213 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Chapter 213 (Extra Chapter) Meanwhile, the audience watching the live stream couldn’t stop their lively debates. "So many people made it out alive this time? That’s a first." "Yeah, those female alphas are fierce. They just go at it, chasing the ghosts all around." "This game was truly thrilling. I almost felt sorry for the NPCs inside." The Left Protector watched Chen Wan and her group’s maneuvers, speechless. He led his team down to the level of the haunted house and met Chen Wan and her companions. "Congratulations on clearing the second stage. You can choose a corresponding reward for each of you. Do you wish to continue to the next stage, or would you prefer to repeat the previous levels?" he asked. "Could you bring us some hot water and clean clothes? My two friends and I choose to proceed to the third stage," Chen Wan replied, her gaze fixed on the Left Protector. "I'll have them sent over shortly. You have one hour to rest before you'll be taken to the third stage." "Alright," Chen Wan nodded, aware they needed to make the most of the rest time. Others asked for food or medical supplies and bandages for their injuries. This time, everyone chose to proceed to the third stage. Chen Wan didn't view this as a good omen. Just because she helped them through this time didn’t guarantee the same outcome next time. With the level of insanity they had encountered, the third stage would surely be challenging. Following the Left Protector and his men back to the fourth level, Chen Wan was already feeling worn out. In the haunted house on the fifth level, she had kicked down more than ten door panels. Only upon returning to the fourth level did she finally feel a bit relieved. The captives on the fourth level were in an uproar, considering that more people survived the second stage this time than ever before. "Damn, they actually made it out alive?" "Yeah, and they seem fine, unlike the others who come out looking like they've been through hell." "Why didn't I stick with them? Would’ve been great to ride behind their success." "Exactly, those few are really lucky to have those two formidable female alphas with them." Listening to the surrounding chatter, Chen Wan just felt drained. Despite her calm facade, the high-stress game had taken its toll, depleting much of her energy—and the aftermath was yet to come. Once back in Cell 148, Chen Wan leaned against the wall to rest. Qin Ke and Wei Si Yu did the same, while Xiao Yu used supplies to tend to the bespectacled man’s wounds. Even the tall man was unusually relaxed as he sat on the ground. The guards were swift, and soon enough, the hot water and towels Chen Wan requested arrived. She washed her face, cleaning away whatever was on her cheek and hair—be it fresh blood or the putrid blood from zombies—and changed into the clean outerwear. Shortly afterward, food was delivered. Over three hours had passed since their last break, and Chen Wan was getting hungry. She replenished her energy with some food, sighed, and remarked, "I wonder if Yang Yang is behaving in the first district. With Yan Xin and me both gone, the little one must be missing us." Qin Ke, reminded of Cai Cai, also felt a pang of longing. She, along with Shen Ming Yan and Chen Wan, lived in the same suite, and Cai Cai was part of their nightly routine. "I miss Yang Yang too. We really need to be careful in the next two stages, so we can return to them tomorrow." "Yes," Chen Wan agreed. The little one they were thinking of was, at that moment, enjoying cartoon time on a tablet, accompanied by grandparents. A glass of freshly pressed watermelon juice sat nearby. The child watched cartoons, alternated with sips of juice, as several cats nuzzled against her tiny legs, completely content and without a thought of missing Chen Wan and the others. Ye Lan chuckled at the darling sight, gently rubbing Cai Cai’s round belly, "Did you eat too much tonight? Your tummy looks so full. Why not play a bit after the cartoon, so you don’t end up with a tummy ache from going to bed like this?" Cai Cai patted her own little belly, cuddling up to Ye Lan with adorable glee, making both Ye Lan and Jiang Zhao Yuan laugh heartily. Elsewhere, Jiang Yan Xin was anxious too, but hesitant to contact Chen Wan for fear of causing distraction. She occasionally scanned the direction of the Canglong Bar with binoculars, worrying from the outside. "Yan Xin, don’t be too anxious. I’m sure Chen Wan and her group will be fine," Shen Ming Yan stood by her, trying to comfort her. Deep down, she too worried about Qin Ke, but had faith in their resilience. "Hopefully, but it’s been so long. Who knows what’s happening in there? Or with Qi Jing and them, it's already dark, not safe to travel at night. Have they reached the first district yet?" Jiang Yan Xin paced, occasionally peering outside. The unrest was palpable—having finally found Chen Wan, she couldn’t bear the thought of losing her again. Meanwhile, Chen Wan had finished her meal and initiated contact with Yi Yi through her mind. "There it is, Chen Wan is talking to me!" Yi Yi exclaimed gleefully. "How are the three of them? Is Chen Wan hurt?" Jiang Yan Xin asked eagerly, casting an envious glance at Yi Yi. She couldn’t help but wish for the same connection to Chen Wan that Yi Yi had. Yi Yi gave them an "OK" gesture, quickly asking Chen Wan, "Are you all safe? Are there any injuries?" "We’re all fine. Canglong Bar has set up four game stages. After clearing them, we're supposed to meet their leader and get out. We’ve just passed the second stage. Honestly, those people are monsters, making live humans suffer in haunted houses. If it weren’t for our skills, things might have turned out differently," Chen Wan briefly recounted the past hours to Yi Yi. "Glad you're okay. Be very careful, and remember to let me know if there's trouble. At least we can create some disruption from outside. Don’t try to handle everything alone," Yi Yi advised. "Don’t worry, we won’t. Qin Ke and I aren’t ones to hold back, anyway. We must have kicked down more than twenty doors between us, and we dealt with most of the NPCs." Chen Wan chuckled, then thoughtfully added, "Tell Yan Xin not to worry. The three of us will be alright. We haven’t much time left to chat; we’ll soon head to the third stage. Stay safe out there." "Alright, see you tomorrow." "See you tomorrow." After communicating with Yi Yi, Chen Wan assured Qin Ke and Wei Si Yu, "Everything’s alright outside, and they’re safe too." Upon hearing that, Qin Ke and Wei Si Yu finally relaxed, each with people they cared about outside, naturally sharing worry. With a handful of minutes remaining, Chen Wan closed her eyes, leaning against the wall to relax her nerves. Qin Ke checked the man with glasses’ wrist, asking, "How’s the injury?" "Not too bad, manageable," the man replied, having just taken some medicine to alleviate his discomfort, though his complexion was still pale. "I hope everyone gets through the third stage safely too," Xiao Yu sighed. "Definitely, we all need to fight to survive," the tall man smiled, fully aware that without Chen Wan and Qin Ke, survival wouldn’t have been possible. Every moment now was a reprieve from death. Time flew by quickly, and soon the door of Cell 148 opened once more, with the guards escorting them out. This time, they were led to the seventh floor above, given there was no elevator. Climbing stair by stair, the group eventually reached the seventh floor, and Chen Wan acutely noticed that the corridor had no windows. Like below ground, every window had been sealed tight to prevent escape, except for the exit. Chen Wan looked toward the heavy iron door, sensing that clearing this stage was not going to be easy. Once again, their vision was obscured by blindfolds, and their wrists bound with rope, as guards led them in different directions. "Remember to regroup," Chen Wan reminded them. "No worries, I’ll find you as soon as I’m inside," Qin Ke responded. "I’ll meet you all there," Wei Si Yu’s voice already echoed with distance. "Silence, or I’ll shoot for breaking the rules," the guard sternly warned. Chen Wan fell silent, feeling disoriented as she was led around in circles by the guards, losing all sense of direction and location. Ten minutes later, the guard finally stopped Chen Wan, untying the rope as he instructed, "The rule to win this time is to find your way out of here. The method is up to you. Remember, only after hearing the sound signaling the start of the game can you remove the blindfold and begin." "Alright," Chen Wan replied with a nod. Just like before, the guard left after placing her there. Chen Wan listened intently for any sounds but heard nothing until the metallic voice from the speaker announced, ten minutes later, "Third stage, the maze game begins. All participants must find the exit within one hour, or they will remain in the maze until they starve." Chen Wan removed the blindfold, only to find herself surrounded by mirrors. No matter where she looked, she could see her reflection in the different mirrors. The hallway was brightly lit, and her every tiny movement was mimicked by the myriad of reflections around her. Normally, this wouldn't present much of an issue, but in such an eerie setting, surrounded by her own likeness on all sides—even the floor was crafted from reflective glass—she could see herself clearly from every angle. This left Chen Wan feeling uneasy, as if the reflections in the mirrors were somehow unfamiliar versions of herself.