232: - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Chapter 232: (Side Story 4 - Parallel World Conclusion) Jiang Yanxin was still not fully awake, unperturbed and oblivious to any oddities. Chen Wan, however, felt her heart race as if someone had lit a firecracker inside her. She froze momentarily. Then, starting from her ear tips, a scarlet hue spread across her cheeks and down her entire body. Face flushed with surprise and shyness, she looked at Jiang Yanxin and asked, "Why did you kiss me?" Jiang Yanxin was still nestled in Chen Wan's arms, gradually waking up. Hearing Chen Wan's question, Jiang Yanxin chuckled softly and replied, "You're my wife. Do I need to report before kissing my own wife?" Saying this, she moved closer again to Chen Wan's lips, dropping another kiss before deepening it. Chen Wan dared not move, blushing furiously but allowing Jiang Yanxin to continue. After a while, Jiang Yanxin noticed that Chen Wan's kissing seemed a bit clumsy today. Her memory gradually returned, reminding her that she currently resided in Chen Wan's world. She pulled back slightly, seeing Chen Wan's face resemble a ripe red apple. Jiang Yanxin quietly cleared her throat and coyly explained, "We're both straight women. You wouldn't mind a little kiss, would you?" Once freed, Chen Wan dashed into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. Her heart was still racing wildly even now. Chen Wan stared at her flushed reflection in the mirror, unconsciously touching her lips where Jiang Yanxin had kissed her. A mixture of delight and shyness erupted within her. Jiang Yanxin's lips had felt soft and had kissed her so comfortably. Plus, she had called her "wife." Realizing where her thoughts were headed, Chen Wan quickly shook her head to stop herself from dwelling on such inappropriate notions. Mentally reciting "I'm straight" multiple times, she managed to calm down somewhat. Witnessing Chen Wan's hurried escape, Jiang Yanxin slightly curled her lips. She knew that no matter when Chen Wan encountered her, there would always be an affinity—just as she had submissively accepted her kiss moments ago. Chen Wan lingered in the bathroom for half an hour, psyching herself up before finally stepping out. She emerged just in time to receive deliveries from the store and supermarket. Together, Chen Wan and Jiang Yanxin sorted the clothes, along with household essentials and groceries. Jiang Yanxin picked out a cute bunny short-sleeve and shorts set, intending to dress the little one later. After all, he was still napping without a stitch of clothing. Chen Wan occupied herself with organizing the fresh produce and meats, placing the large watermelon into water for chilling. Every time Chen Wan saw Jiang Yanxin, she felt an unusual warmth, opting to stay in the kitchen to prepare dinner and maintain some distance from Jiang Yanxin. However, Jiang Yanxin didn't seem to mind and, after preparing the little one's bunny pajamas on the large bed, followed Chen Wan into the kitchen. Seeing Jiang Yanxin enter, Chen Wan's back went rigid with tension. Jiang Yanxin noticed and was amused by Chen Wan's reaction. She walked up and hugged Chen Wan from behind, leaning lazily against her back. "What should we make for dinner for the baby?" she asked. Chen Wan's ears and cheeks flushed anew. Fighting her embarrassment, she responded, "We'll have stir-fried cucumber with shrimp, braised beef with tomatoes, pine nut corn, and creamy mushroom soup." Jiang Yanxin chuckled, seeing Chen Wan resemble a student reciting lessons under a teacher's scrutiny. Nudging her shoulder gently, she softly said, "Why all the tension? We'll be caring for the baby together now. It won't do to be this easily flustered." "I'm perfectly capable," Chen Wan instinctively retorted. She clung to her reputation as the ace of her squad! Jiang Yanxin laughed out loud, encircling her waist, "Yes, yes, my Chen Wan is always the best, isn't she?" "Hmm." Chen Wan nodded, ears still red. "I can handle dinner myself. Go play with Yangyang. You make me nervous just standing here." Jiang Yanxin buried her face in Chen Wan's shoulder, playfully insisting, "What's there to be nervous about? I'm no tiger. I'll help with the beef and pine nut corn." Chen Wan, sweating from Jiang Yanxin's proximity, thought Jiang Yanxin was far scarier than a tiger. Had she seen a real tiger, she might not even be afraid. Realizing Chen Wan was at her wit's end, Jiang Yanxin decided to spare her this time, stepping away and heading to wash the beef. Meanwhile, the little one in the bedroom awoke, feeling rejuvenated after an afternoon nap and ready to devour a whole cow. Noticing clothes on the bed, he reached for them with his tiny hands, dressing himself expertly, even recognizing the front from the back. Wearing his new bunny slippers, the little one ventured off to find Chen Wan and Jiang Yanxin. Soon, from the living room came an adorable voice, "Mama, Mommy, I'm awake~" "We're in the kitchen," Chen Wan called back, washing her hands before lifting the little one onto the sofa. She set up a cartoon for him and retrieved the chilled watermelon, cutting it into wedges in a bowl for him to enjoy with a spoon. Grinning broadly, he thanked Chen Wan, "Thank you, Mommy~" "You're welcome. Sit here and enjoy while your Mama and I finish cooking," Chen Wan instructed, gently patting his head. "Okay~" he obediently replied. Only after speaking did Chen Wan realize how naturally the words had come, like she had done so many times before. It amused her how today's events seemed bizarre, yet she felt no vigilance towards these two, big and small. When Chen Wan returned to the kitchen, Jiang Yanxin had already set the tomato beef stew to simmer. Jiang Yanxin's fair skin and the fact she was now wearing one of Chen Wan's nightgowns made it hard for Chen Wan to look directly at her, lest she entertain any improper thoughts. Dinner was soon ready. As they ate, Chen Wan observed Jiang Yanxin and the little one across from her. The little one ate with great relish, rice drenched in the tomato beef stew's rich sauce and a few pieces of meat—deliciousness beyond words. He relished every bite, occasionally sipping his orange juice. Watching them, Chen Wan felt a warmth she had never experienced before, not even while dining with her team at work. It felt as if these two were her entire world, despite having met them only that day. Noticing Chen Wan's bright gaze on them, Jiang Yanxin teased, "Why are you staring at us instead of eating?" "No reason, just thinking it's nice like this. I was always by myself before. It seems rather lonely now in hindsight," Chen Wan admitted. In just a single day, her perspective on life had shifted, realizing the value of family companionship. "That won't be the case from now on. Yangyang and I will always be with you, as long as you don't send us off to the police," Jiang Yanxin quipped with an eyebrow raise. "That was because we weren't familiar then! I didn’t mean it," Chen Wan mumbled defensively, unaccustomed to being so thrown by Jiang Yanxin's teasing glance, despite her considerable skills. "Yes, I know you're good," Jiang Yanxin acknowledged, serving each a bowl of mushroom soup, placing Chen Wan's before her. Chen Wan’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Jiang Yanxin, "Thank you." Sipping the soup Jiang Yanxin had served, Chen Wan felt her heart warm with happiness—a fullness she hadn't felt in years. Her master and mistress's home was the only place she had felt familial warmth before. That night, the little one insisted both Chen Wan and Jiang Yanxin sleep beside him. Unable to refuse, Chen Wan went along, sleeping on one side while Jiang Yanxin took the other. Lying on her side, Jiang Yanxin's gaze rested on Chen Wan, who soon noticed, feeling her ears heating again as she recalled the afternoon's kiss on the sofa. While soothing the little one's tummy to sleep, Jiang Yanxin continued observing Chen Wan. Chen Wan, overwhelmed by Jiang Yanxin’s attention, retreated under the covers, peeking at the ceiling with just her eyes visible. Jiang Yanxin softly laughed, finding Chen Wan as endearing as a clueless bunny. Whether from the day's exhaustion or the presence of Jiang Yanxin and the little one allowing her to fully relax, Chen Wan slept deeply, waking only when sunlight warmed the curtains. Blinking awake, Chen Wan felt something unfamiliar in her arms. Peeking down, her heart nearly skipped a beat. Jiang Yanxin had somehow ended up snuggled in her arms, while the little one had clearly shifted towards the left side of the bed. As Chen Wan stirred awake, her movement alerted Jiang Yanxin, who wrapped an arm around Chen Wan's neck, pulling herself closer and murmuring coquettishly, "Why are you up so early?" Still groggy, her voice was a touch sultrier than usual. In their thin nightgowns, Chen Wan felt as if she were on fire. She attempted to gently push Jiang Yanxin away, but to no avail, and with red ears, she stammered, "It’s probably not that early. I should make breakfast." "No, stay with me a bit longer," Jiang Yanxin softly pleaded, her lips occasionally brushing against Chen Wan's neck, causing her heart to race. As she struggled to rise, Jiang Yanxin held the back of her neck and kissed her. After a while, Jiang Yanxin reluctantly pulled away, whispering, "A good morning kiss," while snuggling into Chen Wan's embrace. Chen Wan felt a sudden warmth in her nose, touching it only to discover it was bleeding. She quickly informed Jiang Yanxin, "I need to get up; I have a nosebleed." Concerned, Jiang Yanxin released her and asked, "What's causing your nose to bleed all of a sudden?" As Chen Wan headed to the bathroom, she muttered, "Isn't it obvious? It's because of you." "What?" Jiang Yanxin asked from behind. "Nothing, just a bit too much heat, I suppose," Chen Wan explained. After finally stopping the nosebleed, the little one woke up too. Meanwhile, Chen Wan received a call from her master's wife, saying they'd be visiting today. Chen Wan's master was a retired Special Forces instructor who had mentored Chen Wan and knew about her background, thus taking special care of her during her service. Whenever Chen Wan took a break, her master and his wife would check on her, and she would often visit them. Jiang Yanxin placed the little one on a dining table chair and went to the kitchen to help with the breakfast, asking, "What's up? Is something going on?" "Oh, nothing much. My master and his wife said they’re coming over," Chen Wan replied while bringing things to the table. "I'd better change clothes then," Jiang Yanxin said, realizing meeting the elders in her nightgown wouldn’t be appropriate. She went back to the room to change. Chen Wan gave the little one some milk to sip while eating the buns. Around ten o'clock, when the doorbell rang, Chen Wan quickly went to open the door for her master Zhang Tao and his wife Sun Lan. Zhang Tao smiled upon seeing Chen Wan, saying, "Knowing you’re on leave, we wanted to come early and see you, maybe cook some of your favorite dishes." "Yes, you’ve been away for three months, and your master often talks about you," Sun Lan added with a smile. "I was planning to visit you soon myself, didn’t expect you’d beat me to it. Please, come in," Chen Wan welcomed them warmly. Hearing new voices, the little one waddled over on his short legs, clinging to Chen Wan's leg and asked, "Mommy, are these Grandpa and Grandma?" Chen Wan cleared her throat, patted the little one’s head, and explained, "Sort of." The little one bashfully greeted Zhang Tao and Sun Lan, "Hello, Grandpa and Grandma~" "Oh, hello, little one," Zhang Tao responded, smiling at the little one, then turned to Chen Wan. "When did this happen? How come we didn’t know?" "I don’t even know myself," Chen Wan mumbled quietly. Could she explain they found him at the subway just yesterday? The little one cheerfully announced to Jiang Yanxin, "Mommy, Grandpa and Grandma are here." He hurried into the bedroom to pull his mom out. "Hello, Uncle, Auntie," Jiang Yanxin greeted as she came out, showing her politeness. "Hello, hello," Sun Lan was the first to respond, warmly greeting Jiang Yanxin. Jiang Yanxin initially offered to help with lunch preparation, but Zhang Tao and Sun Lan insisted she keep the baby company, leaving Chen Wan to join them in the kitchen. Once Jiang Yanxin took the little one to watch TV, Sun Lan nudged Zhang Tao to broach the subject. "Chen Wan, when did this all happen? The child must be four and a half, yet we thought you were still single. We were so worried! Who knew you already have a daughter this old?" "Exactly! Your master and I are open-minded. Just tell us if you have a girlfriend, why keep it a secret?" Zhang Tao echoed. "I just found out yesterday," Chen Wan muttered. Unable to share such a fact, she quickly improvised, "We never had the chance before. She’s busy with work in another city." "Work’s one thing; as long as the relationship is good, that’s what matters. You certainly kept this well hidden. Had we known you have someone with you, we wouldn’t have rushed over today," Zhang Tao teased, unable to conceal his immense joy. The little one, quickly comfortable with the new arrivals, was calling out with "Grandpa" and "Grandma," delighting Zhang Tao and Sun Lan. When it was time to leave, they were reluctant to part with the little one. As days flowed by, Chen Wan grew accustomed to having someone in her arms every morning. Initially, there were nosebleeds, but soon she became so comfortable that cuddling Jiang Yanxin became natural. The word "straight" never crossed her lips again. Having shared everything with Jiang Yanxin, Chen Wan had long realized there was no turning back from this profoundly curved path. The notion of handing Jiang Yanxin and the little one over to the authorities never resurfaced; instead, she felt grateful for the vibrant hues they added to her once mundane life. The newfound memories became their little family's secret. Each remembered waking up in the camper with a memory they never should have had.