118 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

xbanxia.com Transmigration to a Dystopian Novel as a Scum A - Chapter 118 After a simple meal, everyone returned to the mall for another round of shopping. Their main goal for the afternoon was to grab as many clothes and shoes as possible. Cai Cai was growing fast, so he needed clothes for all ages, and perhaps a few little dresses. Jiang Yan Xin couldn't resist picking up a couple of pretty little dresses. The adults had already endured enough hardship in this apocalypse, and she wanted Cai Cai to grow up happy every day. They needed clothes and shoes for themselves as well, alongside essentials like bed linens and quilts. With production halted, it was uncertain whether these items would be available in the future. Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin busied themselves with women’s and children’s clothing. They chose practical garments, stuffing short sleeves, long sleeves, jackets, padded clothes, and down jackets into their backpacks and tote bags. While browsing the children's section, Jiang Yan Xin found the kids' clothes irresistibly adorable. Everything appealed to her, so she turned to Chen Wan with a smile and said, "What should I do? They're all so cute." Chen Wan's eyes softened seeing the cute outfits cradled in Jiang Yan Xin's arms, which included panda, lamb, and bear sets. It was adorable to imagine the little one wearing them. "If you like them, take them all. Our baby will look adorable in them." Chen Wan found Jiang Yan Xin's indecision over which clothes to take charming. Seizing the moment, she leaned over and kissed Jiang Yan Xin on the cheek when everyone else was busy. Jiang Yan Xin's ears turned red. She glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then playfully glared at Chen Wan. "We're still outside; don't startle me like that." "You were too cute, I couldn't help it." Chen Wan wrapped an arm around Jiang Yan Xin's waist, stealing another quick kiss before releasing her. Her eyes sparkled as she said, "Honey, I noticed there are furniture items on the fifth floor. Should we go up and see?" Jiang Yan Xin, while gathering the animal outfits, asked in surprise, "Our RV is already fully equipped. Do we need more furniture?" "A bed — think about it. Yang Yang is three and a half now, nearing four by year's end. It's time for him to have his own little bed. Plus, if he always sleeps with us, we won't have much privacy." Chen Wan looked all too proud of her reasoning, making Jiang Yan Xin laugh. Poking Chen Wan in the chest, Jiang Yan Xin teased, "Isn't it more for your convenience?" "No way, it's for our mutual benefit, and it helps foster Yang Yang's independence. Anyway, it's beneficial in many ways," retorted Chen Wan as she continued sorting through clothes. "Alright, since it's necessary, let's prepare one. We'll need it eventually anyway." Jiang Yan Xin laughed, shaking her head. She noted with amusement how Chen Wan seemed energized, even speeding up her clothes-packing. Jiang Yan Xin thought it might be nice to communicate with Chen Wan more often using mental powers; an alpha with no strength to resist was quite adorable. Meanwhile, Qin Ke and Shen Ming Yan gathered shoes for the group, focusing on athletic and casual styles, and bundling up several winter shoes. With uncertain future supplies, they wanted to be prepared for all seasons. Jiang Zhao Yuan, the sole man among them, had his sizes inquired beforehand, so they picked some for him too. In the children's shoe section, they gathered shoes for Cai Cai in various sizes, anticipating his growth and the ever-changing sizes that came with it. Yi Yi and Jiang Wan Ning busied themselves in the bedding section, having made multiple trips for bags of quilts, sheets, and pillows. They also grabbed summer blankets and throw blankets for colder times, pondering whether the apocalyptic weather would remain the same. The mall's array had them spoiled for choice. Once their spatial storages were packed, Chen Wan suggested making another quick run, aiming to snag any overlooked items, including a little bed for Cai Cai. Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin had a mission in mind as they headed for the elevator, though it was currently out of power and served only as stairs. Jiang Wan Ning and Qin Ke, before heading to the supermarket for more supplies, caught up with Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin, asking, "Sister, where are you going?" "We're going to the fifth floor to find a small bed for Yang Yang to have his own space in our room," Jiang Yan Xin replied with a smile, glancing back at her sister. "Alright, we’ll gather more food for the RV," Jiang Wan Ning said as she entered the supermarket with Yi Yi. Indeed, the supermarket held treasures. Qin Ke found an assortment of glass-jarred jams, honey, and packaged coffee, filling her backpack as deliberation turned into acquisition. Yi Yi and Jiang Wan Ning discovered Lao Gan Ma sauces and picked up some fairly dated fermented tofu, not to mention several rows of tuna and luncheon meat cans. They initially restrained themselves to a few items each, but Jiang Wan Ning, pondering the unused space behind their second-floor kitchen, gave in to impulse. She and Yi Yi wheeled over a cart to load it with as much canned fish and meat as they could. When Chen Wan returned, she saw their once-manageable groups now alongside carts loaded with goods, shaking her head with a laugh. Fortunately, the RV's two levels and rooms had some free space, more than enough to store the haul. "This is what you call 'just picking a few things'?" Chen Wan chuckled at the sight. She carried a little bed with ease, while Jiang Yan Xin followed with a few children's quilts and five pillows. "Yep, but once we started, we couldn't stop. There are still so many useful things inside, but we're out of room," Jiang Wan Ning replied, wistfully glancing back at the supermarket. Chen Wan smiled, offering reassurance, "We've done well getting this much. We'll resupply whenever we get the chance. Let's pack up and head back." Jiang Wan Ning lingered, reluctant to leave, finally understanding why Chen Wan's family always had plenty to eat. They secured a wealth of convenient supplies. This final supply run filled all available storage, necessitating stowing the surplus in the RV. Chen Wan was the first to place the little bed inside. Cai Cai, playing hide-and-seek with his grandparents, promptly asked upon seeing his mom return, "Mom, what is that?" "Sweetheart, this is your little bed. You'll have your own little home within our home. How does that sound?" Chen Wan coaxed gently. Cai Cai shook his head, pouting adorably, "I want to sleep with mom and mommy~" Chen Wan chuckled, knowing she'd need to bribe him with candy to separate him from their bed. It was a gradual process, but the bed was set up first. "You moving that alone—aren't you tired? Let your dad help," Ye Lan suggested, spotting Chen Wan carrying the hefty bed. "No need, Mom. I'm strong; I can handle it," Chen Wan replied with a smile, as she continued carrying the bed to the bedroom. Jiang Yan Xin followed with the bedding, depositing it first before heading back for more. Ye Lan watched the haul of goods outside the RV with delight; the stash towered taller than a person! "Bring them all in, but take it slow. I'll help." Ye Lan, never one to sit idle, beamed at the bounty her children had amassed. "No worries, Auntie, we're strong. We'll finish in no time." Yi Yi replied, showing enthusiasm. As Wan Ning's girlfriend, Auntie was practically her future mother-in-law, prompting Yi Yi to show what she was made of. "Just be careful and don't strain your backs," Ye Lan reminded. Chen Wan and the others, strong and efficient, soon had everything piled on the first floor. Jiang Yan Xin and Jiang Wan Ning then organized items upstairs. They toiled for another ten minutes to sort the supplies, methodically arranging the remaining two cartloads along the RV wall. Resolute, Ye Lan insisted her children take a break from cooking, urging Chen Wan and the others to rest, freshen up, and consider dinner options. "Chen Wan, decide what you’d like for dinner, and I’ll cook it for you," Ye Lan stated warmly, growing increasingly fond of Chen Wan. Without her, the family's comfort would have been unimaginable. Contemplating their freshly acquired items, Chen Wan smiled, "How about tuna can fried rice? We brought back many tins; I bet it’ll be delicious." "Alright, I'll get started on it. You two go rest," Ye Lan replied with a smile. "Thank you, Mom," Chen Wan grinned at Ye Lan before heading back to their room with Jiang Yan Xin. On the way, Jiang Yan Xin nudged Chen Wan, looking to catch her attention. "What is it, honey?" Chen Wan turned to ask. "Oh, nothing. It just seems like my mom's showing favoritism. She always asks you first what you'd like to eat," Jiang Yan Xin pouted, leaning against Chen Wan. Though her words were tinged with mock jealousy, her heart felt warm. It was clear to her that her parents were fond of Chen Wan and no longer harbored previous reservations. This made Jiang Yan Xin genuinely happy. However, it almost seemed like her mom preferred Chen Wan over her daughters! She felt as if she and Wan Ning were left to the side. "Of course, both Mom and Dad like me," Chen Wan chuckled, pulling Jiang Yan Xin into a hug and kissing her cheek. "You and our baby like me too." Jiang Yan Xin wrapped her arms around Chen Wan's neck, giving her a light peck on the lips. "You're so full of yourself." Meanwhile, Cai Cai, watching as his mom and mommy walked away, was left a little bewildered. He didn't want to sleep alone! The site is ad-free. Permanent domain: (xbanxia.com)