233 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Chapter 233 (Side Story 5 Complete) The spring was bright once again. Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin led a team out to eradicate the surrounding zombies in the First District. All the team members valiantly fought against the zombies. To hone the team's combat skills, Jiang Yan Xin did not let her trusty partner Zeus intervene, making sure it only played a precautionary role. Charging bravely at the forefront was the nine-year-old Chen Yang. Since she started wielding her abilities from a young age, her mental capacity threshold greatly exceeded that of ordinary adults with psychic abilities. Coupled with her routine of consuming crystal cores since she was three and a half, her physical condition was excellent, with strength and speed far surpassing the average person. She had become one of the standout members in the team for hunting zombies and mutant creatures. Chen Yang had a natural sense of danger and could predict where threats might come from. Using her psychic powers, she could levitate and hurl objects at enemies from a distance. Her close-combat skills were taught hand-in-hand by Chen Wan and Qin Ke, crisp and straightforward, without unnecessary frills. In a matter of minutes, a circle of zombie corpses lay scattered around Chen Yang. Two towering zombies charged at Chen Yang again, undeterred by fear. Calm and unhurried, Chen Yang used her psychic power to uproot a large tree nearby and smashed it against the zombies. Meanwhile, she brandished her firefighter axe and attacked the other zombie. Her close-combat techniques, honed directly by Chen Wan and Qin Ke, were clean and simple. In a swift chop, the zombie's skull was nearly severed. Without hesitation, she swung the axe again while the zombie's movements were sluggish, causing it to collapse to the ground. Behind her, Chen Wan watched her daughter's fluid movements while controlling zombies with her own powers, and said with a light laugh to Jiang Yan Xin beside her, "Not surprising, our daughter Yang Yang is amazing." "Indeed, even among grown-ups, Yang Yang is quite a formidable force," Jiang Yan Xin looked at their daughter with immense satisfaction. Since arriving at the First District nearly five years ago, Chen Wan and her family had learned to survive in a world still plagued by chaos. Medical and technological advancements have surged due to the harsh environment. For instance, the armored vehicle they drove had been fitted with jet propulsion, allowing it to fly short distances in emergencies. Innovations like mechanical arms and intelligent prosthetics had also been developed. Human potential is indeed limitless, especially when backed into a corner by nature itself. The constant sense of crisis has driven elite professionals across all trades, leading to rapid inventions of high-tech solutions, many now in regular use within just five years. "Yang Yang, nearly all zombies are cleared. Time to regroup," Chen Wan called to her daughter with a smile. The little warrior who just commanded the zombie horde soon turned back into a little sweetheart, happily running towards Chen Wan and the others. "Mommy, did you see me take down the zombies just now?" Chen Yang's eyes sparkled as she looked at Chen Wan expectantly. "I did! Our Yang Yang is the best. You'll surely be first in the upcoming school assessment again," Chen Wan laughed as she cleaned her daughter's grimy face with a tissue. "Of course! Those other kids are no match for me," Chen Wan shook her head with a laugh. Most kids at the base were only three or four years old; the few who were her age were latecomers to the First District, lagging far behind Chen Yang in skills and academics. After all, Chen Yang had been immersed in her family's rigorous training from age five or six, even starting math lessons when she was just a small child. "Mommy, do we have other missions after dealing with the zombies? If not, let's return early, or else Xuan Xuan will cry again if she doesn't see me all day," said Chen Yang, tugging at Chen Wan's sleeve. "Alright, we'll head back early. But why aren't you concerned if Lai Lai misses you? All your heart cares about is Xuan Xuan," Chen Wan teased her daughter with a smile. "No, Xuan Xuan's been frail since young and is prone to tears. Lai Lai is different; she can sleep soundly once she's had her fill," Chen Yang chuckled, jesting about her sister. Chen Wan shook her head helplessly. Her daughter wasn’t wrong – Lai Lai, the little glutton, indeed needed just some playmates and wasn’t clingy at all. After collecting the crystal cores from the zombies, the group boarded the armored vehicle heading back to the First District. Over the past five years, the First District had expanded significantly, with increasingly sophisticated infrastructure, including emergency shelters, reservoirs, tall lookout towers, an airfield, and arsenals, all completed within this brief timeframe. The armored vehicle glided through the First District's three large gates. Eager to get home, Chen Yang dashed home to shower and dry her hair, swapped into a jacket, and hurried over to Building 21. Before even reaching Building 21, Chen Yang spotted the little figure sitting on the wooden bench by the roadside, with Qi Jing standing nearby. "Auntie, what are you doing out here?" Chen Yang asked. Qi Jing smiled at the little one on the bench, "Xuan Xuan refused to stay home, insisting on waiting for you out here. I couldn't deny her, so here we are." Hastily, Chen Yang approached. Xuan Xuan's eyes brightened at the sight of her, calling out in a throaty voice, "Sister~ you're back!" Seeing the little one's eyes sparkle, Chen Yang's heart softened, yet she chided gently, "Didn't I say to wait at home for me? It's cold today, have you caught a chill?" Touching Xuan Xuan's little hand and finding it cold, Chen Yang began fussing. "See, your hands are so cold. Did you catch a chill?" Chen Yang removed her own jacket, wrapping it around the little one, and pulled out a tissue to wipe Xuan Xuan’s nose. Although only three and a half years old, Wei Xuan Xuan obediently followed Chen Yang's words, enjoying playing with her. "Take a breath. See how stuffy your nose is—blow your nose and then sister will take you home to play, okay?" Chen Yang cajoled, holding a tissue to the little one’s nose to encourage her to blow. The little one nodded obediently, then blew with effort. Just then, Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin, having just returned the equipment, stumbled upon this scene. Stifling laughter, Chen Wan exchanged a glance with Qi Jing, quietly commenting to Jiang Yan Xin, "Did you notice how our Yang Yang might become a mom-friend? She even takes care of nose blowing." "Don't be silly, the kids are too young for that. Yang Yang is just looking after her sister," Jiang Yan Xin chuckled, defending her daughter. "Then why hasn't she cared for Lai Lai like this?" Chen Wan teased with a grin. "Stop joking," Jiang Yan Xin pinched Chen Wan's side gently, causing her to behave. Unaware of her parents' discreet chatter, Chen Yang focused on wiping the little one's nose. The little one reached for a cuddle, "Sister, hug~" After securely wrapping Xuan Xuan in her jacket, Chen Yang lifted the little one, turning back to notice her parents were there too. "Mommy, Mama, why didn’t you say anything?" Chen Yang asked curiously. "Oh, nothing. Go on and take care of Xuan Xuan. Your mama and I are going to check on Lai Lai," Chen Wan replied with a smile. "Alright," Chen Yang nodded and called out to Qi Jing, "Auntie, let's go too, or Xuan Xuan might catch a cold. Her health isn't great." "Sure, we'll follow your orders, little adult," Qi Jing chuckled, noticeably more concerned about Xuan Xuan than herself. Once home with the little one, Chen Yang fetched a small blanket from the bedroom to cover Xuan Xuan, poured a glass of hot water, encouraging her to sip it slowly before settling beside her to continue her gentle nagging, "Next time, don't wait outside in the cold, okay? Otherwise, you'll catch a cold again." The little one nodded obediently, then shook her head, eyes bright as she looked at Chen Yang, "But, I missed sister~" Under the little one's bright gaze, Chen Yang found herself unable to say anything scolding, gently holding the small hand, "Alright, then grow up quickly, okay? Once you're older, we can go fight those zombies together. I'll protect you, and here's a bunch of crystal cores I got today, they're for you." Chen Yang dumped eleven crystal cores into the little one's small hands. Several fell out, and the little one, grabbing them, whined sweetly, "There are too many, sister, I can't hold them all~" "Okay, I'll put them on the coffee table for now. I've washed them, make sure you eat them in the next few days, alright?" Chen Yang said, placing the crystal cores on the table and reminding the little one. "Okay, I'll listen to sister~" The little one replied softly, her eyes forming tiny crescent moons, radiating cuteness. Chen Yang stayed for a bit longer, watching cartoons with the little one, then had dinner at Qi Jing and Wei Si Yu's before heading back home. When Chen Yang returned home, Chen Wan and Jiang Yan Xin were playing with Lai Lai. The little one had eaten too much for dinner and was now waddling around the room to digest. Seeing her sister come in, the child eagerly greeted her, "Sister!" "Hey, Lai Lai, did you miss me?" Chen Yang suddenly remembered the little one at home and went over to play with him. "I did! I also missed Mommy and Mama~" he was a little joy bringer, pleasing everyone. Later that evening, Chen Wan tucked a sleeping Xiao Jiang into his little bed, letting the child drift off to sleep, while she and Jiang Yan Xin discussed the children's exploits. "Yang Yang is really growing into a responsible little adult. Even if she goes out on her own now, I probably wouldn’t worry as much," Jiang Yan Xin remarked, reflecting on how the once-little girl had blossomed into a capable big sister. "Indeed, it's astonishing how quickly she's grown. I still picture that little one with her hair in a tiny ponytail, and now she’s already up to my chin. Time flies," Chen Wan sighed nostalgically. "If you could choose, would you want to return to the previous world or stay here?" Jiang Yan Xin asked with a smile. "Of course, I'd stay here. Any place with you, Yang Yang, and Lai Lai is home for me," Chen Wan replied with warmth. The site features no pop-up ads. Permanent domain: (xbanxia.com)