95 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Chen Wan and the others were driving their little blue car into the residential area where they had previously parked the RV. The neighborhood remained eerily quiet, with no zombies in sight on the streets. She felt relieved that they had chosen a secluded spot to park the RV, avoiding the hassle of relocating it. Qin Ke parked the little blue car, and both women quickly boarded the RV. As soon as Chen Wan stepped inside, a long-missed sense of security washed over her. She swiftly settled into the driver's seat and started the RV, heading toward the base in Funan City. Meanwhile, the base's massive iron gates had succumbed to the zombies, who either crashed through or pried them open with their hands. The horde was now rushing into the base, with areas A and B unable to hold their gates. Soldiers advised their squad leader, "Captain, we can't hold them off anymore. The leaders have already fled. Why should we sacrifice ourselves here? Besides, these people are worse than the ordinary folks in areas C and D. Those people know to unite with us against the zombies, while these just want protection. Let's not hold the line anymore, or we'll all perish." The squad leader glanced up, witnessing one of his soldiers being bitten to death by a lunging zombie. Gritting his teeth, he issued a command, "Everyone, follow me to the office building. We'll shoot these beasts from higher ground. If that fails, then we've done all we can." Following orders, they abandoned the gates and desperately raced upstairs as the zombies began swarming the villas. Amidst the chaos, Chen Wan drove the RV straight through the base gates, crashing into a cluster of zombies along the way. Of course, this attracted a horde of zombies clambering onto the RV. These creatures, upon gaining some intelligence, dodged the vehicle's front, choosing instead to climb up from the sides. Chen Wan had no interest in hiding her abilities. She mentally directed the RV's mechanical arms, extending from the front and rear, to relentlessly fend off the encroaching zombies while steering toward Area A. “Yi Yi, Qin Ke and I will be at Area A in about three minutes. Hold on," Chen Wan urged, all the while retrieving a rifle and a machete from the compressed space to prepare for the moment they'd disembark. "Got it. We're safe for now," Yi Yi replied from a villa located mid-way in the villa zone. The zombies had first swarmed the villas near the gates in search of survivors, and the so-called elites who were once there had met with misfortune, scrambling out from the frontline villas, shouting for help as they ran. "Help us, we are the elites across various sectors in Funan City. You'll need us to restore order.” Their pleas were answered only by the zombies' roars. In one swift move, Chen Wan used the RV’s mechanical arms to toss away the zombies climbing onboard, surged through the gate of Area A, and ran over another throng of zombies, attracting even more around the RV. She floored the accelerator, the mechanical arms flailing at lightning speed, hurling zombies either to the ground or far afield. Mistaking Chen Wan and Qin Ke, still in military attire, for rescuers sent for them, the elites shouted toward the RV, "Let us on! We’re right here." "Save us, we're all scientific researchers and esteemed elites." "Let us on the RV." Chen Wan glanced dispassionately at this hindrance. She abruptly pulled the steering wheel to the left, bypassing the crowd and driving forward. "Professor Liu, hurry! This vehicle must be a newly developed military RV, impervious to zombies. We won't die if we get on board." "Yes, this RV is large enough to accommodate dozens of us if we squeeze in. Hurry, chase after it." "Exactly, we can't let that RV slip away." A blood-curdling scream sounded as another scientist was taken down by a zombie. The crowd ran even harder, hoping to jump on board the RV to save their lives. Chen Wan and the others were already speeding toward the villa where Yi Yi's group awaited. Yi Yi, seeing the RV, quickly opened the door and shouted to everyone inside, “Let’s go, Chen Wan is here to pick us up!” Yi Yi led the way, carrying a chair leg for protection. Jiang Wan Ning held Cai Cai, while Jiang Yan Xin and Jiang Zhao Yuan supported Ye Lan, hurrying toward the RV. Some zombies that had followed began to notice the commotion. Chen Wan and Qin Ke, clutching their rifles and machetes, disembarked, shouting to their comrades, “Get on the RV, quickly!” While Chen Wan fired at the zombie horde, her biggest challenge was the group of living people also sprinting for the RV, which prevented her from gunning them all down. She urged everyone onto the RV as fast as they could, blocking a 30-something male Alpha who aggressively tried to wedge himself in. Chen Wan kicked him out, sternly warning with her gun, “If you value your lives, get lost.” "You can't do this! Aren't you soldiers? Soldiers are supposed to protect us. All together, they can't be our match..." Before he could continue, Chen Wan pulled the trigger, shooting him in the chest, whereupon he fell lifeless to the ground. Seeing this, the rest of the crowd hesitated to force themselves onto the RV, turning instead to emotional appeals to try and gain access. “Please, save us! We are powerless civilians. If we can’t board, we’ll die.” “Yes, let us on board and we’re willing to do anything you need." "Exactly, just take us somewhere safe. Help us, the zombies are closing in.” Chen Wan merely gazed at them coldly, devoid of warmth as she spoke, “In an apocalypse, the last thing needed are useless folks who only cry for help. What could I possibly do with you? What can you even offer me? Waste the food I've stored? Or repay my kindness with betrayal once you’re on board? In a world like this, how can you be so naive?” Having said her piece, she sealed the door with a thought, “Yi Yi, let’s go.” Yi Yi was already seated at the driver’s seat, without hesitation hitting the gas toward the back exit of Area A. The so-called elites, still in disbelief, trailed after the RV, continuously calling for help, but Chen Wan and her group turned a deaf ear. Chen Wan wasn’t a savior nor aspired to play a superhero in the apocalypse. There were lives she, an ordinary person, was destined not to save, nor should she try, lest she invite trouble. Jiang Yan Xin shared Chen Wan's outlook, and their journey had proven it — only the closest family members were permitted on the RV. No one else could ever board their vehicle. The icy side Chen Wan displayed was observed by Ye Lan, Jiang Zhao Yuan, and Jiang Wan Ning. They pondered if they weren’t also just extra burdens without any skill except waiting for rescue. Ye Lan, especially, worried if because of the three of them, Chen Wan might have disagreements with her daughter. The atmosphere inside the RV became tense. Chen Wan, noticing the silence, assumed they were frightened. Removing her military helmet and placing it aside, she reassured Qin Ke, “Once aboard, we’re safe. Go and take a shower. I’m off to my room for a bath." "Alright." Qin Ke, her military uniform soaked with sweat, eagerly agreed, needing a shower herself. Jiang Yan Xin finally found a moment to approach Chen Wan and asked, “Are you hurt anywhere?” “No problems here. Qin Ke and I are skilled — no chance of us getting hurt. Relax, I’m unharmed. You can keep your parents company. If they’re tired, let them rest upstairs,” Chen Wan softly advised with a smile. Jiang Yan Xin nodded, “Alright, you go shower. Can’t hold Yang Yang with you all bloodied like that.” “Okay, I’ll be back soon. Baby, Mommy will play with you in a bit,” Chen Wan smiled at the little boy in Jiang Wan Ning’s arms. Cai Cai kicked his legs, looking gleefully at his mom, “Okay~” He was thrilled to be back in the RV, his tiny heart safely at ease. Lying relaxed in his aunt's arms, he couldn’t be more comfortable. As Chen Wan left to wash up and Qin Ke retreated to her own space, Yi Yi continued steering the RV. Ye Lan, uneasy, tugged her daughter’s sleeve, her eyes red-rimmed. Jiang Yan Xin quickly asked, “Mom, what’s wrong?” “We’re just adding to your burdens here, doing nothing useful. Do you think Chen Wan is annoyed with us?” Ye Lan lowered her voice, anxiety evident. Jiang Yan Xin breathed a sigh of relief, chuckling as she reassured, “Mom, you’re overthinking things. Were you frightened just now? Chen Wan only acts that way toward outsiders. You and Dad, along with Wan Ning, are different. Relax here. If she dares mistreat you, I’ll put her in her place immediately.” “You need to get along well with Chen Wan. After all, you once got divorced.” Ye Lan’s worry lingered, her tone still slightly apprehensive. Jiang Yan Xin could only shake her head, bemused, knowing that once her parents spent enough time in the RV, they’d come to see what Chen Wan was truly like in her everyday demeanor. After taking a shower and changing clothes, Chen Wan emerged refreshed. Cai Cai, seeing his mom all clean, reached out with his little hands, wanting to be held by her. Chen Wan, beaming, took the little one from Jiang Wan Ning's arms, planting a kiss on Cai Cai's soft cheek, and asked with a chuckle, "Missed me that much?" "Missed Mommy~" Cai Cai responded, nuzzling against Chen Wan, seeking affection. Chen Wan laughed and playfully patted the little mischief-maker on his bottom, softly saying, "Let's go. How about Mommy takes you to the front seat?" Cai Cai nodded eagerly, agreeing, "Okay~" Chen Wan carried Cai Cai to the front passenger seat, sitting beside Yi Yi, as they discussed where to stop for a break. Since they still had to visit Funan University, they couldn't leave Funan City just yet. With the city center in chaos, they decided to rest in a small town south of Funan City, planning to discuss their university visit the following day. By now, it was already past four in the afternoon, and no one had eaten yet. Chen Wan thought they should prepare a hearty meal to celebrate. She gently squeezed the plump little hand of Cai Cai in her arms and asked, "Sweetheart, what do you feel like eating? Mommy will make it for you." "Meat!" Cai Cai exclaimed with enthusiasm, swinging his little legs decisively. Chen Wan chuckled, patting Cai Cai's belly fondly, "Alright, our baby is starving. Mommy will make you lots of meat, okay?" "Okay!" Cai Cai nodded vigorously in response.