80 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Chen Wan, after taking care of everything, turned back to join Jiang Yan Xin and the others. Jiang Zhao Yuan and Ye Lan were still somewhat in disbelief. When had Chen Wan become so formidable? Ye Lan breathed a small sigh of relief upon seeing Jiang Yan Xin and Zai Zai. She quickly embraced both of them. "Yan Xin, Wei Bei City is so far from here. How did you make it over?" "Mom, Chen Wan drove the RV to bring us here. We came to take you, Dad, and Yin Yin with us. It's not safe here; we can't stay," Jiang Yan Xin said, feeling slightly more at ease now that her parents seemed otherwise fine, save for looking a little thinner. However, Jiang Zhao Yuan hesitated slightly. "Go outside? Is that wise? I've heard there are unmonitored zombies outside the base. If we leave, would it really be better than staying?" "Dad, don't worry. We have ways to handle zombies. The guy I just dealt with, Kai Zi, there are more behind him. Staying here isn't safe; we need to leave quickly," Chen Wan said, frowning. Considering what Chen Wan said, Jiang Zhao Yuan thought it made sense. They had made enemies, and staying at the base promised eventual trouble, so it was better to follow Chen Wan's lead. Still, it confused him how Chen Wan was now with his daughter, as before the apocalypse, his daughter had talked about divorcing Chen Wan. Yet, he refrained from asking Chen Wan about it directly. "Alright, I'll carry Wan Ning," Jiang Zhao Yuan said, rising to pack their things as Qin Ke and Yi Yi started gathering their belongings. "No need," Chen Wan surveyed the group, thinking Yi Yi, who was single and already at level 3 with surely increased strength, was the most suitable to carry Wan Ning. "We have enough people here. Let's have Yi Yi do it," Chen Wan smiled. "Right, Uncle, you just handle the luggage. I'll carry Wan Ning," Yi Yi said, still smiling, readying to carry Jiang Wan Ning. Just then, an uninvited group barged into the tent, armed with guns. Chen Wan frowned and looked at the ten men outside. The man leading them, apparently in his thirties, was an alpha with sharply defined features, appearing tough. His stance with the gun was standard, suggesting to Chen Wan that he might be an ex-soldier. Scanning Chen Wan's group, the man coldly asked, "Are you the ones who killed Kai Zi?" Chen Wan stood, sensing danger. Among these ten, each had a gun, and even with her, Yi Yi, and Qin Ke's skills, they couldn’t repel the firearms' threat. The more perilous the situation, the clearer Chen Wan's mind became. She looked at the man and calmly said, "I killed him. It has nothing to do with the others. If you have any issues, come at me." Jiang Yan Xin tugged at Chen Wan's sleeve from behind. Chen Wan turned to Jiang Yan Xin, shook her head, and flashed a reassuring smile. Upon hearing Chen Wan's words, the man chuckled. "You've got guts, unlike those who kneel and beg at the sight of a gun. But you've crossed someone you shouldn't have. Both you and that alpha need to come to Area A with me. The rest won't be harmed unless..." He didn’t finish, merely gesturing with the rifle as if to fire. Chen Wan's lips tightened slightly. Qin Ke had come to help rescue, and now Chen Wan had dragged Qin Ke into this danger. Qin Ke, however, calmly joined Chen Wan. "It's okay. We'll go together. There will be a way." Chen Wan nodded reluctantly, while mentally instructing Yi Yi, "Yi Yi, take care of them for me. Qin Ke and I will find a way. Don't venture into Area A on your own." "Understood," Yi Yi replied mentally to Chen Wan. Ye Lan and Jiang Zhao Yuan tried to speak, but Chen Wan stopped them, saying, "Mom, Dad, it's useless to talk. Don't waste your energy pleading with them. Trust that Qin Ke and I will come back." Zai Zai, in Jiang Yan Xin’s arms, seemed to sense something too, looking at Chen Wan with reddened eyes. "Mommy~" "You stay with your mom. I'll be back soon," Chen Wan assured, then turned to Jiang Yan Xin. "Yan Xin, be careful." Jiang Yan Xin bit her lip, then quickly added, "Make sure you come back safely with Qin Ke. We've not even discussed Yan Yan's matters yet. I have so much more to tell you." "Trust me," Chen Wan reassured. The leading man impatiently interjected, "Finished talking? Our Xiang Shao is waiting. Keeping him waiting could have dire consequences that none of you can afford." Suppressing her anger, Chen Wan left with Qin Ke, following the group. The leader motioned for his juniors to tie up Chen Wan and Qin Ke's wrists, then dragged them along like dogs. "Brother Zhou, wasn't that report too exaggerated? Could they really have killed all of Kai Zi's people?" a young man in a black half-sleeve spoke to Zhou Hua. Zhou Hua, the man leading, sneered. "You know how useless Kai Zi's bunch is. When it comes down to it, Xiang Shao has to rely on professionals like us." "True," the young man agreed, flattering Zhou Hua. "It's all thanks to you, Brother Zhou, otherwise Xiang Shao would’ve been in danger several times. No wonder he values you so much." Zhou Hua was Xiang Jia Wei's most trusted subordinate, previously his bodyguard captain before the apocalypse. He continued guarding Xiang Jia Wei post-apocalypse, remaining low-key yet possessing excellent skills. Generous with his rewards, Xiang Jia Wei's past treatment was why Zhou Hua stayed loyal; he considered Xiang Jia Wei his benefactor. Behind them, Chen Wan and Qin Ke silently followed, their wrists bound. To Chen Wan, the ropes were virtually nonexistent; she'd break free easily. Yet she intended to see what kind of person this Xiang Jia Wei was, having forced her into this situation. The men continued chatting upfront as Chen Wan and Qin Ke observed, trying to memorize Area A's layout for their eventual escape. They were soon at the grand entrance, where Zhou Hua showed credentials to access Area A, bringing Chen Wan and Qin Ke inside. The soldier at the gate visibly paused seeing Chen Wan, then glanced at Zhou Hua, frowning. "What happened to them? Why are they tied up here?" Zhou Hua, surprised at the audacity of the soldier to question him, laughed scornfully. "Kid, you haven't been a soldier long, have you? Acting like a fool. Let me tell you, matters of Area A are beyond your reach. Even your superiors dare not meddle. Don't try playing hero; few fit the bill." Zhou Hua's words elicited laughter from his juniors, who also dismissed the base soldiers as mere order followers. The soldier, Liu Zi, was standing guard at Area A's gate with Zhao Lei, having taken turns since their post at the checkpoint this morning. Spotting Chen Wan in distress frustrated him, though he felt powerless. "You’re misleading; I’m conducting regular inquiries," Liu Zi retorted, yet inside, he knew Zhou Hua wasn’t lying. Relocations from Zones C and D were common, with many choosing silence out of necessity fueled by orders favoring Area A's residents. "What you know well," Zhou Hua taunted, showcasing a playful smile. "Xiang Shao fancies these two female alphas. Surely you get it." "Xiang Jia Wei? No, they can't go!" Liu Zi reflexively wanted to block them, only for Zhao Lei to hold him back. "As soldiers, we follow orders. Do you want to lose your rank?" Zhao Lei insisted, restraining his partner. Zhou Hua, uninterested in engaging, led Chen Wan and Qin Ke into Area A. Chen Wan threw a grateful glance at Liu Zi, surprised at his willingness to speak up for her. Though Zhao Lei eased his grip, Liu Zi's frustration was evident in his red face. While unclear on every detail, he’d try nudging those entering Area A. His little efforts occasionally spared some, but stepping against Xiang Jia Wei's influence left Chen Wan and Qin Ke virtually doomed. Using their time marching to and through Area A, Chen Wan assessed the territory keenly, plotting their eventual escape. Beside her, Qin Ke did likewise, studying the terrain silently. Compared to Zones C and D, Area A was notably prosperous and clean. Apart from a few high-rise buildings, it was filled with three-story villas, clearly reserved for the elite. Chen Wan couldn't help but smirk at the irony—how even in the apocalypse, people were divided into hierarchies. Hearing the sound, Zhou Hua glanced at Chen Wan. "Soon you’ll find it hard to laugh. Once you're in Xiang Shao's playground, few leave alive." Chen Wan merely stared coldly back at Zhou Hua, maintaining her composure. Moments later, she sneered. "And what are you laughing about?" Zhou Hua snapped, with a cold glare. "You disgrace the uniform. Look at yourself—acting like a mad dog," Chen Wan retorted icily. Zhou Hua raised his hand, ready to strike Chen Wan’s face. But she continued, "Isn't it my face that your master fancies? How would you explain if it's damaged?" He halted, his face flushed with anger, yanking Chen Wan and Qin Ke's ropes with malice. "Once Xiang Shao tires of you, that's when you’ll truly face hell. Let’s see how long your defiance lasts then." Chen Wan merely looked at Zhou Hua, unmoved. To her, he was unworthy of the military distinction. Having already stared death in the face once, what hell was she to fear? Her interest lay in tearing a hole through it. "Come on, move along. Don’t keep Xiang Shao waiting," Zhou Hua urged, hastening them forward.