67 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Jiang Yan Xin muttered as she walked, "Big heartless one is chatting happily with others, little heartless one is watching cartoons and not keeping me company. Both big and small are little devils." As she murmured under her breath, she had already returned to the room at the back, lying on the bed, preparing to take a nap. Completely unaware that he had been grouped with the "bad guys" by his mommy, Zai Zai was still energetically talking to Qin Ke about how much he liked watching cartoons of the little pink pig. Chen Wan had no idea either, as Yi Yi, being quite the chatterbox, was still recounting her past experiences to her. Qin Ke glanced toward Chen Wan, feeling that Chen was in for a rough time. She turned and pinched Zai Zai’s little chubby hand, estimating that he had been watching cartoons for almost an hour. She suggested to him, "Yangyang, we've watched for a long time today. If we keep watching, it might hurt your eyes. How about we play with something else for a while?" Though he was reluctant, Zai Zai obediently nodded and cuddled into Qin Ke's embrace to play with plush toys. The RV sped towards the freeway exit of Yuezhou City. Chen Wan noticed that the area around the toll booth was crowded with various vehicles, including five large trucks and a lot more smaller cars—probably several hundred at a glance. She quickly spoke up, "Let's absorb these vehicles. It'll accelerate our next upgrade. It's a pity; there were quite a few cars in that parking lot earlier. If it weren't for those mutated zombies, we could have stored them as well." Yi Yi smiled and replied, "No worries, we'll encounter plenty along the way. We'll absorb them as we go." With that, Chen Wan and Yi Yi each controlled a mechanical arm, fully absorbing vehicles near the toll station. By the time they cleared the road, ten minutes had passed. Yi Yi, as usual, reported the rough numbers to Chen Wan, "We've absorbed five heavy trucks and 239 smaller cars this time, and all the gasoline from these cars has been refilled into the tank." "Good. When we reach Pingze City, let's find a place to refill the oil and water tanks," Chen Wan suggested after pondering for a moment. She leaned back comfortably in the passenger seat, appreciating the help from the system that allowed her a brief respite. The warm sunlight streamed through the windshield, and at some point, Chen Wan dozed off comfortably in her seat, leaving Yi Yi to continue her chatter. Seeing Chen Wan asleep, Yi Yi quieted down. Chen Wan awoke to the sensation of the RV coming to a stop. She opened her eyes, realizing they had reached the toll station in Pingze City. Yi Yi was busy operating the mechanical arm to absorb vehicles nearby. Seeing Chen Wan awake, Yi Yi said, "Awake? We've arrived in Pingze City." "That was quick. It's really great having you around, saves me a lot of hassle. Let me help with the absorption," Chen Wan said as she resumed operating the mechanical arm. Feeling flattered, Yi Yi responded promptly, "Of course! I'm very reliable. No host of mine has ever failed to praise me." Yi Yi resumed her chatter, further encouraged by Chen Wan’s praise. As a result, they absorbed four more heavy trucks and 302 smaller cars, bringing the total to 9 heavy trucks and 541 smaller cars in the system’s storage, which was far more efficient than before. After Yi Yi drove the RV for another hour, approaching noon, she pulled over to the roadside, having long mastered human schedules. She turned to Chen Wan and said, "Isn't it time for you to eat? Let's rest and continue in the afternoon." "It’s 12 already, indeed time to make some food," Chen Wan agreed, getting up to stretch. Noticing only Qin Ke and Zai Zai in the small dining area, she asked, "Where's Yan Xin?" Qin Ke, seemingly pondering something, winked at Chen Wan and coughed lightly, "Yan Xin said she's tired and is taking a nap in the room." "I'll go get her; we should take a break and eat," Chen Wan replied, not grasping Qin Ke's silent message. Zai Zai, in Qin Ke's arms, was already exclaiming eagerly, "Time to eat!" Chen Wan gently pinched Zai Zai's cheek, smiling, "I'll make food for you right away. My little mischief, are you hungry?" "Hungry," Zai Zai nodded, answering earnestly. Yi Yi clapped her hands to get Zai Zai's attention. "Do you want auntie to play with you for a while?" "Yes," Zai Zai nodded vigorously. He loved playing with the pretty auntie and reached out to Yi Yi for a hug. Cradling the little guy in her arms, Yi Yi squeezed his small hands and asked, "I can tell you many stories. What would you like to hear?" "The Little Pink Pig," Zai Zai replied with his soft childhood voice, having been watching those cartoons and wanting to hear about them. Yi Yi laughed and started recounting tales of the Little Pink Pig to entertain him. In the meantime, Qin Ke started making lunch, instructing Chen Wan to bring out some beef to prepare beef spaghetti. They had stocked up plenty from the supermarket, and it was easy to whip up a beef sauce to go with it. Chen Wan entered the back room to find Jiang Yan Xin reading a leisure book under the lamp, resting against the pillow. As soon as Chen Wan entered, Jiang Yan Xin quickly closed her book and turned her back to Chen Wan, closing her eyes as if to ignore her. Slightly baffled, Chen Wan wondered why Jiang Yan Xin pretended to sleep upon seeing her. She moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bed, and gently shook Jiang Yan Xin's arm, speaking softly, "Honey? It's time to wake up. It's already noon, let's go eat." Jiang Yan Xin merely turned further away, giving a dismissive snort without opening her eyes. Chen Wan, unsure of how she had upset Jiang Yan Xin, suspected she might have used the wrong wake-up method. She carefully leaned over to kiss her on the cheek, coaxing her gently, "Honey? I was wrong, don't be mad. Tell me what I did wrong, and I'll fix it right away." Although still comfortable from the coaxing, Jiang Yan Xin reminded herself not to give in easily. Chen Wan had spent the entire morning chatting with Yi Yi and only remembered her now, so Jiang Yan Xin wasn’t about to let her off the hook so easily. Seeing no response, Chen Wan decided to lie beside her, wrapping her arms around Jiang Yan Xin from behind, her voice soft and coaxing, "Honey? Talk to me, won't you?" Regardless of Chen Wan’s pleas, Jiang Yan Xin remained unmoved with her eyes closed. So Chen Wan propped herself up and reconnected with her lips, planting a few more kisses on Jiang Yan Xin's cheek until her own ears turned red from embarrassment, yet still received no response. Though soothed by Chen Wan’s affection, Jiang Yan Xin simmered with irritation at the memory of Chen Wan spending the entire morning chatting happily with someone else. Now that she was remembered, why hadn't she been thought of sooner? Realizing her efforts were fruitless, Chen Wan looked hesitantly at Jiang Yan Xin's lips, considering whether kissing there might help. Still receiving no indication from Jiang Yan Xin, Chen Wan mustered her courage, placing a shy kiss at the corner of her lips. Jiang Yan Xin didn’t expect Chen Wan to be so bold, daring to kiss her even after making her angry. Frustrated, Jiang Yan Xin opened her eyes, glaring at Chen Wan. Immediately, Chen Wan softened, asking gently, "Honey? Why won’t you talk to me?" Jiang Yan Xin poked at Chen Wan's chest, glaring at her. "Weren’t you having fun chatting away? Why come to me now?" "I was just chatting with Yi Yi. She's my system, but of course, you’re the most important," Chen Wan sensed some danger and quickly tried smooth things over. "Oh, I’m important, am I? Then why haven’t I heard you talk to me nearly as much?" Jiang Yan Xin grumbled, poking Chen Wan again with dissatisfaction. "It’s not true! Don’t I always talk to you a lot every day? Don’t be mad. Yi Yi and I are just friends," Chen Wan hurriedly explained. "Just friends? Stand up so I can ask you properly," Jiang Yan Xin demanded, prompting Chen Wan to get off the bed and stand. Satisfied with her alpha’s remorseful attitude, Jiang Yan Xin, propping her hands behind her, remained seated on the bed while eyeing the alpha before her. She asked, "She's your system, yes? So you two can communicate through brainwaves without speaking, right?" Chen Wan nodded honestly, "Yes, I can directly communicate with her in my mind." Jiang Yan Xin pressed her lips tighter, snickering, "Oh, heart-to-heart? Really?" Chen Wan quickly shook her head, denying, "No, no, we only discuss official matters. I only contact her when I need help, really, that’s all!" Worried that Jiang Yan Xin might not believe her, Chen Wan reiterated her honesty. Jiang Yan Xin gave a noncommittal hum, gesturing for Chen Wan to come closer. Chen Wan obediently approached, standing close to Jiang Yan Xin. Jiang Yan Xin poked Chen Wan's side before she spoke, "That's more like it. You need to remember you're a married woman. Stay away from pretty girls and definitely don't chat with them for half a day, understand?" "I understand, honey. I won't dare do it again," Chen Wan meekly confessed, reaching out to hold the wrist that was poking her side, the ticklish sensation making her squirm. Chen Wan held onto Jiang Yan Xin's wrist, giving it a little shake with a hint of playfulness. Seeing Chen Wan's sincere attitude in admitting her mistake, Jiang Yan Xin decided to let her off the hook. She beckoned with her other hand that wasn’t being held, "Come closer." Obediently, Chen Wan bent down and leaned toward Jiang Yan Xin. Jiang Yan Xin noticed her alpha was being too cautious, stopping at a fair distance away. Stifling a laugh, she decided to tease Chen Wan a bit more and continued, "A little closer. Don't stop until I tell you to." Chen Wan's ears turned a shade of crimson as she bit her lip, yet she continued to lean in as instructed. As the distance between them diminished, Chen Wan's heart raced faster and faster, until there was only a small space left between them. By then, her cheeks were flushed, and Jiang Yan Xin mercifully signaled her to stop. Chen Wan's eyes flitted around, too shy to meet Jiang Yan Xin’s gaze, aware of their proximity and Jiang Yan Xin's warm breath brushing against her skin. Jiang Yan Xin casually traced her fingertip along Chen Wan’s neck, making the skin there turn a similar rosy shade. Despite wanting to pull away, Chen Wan dared not move for fear of upsetting Jiang Yan Xin, allowing her fingers to linger on her neck. Chen Wan swallowed nervously from time to time, her anxiety evident to Jiang Yan Xin, though she kept her hands busy, continuing to stroke Chen Wan’s neck. The touch made her obedient alpha's breathing grow heavier. Amused by how her alpha was patiently enduring, Jiang Yan Xin thought more teasing was in order while she still could. For once their relationship became even more intimate, such teasing might backfire on her. With this teasing principle in mind, Jiang Yan Xin's touch became even gentler, leading to a fine sheen of sweat forming on Chen Wan's forehead. Eventually, Chen Wan couldn’t hold on any longer, her breath unstable as she pitifully caught the hand that was tormenting her. "Honey, it tickles too much. I can't take it." Chen Wan's soft voice made Jiang Yan Xin want to tease her even more. Smiling as she looked at Chen Wan, who was just inches away, she said, "Can't take it already? Chen Wan, are you really that incapable?" "I am capable! It's just too ticklish," Chen Wan replied, looking at Jiang Yan Xin with a hint of grievance. She knew she was capable and would prove it sooner or later! Jiang Yan Xin looked at her alpha, who was flustered, her face, neck, and ears all tinged with red, unable to catch her breath. Feeling softened, she knew Yi Yi was a system, yet she couldn't help the slight sourness previously. Now that Chen Wan had successfully placated her, Jiang Yan Xin wrapped her arms around Chen Wan’s neck, leaning in to kiss her on the lips—not just on the corner as Chen Wan had dared to, but a direct kiss that lingered for a brief moment before she pulled away. After this brief, gentle kiss, Jiang Yan Xin watched as the alpha who claimed to be capable practically melted onto the bed beside her, lacking the strength to move for a while. Amused by the sight of her flustered partner, Jiang Yan Xin chuckled, got up, and headed out to prepare lunch.