177 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Title: Transmigrated into a Dystopian Wasteland Novel as a Scumbag Alpha - Chapter 177 (Bonus Chapter) “Yes, that's right. Usually, when hunting mutant animals, whoever contributes the most is entitled to the beast's crystal core and meat. Although, I'm afraid this insect's meat won't be edible. Just take the crystal core,” Chai Guan Feng said, his eyes lighting up as he looked at Chen Wan, surprised by the prowess of Wei Si Yu's friend. “Alright, I won't hold back then. I'm concerned the viscous liquid on the road might corrode the tires. How about we ask the water element users to help clean up the road so we can return to the base sooner?” Chen Wan suggested with a smile as she stored the crystal core. “Alright.” Chai Guan Feng replied with a smile and turned to the water element ability users. “Please help clear the road. We must return to the First District before nightfall for safety.” The ability users, finally recovering from their shock, proceeded to join the soldiers in dealing with the caterpillar carcass at the front. People were finally less tense, and some even started whispering among themselves. “Wow, that female Alpha just now was incredible! She single-handedly took down a level 3 mutant animal. How skilled must she be?” “Incredible skill. It used to take all the ability users plus soldiers firing bullets to take down a level three mutant. Now, this woman solved it by herself. Mental-type ability users are terrifying.” “Our First District is attracting increasingly powerful ability users. And Chen Wan is good-looking too. When we return, you bet a lot of Omegas and Betas at the base will take a liking to her.” “Definitely. Who wouldn't like someone who has both strength and looks?” Ke Qing also snapped out of her earlier astonishment. Though she had expected Chen Wan to be strong enough to lead among ability users like Shi Tou, she didn’t anticipate she’d be this formidable—able to control zombies effortlessly to kill mutant beasts, a power far surpassing Shi Tou's strength abilities. Listening to the others discuss Chen Wan's power, Ke Qing's lips curled slightly upwards, pleased that she, at least, knew Chen Wan better than those strangers behind her. While waiting for the road to be cleared, Chen Wan spotted Liu Zi amidst the commotion. She remembered this soldier as one of the few decent people from the Funan City base. Surprised he was alive, she greeted him with a smile, “You've made it to the First District too?” Liu Zi glanced around to confirm she was addressing him, blushing, and quickly replied, “Zhao Lei and I drove here, fighting zombies along the way. It was hard, but we made it. How about you? Is everything okay?” “We’re doing alright, though the journey was rough. We got snowed in at Beijing for three months, but it’s all good as long as we’re alive,” Chen Wan chuckled. Liu Zi nodded vigorously, “Right, staying alive is all that matters.” After about twenty more minutes, the road was finally cleared. Chen Wan and the others got into their vehicle, taking their turn. Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin were at the back, not in a hurry, leisurely moving toward the car door. As Ke Qing was getting in, she stumbled backward toward Chen Wan. Instinctively, Chen Wan caught Ke Qing and asked, “Are you alright?” “I’m fine, just a bit dizzy,” Ke Qing replied, looking at Chen Wan gratefully and leaning into her. Chen Wan sensed the shift in atmosphere, aware of Jiang Yan Xin watching them closely and feeling a chill. To avoid any misunderstanding, she quickly called out, “Can an Omega or Beta help support Ke Qing? She’s not feeling well.” Huang Li Li and Qi Jing hurried over to assist, and once Ke Qing was out of her hands, Chen Wan sighed deeply in relief, casting a somewhat aggrieved look at Jiang Yan Xin, who merely glared back at her. Jiang Yan Xin didn’t engage further and was the first to get in the car. Chen Wan pouted—how was it her fault Ke Qing, seemingly stable, managed to slip on flat ground conveniently toward her? Watching Shi Tou, Chen Wan sighed, wondering if the straightforward man already took the bait Ke Qing had set. Shi Tou noticed Chen Wan’s gaze but merely shrugged, clueless as he joined them in the car, sitting beside Ke Qing. However, Ke Qing was now flanked by Qi Jing and Huang Li Li, maintaining a respectful distance. Ke Qing bit her lip, looking somewhat pale. Qi Jing urged her to drink some water and take it slow. Meanwhile, Ke Qing concealed most of her expressions. As an actress, she knew how to perform convincingly. Ke Qing didn’t expect Chen Wan to dodge her move and even call an Omega to help, making it hard for her to make further advances. Determined, she realized Chen Wan wouldn’t be easy to deal with and decided to rely on Shi Tou for now. Inside the car, Chen Wan kept tugging at Jiang Yan Xin’s sleeve. Jiang Yan Xin shot her a glance but ignored her. Chen Wan, feeling wronged, pouted again, but with them being in the car, she couldn’t explain herself. She resolved to clarify things with Jiang Yan Xin once they returned to the First District. The journey continued without any more encounters with level-three mutants. By six o'clock, Chen Wan and her companions had safely returned to the base in the First District. Dismounting this time, Chen Wan was much wiser, staying far away from Ke Qing and obediently walking behind Jiang Yan Xin. They went to the service area to check their earned points: Chen Wan had obtained 100 points for taking down a level-three mutant while others in the operation received 30 points each. In the base, one point could get you a bun, so earning 100 points from one mission was quite substantial. After returning their equipment and laundering their clothes, they were informed these had to be returned too. Chen Wan and her group planned to rest, only to discover Ke Qing didn’t yet have a place arranged. Chen Wan noticed Commander Chai assigning accommodations to the rescued Omegas nearby. Looking towards Ke Qing, she said, “Ke Qing, Commander Chai is assigning accommodations. You should join them and have the military assign you an apartment.” The implication was clear: bringing Ke Qing back had been an exception; they didn’t wish to become too entangled. Yet, Ke Qing didn’t move. Without speaking, her eyes reddened, and she sniffled at Chen Wan, “I don’t want to stay with them. Could I stay with you all? I promise I’ll handle chores and won’t be a bother. Could you let me stay?” Alarm bells rang in Chen Wan's mind. Earlier, Ke Qing had spoken collectively, but now she was appealing directly to Chen Wan, omitting everyone else. Inwardly, Chen Wan pleaded for her to stop, fearing the repercussions she might face. “No, Ke Qing, our rooms are already assigned without spare space. The same goes for Wei Si Yu’s side. Anyway, since we’re in the First District now, staying anywhere is equally safe,” Chen Wan gently refused. Tears welled up in Ke Qing’s eyes. “I understand. I didn’t mean to trouble you. I'll leave then.” Internally, Chen Wan grimaced, urging Ke Qing to stop suggesting there was ever any trouble between them—it was Shi Tou who had helped her, no burden was on her shoulders. Chen Wan wouldn’t be swayed by tears. Ke Qing clearly wasn’t someone to deal with lightly, and Chen Wan preferred to avoid any complications. Even with Ke Qing’s tearful expression, Chen Wan remained silent. And just as Ke Qing was about to leave, ready to put on a show, Shi Tou intervened. “Chen Wan, how about we let her stay with us?” Shi Tou couldn't bear seeing Ke Qing cry, hastily suggesting. Chen Wan turned to Wei Si Yu, “Do you have room?” Wei Si Yu, not inclined to let Ke Qing stay either, cleared her throat before replying, “We’re full too. The children share one suite, Jin Can and I are in another, Shi Tou has his room, and Huang Li Li has hers. There's no extra space.” Shi Tou looked at Wei Si Yu, puzzled as to why they were all reluctant to help a seemingly helpless girl. His chest heaved as he said, “Then she can have my room. I’ll sleep on the floor. After what she’s been through, she must be feeling unsafe. We can’t just ignore her.” With Shi Tou’s insistence, Wei Si Yu had no choice but to agree, valuing their friendship. “Alright, but ask if she’s willing.” Wei Si Yu suspected that Ke Qing’s behavior today, particularly the incident of falling toward Chen Wan in the vehicle, was targeting Chen Wan. She worried for her friend’s well-being. Shi Tou quickly approached Ke Qing. “Are you willing to stay in my room? Don’t worry, I mean no harm. You can move in, and I’ll sleep on the sofa in the living room.” Ke Qing cried softly into her hands, leaning into Shi Tou’s embrace. Chen Wan and the others glanced at each other, perplexed by the situation. She blinked at Wei Si Yu, who nodded in understanding. "Since everything's set, let’s all get some rest today and meet for a meal together tomorrow," Chen Wan suggested with a smile. "Why not come over to our place tomorrow? We’ll prepare," Wei Si Yu offered with a grin. "Sounds good. We’ll come over for lunch then," everyone agreed, laughing as they headed back. Shi Tou supported the somewhat fatigued Ke Qing on their way back, comforting her, "Don't take it to heart. Chen Wan was just stating the truth—the rooms are full, but don’t worry, I won’t let you be without a place to stay." Ke Qing leaned against Shi Tou, sniffling, "Thank you so much, Shi Tou. You’re really a kind person." She wiped her tears, a blush appearing on her cheeks. "Besides, you don’t have to sleep in the living room. I don’t mind sharing." Shi Tou blushed, his voice rising in surprise, "How could I do that? You're a good girl, and I’m not like those other Alphas." "I know, you're special to me," Ke Qing replied, smiling through her tears. Walking ahead, Wei Si Yu, Jin Can, and Huang Li Li were quietly discussing the situation among themselves. "Do you think Shi Tou actually likes this Ke Qing? It seems like she was trying to bait Chen Wan today, but Chen Wan didn’t fall for it," Jin Can whispered. "It's not polite to gossip, but I felt the same. Ke Qing seems a bit manipulative, whether she's acting or genuinely. After all, she was an actress," Huang Li Li added quietly. Wei Si Yu nodded, "Let's just keep an eye on things. She’s just a regular Omega, so she shouldn’t be too troublesome. I’ll find a chance to talk to Shi Tou tomorrow to clear things up." "Yeah, good idea," Jin Can agreed with a firm nod. As Ke Qing leaned on Shi Tou, they continued their slow walk back. The First District represented freedom for her. No longer treated as mere entertainment by her former boss, life here would be comfortable and secure as long as she found a strong partner. It didn’t matter to her that Chen Wan didn’t take the bait—after all, now that she was among them, she would eventually find an opportunity to be alone with Chen Wan. Besides, she overheard them planning a group meal for tomorrow. Wasn’t that the perfect chance?