This time, Miao Yongyi did not stand up immediately. He lay on the lawn for a while and waited until Ning Zhiheng walked to his side, smiled, reached out his hand, and pulled him up from the ground.
Miao Yongyi knew perfectly well that Ning Zhiheng's skills were now far superior to his, but he refused to admit defeat. He stood up, dusted off his sleeves, and said angrily, "I'm not in good shape today, so it doesn't count. We'll compete again when we have time!"
Seeing that he was stubborn and wouldn't admit defeat, Ning Zhiheng just smiled and didn't say anything. Instead, he straightened the wrinkled clothes on his body, patted his shoulder, and waved to leave.
They have known each other since childhood. Ning Zhiheng is introverted, reserved, and taciturn, while Miao Yongyi has always been extroverted, cheerful, optimistic, and never fusses over trivial matters. Otherwise, he would not have become friends with someone as difficult to get along with as Ning Zhiheng.
Ning Zhiheng returned to the front of the house and saw Zuo Rou standing quietly on the steps, smiling at him.
"You seem quite enthusiastic today, and it's been so long since I've seen you spar with someone," Zuo Rou said with a soft laugh.
Ning Zhiheng smiled and shook his head, saying, "It's been a long time since anyone's been willing to spar with me. My bones are itching for it. As the station chief, I can't keep my subordinates suffering every day. It's only because of Yongyi..."
“I reckon he won’t want to anymore!” Zuo Rou chuckled.
Ning Zhiheng chuckled, thinking that it was indeed true. If the skill levels were similar, there would be a sense of sparring; but if the skill gap was too large, who would want to be tortured every day?
“I’m teaching him a lesson. In this team, not to mention Lao Sun, Zuo Gang, and Zuo Qiang, any random member would be just as good as him. He’s so arrogant and keeps clamoring to go on field missions.” Ning Zhiheng turned and gestured toward the lawn, smiling as he spoke.
Unexpectedly, another group of people gathered on the lawn. It turned out that other team members were teasing Miao Yongyi, and eventually they decided to join in the competition.
Seeing them making a ruckus, Ning Zhiheng nodded slightly. Miao Yongyi had previously had difficulty integrating into the intelligence station group, after all, their experiences were different and they hadn't spent much time together. Now it seemed that he was gradually starting to integrate, and the action team members were beginning to accept him, which was a good sign.
Zuo Rou stepped forward, pulled down Ning Zhiheng's sleeve, carefully fastened his cufflinks, and said, "Take a rest, dinner will be ready soon!"
Ning Zhiheng nodded, and Zuo Rou then turned around to continue preparing dinner.
Seeing the chaotic scene on the lawn, Ning Zhiheng did not join in. He knew that if he went over, his authority would be too great, and everyone would feel uncomfortable.
Before long, it was time for dinner, and everyone dispersed. Zuo Rou was already waiting in the room, setting up the dining table.
Ning Zhiheng is the station chief and prefers quiet, so he usually eats alone, with Zuo Rou accompanying him at most. Even Miao Yongyi doesn't want to eat with such a boring person.
Tonight's dinner was sumptuous, as a bottle of fine red wine was opened and Zuo Rou prepared a Western meal for him.
Since Zuo Rou arrived at the intelligence station, Ning Zhiheng's three meals a day have been prepared by Zuo Rou herself, without ever asking anyone else to do it.
Zuo Rou is very skillful. She is not only good at using short blades and makeup, but she is also excellent at anything that involves using her hands. Her cooking skills are the same. Ning Zhiheng is very satisfied with her.
"I've never seen you cook Western food before, but it looks pretty good!" Ning Zhiheng walked to the dining table, nodded, and sat down at the head of the table.
Zuo Rou tidied herself up briefly, changed into a beautiful dress, and with light makeup, she looked elegant and graceful. She slowly sat down opposite him.
"I specifically went to the kitchen of Qingdong Restaurant to learn. The Western chef they hired is famous far and wide for his excellent skills. You should try it!"
Ning Zhiheng knew that Zuo Rou had specially learned this for him. This woman was truly devoted to him wholeheartedly, without holding back at all.
Looking at her gentle and beautiful smile, Ning Zhiheng smiled and nodded.
Zuo Rou was clearly familiar with Western food. She poured wine for Ning Zhiheng, and the glass was filled with red wine to no more than one-fifth of its height. Ning Zhiheng held the glass at the standard position, raised it, and was about to say something.
But at this moment, Zuo Rou suddenly said with some regret, "Oh dear! It would have been better to have some candlelight. What a pity, I didn't prepare any!"
Ning Zhiheng was taken aback, then couldn't help but laugh and said, "Did you learn this from those Western chefs?"
Zuo Rou pouted slightly, her beautiful eyes darting around, and she said softly, "It's just adding some atmosphere, why should we learn from them? Our Zuo family used to be a prominent gentry family, and my father and mother used to like these kinds of things. If it weren't for the sudden change in our family, I would still be the young lady of a wealthy family now!"
Ning Zhiheng immediately understood. He was meticulous in his work. Since he wanted to take the Zuo siblings as his confidants, how could he not find out their background? He had already sent people to carefully investigate their materials from the beginning.
The Zuo family was a prominent gentry family in Shanxi, considered a powerful and influential clan in the region.
The local people are known for their fierce and martial spirit, with many practicing martial arts. The Zuo siblings, from a young age, were taught both literary and martial arts by renowned teachers hired by their father, making them well-rounded individuals skilled in both.
Later, the Zuo family became enemies with a police chief in the local government due to a dispute over interests. After many years of entanglement, they were still betrayed and killed. Zuo Gang eventually seized the opportunity to kill his enemy, and the three siblings fled their hometown and wandered the world.
The three siblings came from a wealthy family and were quite knowledgeable when they were young. Zuo Rou initially learned makeup skills in the opera troupe that her family owned. She was right; if it weren't for the sudden change in her family, she would still be a pampered young lady living a carefree life in high society.
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