188 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

可晴 munched on the dry biscuit in her hand, her thoughts drifting back to the delicacies of the First District. Unfortunately, both she and Shi Tou had been exiled and were once again leading a life of wandering hardship akin to before. Early the next morning, Shi Tou took Ke Qing out to search for supplies. The desolate town had a few scattered zombies, which Shi Tou quickly dispatched with a fire axe he had found. As they moved cautiously through the empty streets, they came across a group of survivors. Shi Tou, wary, raised his axe, guiding Ke Qing to step back, but their presence had already been noticed. Seeing that Shi Tou intended to flee, one of the men leapt into the air and in mere seconds stood on the opposite side of Shi Tou and Ke Qing. He was a young man who looked at Shi Tou with a light chuckle, saying, "Against us, an ordinary ability user like you doesn't stand a chance." Noticing four people behind and only the man in front, Shi Tou decided to charge forward, ax in hand, toward the man. Putting all his strength into the blow, Shi Tou was surprised when the man deftly dodged it. The man then casually delivered a chop to the back of Shi Tou’s neck, causing him to collapse unconscious on the ground. This frightened Ke Qing, who begged, "Please don’t kill me! I’ll do anything, just don’t kill me." The man who had incapacitated Shi Tou laughed lightly and said, "Don't worry. We're not interested in ordinary people like you. You do have a purpose for now, so come with us." Ke Qing was silenced by the man's cold gaze and followed the five peculiar individuals into a heavily modified off-road vehicle. The man who had knocked Shi Tou unconscious effortlessly hauled him into the vehicle, while a slightly younger man took the driver's seat. While internally brainstorming an escape plan, Ke Qing discreetly observed the people around her. She didn't sense any pheromone fluctuations from them. The man who had KO'd Shi Tou had a prosthetic right arm, which, upon closer inspection, was not a real limb. It appeared strange, filled with wires and circuits. Ke Qing dared not stare too long. The people in the vehicle chatted about things Ke Qing barely understood. "Our yield this time isn’t too bad. Although not many were found, at least one is an ability user." "Yeah, the woman is useless. She'll end up as industrial waste," remarked a middle-aged man in his forties. "Ordinary people are inherently trash," coldly interjected the silent man in the corner, his words making Ke Qing involuntarily tremble. Meanwhile, Chen Wan awoke naturally with Zai Zai in her arms. With the crisis at the base resolved, she could finally focus on upgrading the camper. Chen Wan and Yi Yi returned to the camper, where Yi Yi stored their newly acquired level-3 mutant animal crystal cores in the camper's storage box. "The camper upgrade requires 70 heavy trucks, 1,000 compact cars, 5,000 level-2 zombie crystal cores, and 5 level-3 mutant animal crystal cores. Shall we commence the upgrade?" Yi Yi asked. "Yes," Chen Wan affirmed, and the upgrade began. "The upgrade will take 30 hours. All camper functions will operate normally during this period, but the camper must remain stationary," Yi Yi reminded her. They began the upgrade around 10 a.m., meaning it would complete by 4 p.m. the following day. While they remained in the First District, they wouldn’t need much from the camper beyond the sunroom. After initiating the upgrade, Chen Wan and Yi Yi went up to the second floor to gather vegetables. Jiang Zhao Yuan and Ye Lan had tended well to the sunroom, where fruits and vegetables thrived. Zai Zai had been craving watermelon for days, so Chen Wan picked two large ones and packed a bunch of vegetables to take back. They discreetly stored everything in large bags to avoid attracting undue attention. As soon as Chen Wan stepped through the door of room 301, Zai Zai clung to her leg, eager for the watermelon. "Mommy, melon! I want melon!" "Here, sweetheart, Mommy brought some," Chen Wan said, pulling out two watermelons far larger than Zai Zai's head. She playfully remarked, "Look, the watermelons are bigger than your little head!" "They are!" Zai Zai nodded, his little hands reaching out to hug the watermelon, which was so massive it covered a third of his body. Trying to lift it proved futile until he used a new skill—carefully lifting the watermelons with his psychic power, he moved them to the kitchen, asking in a little voice, "Mommy, please cut the melon for me." Watching this, Jiang Yan Xin chuckled, casting a playful glance at Chen Wan. "Sweetheart, has Mommy been bullying you again?" Then she turned to Chen Wan, "Why make Yang Yang carry watermelons?" "I'm just training Yang Yang a little. Our baby's psychic power is useful; with more practice, it could save us one day," Chen Wan said with a smile, watching Zai Zai maneuver the watermelons. The little one was diligent, gently placing the watermelons on the kitchen table and looking expectantly at Jiang Yan Xin. Jiang Yan Xin couldn't help but laugh, pinching Zai Zai's cheeks gently. "I understand, I’ll slice the watermelon for my little glutton right now." Elated, Zai Zai bounced happily, holding on to Chen Wan’s leg. "Sweetheart, go call grandma and grandpa to join us for watermelon," Chen Wan said, smiling. "Okay!" Enthused by the prospect of watermelon, Zai Zai quickly agreed, eagerly heading out with Chen Wan. Chen Wan winked at Zai Zai, prompting the little one to go call for company. Huffing determinedly, Zai Zai went across the hall, knocking gently. "Grandma, Grandpa, it’s time for watermelon. I’m here to fetch you." Inside, Ye Lan heard the adorable call and responded with delight, "Alright, we’re coming. Yang Yang, step back; Grandma doesn’t want to hit you with the door." Zai Zai quickly stepped back, sidling up to Chen Wan. Ye Lan opened the door to find the pair waiting, joyfully pulling Zai Zai into a playful hug. "Your mommy sent you over, didn’t she? Hired our little worker today, did she?" "Yes, Mommy told me to," Zai Zai replied, feigning a complaint that made everyone laugh. Chen Wan fetched Qi Jing and others to join them. Kang Wan and Li Xiao Xiao almost teared up upon seeing the watermelons—they hadn't seen such fresh fruit in six months. As everyone ate wholeheartedly, Qi Jing's group respected the unspoken norms of not prying into each team’s secrets, especially Chen Wan’s, simply enjoying the watermelon together. Post lunch, Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin took an afternoon nap with Zai Zai. At about two, they went for a sunshine stroll with the little one, while Ye Lan and Jiang Zhao Yuan mingled with a few older survivors downstairs, chatting away like familiar neighbors. After their heroics against the level-3 mutant lion, people from the military and other ability users at the base knew of Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin. Their presence was even more noticeable carrying the little one. Soldiers, grateful for Jiang Yan Xin's help in resolving the previous crisis, frequently approached with greetings and offered treats to Zai Zai. After circling half the base, Zai Zai’s little arm bore a small pink bag filled with candies and toys from uncle and auntie soldiers, bringing him sheer delight. Watching his joyful expression, Chen Wan chuckled, "My mischievous little one is happy, yes? All these goodies from the aunties and uncles make you smile, don’t they?" "Happy," Zai Zai mumbled around a lollipop, nodding at Chen Wan. Jiang Yan Xin pinched Zai Zai’s cheek gently, laying out some rules, "You can't eat too much candy. Just two today, and Mommy will keep the rest for tomorrow." Zai Zai’s initial joy turned to a frown upon this pronouncement, his face falling at the thought of restricted treats. Their laughter at his adorable dismay filled the area as Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin enjoyed his expressions. Zai Zai scrunched his little nose at the "mean" mommy and mommy. He decided he’d report this to Grandma later. After all, he listened to his mommy, but Mommy had to listen to Grandma. He wasn’t wrong! Their path soon crossed with Liu Zi and Zhao Lei, who were on patrol with their squad. They approached to greet them. Chen Wan lightly squeezed Zai Zai’s small hand, "Sweetheart, say hi to the uncles. These are your uncles as well." "Uncles," Zai Zai greeted, hugging Chen Wan with some shyness. "Hello, little one, I’m your Uncle Liu Zi, and this is your Uncle Zhao Lei. Wait here for a moment," Liu Zi said with a smile, before dashing into a nearby shop to retrieve something for their little friend. Chen Wan tried to stop them from overloading Zai Zai with gifts, "No need to buy her more things; her bag's already full to the brim." But Liu Zi was having none of it. He exchanged some fresh Wahaha drinks and a pack of orange-flavored candies along with a bag of sweet potato fries. Returning with his spoils, he presented them to Zai Zai with a smile. "Uncle doesn’t have much to offer, but I hope you’ll grow up happy and healthy," Liu Zi said, handing the treats over to Jiang Yan Xin, as Zai Zai's little bag couldn't fit another thing. Not wanting to refuse such kindness, Chen Wan smiled at Zai Zai and said, "Sweetheart, what do you say to Uncle for the treats?" "Thank you, Uncle~" Zai Zai replied sweetly, his cheeks tinged with pink as he smiled at Liu Zi. The title "uncle" nearly brought a grin that reached Liu Zi's ears. "No need to thank me," he laughed. He then turned to Chen Wan, "You guys enjoy your walk. I still need to continue my patrol." "Of course, take care," Chen Wan replied politely, holding the little one as they resumed their stroll. When Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin returned, Qin Ke was surprised by their collection, asking, "Did you buy all these snacks?" "We didn't buy them. Zai Zai collected them with her sweet smile!" Chen Wan laughed, turning to Zai Zai, "Isn't that right, sweetheart?" "Yes!" Zai Zai responded fiercely, puffing out his little chest, drawing giggles from the surrounding adults.