65 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

After chatting with Chen Wan for a while, Yi Yi looked over at Qin Ke, who had remained silent throughout their conversation, and asked with a smile, "Why aren't you talking to me? Aren't you curious about me?" Qin Ke, who was naturally reticent, straightened up and replied, "Chen Wan has asked everything I wanted to know, so I have a general idea." "Has she really asked everything? Aren't you curious about your girlfriend?" Yi Yi raised an eyebrow, looking at Qin Ke. Hearing the mention of her girlfriend, Qin Ke's face turned cold. It was a vulnerable part of her life she didn't want others to touch, and she especially disliked people bringing up Shen Ming Yan so casually. Noticing Qin Ke's displeased expression, Yi Yi quickly explained, "I didn't mean anything by it; I just wanted to say that your girlfriend can come back." Chen Wan was also taken aback by Yi Yi's words. She exchanged glances with Jiang Yan Xin, who was equally puzzled, considering that Qin Ke's girlfriend, Shen Ming Yan, had perished in a fire and was reduced to ashes. How could she possibly return? Qin Ke's eyes reddened, and she fixed a piercing gaze on Yi Yi, her voice shaky. "How can she come back? She’s already gone, and I don't want you joking about her." Even as a humanoid, Yi Yi could feel Qin Ke's grip causing her discomfort. She pulled her hand back with a slight hiss of pain and, somewhat annoyed, looked at Qin Ke before continuing, "I'm not joking. It's the apocalypse now—if I can appear out of nowhere, what can't be explained? I’ve already stored her crystal core, which means her core consciousness is intact. We just need to create a new body for her, and she could come back immediately." Tears streamed down Qin Ke's face as she sobbed, barely able to apologize to Yi Yi. "I'm sorry, I got too emotional and hurt you earlier. Are you serious? Can I really see her again?" Sitting opposite Chen Wan, Yi Yi observed the human's tearful and pleading demeanor. Understanding the significance of tears—a unique expression of human sorrow—Yi Yi addressed Qin Ke with more seriousness. "As I mentioned, it's possible for her to return, but we need a new body, one like mine. That means we need to find many resources to construct it, which are not easy to find in this world." "I'll find them. Whatever you need, I'll get it, no matter what. Just please, if you can bring her back, I'll do anything." Qin Ke was so agitated that her words were becoming incoherent. Yi Yi noticed Qin Ke's intense emotional shift and continued, "As far as I know, there’s a robotics lab in Funan City, the largest one in the country. We should be able to find a lot of what we need there, like action motors, steering motors, controllers, sensors, actuators, steel, tons of memory alloy, and synthetic skin, not just one or two of each, but a large supply." Yi Yi glanced around the group before adding, "Once we gather these materials, we can create a body that looks very similar to her old one, then activate her through the crystal core. This would essentially grant her a second life. Technically, she’d be something like an upgradeable zombie, but due to her unique body, she won't crave human flesh. Think of her as an upgradeable humanoid. If we find all the materials, she’ll be just like me—a humanoid, structurally no different from all of you." Yi Yi's words left the three women bewildered. Qin Ke, with reddened eyes, kept staring at Yi Yi, and after a long pause, hastily asked, "Then let’s find the materials quickly." Yi Yi nodded, "Most materials are in Funan City, and we can collect steel and other items along the way." With red eyes, Qin Ke hurriedly thanked her, "Thank you, thank you for helping me save her." As she spoke, Qin Ke's tears started flowing uncontrollably, and she collapsed onto the table, crying audibly. "I really miss her. If I can just see her again, I'll do anything. From now on, my life belongs to both Chen Wan and you." "Hey, why would I need your life? You should save it to spend more time with your girlfriend." Yi Yi remarked while seated comfortably. "Yi Yi, why didn’t you tell me about this back at the police station?" Chen Wan interjected. "I wanted to, but I wasn't as advanced back then. Back when the RV was at level 2, I was also only level 2. I could only do what you asked or instructed; I could hardly communicate on my own. I nearly exploded from holding it in," Yi Yi grumbled. Chen Wan nodded, "At that time, I thought being burned up meant she was truly gone. Who knew you had such advanced capabilities? Now our little family will have a new member." "Exactly, I'm exceptionally capable." Yi Yi boasted, lounging on the sofa. Seeing Qin Ke still crying, Chen Wan hurriedly comforted her, patting her back and offering tissues. "Qin Ke, this is great news. Bringing her back is the best outcome. Let yourself cry and release all that pent-up sadness. The rest we'll tackle together. We’ll gather all the materials we need." Wiping her tears, Qin Ke continued to sob into the table, "I just never thought I could see her again. I'm crying because I'm happy, not sad." With a light chuckle, Chen Wan handed her more tissues. "Alright, you’re not crying. With this good news, we’re all relieved." While the adults were gathered in the small dining area, Zai Zai woke up, rubbing his eyes. Noticing his moms weren’t around, he hurriedly got out of bed, put on his shoes, and dashed to the door. The handle was too high for him to reach, so he anxiously patted the door with his little hands and called out, "Mama, Mami, Auntie~ I woke up!" Hearing his soft voice, Chen Wan quickly went to open the door. As soon as Zai Zai saw his Mami, he rushed forward to hug her leg. Chen Wan scooped up the little one, pinched his cheek gently, and spoke softly, "Our baby is awake, huh? Do you want Mami to help you wash up and change your clothes?" With a nod of his chubby little head, Zai Zai obediently replied, "Okay~" As long as someone was there to play with him, he was content, thinking of this, he clung to his Mami's neck playfully. After helping him wash and change into a cute black and white cow-print outfit of shorts and a T-shirt, Zai Zai looked like an adorable little calf. As Chen Wan carried Zai Zai out, the boy spotted an unfamiliar face in their vehicle and pointed with his small fingers at Yi Yi, asking, "Mami, who is that pretty sister?" "That's your Auntie Yi Yi. You should call her Auntie, or you'll mix up the generations," Chen Wan laughed, giving Zai Zai a kiss on the cheek. Yi Yi had been eager to hold Zai Zai but hadn't had the opportunity. Seeing him now, she immediately extended her hands, wanting to hold him. With amusement, Chen Wan asked her shy boy, "Do you want to go to Auntie?" Zai Zai looked at Yi Yi, his cheeks flushing as he shyly nodded. Auntie was pretty, and he wanted to play with her. Yi Yi, picking him up, eagerly engaged him in conversation, "How old are you, sweetie?" "Three and a half," Zai Zai replied, his big eyes curiously taking in Yi Yi's features. Yi Yi was utterly charmed by the little one. So this is the cuteness of a human child? "You’re such a good boy. How about Auntie plays with you later and tells you lots of fun stories?" Yi Yi deftly tempted, knowing the kid loved stories. Wasn’t Zai Zai quick to bite the bait? He eagerly nodded his tiny head, "Okay, then Auntie, you must tell me stories." Seeing Zai Zai playing happily with Yi Yi, Chen Wan returned to check on Qin Ke. Although Qin Ke had calmed down somewhat, her eyes were still red, but that flicker of newfound hope had visibly lightened her mood, the despondence from earlier dialogues lifting through the support. On countless nights, she’d struggled with insomnia due to her girlfriend's loss, a lingering wound on her heart. But now, everything felt different. As long as there's a chance Shen Ming Yan can return, in any form—be it human, zombie, or humanoid—it doesn't matter. As long as she could be with Shen Ming Yan, it was worth any effort. With her heart's burdens eased, Qin Ke finally stood up to wash her face and settle her feelings in the bathroom. Chen Wan, in the meantime, prepared noodles for Zai Zai and Jiang Yan Xin, who hadn't eaten yet. As for the system, naturally, it didn't require food; humanoid constructs only needed energy to function, not sustenance like humans. Yi Yi continued chatting animatedly with Zai Zai and Jiang Yan Xin, clearly having been pent up with things to say. Since her appearance, she hadn't stopped talking, as if making up for lost time. Chen Wan chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. After Jiang Yan Xin and the others finished eating, Qin Ke emerged from the bathroom, having washed her face and feeling refreshed. Chen Wan seemed to remember something and asked the system, "Yi Yi, how do we get to the second floor of the RV?" "It's in the area by the bunks, at the foot of the bed there's a small vertical elevator. You don't need to climb stairs—just get in, press 2nd floor, and up you go," Yi Yi explained confidently, as there was nothing about the RV she didn’t know. "Let's head upstairs together and check it out," Chen Wan suggested with a smile. Everyone followed Chen Wan to the bunks area, where they saw that the small space at the foot of the bed had indeed become a single-person elevator. Chen Wan, holding Zai Zai, was the first to enter, pressing the button for the second floor. A few seconds later, the elevator door opened, and Chen Wan, with Zai Zai in tow, stepped onto the second floor. The little one exclaimed, "Wow," clearly taken aback by the existence of a second floor in the RV. Following Chen Wan, the others joined them upstairs in turn. Chen Wan looked around and noticed that the second floor's layout was similar to the first: bunk beds, a bathroom, a cooking stove, and a sink located in parallel positions to the floor below. The bathroom structure was identical too, except for the front, where instead of a driver's cabin, there was a small round table with two rocking chairs. "This is great. Now we have even more space, which means we can store supplies more easily even if no one sleeps here," Chen Wan commented while exploring. "Of course, with every upgrade of the RV, the functions get optimized and improved," Yi Yi stated, as if it was the most obvious thing. "This way, we can pick up Yan Xin's family in Funan City and reactivate Qin Ke's girlfriend, Shen Ming Yan, without worrying about space constraints," Chen Wan expressed, clearly excited about the prospect. The smile on Qin Ke's face brightened as well, with all their thoughts eagerly directed towards traveling to Funan City. They explored the second floor briefly before making their way down to the first floor one by one. Jiang Yan Xin tidied up the bowls and pots from her and Zai Zai's meal. Chen Wan was planning to resume their journey toward Funan City once Jiang Yan Xin finished cleaning up. However, before they could set off, a commotion arose—a series of chaotic footsteps approaching, getting closer to where the RV was parked.