Jiang Chengzhou put down the toy in his hand. "Brother Bai Yang called Uncle away. It seems there's a mission."
Lin Zhilan's heart tightened.
Su Lang had only just returned. Was he going on another mission so soon?
Lin Zhilan was somewhat distracted. During dinner, she accidentally made the food too salty.
Jiang Chengzhou took a bite and frowned at the saltiness.
"Auntie, did you put salt in twice?"
Lin Zhilan took a taste; it was indeed so salty it was almost bitter.
She cleared the dishes from the table. "Let's not eat this. I'll give it to Auntie Liu later to feed her chickens. I'll make some noodles for you two instead."
Jiang Chengzhou looked at her with concern.
"Auntie, are you sick?"
Realizing her state of mind was affecting the child, Lin Zhilan instinctively replied, "I'm not sick, don't worry. I was just thinking about a patient and forgot I had already added salt."
Jiang Chengzhou was half-skeptical.
"Auntie, let me feel your forehead."
Lin Zhilan chuckled softly and squatted down to let him touch her forehead.
Jiang Chengzhou felt hers, then compared it to his own. "It doesn't seem like you have a fever. Auntie, if you feel unwell, you must tell me."
"I know, our family's little man."
After dinner, Lin Zhilan had the two children wash up and coaxed her daughter to sleep.
The lights at the military base had already gone out.
Yet, Su Lang still hadn't returned.
Lin Zhilan leaned against the headboard, holding a palm-leaf fan in her hand, but she didn't move it for a long time.
Summer nights on the island had bright moonlight.
Looking out the window, it even felt a bit chilly.
Lin Zhilan didn't know when she fell asleep.
She only knew that when she opened her eyes again, Su Lang was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking down at her.
"Did I wake you?" His voice was very gentle.
Lin Zhilan sat up following his gentle pull, instinctively looking outside at the sky.
It was pitch black, and the moon had already set to the west.
"What time is it?"
"Almost 2 o'clock," Su Lang said, picking up a thin jacket draped over the back of a chair and placing it over her shoulders. "Why aren't you sleeping properly instead of sitting up here?"
Lin Zhilan didn't answer, merely looking at him.
"Are you... are you going on another mission?"
It was too dark in the room for her to clearly see Su Lang's face.
In the darkness, Su Lang sighed softly. "No, I just came back from the sea. The base won't send me out again so soon."
Lin Zhilan knew she shouldn't, but she breathed a sigh of relief anyway.
"Have you had dinner?" she asked.
Su Lang gently stroked her cheek. "I had a little something at the cafeteria."
Lin Zhilan didn't believe him.
She knew him too well.
When he was busy, he wouldn't bother to eat.
She took off the jacket, preparing to get out of bed.
Su Lang tried to stop her, but she swatted his hand away. "Wait here."
She went downstairs to the kitchen.
Su Lang consciously followed and started the fire.
Lin Zhilan took out some dried noodles from the cabinet and cracked two eggs.
The firelight from the stove reflected on her face. Her eyes were cast down, her eyelashes throwing small shadows under her eyes, making her expression unreadable.
"Zhilan," Su Lang suddenly spoke.
"Hmm?" Lin Zhilan paused her movements.
Su Lang added a piece of firewood to the stove. "I want to discuss something with you."
"No rush," Lin Zhilan's heart tightened, but her face remained impassive.
She dropped the noodles into the pot and stirred them with chopsticks.
"Do you want poached eggs or scrambled?"
Su Lang looked at her and stayed silent for a moment. "Poached."
The steam rose, blurring her face.
When the noodles were done, Su Lang carried the bowl to the table.
Two poached eggs rested on top, evenly sprinkled with chopped green onions. The scent of lard wafted up, carrying a simple, unpretentious aroma.
Su Lang picked up a poached egg with his chopsticks and brought it to Lin Zhilan's lips.
"I'm not hungry."
"It's so late, just eat a little."
He held the bowl, looking as if he wouldn't put it down unless she opened her mouth.
"Then I'll do it myself." Lin Zhilan reached for the chopsticks.
Su Lang pulled his hand back, making her grasp at thin air.
"Open your mouth," he said. His tone was flat and calm, yet somehow impossible to refuse.
Lin Zhilan pursed her lips, lowered her head, and took a small bite right from his chopsticks.
The poached egg had a runny center; the yolk flowed out and stained the corner of her mouth.
She was just about to raise her hand to wipe it off when Su Lang leaned in and kissed her.
Lin Zhilan's ears instantly turned red.
"You..."
Su Lang's expression didn't change. He picked up some noodles, blew on them, and brought them to her mouth. "Eat a bit more."
"Eat it yourself."
Lin Zhilan was afraid he would pull another trick.
Su Lang smiled. "I won't tease you this time. Let's eat together."
And just like that, taking turns bite by bite, the two of them finished the bowl of noodles completely.
After washing up, the two sat in the courtyard.
Su Lang spoke slowly, "I'm going to try not to go out to sea next year."
Lin Zhilan froze, unable to process this for a moment.
Moreover, she knew exactly what that meant.
Su Lang was a frontline regiment commander. If he didn't go to sea, it meant stepping back to the second line.
Going to an office, doing logistics, or handling training.
It could even mean changing careers and leaving the military entirely.
For his future career plans, this would undoubtedly be a massive turning point.
Lin Zhilan naturally disagreed. "Why would you do that?"
Su Lang was still young with boundless prospects. Choosing to leave the service now would look like an incredibly foolish thing to outsiders.
As for Su Lang's personal ambitions, it was completely counterproductive.
Su Lang said nothing.
Lin Zhilan looked at him. "Are you doing this for the kids and me?"
Su Lang chuckled softly. "Partly. But this is my own decision. Just consider me a man short on heroic ambitions, who only wants to linger in your tender embrace."
"Besides, even if I change careers, I can still shine and contribute in another position. That is also my ambition."
Lin Zhilan touched his hand.
His palms were rough, and his fingertips had thick calluses, marks left by years of holding guns and climbing.
"I don't agree," Lin Zhilan said firmly.
"From the day I married you, you were already a soldier. I know the responsibilities of a military wife, and I am proud to be one.
I believe the children will be proud of you too. Su Lang, everyone has their own responsibilities. Don't you believe that I can guard this home for you?"
"Of course I believe you," Su Lang said. "I just feel... my heart aches for you."
Lin Zhilan reminded him, "Even if you change careers, you'll still have to go to work every day. You won't be able to stay by my side and the kids' sides every single moment."
"Zhilan..."
"Listen to me first," Lin Zhilan interrupted him. "I can feel your sincerity, but Su Lang, have you ever thought about what I should do if you actually went through with this?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"You'd be sacrificing your own future for me and the kids. How could I ever repay you? How could I make it up to you?"
"I don't need you to make it up to me," Su Lang said, his brows furrowed tightly.
"When love is deep, of course you feel that way," Lin Zhilan looked at him. "But what if one day our feelings fade? What if one day you regret it and feel it wasn't worth it?"
Su Lang was left speechless.
He felt a bit disappointed, yet his heart also ached with a bittersweet sorrow.
