169 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Chen Wan and her group soon passed the second checkpoint and drove for about ten more minutes. In front of them appeared a barrier about three stories high, with a massive gate made of thick steel plates in the center. One hundred armed soldiers stood on either side of the gate, and further away, five armored tanks were stationed on both sides. Inside the walls, a dense array of about fifty rocket launcher barrels was deployed. A young soldier motioned for Chen Wan and her companions to exit the vehicle for inspection. She parked the vehicle onto a steel platform with a sensing device and stepped out. Two soldiers entered the vehicle for inspection, while instruments scanned for any remaining living creatures or contraband inside the RV. Yi Yi had made the presence of their flowers unnoticeable on the second floor, and the RV on the first floor was camouflaged to appear as a comfortable living space, nothing more. Once the RV passed inspection, a soldier led Chen Wan and her companions to a row of iron sheds. Inside were several soldiers, and one of them politely asked, "Would you prefer individual apartments or suites? You can choose freely here." After some thought, Chen Wan replied, "Let's take suites. We can all keep an eye on each other." "Alright, rooms 301 and 302 in Building 76's first unit are yours. Since there are nine of you, the maximum allocation is two suites," the staff member recorded their names and handed over the keys. "Thank you. Can we park our vehicle near the accommodation?" Chen Wan inquired further. "Yes, the residential area includes designated parking spaces. Please park in the allotted spots. Additional guidelines are on this sheet," the staff member handed her a sheet of instructions. Qi Jing and her group, following closely behind, also secured a suite, located directly above Chen Wan and her group on the fourth floor. After expressing their gratitude, Chen Wan and her team drove their RV away. Beyond the third checkpoint, apart from encountering patrol squads every few minutes, the area resembled the pre-apocalyptic world, with some people even taking leisurely strolls outside—an uncommon sight in post-apocalyptic times. Yi Yi parked the RV in the residential parking area allocated to them. The group unloaded necessary supplies and, with the flowers in tow, headed to their assigned accommodation within the base. The rooms were evidently prepared in advance, not immaculate but certainly tidy, with new bed linens placed beside the beds. Chen Wan, Jiang Yan Xin, and Qin Ke took room 301, while Ye Lan and Jiang Wan Ning settled into 302 across the hall. Their building was a 17-floor high-rise, but due to generous spacing between structures, even the third floor didn’t lose sunlight, offering excellent bedroom views. This semblance of normalcy gave Chen Wan an illusion that the apocalypse had ended. She wrapped an arm around Jiang Yan Xin, pulling her close. Leaning comfortably in Chen Wan's embrace, Jiang Yan Xin retrieved the base information sheet provided earlier, "Points earned from labor can be exchanged for daily supplies. Professionals like doctors, nurses, craftsmen, and construction workers can head directly to the First Zone service station for jobs, earning points upon completion. Those with abilities can team up with the military for missions and earn substantial points..." The document was succinct, also stating that fights were prohibited within the base, with violations judged by pre-apocalyptic laws. Furthermore, the base had established a prison. Glancing at the regulations, Chen Wan chuckled, "It seems fairly organized. But I wonder if this First Zone is truly orderly or if it’s just pretending." "How do we go about exchanging for third-level crystal cores? Or do we need to join a military mission?" Jiang Yan Xin pondered aloud, considering their primary reason for coming to the First Zone was the uncertain global situation and their wish to activate the RV's flight mode to counter unforeseen issues. "We’ll find out more when we explore," Chen Wan suggested, her eyes bright as she looked at Jiang Yan Xin. "Sure, let’s also take Yang Yang out. She hasn't basked in the sun in ages," Jiang Yan Xin spoke with concern, thinking of the little one cooped up in the underground garage for over three months—it was high time to let Cai Cai stretch her legs. "Alright, we'll bring Yang Yang along," Chen Wan agreed, gently holding Jiang Yan Xin’s hand as they set off to fetch the little one. Seeing them about to leave, Qin Ke asked, "Where are you headed?" "We're taking Yang Yang for some sun and to see what this First Zone is like," Chen Wan replied with a smile. "We'll join you. It's good that Yi Yi can communicate with you telepathically, making coordination easier," Qin Ke admitted, eager to get out, as she and Shen Ming Yan stood up to join them. Chen Wan chuckled, "Alright, Yi Yi and Wan Ning can stay behind to keep an eye on things while we head out." Saying this, Chen Wan had already taken the keys, opened the door, and knocked on the opposite door to retrieve the little one from Jiang Wan Ning. The four adults and one child then descended the stairs. Thrilled at the prospect of an outing, Cai Cai’s little legs wobbled in excitement, nearly creating afterimages as she cuddled up to Chen Wan, both eager and affectionate. "Mama, what fun things are outside?" Cai Cai asked, rubbing her face against Chen Wan’s, her head adorned with a few stray strands of hair, prompting a laugh from Chen Wan. "There are lots of fun things outside, and soaking in the sun is healthy too. Look, your hair's grown quite a bit. How about we tie it up in a little ponytail when we return?" Cai Cai nodded eagerly, "Okay~" Jiang Yan Xin watched the affectionate duo with a soft smile, her gaze gentle. Meanwhile, Qin Ke and Shen Ming Yan amused Cai Cai, with Shen Ming Yan holding and playing with the little one’s pudgy hands. For the adults, idle in the RV, their main entertainment was Cai Cai, who became well-acquainted with their affection. Clad in clean attire, Chen Wan's group, each strikingly attractive, coupled with the adorable child, drew quite a bit of attention in the First Zone. Chen Wan was aware of several eyes on them from a distance but didn’t mind. After all, wasn't the First Zone reputed for its order? This could be a good chance to test that. Unfazed by the lingering stares, Chen Wan’s little radar—Cai Cai—remarked, "Mama, some bad people are watching us." Chen Wan, momentarily forgetting the perceptive child in her arms, planted a kiss on Cai Cai’s head, "It's okay, let's not worry about them. Let’s go explore first." Understanding that the bad people posed no threat as Mama didn’t regard them as a concern, Cai Cai relaxed. The climate in Qin City hadn’t changed much from pre-apocalyptic days. By late October, the temperature was slightly cool—the perfect weather for a T-shirt under a jacket. With Cai Cai snug in her arms, Chen Wan strolled towards the First Zone service station, still aware of the scrutinizing gazes behind them. Soon enough, they arrived at the service area—a place reminiscent of pre-apocalypse public offices, lined with service windows for residents to inquire and receive tasks. Approaching a window where a female alpha was stationed, they prepared to gather information. Dressed in the standard uniform, the woman appeared surprised upon seeing Cai Cai in Chen Wan's arms. In the apocalypse, even in a safe haven like the First Zone, children were a rare sight due to their naturally lower immunity, making survival daunting. The unexpected presence of a child greatly intrigued the woman. Cai Cai, sensing the woman’s gaze, shyly smiled and greeted softly, "Hello, Auntie~" The woman, charmed by Cai Cai's gentle voice, replied warmly, "Hello." Having exchanged pleasantries with Cai Cai, the woman turned to Chen Wan, "What can I help you with? This little one is adorable." "We'd like to inquire how ability users earn points in the base," Chen Wan pondered before asking. "Ability users are among the base’s most valuable resources. They're typically assigned to collaborate with the military for rescue missions or transporting supplies. Points are awarded based on mission contributions. A zombie extermination mission with the military is planned for the day after tomorrow. If you're interested, you can take the task," the woman explained. "We’re just gathering information for now. If we decide to join, we’ll come back tomorrow," Chen Wan responded with a smile. "Very well. Participation is entirely voluntary. The base will not force residents to undertake any duties. Seniors and children without labor ability can receive two free meals from the cafeteria daily. The child with you is eligible for free meals," the woman continued. "Thank you, we’ll go when we need to," Chen Wan thanked her graciously. As they left the service area, Qin Ke turned to Chen Wan, remarking, "This place does seem quite orderly, definitely better than the places we visited before." "Yes, let's keep exploring," Chen Wan replied, intending to take a loop around the base to get familiar with the terrain before heading back. However, on their way back, it seemed someone couldn’t resist anymore. Around the corner, a man wearing a leather jacket, along with four other thuggish companions, cast greedy glances at Chen Wan and her group. "Ye Ge, these women are stunning. I can't believe alphas can look this good. Man, my hands are itching," one of them said. "Yeah, that Omega and the beta are quite attractive too. We've been buried in the snow for over three months, and the guys are itching for some fun. Why not take these gals back with us?" suggested another. "But isn't the First Zone supposed to be well-guarded? If we get caught, we might end up losing more than we gain," another dubbed Xiao Hu hesitated. "Xiao Hu, why are you getting so timid? Don't you get it? These bases are all talk and no action. They all boast about order when we enter, but inside, it's the same survival of the fittest. Even if we do something, the base won't bother with us," another chimed in. "Exactly." The man referred to as Ye Ge licked his lips. They had been stuck at a gas station in Beijing for over three months due to the heavy snow. If not for their ample supplies, they'd be dead by now. In times like these, one might as well take pleasure when possible—who knows what disaster tomorrow might bring? The man in the leather jacket signaled to his underlings, and they moved to encircle Chen Wan and her group.