86 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Chen Wan and her group had a simple meal. As they were about to leave, they overheard someone inside the tent mention that, for safety reasons, the base would stop allowing departures after 6 PM each day, resuming at 8 the following morning. Consequently, Chen Wan and her group had no choice but to stay another night at the base. Chen Wan thought it might be a good idea for Jiang Wan Ning to rest more, as she hadn't been feeling well. Jiang Yan Xin continued to administer fever and anti-allergy medication to Jiang Wan Ning, whose hives had notably improved. At that moment, she had already fallen asleep again. Chen Wan considered and then spoke to Jiang Zhao Yuan and Ye Lan, "Mom, Dad, you should rest early too. We'll leave this place first thing in the morning." "Alright, alright," the elderly couple responded hurriedly. In District D, lights usually went out around 9 PM. By 7, most people had already started lying down to sleep due to the lack of entertainment. Chen Wan, with the little one in her arms, cozied up next to Jiang Yan Xin and softly asked, "Wife, why don’t you and our baby snuggle up with me to sleep?" Jiang Yan Xin glanced at Chen Wan, then took the little one from her arms, laid out clothes on the ground, and turned her back on Chen Wan, holding their child as she fell asleep, clearly wanting nothing to do with Chen Wan. Seeing this, Chen Wan felt a bit dejected. She placed several pieces of clothing behind Jiang Yan Xin and lay down herself. She considered reaching out to embrace Jiang Yan Xin, but her hand hesitated in mid-air and she retracted it, deciding against it. Although Ye Lan and Jiang Zhao Yuan had lain down early, sleep eluded them as they occasionally glanced over at their elder daughter and Chen Wan. After witnessing the recent scene, they exchanged glances and shook their heads. Having spent considerable time in the base, they worried that Chen Wan might be like some of those alphas in the base—abandoning their wives and daughters to seek more attractive omegas. Unfortunately, their daughter was stubborn. They had advised her earlier, but it didn’t help! Meanwhile, on the military side, a high-ranking leader was listening to his trusted Major General Yao Shao Jiang report on the latest findings. He didn’t intend to hold anyone accountable for Xiang Jia Wei’s matter but needed to know who was responsible, so he entrusted the investigation to his most reliable confidant. "Commander, I have thoroughly investigated the matter you assigned. The ones who took down Xiang Jia Wei were two female alphas who joined the base today. Since entering District D, they’ve dealt with several groups of local thugs. There were four of them in total, but it was primarily these two alphas who acted. After being taken to Xiang Jia Wei, they faced his men and managed to accomplish it. They seem to be looking for someone here at the base; I found out that a family member of theirs is ill and has been unconscious," Major General Yao Shao Jiang reported respectfully to the leader. "So, these two female alphas are quite interesting?" The leader hadn’t expected that a small team, or a group uprising, was responsible instead of just two individuals taking down Xiang Jia Wei and his men. "Yes, Commander. The Omegas who escaped from Xiang Jia Wei speak of these two as if they were extraordinary. Not only are they skilled, but they're also proficient with firearms. After forcing Xiang Jia Wei's men to drop their weapons, they used firepower to suppress them, making them flee into the building only to be finished off with fire." Major General Yao Shao Jiang continued to share his gathered intelligence with the leader. "So, these two alphas are rare talents? Not only did they tackle the lawless thugs in District D, but they also handled Xiang Jia Wei’s notorious gang. Xiao Yao, bring them to see me. In these times, we need passionate young people for the country. But first, have the special operations squad test their abilities. If they truly match the accounts, then bring them to me. Otherwise, don't waste time," the leader said, picking up a book to read, ending the discussion. Major General Yao Shao Jiang exited respectfully. Considering the leader’s keen interest in these individuals, he decided to personally invite them from District D. Soon, he ordered 14 of his personal guards, armed and ready, to enter District D. This measure was not only to intimidate Chen Wan and her group but also to ensure their safety due to the well-known disorder between Districts C and D within the base. By 7:30 PM, many in District D were still awake, finding respite from the heat outside their tents. Seeing military personnel approaching silenced everyone with curiosity directed toward where they would go. Major General Yao Shao Jiang quickly arrived at Tent 1267 in District D. With so much happening there today, neighbors had been feasting on the drama like an unending source of entertainment. When military personnel gathered at Tent 1267’s entrance, a tall, thin man across the way urgently called inside, "Hey, something's up across the way again. The military’s here, come look!" His call drew the crowd inside to the tent door to observe the commotion. Inside Chen Wan’s tent, most were already preparing to sleep as Major General Yao Shao Jiang and his men entered. Before anyone could speak, one of the male alphas shouted, "Who is Chen Wan? Who is Qin Ke? Step out quickly." They’d already identified the names, so the male alpha called them out directly. Chen Wan, exhausted from the day, nearly asleep, immediately regained alertness, along with Qin Ke. Even Jiang Yan Xin, who was still upset with Chen Wan, hurriedly woke up. Seeing the 15-strong, armed group, Chen Wan realized confrontation wasn't wise; she intended to first find out the situation before making further plans. Major General Yao Shao Jiang gestured for his men to remain silent and smiled at the now-standing Chen Wan and Qin Ke. "You two must be the ones who took care of those useless thugs under Xiang Jia Wei today? Due to the unique nature of this issue, the base’s leader sent me to invite you for a chat. We’re military personnel and mean no harm." Chen Wan and Qin Ke exchanged a glance before scanning Major General Yao Shao Jiang’s deceptively friendly face. "I don’t understand what you mean. The fire over by Xiang Jia Wei’s happened because of unsafe electricity usage. If you’re looking for who dealt with him, you might want to start with the electricians in the base." "You dare to mock the Major General? Are you looking for trouble?" A personal guard accompanying Yao Shao Jiang raised a weapon at Chen Wan before Yao Shao Jiang’s smile vanished and he reprimanded the guard, "Hey, how can you be so rude to those the leader wants to meet? Put the gun down." "Yes, Major General." The guard immediately lowered his weapon. Chen Wan watched their good cop, bad cop routine silently, her face expressionless. "So, we have no choice but to go?" "Yes, indeed. Since you’re in the base, it’s best to comply with military orders and be good citizens," Major General Yao Shao Jiang continued smiling. "And there's nothing much you need to do, just exchange a few words. Nothing will happen to you." Chen Wan plainly distrusted the woman’s words but also knew they had nowhere to retreat. In hindsight, they shouldn’t have stayed in the base in the afternoon to rest. She hadn’t expected the military would track her and Qin Ke this swiftly. "Alright, my friend and I will go with the Major General. Everyone in the tent is resting, so let’s not disturb them," Chen Wan remarked with a calmness akin to a casual outing, her face devoid of fear. "Miss Chen is indeed forthright. Then, please come with us," Major General Yao Shao Jiang secretly admired Chen Wan’s courage. Observing her composed response to facing armed men, he noted that such composure was uncommon. Feeling intrigued, Major General Yao Shao Jiang believed there might indeed be some substance to these two female alphas. Chen Wan cast a reassuring glance at Jiang Yan Xin before she and Qin Ke followed Major General Yao Shao Jiang out of the tent. Ye Lan and Jiang Zhao Yuan, however, were filled with concern. "Just got back and now this with the military—oh dear, what are we going to do?" Ye Lan fretted. "Mom, don't worry. Chen Wan and Qin Ke are well-aware of what they’re doing. They’ll be fine," Jiang Yan Xin said, whether to reassure her mother or herself. Chen Wan and Qin Ke were once again traversing toward Area A under the escort of Major General Yao Shao Jiang. In the space of one day, too much had transpired, and now both she and Qin Ke found themselves returning once more to Area A. Major General Yao Shao Jiang led Chen Wan’s group toward a building approximately five stories tall, guarded by heavily armed personnel on all sides, indicating that it likely housed some of the military leaders. Major General Yao Shao Jiang paused on the open ground in front of the building and smiled at Chen Wan and Qin Ke, saying, "Please wait here a moment; I need to have a word with the guards." He gave a signal to his 14 personal guards to keep a close watch on Chen Wan and Qin Ke before heading into the building's lobby. Taking out a radio, he contacted another person, "Captain Xing, I’ve already spoken with your squad leader. He should have briefed you. Why haven’t your people arrived yet?” “We’re ready and will be there shortly,” Captain Xing replied over the radio. When Yao Shao Jiang returned outside, three additional men were now on the open ground. Two of them approached Qin Ke and Chen Wan without saying a word and immediately swung their fists. Chen Wan clenched her fists and swiftly sidestepped the assault. While dodging, she glanced at Yao Shao Jiang, “Is this how the military welcomes its guests?” Yao Shao Jiang merely smiled at Chen Wan, speaking with little concern, “Well, you'll need to demonstrate some skill, show us if you’re really worth treating as guests.” Suppressing her anger, Chen Wan understood that fighting back wouldn’t end well. She had noticed several vantage points with snipers on the building's rooftop, and the guards were all armed. If she and Qin Ke failed to control themselves and harmed military personnel, they would likely be riddled with bullets by day's end.