217 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

**Chapter 217 (Extra Chapter)** Chen Wan felt a rush of joy when she saw her wife, then a chill down her spine. She had only taken Xiao Yu hostage in self-defense, not to commit any other misdeeds. "Commander Cao, you're finally here. This is Xiao Yu, the leader of the Canglong Bar. You should have her tied up quickly. It's not right for me to be holding her by the neck like this for too long." Chen Wan was eager to rid herself of the uncomfortable situation, especially with Jiang Yanxin giving her a cold stare. Cao Wei looked at Xiao Yu with shock and disbelief in her eyes. "Xiao Yu? Are you Xiao Yu, Commander Xiao's daughter?" Xiao Yu chuckled, indifferent to being held hostage by Chen Wan. She spoke nonchalantly, "Oh, it took you this long to recognize me? Commander Cao, you've grown quite formidable. I guess you've even forgotten what my father looks like?" "Xiao Yu, how could you do such things? Does Commander Xiao know?" Cao Wei asked, frowning. Xiao Yu sneered. "What if he does? Life is about seeking happiness, isn't it? He, like you, talks about military discipline all day. What use is that in the apocalypse? It's better to use one's connections to live more freely. I despise hypocrites like you." "A’Nuan, cuff her first." Cao Wei, disappointed, shook her head at Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu snorted, looking at Cao Wei. "Spare me your pious act. I've lived well according to my own terms, even using my father's military connections to secretly acquire a lot of weapons and ammunition. I'm living more freely than you in the apocalypse." "Stop it. Your father would never want you to become like this, hurting so many innocent people." Cao Wei couldn't believe Xiao Yu was the owner of the Canglong Bar. After all, Xiao Yu was the daughter of her mentor and once a soldier trained by Commander Cao. "Innocents? I merely rid the world of a few useless trash. Wasn't Chen Wan, Qin Ke, and Wei Siyu all unharmed? What do you want from me? As for those who died, they were destined to be eliminated. Keeping such waste around only wastes resources. I was just helping humanity clean up." Cao Wei shook her head, incredulous at the venom coming from Xiao Yu's charming face. "No, one's fate should be in their own hands, not for you to judge. What you're doing would deeply sadden Commander Xiao." "Who cares? I live for myself, not for Commander Xiao. His feelings aren't my concern. It's just a pity that you arrived too soon. I didn't get to bond with Chen Wan and the others before you barged in. Truly a shame, right, Chen Wan?" Xiao Yu cast an ambiguous smile at Chen Wan. Chen Wan shook her head vigorously, desperate to clarify, "I didn't! We're entirely innocent. Everyone saw that." Xiao Yu chuckled lightly, her gaze lingering on Chen Wan and her companions. "Action-wise, nothing happened, but can you three honestly say you didn't have a single thought about me? Didn't want to have drinks with me?" Jiang Yanxin glanced at Chen Wan, making her tense. Chen Wan shook her head vigorously, as did Qin Ke and Wei Siyu, their previous confidence in the games now vanished. "Please, stop talking. Commander Cao, please take her away," Chen Wan quickly intervened. Xiao Yu, seeing Chen Wan's fearful demeanor, smirked. "What a pity, not getting to know you better. Who knew you had this cute side? If I'd known, I would've had the guards hurry you up. You would have agreed sooner, saving us all this trouble." Chen Wan, noting Jiang Yanxin's increasingly cold expression, wanted to cry. Could this woman just stop talking? "Please just take her away, Commander Cao. Don't listen to her nonsense." Seeing sweat on Chen Wan's forehead, Cao Wei gestured for Shang Nuan to take Xiao Yu away. As Xiao Yu was led off, she turned her attention to Shang Nuan. "You're Shang Nuan, right? I've heard you've been with Cao Wei even before the apocalypse. What's your relationship? Her kept lover?" Shang Nuan shot a glance at Xiao Yu, noting her chatty nature. Even caught, she was curious about others' relationships. She thought about being Cao Wei's lover but didn't dare. "Stop blabbering and walk properly," Shang Nuan said coldly. "What? Did I hit a nerve?" Xiao Yu teased, unconcerned about her capture. Her father had been a senior to many officers, which made her audacious, knowing people hesitated to act against her. "Get moving, no more idle chatter," Shang Nuan dismissed her. On the other side, as Chen Wan saw Xiao Yu finally leave, she exhaled deeply. That woman certainly spoke as if nobody else mattered, nearly getting her in trouble! Chen Wan edged over to Jiang Yanxin with a smile. "Yanxin, were you worried, so you came to get me?" Jiang Yanxin took a step back, crossing her arms while appraising Chen Wan, smiling slightly. "But I think my concern was unnecessary. From what I heard, were you just about ready to agree with her? Hm? It seemed like you were about to drink with her. Maybe I arrived at a bad time?" Chen Wan hurriedly shook her head. "No, no, you came at just the right time. Honey, I really missed you today. The three of us bravely stood strong, did nothing, just waited for you to come and help us get everything under control." "Really? I saw you looking quite pleased while holding her, even touching her neck. How was it? Did it feel good?" Jiang Yanxin said with a smile, making Chen Wan more fearful, knowing her wife's calm exterior often masked anger. "No, I was just taking her hostage, Qin Ke and the others can testify. I was very proper," Chen Wan stressed, pulling Qin Ke and Wei Siyu into the mix as witnesses. Shen Mingyan eyed Qin Ke, spoke acidly, "Who knows if you three were in cahoots? We were worried outside, while you seemed quite comfortable, chatting and sharing fruit with a beauty. Maybe we were unnecessary." "No, Yanyan, you weren't unnecessary at all. We really did nothing and behaved properly," Qin Ke echoed, trying to assure everyone. Shen Mingyan snorted, glancing at Qin Ke. "Seems like you've got plenty of energy. I've always been considerate, taking it easy when we're together. Looks like I was wrong, you're plenty strong. I won't hold back anymore." Qin Ke rubbed her arms pitifully, already feeling her wrists ache at the mere thought of punishment without having done anything. Jiang Yanxin chimed in from the side, "Exactly, it seems they've got too much energy to spare, having the leisure to drink and chat with others. Maybe we've been too gentle." "Yanxin, I swear I won’t do it again. Xiao Yu was just talking nonsense. We were just strategizing with her, waiting for you to rescue us. There's really nothing else, please don't be mad. Let me do anything you want, just don’t ignore me," Chen Wan pleaded, running after Jiang Yanxin to console her. Qin Ke also rushed to placate Shen Mingyan. Qi Jing glanced at Wei Siyu and turned to leave but was stopped by Wei Siyu from behind. "Let me explain. We really did nothing, don't be mad. I'll accept any punishment," Wei Siyu coaxed gently. "It doesn't matter. I'm not your anything, so I can't care if you're drinking and chatting with others." Qi Jing's heart was sour despite knowing there was nothing between Wei Siyu and that woman. "What do you mean, not your anything? You're my girlfriend. I need to report everything like Chen Wan. I don't like her; I only like you," Wei Siyu said earnestly, holding Qi Jing's hand. Qi Jing couldn't escape and blushed, lightly huffing at Wei Siyu. "What nonsense are you saying?" "I'm not saying nonsense. Truthfully, it was touch-and-go in there, life-threatening. I regretted not telling you sooner that I liked you. Now I have the chance. Qi Jing, I like you," Wei Siyu confessed earnestly, leaving Qi Jing too bashful to remain upset, burying her head in Wei Siyu's shoulder. "Your confession was sudden. I wasn't ready," Qi Jing murmured, her face hidden in Wei Siyu's shoulder, but her voice revealing her excellent mood nonetheless. "In a world like this, what's there to prepare for? Every day is precious. As long as we like each other, that's all that matters," Wei Siyu said softly. The people around them began to disperse, soldiers busy with wrapping up their tasks. Wei Siyu's heart started to race as she leaned in and kissed Qi Jing. Qi Jing hadn't expected Wei Siyu to kiss her so suddenly, but her day had also been a whirlwind of emotions, especially during the mission to fetch reinforcements. She agreed wholeheartedly with Wei Siyu's sentiment that every day in this post-apocalyptic world was precious, and one should cherish those around them. She awkwardly but earnestly returned Wei Siyu's kiss. When they rejoined the main group, Chen Wan and Qin Ke were still trying to appease their partners, but Wei Siyu was beaming with happiness, holding Qi Jing's hand tightly even as they sat in the vehicle. Chen Wan glanced at the two holding hands, then at Wei Siyu and Qi Jing's slightly swollen lips, feeling quite envious. She wasn't sure how she'd manage to appease Jiang Yanxin after this. Her wife was notoriously tough to please. Qin Ke also cast a jealous look at their intertwined hands. Would her wrists survive unscathed after this? Shen Mingyan was genuinely angry this time, and it was all because of Xiao Yu's reckless mouth!