203 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Chapter 203 (Additional Update) "Could we possibly follow you back to the First District?" The elderly woman asked cautiously, fearing any hint of reluctance in Chen Wan's eyes. Given the myriad disasters suffered by ordinary people, especially Omegas, in this dystopian world, they were particularly sensitive and wary of imposing on others. Chen Wan smiled and replied, "Of course, you can. However, I plan to take a team to check on the situation at the Qing Long Bar first. We'll make sure you and the plant seeds are safely sent back. Rest assured, the base will arrange accommodations for new arrivals, and there will be jobs you can adapt to. No need to worry." "Thank you so much, Officer," the woman expressed her gratitude to Chen Wan once again. "It's nothing. Rest here for a while. I'll leave a couple of soldiers to watch over you survivors." She explained her plan to the soldiers. Turning to Rooster Head, she asked, "Which street is the Qing Long Bar on, and what's going on inside that bar?" With a grim face, Rooster Head answered quickly, "Officer, I really don't know much. I'm just a lackey around Liu Cong, never making it into the inner circle. Liu Cong has taken me to the bar a couple of times, but I didn't dare look around. There are indeed many strict rules there. I only know the bar is near the Guang'an Building in the capital city." Inwardly, he was hoping Chen Wan and her team would hurry to their doom, knowing the people inside Qing Long Bar were real lunatics. Chen Wan nodded thoughtfully, gestured to a soldier beside her, and the soldier immediately understood, slowly lifting his gun to aim at Rooster Head. Rooster Head, who had been secretly pleased about sending Chen Wan to her demise, found himself staring down the barrel of a gun the next moment. "No, I swear I'll tell everything, spare me..." His words were cut short as he collapsed to the ground, marking the complete cleansing of illicit personnel in the Experimental Agricultural Institute by Chen Wan. The soldiers who had gone on missions with Chen Wan knew her temperament well: she was exceedingly kind to her own people but ruthlessly decisive toward adversaries, unmatched even by their usual commander, Commander Cai. Jiang Yan Xin, standing beside her, advised, "He seems slippery. I doubt he was completely truthful." "Mmm, there are definitely unsavory dealings inside the Qing Long Bar. But since we're here, it doesn't hurt to check it out," Chen Wan replied. "Exactly, and didn’t they say there were many survivors inside? We should certainly take a look," Wei Si Yu added quickly. Chen Wan nodded at Wei Si Yu. "Let's locate and load the seeds onto the truck. The soldiers will escort the survivors and seeds back to the base while we head to the Qing Long Bar." After organizing everything, she joined the soldiers to locate the seeds. The Institute housed a plethora of vegetable and fruit seeds, and if it weren’t for the labels on the sacks, Chen Wan and others wouldn’t have been able to distinguish them. Peering into the warehouse, Chen Wan saw shelves lined with seeds for cabbage, eggplant, radishes, cucumbers, and other common vegetables, along with many fruit seeds, even including durian. The group worked tirelessly while Chen Wan single-handedly carried two sacks effortlessly to the truck. After an hour, two large trucks were packed. To avoid unexpected changes, Chen Wan dispatched the soldiers, survivors, and supplies to leave first while her small team prepared to investigate Qing Long Bar. Pondering, Chen Wan suggested, "Rooster Head's confession was likely just bits of truth. We can't all go in. How about this: Qin Ke, Wei Si Yu, and I are Alphas, so we'll go in first. Yi Yi and I can communicate mentally. The rest of you can act as our support outside, retreating to the First District for reinforcements if necessary." "Got it, you three be careful," Jiang Yan Xin agreed, acknowledging Chen Wan's reasoned plan. Omegas were easy targets in the post-apocalyptic world; stealth and Alpha presence were safer, and her abilities would be more useful outside. "Relax, we're seasoned partners," Chen Wan assured with a smile. "But we'll need to change our clothes; military uniforms would attract too much attention." "Yes, let's change first." Qin Ke, already adept, opened up a nearby SUV full of gas. The trio drove it toward a mall to change. Jiang Yan Xin and the others parked discreetly and found an observation point in a tall building near Qing Long Bar to monitor the area. From the 10th floor, Jiang Yan Xin scanned with her military binoculars, noting checkpoints on the three streets surrounding the bar. Armed personnel vigilantly questioned and validated identities, dealing lethal force to those unverified. Frowning slightly, Jiang Yan Xin told Yi Yi, "Yi Yi, warn Chen Wan about the checkpoints on the three streets around Qing Long Bar. They’ll need another route..." Before she could finish relaying through Yi Yi, Jiang Yan Xin saw a white SUV in her binoculars speed into the checkpoint zone, barely stopping in time. Swallowing her reminder, she dryly told Yi Yi, "No need to inform them now; they’ve already charged through." All eyes turned towards the cluster of activity. Peeking cautiously, the group saw Qin Ke's SUV narrowly avoid the checkpoint barriers. Jiang Yan Xin's previous suggestion of finding another path was rendered unnecessary. Spurred by the SUV's advance, the thugs guarding the checkpoint were instantly displeased. The leader, sporting a Qing Long tattoo on his chest, slammed a foot into the SUV's door. "Damn, who the hell are you? In such a hurry to die? Another second, and we would’ve shot you." Keeping calm, Qin Ke rolled down the windows, saying, "We're here to participate in the competition." "Competition? Did I hear that right? They want to join the competition? Haha, as if I don’t know what you’re really after. You pretty boys are just here to compete for favor. Just the other day, some Alphas were fighting for attention, yet two didn’t even meet the boss and were beaten to death. It’s as fierce as an ancient harem." Despite his menacing look, the Qing Long tattooed man was enamored by gossip, revealing a glimpse of the cutthroat nature of their operations. "Compete? We're all Alphas; look closely," Chen Wan interjected. "Nonsense, I meant competing as Alphas. You pretty boy, don’t pretend otherwise. You’re telling me you came without hearing the buzz? Three groups have already entered. Honestly, you three are the finest looking so far. Call me Long Ge. Let’s be friends; I see potential in you. Do you have your invitation?" Qing Long kept prattling, seemingly convinced they were ideal candidates for his boss’s selection, thus remaining quite hospitable. Chen Wan hesitated for a moment before coughing lightly. "Wait, this requires an invitation?" "Of course, our boss isn't some nobody. How could just any Tom, Dick, or Harry show up? You didn’t come without an invite, did you?" Qing Long's keen eyes darted between them. Chen Wan's hand subtly edged toward her waist but hesitated when Qing Long smirked knowingly, "You're sneaking in without invitations, right? I get it, they're hard to come by when the boss is so popular. Those invites must’ve been snapped up by the higher-ups, am I right?" Chen Wan retracted her hand, surprised yet relieved that Qing Long fabricated his own conclusion. Alright, they'd hold off on making a scene for now. "Yeah, our team, we're kind of outcasts, not really given a chance," Chen Wan played along with Qing Long’s narrative. Qing Long clapped his subordinate's shoulder, remarking, "See, didn’t I tell you? With faces like theirs, they’re bound to be sidelined." His underlings, mirroring his pleasure, chimed, "Long Ge is wise! Long Ge is wise!" "Naturally. And your name is?" Qing Long asked. "I'm Chen Wan. This is Qin Ke, and at the back, Wei Si Yu," Chen Wan introduced her companions succinctly. "Well, since we're friends now, I can spare you an invitation. But it's not for free. Once you hit it big, don't forget to speak favorably about me to our boss," Qing Long said as he fished a card from his pocket, his tone both casual and calculating. Chen Wan clenched her fists at his assumption. Was she really seen as such a person? Sure, she might occasionally be sweet with her spouse, but otherwise, she was a capable Alpha! Nevertheless, she thanked him on the surface, "Alright, thank you. By the way, is your boss an Omega?" Qing Long gave her a sly look, whispering, "That's a secret. We just know the boss is a woman. As for her secondary gender, we aren't sure. Maybe you'll find out in a few days?" He added a reminder, "Don't forget what you promised me." "Don't worry, I won't forget," Chen Wan assured him. After a few more exchanges, Qing Long handed over the invitation and let them through. Holding the invitation, Chen Wan felt a pang of doubt—they might be sending the wrong people. It seemed they should've sent Omegas instead. Catching Qin Ke's eye, she asked, "Did we get this wrong?" "Seems like it. Can you imagine what Yan Xin and Ming Yan would say if they knew?" Qin Ke shared Chen Wan's concerns. From the back, Wei Si Yu chimed in, "I'm also worried about Qi Jing's reaction if she finds out!"