183 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Shitou's emotions had gone from guilt, to delight, and now to embarrassment and anger. He couldn't believe that among those who stayed, except for Keqing, no one stood by his side. He looked incredulously at Liyue and the others, asking, "Even you all don't believe in me?" "It's not about disbelief; we just think it's unnecessary. Shitou bro, we're all friends here. We few even see you as a brother. We are a part of a team—that's what matters—not whether we have a captain." Liyue expressed her thoughts earnestly. Shitou let out a disdainful laugh and nodded, "Fine, you all think I'm after the position, right? Do as you please. I'm done caring." With that, Shitou left with a cold expression, taking Keqing with him, leaving the room in a heavy silence. "Why all of a sudden talk about appointing a vice-captain?" Jiang Waning was confused. Yiyi kissed the little one's cheek and chuckled softly, "Someone probably had this thought for a while. It's just that they didn't dare speak up before because Chen Wan and Wei Siyu possess mental abilities. Over time, true intentions are revealed." Then, as if remembering something, Yiyi advised the few high schoolers, "Just try to stay in your rooms these days." "Okay, Sister Yiyi. We'll avoid going across until Sister Siyu returns," Liyue responded with a smile. The brief meeting ended on a sour note. When Shitou stormed out, his face was flushed with anger. "I always had their best interests in mind, and they misunderstand me like this. Even Liyue and the others are siding with Yiyi now. Back in 'Tomorrow,' I risked my life saving them, and now they turn their backs on me." Seeing Shitou's upset face, Keqing quickly tried to console him, "Shitou, we don't have to stick to one team. Honestly, with your abilities, you'd be a core member wherever you go. Here, you think about them, and they think you're after some vice-captain position. Besides, you're pretty marginalized in the group anyway." Shitou's chest heaved violently after hearing this, anger threatening to burst out. Keqing hurriedly continued to comfort him. Yet they hadn't made it back to Building 21 before they were stopped by a squad of soldiers blocking their path. Shitou's face turned an even deeper shade of blue. Was everyone against him today? Even the military was here to stir up trouble. Still, seeing the number of armed men, he suppressed his anger, asking, "Is there something you need from me?" "You're Shitou, right? We've heard you're an ability-user from Wei Siyu's team. Our Major General Wang would like to meet with you." The leading soldier spoke with utmost politeness. "Meeting with me?" Shitou was puzzled, suspecting a trap. "Yes, you needn't worry. Major General Wang highly values talents. He'd like to see if you're interested in joining the military." The officer explained further. Finally, Shitou was somewhat relieved, and he felt a bit triumphant. The gem that was overshadowed by Chen Wan and the others was finally being recognized. After the earlier embarrassment, especially being seen by Keqing, he felt his dignity was restored. Perhaps this could lead to a different opportunity. With these thoughts, Shitou smiled and agreed, "Alright, please lead the way." Following the soldiers to where Major General Wang was, meanwhile, Chen Wan and her group were still inside the vehicle. By now, it was past two in the afternoon, and Chen Wan and her team were getting restless. Commander Cao gave orders for the soldiers inside the armored vehicle to step outside for a short break, though within the circle formed by the convoy, and after ten minutes they were to return on standby. When it was finally their turn, Chen Wan sighed in relief and stretched, exhausted but alert. As she stepped outside, she glanced around but could only see tall military and civilian buildings or low shopping centers tightly lining the streets. She murmured, "If only Yangyang were here, that little one might have already figured out where the lions are hiding." "True, Yangyang is quite useful, like a human radar that can detect anything," Jiang Yanxin commented with a smile, thinking of the little one. The surrounding soldiers stood straight, resting as Chen Wan and the others spoke. They faintly sensed something amiss before any words could be said. Suddenly, from the buildings nearby, giant mutated lions appeared. They were enormous, more like horses than lions, yet more agile. With mighty leaps, they sprang from their hiding places, clearing the armored vehicles and landing amongst the crowd. The soldiers quickly retaliated with gunfire, but level mutant beasts weren’t intimidated by minor bullet wounds. They lunged at the people, and in an instant, several soldiers were either thrown or had their throats torn out. Chen Wan and Qin Ke fired as they covered for Jiang Yanxin, giving her time to open her sketchbook. Qin Ke's precise shooting skills angered the mutated lions. Her two shots hit one large lion's eye, which, blinded by pain, lunged towards them. Just as this happened, Jiang Yanxin had flipped to the page with Zeus, while the frenzied lion leapt at Chen Wan and the others. Chen Wan tossed her gun aside, wielding a machete in her right hand. She lunged beneath the lion, single-handedly lifting the 700-pound level mutant beast, driving the blade into its neck. The knife pierced the lion's flesh deep enough to hit the spine, and with a roar of agony, blood gushed from its neck. Ignoring the blood soaking her, Chen Wan withdrew her blade and repeatedly stabbed it into the lion. Finally, with one swift cut, she severed the lion's head, tossing the body aside. Standing amidst a rain of blood beside the lion's corpse, Chen Wan appeared as a fearsome figure, making the surrounding mutant beasts hesitate. Meanwhile, Jiang Yanxin had summoned Zeus, whose shield effortlessly nullified the advancing attacks by the level mutant lions. With a light swing of his thunder spear, flecks of blue light spread from Zeus, encasing the lions. These tiny, seemingly alive blue flecks skillfully skirted allies and homed in on the mutant lions. As those present stood in disbelief, the blue flecks burrowed into the lions’ skin. Moments later, currents of electricity coursed through the lions, and their bodies blackened and charred. Within seconds, these massive mutant lions transformed into ash. Having dispatched the threat, Zeus returned to Jiang Yanxin, appearing to inquire if there were further matters at hand. Jiang Yanxin scanned the surroundings, unsure if any threat remained, thus keeping Zeus from leaving. Chen Wan, drenched in blood, grinned at Cao Wei, who had just disembarked to battle alongside the soldiers and other talents, reminding, "Commander Cao, these level mutant beasts were all killed by my wife, so those crystal cores are hers." Commander Cao had been stunned, witnessing Chen Wan lift and decapitate the massive lion, with Jiang Yanxin's subsequent display leaving him speechless. He nodded in agreement to Chen Wan, "Yes, those crystal cores are yours." Hearing Commander Cao’s confirmation, Chen Wan quickly called out to Qin Ke and the others, "Hurry, search for the crystal cores in the remains. They're quite valuable, don't let them get lost." "Alright," said Qin Ke, as she and Wei Siyu began sifting through the piles of ash for the cores. Chen Wan contemplated and returned to the lion she had slain, heaving her machete to crack open the skull, ignoring her bloodied form as she reached into the carcass, eventually retrieving the level mutant beast’s crystal core. Seeing Chen Wan's face and forehead still dripping blood, Jiang Yanxin quickly removed her jacket and began wiping away the blood from Chen Wan. It took a moment for the military personnel to gather their wits. Witnessing the ferocity of the mutated lions, they thought today might be their last. But first, Chen Wan had single-handedly slaughtered a mutant lion, and then Jiang Yanxin's abilities reduced them all to ash. Cao Wei, still shaken, asked Chai Guan Feng beside her, "Did all twenty-something mutated lions really turn into black ash?" "Yes, Commander, it seems to be Jiang Yanxin's ability," he replied before murmuring to himself, "Are psychic ability users that common now? Previously, in the entire First District, only Wei Siyu was one. Now, Chen Wan’s team seems full of them. It's astounding." What Chai Guan Feng didn't realize was that the little one back at the base was also a psychic ability user, making it four psychic users in their team. Relieved, yet with a newfound respect for Chen Wan's squad, Cao Wei looked at the bloodied Chen Wan and commented to Chai Guan Feng, "But wait, wasn't Chen Wan's ability controlling zombies? Her strength doesn’t seem ordinary either. Even a strength-type ability user might not match what she just did." Chai Guan Feng was just as puzzled, speculating, "Perhaps she’s an ability user with dual powers?"