176 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

In the web novel, a scene unfolds where Shi Tou is trying to console Ke Qing, who seems unsettled by the swiftness of events between them. He awkwardly reassures her, as he's never had a girlfriend before, suggesting they start as friends and take things slow. Ke Qing, with her tearful eyes, looks at Shi Tou for assurance, which he quickly provides. Calming down, she rests her head on his arm, leaving him at a loss for words. Meanwhile, Chen Wan and her group return to the shelter of their armored vehicle after a brief stroll, mindful of the potential dangers at night. Inside the vehicle, Ke Qing’s demeanor has shifted back to normal as she greets Chen Wan with a smile, though her gaze notably lingers on her. Chen Wan suggests that Ke Qing rest after the day's fright, promising medical help once they reach the first district. Jiang Yan Xin, observing Ke Qing’s interest in Chen Wan, inquires if she was an actress before the apocalypse. Ke Qing humbly dismisses the idea of being a star, noting she's merely a small-time performer. Huang Li Li, sensing the tension, joins in to lighten the mood by mentioning she's seen one of Ke Qing's dramas. As they engage in small talk, Jiang Yan Xin perceives Ke Qing's intent interest in her. Also an Omega, Jiang Yan Xin accurately reads Ke Qing’s feelings, internally declaring that Chen Wan, her Alpha, is off-limits to others. Amidst this awkward chat, Jiang Yan Xin tugs at Chen Wan's clothing, expressing her fatigue with sleepy, wet eyes. Chen Wan, tempted to kiss her, instead pulls Jiang Yan Xin into her embrace, promising a proper rest once back at the base. Nearby, Qin Ke teases Shen Ming Yan about resting on her shoulder, only to be reminded she's the one who needs rest. Blushing at this playful exchange, Qin Ke concedes, leaning into Shen Ming Yan’s arms, much to her amusement. While the couples find comfort in each other’s presence, the single ones in the vehicle look on, feeling a touch envious. As the night passes uncomfortably in the vehicle, they awaken to Chai Zhi Hui orchestrating the loading of supplies onto trucks, which takes the team until noon. With plentiful resources in tow, they begin their return. Soon, the convoy is halted by the emergence of a formidable mutated creature, prompting Chai Zhi Hui to direct soldiers and ability users to prepare for combat. Amidst this, Shi Tou anxiously wants to ensure Ke Qing remains in the car for safety, but she insists on staying by his side, a sentiment he can't refuse. Once outside, Ke Qing's lips curl slightly as she realizes the advantage of sticking with the main group for safety, all while eyeing Chen Wan from afar. Chen Wan, alongside Jiang Yan Xin, discovers the enemy—a massive mutated caterpillar, repulsive to Chen Wan, who's averse to such creatures. Though bullets rain upon it, the creature's resilience proves formidable. As soldiers and ability users struggle, Chen Wan calls for her zombies to engage the monster, buying crucial time and cautioning others to keep a safe distance from the corrosive secretion. Chai Zhi Hui, recognizing allies of Wei Si Yu, heeds Chen Wan’s advice, directing his team to retreat as her controlled zombies launch a relentless assault. Even as the zombies fall prey to the corrosive substance, Chen Wan’s tactical command gradually weakens the creature. Wrestling with disgust, Chen Wan continues coordinating her zombies, driving the battle onward until the caterpillar loses its strength. Though tempted to use her system's powers to retrieve the creature's crystalline core, the public setting compels her to resort to more traditional means, directing her zombies to extract it from the monster’s head while the onlookers watch with bated breath. Seeing Chen Wan adeptly handle the situation with her abilities, Jiang Yan Xin refrains from intervening further. After approximately ten minutes, the zombies, under Chen Wan’s control, manage to locate the crystal core deep within the creature's head. One zombie, relatively untouched by the corrosive substance, clumsily approaches Chen Wan, holding the core like a marionette on strings. Chen Wan instructs the zombie to place the crystal core on the ground before her. Complying, the zombie sets it down as directed. With her abilities, Chen Wan commands the zombies to retreat. She retrieves a water flask and a rag from the vehicle, pouring water onto the crystal to rinse off the unpleasant sticky residue, then wipes it with the cloth. Though it still seems somewhat off-putting, she wraps the core in the cloth and a plastic bag, finally standing up. As she rises, Chen Wan notices everyone silently staring at her. Puzzled, she turns to Chai Zhi Hui, asking, "Aren’t the crystal cores typically claimed by the person who kills a mutant creature? Isn’t that the rule?" Chai Zhi Hui, though internally elated, maintains his composure. The discovery that Chen Wan, unlike Wei Si Yu, is an offensive-type psychic ability user—remarkably rare among ability users—gives him a sense of having struck gold for the first district.