145 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Chen Wan and her companions had been staying in Qingji City for two weeks. During this time, both she and Qin Ke visited the auction several times, yet they still hadn't found the level-three mutant animal crystal core they desired. On this particular morning, Chen Wan and Qin Ke went to check the day's auction items as usual and were pleasantly surprised to see that there was finally a level-three mutant animal crystal core listed. Moreover, there was an intriguing "mystery item" mentioned alongside it. Chen Wan wasn't sure what the mystery item entailed, but she was thrilled nonetheless—at last, they had a chance to exchange for what they needed. The auction was set to begin at noon, and people were already arriving at the square with their vehicles. Since all the auctions required participants to exchange goods with their pledged items immediately upon winning a bid, attendees typically brought their trade materials beforehand or had them ready in their vehicles at the square. After confirming the auction list, Chen Wan and Qin Ke prepared to head back and get their vehicle. They had a variety of goods they could offer in exchange, including a large supply of octopus meat, as well as tobacco and alcohol. Upon returning, they found Cai Cai amidst a heap of dogs, joyfully playing with a bunch of fluffy friends, his little face half-buried in their fur. Seeing Chen Wan return, he beamed and called, "Mommy, play with the flowers~" "Alright, let the flowers keep playing with you, but we have to get going. There's a level-three mutant animal crystal core in today's auction lot. We'll drive to the square, so it'll be easy for us to trade directly," Chen Wan explained thoughtfully. "We should drive over and wait then," Qin Ke said, petting a large dog's fur beside her. Chen Wan nodded and went to drive. Their RV always towed a large truck, which was inconvenient, and they were running low on octopus meat. She figured it would be best to use the octopus meat behind them for the trade. As Chen Wan maneuvered the vehicle toward the square, she noticed a gathering of various trucks. Their setup of two vehicles attached was not the least bit conspicuous since some had even brought entire convoys. Yi Yi was responsible for staying in the vehicle, while Jiang Wan Ning and Ye Lan watched over Cai Cai. Once they reached the square, Chen Wan and Qin Ke exited with their group. The moment they stepped out, they attracted quite a bit of attention—dressed neatly and with strikingly attractive appearances, they naturally drew eyes. Chen Wan shielded Jiang Yan Xin by her side from prying eyes; after all, she wouldn't let others stare at her wife. It was acceptable only if she did the staring. Jiang Yan Xin understood Chen Wan's protective sentiment and, with a laugh, pinched her waist fondly. Similarly, Qin Ke wrapped her arm around Shen Ming Yan, guiding her toward the doors of the auction hall. Seeing the crowd gathered, Chen Wan grew concerned and asked, "Do you think they're all here for the level-three mutant animal crystal core?" A passerby chuckled softly, joining the conversation as he walked by, "Hardly, most are here to see the mystery item." Chen Wan glanced at the man but didn't engage further, continuing toward the entrance. Entry into the auction required a level-one zombie crystal core as a ticket fee, meant to deter those merely curious from causing disturbances without participating. After handing over four crystal cores, they received their seat numbers and entered smoothly, finding seats in the fifth row. As more attendees filled in around them, a buzz of chatter ensued. "Hey, why isn't anyone sitting in the first three rows?" "Those are VIP seats. It costs 30 first-level zombie crystal cores per person to sit there, and a lot of local big shots have their spots reserved by the organizers." "Oh, well, better to sit in the back and not blow 29 extra cores just for the front. That's just a rip-off." Listening to the surrounding conversation, Chen Wan absently played with Jiang Yan Xin's hand. Leaning against Chen Wan's shoulder, Jiang Yan Xin whispered, "What’s on your mind?" "Nothing, I just have a feeling things are going too smoothly. Finding the items we need always involved a fight before. This feels odd," Chen Wan confessed, a sense of unease creeping in, particularly since the doctor who had intended to experiment on her flowers was also rumored to be coming to Qingji City. It didn't help her perception of the place. "Don't worry, I've got you covered, okay?" Jiang Yan Xin teased, looking at Chen Wan with a raised eyebrow, drawing circles with the finger she had enclosed in hers. Chen Wan gave a plaintive look at her wife, feeling playfully slighted. After all, she was the strong one here! Even if her wife's powers were indeed formidable. Jiang Yan Xin found Chen Wan's cutely disappointed expression endearing and cuddled up, coaxing, "Alright, I’m just teasing. Of course, it's you protecting me, so don’t be mad, okay?" Only then did Chen Wan nod, appeased. As they spoke, the hall continued to fill rapidly, accommodating up to three hundred people. Those designated for the VIP rows soon took their seats, and Chen Wan was a bit surprised to notice military personnel in the first row. Were military representatives participating in the auction too? While she observed the scene ahead, a burly man entered with five others, the atmosphere briefly silencing upon their arrival. Whispered conversations resumed. "Isn't that the leader of 'Red Sun'? Did you hear? All their core members are powerful ability users, the kind with real combat capability. Even the local military gives them some leeway. Last time they went out to cull zombies, the military even hired 'Red Sun' as reinforcements." "I've heard their boss, Bao Zi—that bald guy with sunglasses—is notoriously brutal, allegedly enjoying tormenting pretty Omegas to death. And the military still collaborates with someone like that?" "Well, in these times, power is everything. Who cares about morals? If the military benefits, they'll cooperate." "True, damn, we better not compete with 'Red Sun' for anything. Piss off Bao Zi, and you'll regret it outside." "Last time someone bid against 'Red Sun' for some weapons, they got wiped out afterward." "And the military does nothing?" "Of course not; they still need 'Red Sun.' Plus, when others duke it out, the military just steps in afterward, sometimes clearing out supplies from both sides." Hearing this, Chen Wan frowned. It confirmed her suspicions—so much for peace and order, those were mere illusions. Once the VIP seats were filled, the auction hall's host began with a short speech, clarifying bidding rules, including bartering items for crystal cores based on on-site appraisals by the auction staff. With that, today's first auction item was unveiled—a vintage bottle of red wine, hyped by the host as a pre-apocalypse rarity worth tens of thousands per bottle. As expected, only the well-dressed alpha males in the VIP section engaged in a bidding war, ultimately settling at 500 second-level zombie crystal cores. The attendees marveled at the wealth displayed, considering that each core represented a slain second-level zombie. The staff then brought out the second item, a rectangular case housing two light machine guns and two rifles. This perked up the crowd, noticeably interested in weaponry. "This is the second auction item: two light machine guns and two rifles. Bidding starts now," the host announced with a smile. "300 kilograms of level-one mutant animal meat." "I bid 800 second-level zombie crystal cores." "I offer five hundred kilograms of flour." "Alright, if there are no more bids, our staff will assess the equivalent value of each bid. After that, we'll begin the second round," the host stated, while two staff members evaluated the submitted bids, presenting the results to him. "Alright, based on our assessment, the 800 second-level zombie crystal cores bid is the highest. Now, we'll start the second bidding round. Is anyone willing to offer more?" the host asked. "801 second-level zombie crystal cores," Bao Zi's voice cut through the hall, silencing the room momentarily. Content with the quiet, Bao Zi felt assured that challenging 'Red Sun' was unwise—indeed, the auction closed with 'Red Sun' securing the weapons at 801 cores. The third auction item soon followed—a pair of diamond rings. Although large in carat, they sparked little interest across the room; post-apocalyptic valuables were of little use compared to sustenance or protection, good only for wealthy folks to please their Omegas. Chen Wan glanced at the rings on display and gently squeezed Jiang Yan Xin's hand, whispering, "Do you like them? We don't have matching wedding rings yet, my love." Jiang Yan Xin chuckled at her Alpha's soft and affectionate demeanor. "Sure, but if they get too expensive, let's not waste precious resources." "Alright," Chen Wan replied, nodding with a smile. In the front rows, two bids had already been placed. "Five kilograms of level-one mutant animal meat." "Fifty first-level zombie crystal cores." The bids remained modest since people understood such items held little value in the post-apocalyptic world. Most wouldn't spend anything on luxury like this. After a moment's thought, Chen Wan raised her bidding paddle. "Five kilograms of level-three mutant animal meat." Her declaration brought a hush over the room, as level-three mutant animal meat was notoriously difficult to obtain. With a group entirely composed of women, Chen Wan's bid naturally drew attention. Even Bao Zi, seated ahead, turned to see who had bid, his expression intrigued upon spotting Jiang Yan Xin and Shen Ming Yan. He looked back at Chen Wan with a provocative gaze and raised the bid, "Ten kilograms of level-three mutant animal meat."