181 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

As Wei Siyu and Ke Qing were returning, they coincidentally encountered Shi Tou exiting the place where they lived. Shi Tou, seeing Ke Qing and Wei Siyu returning together, was puzzled, "Why are you two coming back together?" "Shi Tou, I thought about it and realized I should inform Chen Wan about the suicide squad. You mentioned that they need the crystalline cores of third-level mutated animals. This is dangerous, but it's also a great opportunity. I don't want to drag everyone down because of us." Ke Qing skillfully kept herself at a distance from the situation, also hinting that both Shi Tou and she wanted to stay out of it. Shi Tou opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words. His gaze landed on Ke Qing, who was looking at him with reddening eyes. The words he was about to say got stuck in his throat. The three returned to their quarters in silence. Jin Can and Huang Lili were unaware of what happened and laughed, asking Wei Siyu, “Siyu, how did it go? What’s the situation over at Wukou Town?” “There’s a large-scale emergence of third-level mutated lions over there. Many people who went out for the mission didn’t return. The military is organizing a suicide squad to eliminate the mutated animals. Chen Wan and I plan to join. What about you two?” Wei Siyu looked at them both. Jin Can chuckled softly and said, “What do you mean by that, Siyu? The four of us have been through life and death together numerous times. Do you even need to ask us this question? Of course, wherever you go, we go." Wei Siyu pressed her lips together and coughed slightly before speaking, “This time is very dangerous. Don’t feel obliged if you don’t want to go.” “Why so many unnecessary words? We’re all going,” Jin Can said, ignoring the other implications in Wei Siyu's statement. Ke Qing shook Shi Tou’s arm, and he clenched his teeth, unable to speak. Indeed, the four of them had never been apart through storms and struggles. Was he really not going with them this time? But what about Ke Qing? Things were different now; he needed to consider his partner and couldn't be so reckless anymore. Jin Can looked at Wei Siyu's expression and shifted her gaze to Shi Tou, suddenly understanding what Wei Siyu meant. She glared at Ke Qing and, staring directly at Shi Tou, asked, “Shi Tou, tell us, are you joining us this time?” “I…” Shi Tou started but couldn’t continue. Looking at Ke Qing, as if he made up his mind, he met Jin Can's gaze and bit out, “Sorry, I have a girlfriend now. I can’t be as reckless as before. I need to think about Ke Qing.” “Alright, so romance over friendship, huh, Shi Tou? I don’t even know you,” Jin Can said, half amused from anger as she bypassed Shi Tou and slammed the door shut behind her. Wei Siyu glanced at Shi Tou and consoled, “It’s alright, everyone has their own choices, and I understand. You two should rest; Jin Can didn’t mean it, so don’t take it to heart.” “Sorry, Siyu, I…” Shi Tou thought for a long time and ultimately had no more words to offer. The atmosphere in their shared apartment cooled. Shi Tou was pulled into a room by Ke Qing. Shi Tou’s room was placed on the opposite side of Wei Siyu and the others due to him being a male alpha, separated by a living room, so the soundproofing was reasonable. Once the door closed, Ke Qing immediately began to cry, “I’m sorry, Shi Tou. I just didn’t want anything to happen to you. I didn’t mean to upset everyone. I’m just worried about you.” “I understand, you have a kind heart. I initially planned to keep the suicide squad thing a secret, but you did the right thing. After all, Chen Wan really needs those crystal cores. I shouldn’t selfishly withhold the news just because I don’t want to go.” Shi Tou's expression was dejected, his head clouded with confusion. Ke Qing gazed at Shi Tou gently and said, “Shi Tou, it’s not your fault. Everyone has their own choices. I don’t believe that every time a mission comes up, everyone from Chen Wan’s side always goes.” “Not always. Last time Yi Yi and Jiang Wan Ning didn’t go, and neither did Jiang Yan Xin’s parents, nor a few high school students from our side,” Shi Tou replied. “So, of all these people, are there any ability users among them?” Ke Qing asked, her eyes fixed on Shi Tou. Shi Tou shook his head, “Yes, Yi Yi is.” “Exactly, they have ability users staying back at the base. Why can’t we have some? Staying back, you can support Siyu and the rest. If anything really happens, we can work out a plan to save people.” Ke Qing continued to reassure him. Shi Tou, thinking it over, suddenly felt enlightened. "True, you’re right, Ke Qing. Staying back adds another layer of security for everyone." "Exactly, and in future dangerous activities, you shouldn’t go. What if I have a little baby soon? The baby can’t be without a father.” Ke Qing cozied up in Shi Tou’s embrace, acting spoiled. Shi Tou nodded heavily, “You’re right, Ke Qing. I’m no longer alone. We’ll have a family in the future. This decision was right.” In the afternoon, Wei Siyu, looking dispirited, went to Chen Wan’s place. Seeing her looking defeated, Chen Wan teased with a smile, “What’s wrong with you? You look so down.” As she talked, she poured Wei Siyu a glass of orange juice. Wei Siyu took the juice and said, “Chen Wan, Shi Tou said he doesn’t plan to go this time.” “He must have his reasons. It was always voluntary, so if he doesn’t want to go, that’s fine.” Chen Wan comforted. Wei Siyu shook her head, “We’ve always done everything together, the four of us, and I’ve got a feeling that after this, Shi Tou won’t join us for any dangerous missions. But shouldn’t friends weather hardship together? It just feels so uncomfortable.” “I understand, but everyone makes different choices. When beliefs are aligned, you get along and stay connected. When ideas diverge, sooner or later, separations happen. Friendships go through ups and downs; that’s life. Don’t let it upset you too much.” Chen Wan poured herself some juice too, offering consolation. “It makes sense, but thinking about friends growing distant is quite sad,” Wei Siyu said, sounding a bit aggrieved. Chen Wan patted her shoulder in comfort. Just then, Jiang Yan Xin came out carrying Zai Zai. Her first glance caught Chen Wan’s hand on Wei Siyu’s shoulder, while little Zai Zai immediately noticed the juice in Chen Wan’s hand. “Mommy, I want juice too,” Zai Zai, with wide eyes, went to Chen Wan, all ready to act cute. Chen Wan took over Zai Zai from Jiang Yan Xin and poured a small cup of orange juice for the little one. Zai Zai sipped happily, pursing her little lips in delight. Chen Wan poked Zai Zai’s tiny hands, smiling, “Alright, sweetie, you don’t get the juice for free. Your Auntie Siyu is not in a good mood. Could you cheer her up later?” “Okay.” Zai Zai nodded enthusiastically, promising to get the job done with her innocent earnestness. When Zai Zai finished the juice, Chen Wan placed the little one in Wei Siyu’s arms, letting her cheer Wei Siyu up. The little one, having consumed the juice, put on an all-out effort to cheer her: cooing, giving kisses, and offering her little head to be petted. With little Zai Zai’s affectionate antics, Wei Siyu couldn’t focus on her worries anymore, fully absorbed in playing with her. Around four in the afternoon, Qi Jing, upon hearing about Chen Wan and the others joining the mission, decided to join too; making this operation similar to the last, minus Shi Tou. They went together to the service center to register. To incentivize participation, the military provided substantial supplies, including meats and substantial snacks, hoping to draw people in. Despite the rewards, because of the mission’s high risk, sign-ups were low, especially among ability users. The one most anxious was Commander Cao Wei of District One. With a furrowed brow, she asked her assistant, “A Nuan, how’s it going? How many have volunteered for the suicide squad?” Shang Nuan hesitated on how to respond but eventually said, “I just checked the list, and only 39 people have signed up. However, Wei Siyu and Chen Wan’s team has joined, which should help us quite a bit.” Cao Wei nodded, “Inform Commander Chai to select military personnel for the mission in advance; we need at least three hundred soldiers. I will lead the team, with Commander Chai as my deputy.” “You can’t go! It’s not just a few third-level mutated animals; it’s an entire horde. District One is far from stable on the surface; you must stay here to command. Let me go as your deputy.” Shang Nuan was anxious. District One’s distinctiveness compared to other bases boiled down to a leader like Cao Wei who understood justice. Any destabilization would bring even greater troubles. Cao Wei shook her head, “Precisely because of the grave danger, I must go. I can’t let the soldiers and the volunteers who joined the suicide squad lose heart. Wukou Town isn’t far from District One. If the situation isn’t resolved, peace in District One will never be achieved. I must accompany them.” Cao Wei sighed and continued, "A Nuan, you need to stay behind to manage District One. There are definitely others who have their eyes on this place. We can't allow ill-intentioned individuals to take over what we've worked so hard to build." "I can't do that. I have to stay by your side to protect you," Shang Nuan insisted, clearly anxious. As a fire ability user, it was her duty to protect Cao Wei. "Out of everyone around me, it's you and Chai Guan Feng that I trust the most. I'm going with him to Wukou Town to deal with the third-level mutated lions, and I'll only be at ease if you stay at the base to keep an eye on District One for me. Please, don't distract me; stay here and watch over things. This isn't a command; it's a request from me as a friend." Cao Wei's high level of trust and respect at the age of 34 in the military came largely from her example of leading from the front during missions. Though young and high-ranking, the soldiers in District One genuinely respected her. Shang Nuan pressed her lips together and eventually relented with a nod, "Alright, you have my word. I'll do everything I can to keep District One stable. But you must promise me to return safely — it's not a request from a subordinate to a superior, but a plea from a friend." "I understand. We've worked hard to establish this base as a safe haven for ordinary people, and I won't let anything happen to myself," Cao Wei reassured her with a smile.