kind of person Ryan was. At least for that instant, she was filled with gratitude, and even had a thought:

May this moment last forever.

"Why aren't you eating?" Ryan put down his spoon, looking at Sakura who was standing there in a daze, thinking to himself that his cooking skills couldn't have declined too much.

The girl turned her head, her smile still on her face, but her usual aloof expression was replaced by something else entirely.

It was a tenderness that penetrated to the bone.

She put down her chopsticks, interlaced her fingers to support her chin, and squinted as she watched Ling and Ryan devour their food.

"I suddenly feel a little full."

Chapter 102 You call this art???

The food wasn't luxurious, and the dishes weren't anything special; in fact, they seemed rather ordinary. No one could find anything particularly remarkable about the scene.

This was just an ordinary family dinner, so ordinary that millions of families around the world were doing the same thing right now. If there was anything special about it, it was that Ryan and Sakura were equally skilled cooks.

Judge Ling gave a high evaluation, and then, like a little adult, made a serious request that the two of them compete again at breakfast tomorrow.

No one objected to this childish request; Ryan and Sakura exchanged a glance and then smiled and agreed.

In the evening, a gentle night breeze was blowing.

While Ling was washing the dishes and struggling with her homework in her room, Ryan brought two rattan chairs to the balcony.