142 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Chen Wan and her group connected the building's loudspeaker system, continuously broadcasting the news of the Ming brothers' demise and calling all the security team members to gather in front of the building. The base was momentarily thrown into chaos. Chen Wan and Qin Ke were responsible for heading back to the convenience store to pick up people, while Wei Si Yu and her team began re-establishing the order of "Tomorrow." They reorganized the security team members using a roster and had the bodies and statues removed. The security team, who were just there to earn a living, saw the Ming brothers fall and were eager to join Wei Si Yu in the effort. By the time Chen Wan and Qin Ke departed, Wei Si Yu and the remaining team members had already started inventorying the base's supplies. Jiang Yan Xin and Shen Ming Yan were aiding in the creation of a new personnel roster, reshaping the entire system. Wei Si Yu planned to transform the base into a place where hard work equaled rewards, requiring everyone to labor for their provisions and food. Chen Wan and Qin Ke drove the vehicle they had used to get to the base back to the convenience store to gather people, arriving successfully just over 20 minutes later. Huang Li Li was sitting on the ground resting, while Qiao Shi Rui had already fallen asleep. "We found Zhao Jing Jing. The base is essentially under our control now. We'll take you all there first," Chen Wan informed Huang Li Li. “Alright, I'll carry her to the car,” Huang Li Li replied, picking up the sleeping Qiao Shi Rui. Although she was an Omega, her enhanced abilities gave her considerable strength. Qiao Shi Rui was so exhausted that, despite all she'd said earlier, she didn’t stir at all when moved into the car. Huang Li Li tucked her in with a blanket and climbed into the driving seat. Chen Wan and Qin Ke returned to the RV, where Zai Zai saw Chen Wan and immediately reached out to be held by her. Seeing she was dirty, Chen Wan stepped back with a smile, gently coaxing Zai Zai, "I'm too dirty right now to hold you. How about I play with you after I clean up?" Zai Zai nodded, standing a step or two away, pouting, "Mommy, I missed you~" "I missed my little troublemaker too. Once we get settled, I'll play with you all you want, okay?" Chen Wan, itching to hold her little one, longed for the moment she could cuddle her. “Okay,” the little one agreed, adorably swaying her head, which made Qin Ke eager too. She could head to the bathroom first since she wasn’t driving, while Chen Wan, after washing her hands, took on the driving. Within ten minutes, they were nearing "Tomorrow." Qin Ke emerged fresh from her shower, and Zai Zai dashed from Grandma’s arms into Qin Ke's embrace, cheerfully squealing, "Auntie, play with me!" “Alright, I’m all clean and ready to play. What do you want to play?” Qin Ke asked, affectionately playing with her soft hands and occasionally poking her dimples. “Let’s play ‘Little Cow and Big Tiger!’ You be the Big Tiger and chase me, okay? I’m the Cow!” Zai Zai bounced on her short legs, craving the fun aunties could provide. “Okay, I’m the Big Tiger, and I’m going to catch the little cow!” Qin Ke set Zai Zai down, playfully chasing after her. Zai Zai gleefully scampered away on her short legs, laughing as she tried to evade Qin Ke, only to be scooped up from behind in no time—her little legs were no match for Qin Ke’s speed. Qin Ke jostled Zai Zai in her arms, lightly teasing, “The Big Tiger caught the little cow and is going to eat you up!” Zai Zai giggled uncontrollably, her short legs kicking, “No, no, don’t eat me.” Qin Ke kissed Zai Zai on her cheek and set her back down, “Okay, the little cow has been eaten.” Zai Zai continued giggling, dashing with her short legs again, only to be captured by Qin Ke once more shortly thereafter, “Caught the second little cow, time to eat up!” “Don’t eat me, hee hee hee!” Zai Zai laughed so hard her face tilted upwards. Qin Ke planted another kiss on her cheek and set her down again. They played this game all the way until they reached the "Tomorrow" base, with Zai Zai being caught and "eaten" countless times, blissfully enjoying every moment despite repeatedly losing the game. Chen Wan, driving up front, was filled with envy at the playful scene. She wanted to join in on the fun with Zai Zai, but finally parking near the main gates, she found time to clean up after ensuring the car behind her, a truck, was safely parked. After her shower, Chen Wan carried Zai Zai out of the RV, joining Qin Ke, Ye Lan, and Jiang Zhao Yuan in meeting up with Jiang Yan Xin and the group. Jiang Yan Xin and Yi Yi were busy registering people in the convoy to better assess the base’s situation. Qin Ke and Ye Lan quickly offered assistance, while Chen Wan stayed close with Zai Zai, keeping her company. After reuniting with Chen Wan, Zai Zai whimpered, “Mommy, I missed you.” While diligently recording names, Jiang Yan Xin glanced over with a smile, “Mommy’s busy now, let Mimi keep you company. We’ll play together tonight.” “Okay, tonight I’ll be the little cow, and you catch me,” Zai Zai chirped, snuggling closer to Chen Wan. “Alright, then I’ll gobble up my little calf,” Chen Wan chuckled, gently bouncing Zai Zai. Watching her loved ones work hard, Chen Wan mused that Zai Zai really should learn the essential skills to help out when she grew. She was already planning subjects to cover, thinking that with enough hands, Zai Zai could receive a well-rounded education. Poor Zai Zai, unaware of her mom’s educational plans, was only thinking about how fun the “Cow and Tiger” game was. Meanwhile, Wei Si Yu was immersing herself in warehouse inventory tasks. She found the warehouse in "Tomorrow" brimming with supplies, more than enough to support the base for a significant time, provided they were distributed and managed rightly. With a team of twenty security members, Wei Si Yu was personally involved in counting. Even those who surrendered found it astonishing. They expected Wei Si Yu, now the base leader, to distance herself from such laborious work. Compared to the Ming brothers, who did nothing but enjoy luxuries, this new leader was working as hard as, if not harder than, any of them. Feeling an invigorating sense of camaraderie, the team members threw themselves into their tasks, inspired by her diligence. It took Jiang Yan Xin and her team about two hours to tidy up the register, announcing that everyone should gather in front of the building at 8 AM the next morning for new rule announcements. Everyone had been busy for most of the day, even Chen Wan, holding Zai Zai, eventually chipped in. Zai Zai sat contentedly in her lap, repeatedly eyeing the lists, even if they made little sense to her. By the time five o'clock rolled around, Chen Wan began preparing that evening’s meal, and everyone took a break. While some cooked and others cleaned, by six o'clock, they were enjoying octopus risotto, a meal eagerly anticipated by all. Even Zai Zai, stomach grumbling, ate heartily, her little mouth busy and full. Qin Ke teased her, "Does our little cow still want to play with big tigers tonight? There will be many of them." Zai Zai gulped down her mouthful defiantly, “Yes! I’m not afraid of big tigers.” “Alright, we’ll all play with you,” Qin Ke smiled warmly at the little one. Zai Zai was overjoyed, her legs swinging excitedly. She loved having everyone join her games. Post meal, Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin cleaned up the dishes while the group of aunties had already initiated playtime with Zai Zai. Qin Ke and Shen Ming Yan stood to one side, while Yi Yi and Jiang Wan Ning held the other. Zai Zai laughed and dodged the elder aunts' playful clutches with her fleeting little legs, but she was swiftly caught by Yi Yi. Yi Yi playfully pinched Zai Zai’s plump little legs, cooing, “The big tiger has captured you; where should I start nibbling, your little arms or little legs?” “No, no,” Zai Zai whined, cuddling up to Yi Yi. Yi Yi kissed Zai Zai’s plump arm, set her down, and announced, “One little cow caught, let’s start round two.” “Yay~” Zai Zai giggled, running around, soon encircled by Shen Ming Yan, who captured her for a moment of affection before letting her go again. The Hua Huas joined the fun, wiggling to get the aunts’ attention, hoping to free Zai Zai. But soon they too were gently pulled into the joyful fray, the group dissolving into a playful heap as they relished in shared laughter and joy, particularly Zai Zai, whose cheerful face never wavered from a smile. After cleaning the pots, Chen Wan couldn't help but smile at the sight of Zai Zai playing games with the aunties. Once Chen Wan finished her tasks, Zai Zai squeezed in a warm hug with her before returning to the aunties for more fun. Chen Wan mused that if everyone had lipstick on, Zai Zai would resemble a meme of a dog covered in lipstick marks. After a while, Zai Zai got too tired from the constant attention and play. She had been surrounded by the aunties multiple times today! Seeing her little one exhausted, Chen Wan took her for a bath and then tucked her into bed. When she finally had a moment to herself, she turned to Yi Yi to ask about the total number of crystal cores they found in the laboratory on the eighth floor, wanting to have a clear mental inventory. Yi Yi, hearing Chen Wan’s query mentally, began tallying up the cores. "In the lab, there are 4,329 Level 1 zombie crystal cores, 2,450 Level 2 zombie crystal cores, 29 Level 1 mutated animal crystal cores, and one Level 3 mutated animal crystal core. It's a decent haul. Combined with what we previously collected, we've gathered quite a few crystal cores." "Great, in a day or two we should head out to search for the third Level 3 mutated animal crystal core. In the meantime, we can gather some intel around the base," Chen Wan thought to herself. She considered that perhaps after leaving, they could check out nearby parks or even the zoo. Wherever there were animals, there might just be a Level 3 mutated animal!