192 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Title: Chapter 192 - New Year's Day At the start of the year, several teams sent out on missions returned two members short. Subsequent military dispatches to locate the missing found no trace of them, as if they had been there one moment, moving supplies within the team, and gone the next. Over the following two days, Cao Wei increased the number of people sent out to search for supplies, even deploying abilities users, but still, one or two would occasionally go missing. In her office, Cao Wei slightly furrowed her brow and asked Shang Nuan, "Ah Nuan, how many people have gone missing since this began?" "Every mission has seen a loss of one or two people, totaling 12 so far," Shang Nuan replied from her position nearby. "It seems someone is intentionally causing this, but what could their motive be?" Cao Wei pondered aloud, unable to discern the reasoning. "Commander, I believe this situation might be more complicated. We could use Chen Wan's team's help," Shang Nuan suggested. Nodding in agreement, Cao Wei added, "I'll go with you. By the way, let's buy some gifts for the little one as a gesture of our visit." "Okay," Shang Nuan responded promptly and went to prepare, while Cao Wei changed into casual attire, deeming military wear unsuitable for a New Year's visit. Shang Nuan spent her points to purchase a large bag of snacks and various plush toys for the child. Upon returning to report, she found Cao Wei, now dressed casually, reviewing documents at her desk. The sight stunned her for a moment. Since the onset of the apocalypse, Cao Wei had worn her military uniform to every occasion, and seeing her in casual wear was a refreshing change for Shang Nuan. Cao Wei wore a cream-colored sweater with a V-neck, enhancing her fair complexion and elegant demeanor. She paired this with black wide-leg jeans and Martin boots. Noticing Shang Nuan frozen at the doorway, Cao Wei softly cleared her throat, prompting, "Why are you standing at the door? Want to change from being my adjutant to my gatekeeper?" Shang Nuan's ears turned slightly red as she hurried inside with the items. She couldn't help but comment, somewhat irrelevantly, "That outfit looks really nice on you." Cao Wei hadn't expected such a remark, and awkwardly replied, "Why are you looking at me? Are all the items ready?" "They are, all things the child will like," Shang Nuan replied with a smile. "Good. Go change your clothes; you're coming with me," Cao Wei instructed, eyeing Shang Nuan's uniform. "Will do, I'll change right away." Shang Nuan felt a surge of joy but kept her expression composed, secretly thrilled at the prospect of interacting with Cao Wei as friends rather than subordinates once out of uniform. She changed into a black turtleneck sweater, layered with a camel coat, and white fleece-lined jeans with casual Martin boots. Satisfied with her outfit, she set off to join Cao Wei for their visit. Cao Wei, looking more relaxed in her black coat and without her usual commanding aura, appeared softer. Carrying the gifts intended for the little one, Shang Nuan couldn't resist sneaking glances at Cao Wei. Accustomed to being observed, Cao Wei soon noticed, and with a slight cough, she glanced at Shang Nuan to remind her, "Can you watch where you're going? I'm not an Omega, why keep staring?" "Just because you're not Omega doesn't mean I can't look, right? Besides, we're outside, not in uniform, so interacting as friends feels perfectly natural," Shang Nuan replied with a smile, edging closer to Cao Wei. Cao Wei shot Shang Nuan a glare and nudged her, "Friends don't need to stand so close, it's weird." "It's not weird. This is how friends behave," Shang Nuan, now daringly defying her superior's preferences, edged even closer as they made their way. By the time they arrived at Chen Wan's, Cao Wei was slightly sweating, having been cautious on the slippery path and fending off Shang Nuan's encroachment. As Cao Wei knocked on the door, she didn't notice Shang Nuan taking out a tissue to dab her brow. "How is it so hot when it's this cold? Let me wipe it off so you don't catch a chill," Shang Nuan teased. "I'm fine, I can do it myself," Cao Wei protested, reaching for the tissue just as Chen Wan opened the door, catching them mid-action. Chen Wan felt her timing might have been a little off. With her ears colored slightly red, Cao Wei nudged Shang Nuan's hand away and addressed Chen Wan with a smile, "Sorry to drop by unannounced, hope we're not intruding?" "Of course not, please come in," Chen Wan welcomed them warmly. The little one scampered out, curious to see who had arrived. Spotting two unfamiliar, pretty aunts, he shyly clung to Chen Wan's leg. Amused, Chen Wan remarked to her little leg attachment, "Say hello to the aunts, little troublemaker. What's gotten into you, shy already?" Zai Zai peeked out bashfully from behind Chen Wan, greeting them, "Hello Aunties, happy New Year." "Well, hello, Yang Yang, happy New Year. Would you like a hug?" Cao Wei removed her coat, handing it to Shang Nuan. The little one hesitated slightly, then eagerly extended his arms toward Cao Wei. Cao Wei lifted him with a smile, "You're so adorable." Blushing at the compliment, Zai Zai nestled into Cao Wei's embrace. Cao Wei chuckled softly, "She's bashful too, how cute." "Come in and sit. We're about to have hot pot for lunch. Feel free to join us, Commander Cao," Chen Wan invited warmly. "In that case, we'll be happy to join. No need to be so formal, just call me by my name," Cao Wei replied, before turning to the little one in her arms, "Yang Yang, look, Auntie brought you toys and snacks. Do you like them?" "I do," Zai Zai chirped happily. Hearing the guests had arrived, Qin Ke and Shen Ming Yan had gone out to exchange some ability points for mutated beef. Cao Wei eventually passed Zai Zai to Shang Nuan, who seemed equally enchanted by the child. In her arms, Zai Zai snuggled contentedly, charming everyone with his affection for the attractive aunties. Holding the soft little one, Shang Nuan felt a surge of joy. The safety of their base had allowed for such moments, and she hoped their efforts would eventually lead to more children like Zai Zai. Cao Wei exchanged a smile with Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin, then spoke after a brief pause, "We actually came for a favor today. I'm sorry it’s during New Year's." "No worries, it's only right for us to contribute to the First District since we're living here," Chen Wan assured with a smile. "Alright, I'll be straightforward. Recently, our teams sent on missions have been experiencing personnel losses. It's not large-scale casualties, just one or two each time. I suspect someone is targeting us, but their intentions remain unclear," Cao Wei explained. "Missing one or two each time? It feels like a cat-and-mouse game or a psychological battle with us," Chen Wan mused. "Exactly. I've sent people to investigate but found nothing. If your squad could accompany our next mission, it would be greatly appreciated. The military will offer double points for your assistance," Cao Wei elaborated. "No problem, we'd help even without extra points," Chen Wan replied effortlessly. As they concluded their discussion, Jiang Yan Xin brought out two electric pots since they needed to split into two tables for meals. Seeing that it was time to eat and Zai Zai was still glued to Shang Nuan, Chen Wan laughed, "Yang Yang, let mommy hold you. It's meal time, yet you're still with Auntie. Are you shy?" Zai Zai, blushing, snuggled closer to Shang Nuan, who playfully defended him, "Yang Yang's just being sweet, isn't he?" Zai Zai nodded in agreement, and Chen Wan gently took him over for lunch. She served him meat and vegetables from the tomato pot, which the little one devoured gleefully. Relaxed, Cao Wei and Shang Nuan joined Chen Wan and her group for the hot pot meal. "To be honest, celebrating like this with your team is really something. In these end-of-world times, team members are like family," Cao Wei noted, observing the camaraderie among Chen Wan's group. "It's the same for you and Shang Nuan," Chen Wan replied with a smile, recalling the scene she’d walked in on. She quickly added to clarify, "I mean, you and Shang Nuan are like family too." Cao Wei nodded with a laugh, "That's right, I've known Shang Nuan for eight years now. Thinking back to old times is quite amusing. Don't let Shang Nuan's current cool demeanor fool you—when she first joined the military, she was just eighteen, barely an adult. I was the drill instructor for her batch of recruits. One night, while returning to my dorm to rest, I heard crying from the corridor's emergency exit. It turned out to be Shang Nuan, sobbing like a little kitten. I tried to comfort her, but she was ready to scratch like showing her claws. It’s been so many years since then." Shang Nuan, ears turning red, tugged at the edge of Cao Wei's sweater, muttering softly, "Stop it, spare me some dignity." "You're asking for dignity in front of me?" Cao Wei joked with a smile. Their meal was filled with warmth and laughter. Cao Wei and Chen Wan arranged the time for the next day's investigation outside the base for the missing personnel, after which she and Shang Nuan took their leave. As they headed back, snowflakes began to drift from the sky once more. Shang Nuan, recalling Cao Wei's words from the dinner table, felt a tickle of curiosity and leaned in to ask, "All those years ago, and you still remember?" Cao Wei glanced at her, chuckling softly, "How could I forget? You were the most teary-eyed recruit I've ever trained, and an Alpha at that." "Hey, that's not fair. I'm not a crybaby anymore." Shang Nuan's ears were bright red as she scooped up a handful of clean snow from the ground and tossed it at Cao Wei. Cao Wei retaliated in kind, and with the snow falling heavily and no one around to see, they indulged in a carefree snowball fight. Once the snow stopped, Cao Wei knew she'd have to revert to her composed and prioritizing self, ensuring everything for Zone One took precedence.