191 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

In the absence of attacks from mutated creatures, Chen Wan and her companions enjoyed a rare period of peace and stability in Area One for over three months. During this time, they even celebrated Cai Cai's fourth birthday. The little one seemed to have grown up so quickly. As Chen Wan gently touched Cai Cai's cheek, she could almost see how he'd grown a bit taller. By the end of February, the atmosphere in the base was joyful and festive, almost as if it were the New Year. Chen Wan and her friends planned to buy a couple of Spring Festival couplets. Cai Cai had previously been too young to understand the concept of New Year's celebrations, but now that he'd grown older, Chen Wan wanted him to experience the joy of this tradition. Chen Wan and Jiang Yanxin donned their heavy down coats while dressing Cai Cai in a new cotton suit. They also put a little pink bunny hat on him for warmth. Holding Cai Cai close, the three of them headed to the nearby exchange store. In Area One, people wore smiles and exchanged New Year's greetings with familiar faces. Holding Cai Cai, Chen Wan walked through the snowy street while the little one wobbled his short legs next to her, playfully nudging her and saying, "Mommy, I want to play in the snow." "You little rascal! You played in the snow yesterday and got your shoes and pants all wet. I just finished washing them," Chen Wan teased, kissing Cai Cai's chilly little face with a soft smile. Cai Cai nodded eagerly, his little head rubbing against Chen Wan's shoulder. "Mommy, I promise I won't dirty my shoes and pants this time, okay?" Looking at his adorable face, Chen Wan couldn't bring herself to refuse. She sighed with a light laugh, shaking her head. "Alright, it's New Year's Eve today. Let's listen to our little darling." With that, Chen Wan set Cai Cai down on the ground. The layer of snow wasn't particularly thick for adults but was a bit challenging for Cai Cai to maneuver through. Concerned Cai Cai might take a tumble, Chen Wan and Jiang Yanxin each took one of his hands, helping him as he walked. But soon enough, Cai Cai wanted to play. Sometimes he wanted Chen Wan and Jiang Yanxin to slide him across the snow, other times he'd break free and run around the snow on his own little legs, ultimately falling into the snow with a thud. Laughing at his antics, Cai Cai called out to Chen Wan, "Mommy, my pants are dirty again~" "And whose fault is that, you little mischief-maker? Come here, I'll help you up," Chen Wan offered, reaching out to lift him. But Cai Cai shook his little head and rolled around in the snow instead. "No, no, Mommy is here, Mommy, come rescue me," he giggled as he fled towards Jiang Yanxin, his clothes getting covered in snow. Chen Wan decided to humor him, playfully pretending to chase him. With his clothes already in need of washing, she thought they might as well enjoy themselves for a bit longer. So the three of them, with Jiang Yanxin between them, tumbled about, laughter filling the air. Cai Cai giggled and called for Jiang Yanxin, "Mommy, hurry up, here comes Mommy again." "You cheeky little thing, finding yourself an ally? I'm really coming this time," Chen Wan said, pretending to be a big tiger and lunging at him around Jiang Yanxin. Giggles erupted from Cai Cai as he ran on his short legs. "Oh no, the tiger's coming!" Chen Wan, much faster than Cai Cai, quickly caught him, and they both ended up lying in the snow, with Chen Wan lifting Cai Cai up playfully. Their family antics drew the attention of passersby. In the post-apocalyptic world, children like Cai Cai were a rare sight, especially such small ones. Seeing that a crowd had gathered to watch Chen Wan and Cai Cai play, Jiang Yanxin chuckled and knelt down, patting Chen Wan. "You two should stop playing now. You'll get snow inside your clothes, and everyone is watching you." Chen Wan laughed as she stood, brushing off the snow and lifting Cai Cai from the ground, shaking the snow from his clothes. Cai Cai was overjoyed and snuggled into Chen Wan. "You were supposed to keep Cai Cai in line," Jiang Yanxin laughed, shaking her head, "but you ended up joining in the fun instead." Chen Wan nudged up to Jiang Yanxin's side, cajoling her with a grin. "It's New Year's. What's the harm in having a little fun with Cai Cai, right, Cai Cai?" Cai Cai, with his big, innocent eyes, nodded eagerly at Jiang Yanxin, his little bunny ears on his hat bouncing with the motion, looking even more adorable. Jiang Yanxin could only smile and shake her head at Cai Cai’s cuteness. "Alright, alright. You're too cute for your own good. Have your fun, and we'll have your mommy clean you up when we get back." "Mommy will clean me up!" Cai Cai chimed in excitedly. Chen Wan kissed his cheek, teasing, "Quite the little boss you are, delegating tasks to me." Cai Cai just buried his face in Chen Wan's shoulder, giggling. As they continued their walk, Cai Cai noticed a snowman someone had built on the side of the road and whimpered, "Mommy, I want to play with that too." "You little rascal, still not tired from playing earlier?" Chen Wan joked, bouncing him slightly in her arms. "I want to play, with both moms," Cai Cai insisted, snuggling closer to Chen Wan. Unable to resist his pleading, the three of them began playing with the snow again on the sidewalk. Chen Wan borrowed a broom from a nearby shop to pile up some snow, and the trio, all wearing gloves, began crafting snowballs. Chen Wan managed to roll a large snowball that reached Cai Cai's chest in height. Envious, Cai Cai immediately demanded, "Mommy, let me push! I want to push!" "Alright, you can push," Chen Wan agreed, rolling the snowball over to Cai Cai. With excitement, the little one pushed the snowball until it reached Chen Wan, who rolled it back again. But as Cai Cai didn't secure his footing properly, he fell with a yelp, ending up partially buried under the snowball Chen Wan had sent his way. Laughing, Chen Wan began digging him out, with Jiang Yanxin joining in, gently chiding them both. Even buried in snow, Cai Cai didn't lose his spirits; instead, he was all the more eager to have Chen Wan help him push the ball again. After some effort, they had finally built the snowman's body. Then Chen Wan fashioned a round snowball for the head, asking Cai Cai, "Isn't this snowman cute?" "So cute," Cai Cai nodded enthusiastically. Collecting small stones and dried branches from the roadside, Jiang Yanxin fashioned a face and limbs, making the little snowman all the more lifelike. Standing twice Cai Cai's height, the completed snowman was a source of pride for Cai Cai, who looked back at it longingly when Chen Wan picked him up to leave. An hour later, when they returned from buying couplets, Qin Ke noticed the mud on Chen Wan and Cai Cai and asked with a laugh, "What have you two been up to? Buying a couplet and ending up covered in mud, unlike Jiang Yanxin over there." Jiang Yanxin replied with a chuckle, "It's the same as always—these two can't stay still. Cai Cai decided to roll in the snow, and someone couldn't resist joining her. Now look at them." Taking Cai Cai into her arms, Qin Ke helped him out of his dirty outerwear, while the little one bragged, "Auntie, I built a huge snowman today, as tall as two of me! It was so pretty." "Oh, really? Was it as pretty as you?" Qin Ke teased. Cai Cai paused to ponder before responding, "Not as pretty as me. I'm the cutest~" The adults couldn't help but laugh at his self-assuredness. After washing both herself and Cai Cai in the bathroom, Chen Wan settled down in the living room with the little one. Shortly afterward, Wei Siyu and the others arrived, and Chen Wan took Cai Cai outside to hang up the couplets. Then everyone gathered to make dumplings. Chen Wan and Qin Ke were tasked with rolling out the dough while the others filled and folded them, quickly filling the table with dumplings ready to be cooked. As Jiang Wan Ning and Jiang Yanxin prepared them in the kitchen, plate after plate of steaming dumplings emerged. Chen Wan prepared two small bowls for Cai Cai—one with carrot and lamb dumplings and the other with chive and pork dumplings, complemented by a glass of orange juice on his right. It was a delightful setting. Once everyone was seated, Chen Wan raised her glass, her words filled with warmth. "Let's toast to all of us making it through these times. Here's to a better future and a Happy New Year, everyone." "Happy New Year," the group chorused, their glasses clinking in harmony. Even Cai Cai mimicked the adults, clinking his own cup, which Chen Wan tapped gently with hers. "Indeed," Qin Ke mused, “being in Area One, one can almost feel the echoes of life before the apocalypse. I hope it stays peaceful like this." "It will," Chen Wan assured her after a sip of juice. "People like Cao Wei in the military really are committed to their work. Area One will only get better." Still, Wei Siyu seemed less spirited. "I can't help but wonder about Shi Tou out there. Time flies—it’s been three months already,” she sighed. As the mention of Shi Tou hung in the air, an awkward silence fell over the table. Realizing her comment was poorly timed, Wei Siyu hurriedly apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring him up." "I understand," Chen Wan replied, gently reassuring her, "but it was his mistake and he needs to face the consequences for his actions. Siyu, it’s not worth being upset over someone like that. Come on, have some more dumplings." With that, she piled more dumplings onto Wei Siyu’s plate. After dinner, nobody seemed eager to leave. Instead, they gathered in small groups, chatting and enjoying each other's company. Meanwhile, Cai Cai had teamed up with Qi Jing and Wei Siyu to play a card game called "Train." Cai Cai, now quite adept at the game, held a large number of cards while Qi Jing and Wei Siyu were both losing their hands to him. Curious to see how Cai Cai was performing, Chen Wan came over. Surprised by his talent for cards, she commented with a soft laugh, "Little one, you’re quite good with numbers. How about after the Spring Festival, Mommy starts teaching you some math?" "What's math?" Cai Cai, having never been to a kindergarten, imagined math to be some sort of fun game and asked Chen Wan innocently. "Math is a fun game," Chen Wan fibbed lightly, "You'll find out when you start learning it." Cai Cai nodded eagerly, clearly intrigued, "I want to learn!" Their exchange sent Qi Jing and Wei Siyu into fits of laughter as they collapsed onto the bed, amused by Cai Cai's innocence, unaware of how daunting math could actually be.