197 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

The strange infant, sensing danger, leapt toward Shi Tou, ignoring the green blood oozing from its head. The next moment, with a deafening "boom," an explosion shattered its limbs. Fortunately, Chen Wan and her team quickly evaded the blast, and only a few soldiers were hit by debris, suffering minor injuries. As the smoke cleared, Chen Wan's gaze returned to where Shi Tou had been standing moments earlier. The sight was gruesome. That wretched Doctor Wu treated a living person like garbage. Chen Wan's face remained impassive, but inside, she was boiling with anger. With a cold glare directed at the people inside, she demanded, “So, do living beings mean nothing to you? Wasn’t he your comrade?” “Comrade? You must be mistaken. These cyborgs are just watchdogs I provided for the Underworld King. You didn’t think this was all we had, did you?” Doctor Wu chuckled softly, watching for their reactions. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to everyone else, Yi Yi had quietly returned to Chen Wan's side. After a brief mental exchange, Chen Wan smirked and said, “Really? What more could degenerates like you possibly have in store? And as for your phony Underworld King, what’s the mask for? Is he hiding a disfigurement or something else?” “Silence! How dare you insult the Underworld King! Let me remind you, this is still our territory. If you don’t want to perish with me, I advise you to leave quietly.” Doctor Wu's usual amiability vanished, replaced by a menacing snarl as he pulled a small remote from his lab coat pocket. “I’ve rigged several places in this building with explosives. A press of this little red button, and it’s all over. So, do you wish to live or die?” Doctor Wu and the Underworld King were convinced Chen Wan and her team wouldn’t gamble with their lives, hence his bravado returned. Unexpectedly, Chen Wan calmly replied, “Go ahead. I despise threats, especially after your pseudo-Underworld King tried to control my wife with psychic powers. I won’t let you off easily.” A flicker of panic crossed Doctor Wu's eyes as his gaze wavered over the soldiers behind Chen Wan. “You may not fear death, but what about the soldiers behind you? Kill her, quickly!” Doctor Wu shrieked, but Chen Wan's soldiers stood firm. They had witnessed her take down a Level Three mutant lion, and their trust in her was unwavering. “Do you think they are as spineless as you?” Chen Wan coldly challenged, staring directly at Doctor Wu. “Weren’t you going to press the button? Do it.” Doctor Wu’s hands trembled. The Underworld King grasped Wu’s hand, speaking again, “Don’t be rash... We can negotiate. We possess extensive knowledge on zombies and psychic powers. Spare me, and we’ll share these technologies with you.” Chen Wan chuckled dismissively, “Good technology perhaps, but none of you are trustworthy. You’ve rigged your own base with explosives; working with you, nine out of ten sentences would be lies.” With that, Chen Wan started firing her weapon at the opposition. Doctor Wu tried to retort, but two bullets quickly struck his chest and leg. Realizing his life was over, he sneered at Chen Wan and her team while pressing the switch. Yet, contrary to expectations, the building didn’t explode. Outside, several deafening blasts rang out instead. All the while, gunfire from Chen Wan’s team relentlessly continued. Until his death, Doctor Wu couldn’t believe that his explosives had been moved outside. Meanwhile, the Underworld King also screamed, looking at Chen Wan’s group as if pleading for a sliver of mercy. “I am the Underworld King! You can’t kill me! You can’t!” As more than a dozen bullets tore through his body, the Underworld King lost his strength to shout, and his lifeless body collapsed to the ground. After ensuring all the threats were neutralized, Chen Wan exhaled with relief and spoke to Jiang Yan Xin beside her, “Fortunately, we prepared somewhat. Last time at the 'Tomorrow' base, the Ming family controlled you, and I noticed something off in your eyes. So, I tossed the sketchbook to Qin Ke just in time.” Jiang Yan Xin nodded, still shaken. The moment she locked eyes with the Underworld King, she lost all awareness. It was Wei Si Yu’s immunity ability that restored her senses. It had indeed been close. “Yeah, luckily, things turned out alright. By the way, what’s the deal with the explosives?” Jiang Yan Xin asked. “Yi Yi had already scanned and found over ten places with explosives in the building. That’s why she left temporarily to get rid of them. I stayed to talk them into a false sense of security; otherwise, I would’ve acted much sooner,” Chen Wan explained. Jiang Yan Xin nodded in agreement. Chen Wan generally didn’t entertain such people’s explanations. “So, what do we do here now, Captain Chen?” a soldier came over to ask for further instructions. Chen Wan thought for a moment before replying, “Take a few people and dispose of the bodies. I imagine Doctor Wu and his lot kept some experimental data. It might be worth getting scientists from the First District to check for anything useful. They might be able to develop a serum to suppress the zombie virus.” “Understood.” The soldier gathered a team to handle the bodies. Wei Si Yu and the others couldn’t help but feel saddened as they looked at Shi Tou’s remains. Having known him for half a year, seeing him end up like this left them all feeling heavy-hearted. Chen Wan patted Wei Si Yu’s shoulder in silent comfort, then assigned a squad to report back and bring the specialists here. If they find nothing useful, she planned to burn the site down. A few hours later, under Commander Chai’s personal escort, several experts from the First District arrived at the county hospital's sixth-floor lab. Despite their medical expertise, the sight of human specimens in jars had them all shuddering. The soldiers assisted them in searching through Doctor Wu’s notes and found numerous surgical tools, including scalpels, forceps, and sutures—more comprehensive than even the First District’s resources. As the experts examined Doctor Wu's records, Chen Wan approached and asked, “Is there anything useful here?” “Yes, indeed. They’ve made considerable progress in extracting zombie serum samples and even conducted experiments on humans. They’ve outpaced us significantly, though their methods are diabolical.” The lead, an elderly alpha woman about sixty years old, found the string of human lives documented unsettling, almost unbearable to read further. Chen Wan nodded, “Let's bring everything useful back. Afterward, I’ll burn this hospital down, allowing the deceased some peace.” “Alright. Xiao Zhang, ensure everything we need is taken before nightfall. Traveling back after dark could invite unnecessary trouble,” the old professor instructed her team. Chen Wan and her soldiers stepped aside, unfamiliar with the scientific aspects, opting instead to assist with transporting medical equipment. By around six in the evening, with night approaching, the scientists had loaded all the valuable items onto trucks. Through the gathering dusk, Chen Wan surveyed the county hospital. She retrieved some gasoline from nearby abandoned vehicles, pouring it in the hospital's lobby. Once she stepped outside, she flicked a lighter and tossed it inside. Knowing the hospital as an isolated structure, Chen Wan wasn’t concerned about the fire spreading to surrounding buildings. As she exited the premises, flames curled upwards, devouring each floor in succession. Chen Wan paused for a moment at the doorway, watching until Qin Ke and her companions called her, prompting her return to the RV. “What were you thinking about just now?” Jiang Yan Xin asked, settling beside her. “Nothing much, just reflecting. Order is incredibly important for ordinary people. Once it collapses, so much destruction ensues. In this light, the First District truly stands as a beacon.” Chen Wan remarked contemplatively. She had little faith in the military, but the First District had shifted her perspective. “Yes, in chaotic times, conscience is invaluable. Shi Tou and his group met their ends fittingly,” Jiang Yan Xin sighed. Meanwhile, Wei Si Yu and the others found themselves inexplicably downcast in another vehicle, haunted by having witnessed their former comrade’s gruesome demise. Qi Jing observed their somber mood, wishing to console them but uncertain how. Instead, she quietly stayed by their side. When Chen Wan and her team returned, it was already past seven in the evening. After exchanging their points, they headed back home. Jiang Wan opened the door for them, and a few of the playful cats crowded at the entrance, wagging their tails excitedly upon seeing Chen Wan and her companions. Chen Wan gently patted one of the cats' heads, chuckling as she said, "Let us in first before we play." With that, she herded the cats back inside. Zi Zi, having not seen Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin all day, eagerly dashed to Chen Wan's leg. Before Chen Wan could react, the little one clung to her tightly. With a sigh of resignation, Chen Wan said, "Bao Er, Mommy is dirty from the day. Why did you jump on me?" Zi Zi whimpered, "We can both wash up and then it won't be dirty." Chen Wan, giving in, picked up the little one, "Alright, I'll take you with me, you little rascal, always giving me more to do." Zi Zi blinked his big eyes, cuddling up to Chen Wan with a sweet smile, leaving her no choice but to carry him off to the bath. Given the unsettling events from the afternoon, they decided on a simple dinner of plain noodles. The little ones, having waited for their return, were quite hungry. Even a quick meal was devoured happily and contentedly.