"Alright, stop crying." Her voice softened. "We'll talk about this when we get back. The mountain is so dark, and there are snakes—aren't you scared staying out here alone?"
"I... I don't want to go back." Liang Ping couldn't stop sobbing.
"Don't want to go back? Live like a wild man in the mountains? Stealing money is wrong, but you made a mistake. You're still young, and everyone will give you a chance to make it right. Do you still dare to steal?"
"No..." Liang Ping hiccupped through his tears. "I don't dare."
"Then that's settled. Come back with me."
"I... I can't go back. My dad will beat me." Liang Ping kept sobbing, unable to stop.
"He won't, Auntie promises you."
Lin Zhilan patted Liang Ping on the shoulder and shouted toward the gathered crowd, "Over here! Found him!"
"Found him, found him..."
The word spread quickly as flashlight beams converged on their spot.
The more nervous Liang Ping grew, the more he hid behind Lin Zhilan.
Commander Han rushed over, breathing heavily. When he saw Liang Ping, his lips moved as if to speak, but nothing came out.
Wang Xiuzhi followed close behind. The moment she spotted Liang Ping, she lunged at him, wrapped her arms around him, and sobbed angrily, "You ungrateful little brat! Why did you run off! You scared me to death!"
Liang Ping couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into loud, uncontrollable cries, gasping for air.
Wang Xiuzhi was frightened by the boy's reaction, so she stopped scolding him and instead patted his back, muttering, "It's okay. I'm glad you're back. I'm glad you're back..."
Su Lang patted Commander Han on the shoulder. "Commander Han, don't be so stern. The kid's been found, that's what matters. Save your words for when we get home."
Commander Han's brows were deeply furrowed, but he finally let out a heavy "Mm."
Su Lang walked over to Lin Zhilan, reached out, and touched her arm. His fingers met with a chill, and he frowned.
He took off his coat, shook it out, and draped it over Lin Zhilan's shoulders.
Lin Zhilan noticed he was now in just a white undershirt. She secretly slipped her hand into his and gave it a gentle squeeze.
With the darkness hiding them, Su Lang held her hand back and didn't let go.
Now that the child was found, the group began to descend the mountain.
Wang Xiuzhi held Liang Ping's hand as they followed the crowd.
Not far into the walk, Liang Ping suddenly stopped. He turned his head and spoke with a heavy nasal voice to Su Lang, "Uncle Su, make sure you support Doctor Lin. She sprained her ankle."
Su Lang was taken aback. He instinctively glanced down at Lin Zhilan's ankle.
Lin Zhilan discreetly pinched his arm and whispered, "It's nothing. I was just lying to the kid."
Su Lang was about to laugh when Liang Ping added another line.
"Doctor Lin has a little baby in her belly. You can't let her fall."
The path on the mountain suddenly went silent.
For a few seconds, Su Lang thought he had misheard. He slowly turned his head to look at Lin Zhilan with a stiff smile. "What is this kid talking about?"
"Mm," Lin Zhilan said casually, "he's not wrong. I'm pregnant."
Su Lang's mind was in turmoil. His foot slipped, and with a "thud," he fell to one knee right in front of Lin Zhilan.
The couple stared at each other, both a bit dazed.
After a long moment, Lin Zhilan couldn't help it. She covered her face and started laughing.
When she laughed, so did everyone else.
"Lao Su," Li Jiang laughed the loudest, "Doctor Lin's expecting, is it worthy of such a big bow?"
The crowd roared with laughter.
Even Commander Han's brow relaxed a bit.
Su Lang didn't mind. He let out a silly grin.
He stood up, brushed the dust off his knee, and a rare flush of red crept across his face.
Lin Zhilan looked at him, tears of laughter forming at the corners of her eyes.
Su Lang had completely lost control of his smile. His hand trembled slightly as he guided her.
On the way down the mountain, Su Lang was more attentive than the Emperor's favorite eunuch.
If his legs weren't still weak, he would have carried Lin Zhilan back on the spot.
Once they reached the family quarters, Commander Han and Wang Xiuzhi came to pick up Han Mei.
Remembering her promise to Liang Ping, Lin Zhilan couldn't help but add a word to Commander Han. "Commander Han, raising a child isn't just Sister Xiuzhi's responsibility. He made a mistake, and he should be disciplined, but not just with beatings and scoldings."
Lin Zhilan could see that neither child was very close to Commander Han.
He was the old-school patriarch—the kind of father who represented neglectful parenting.
In the family, he was only responsible for the money-making part.
His children held more fear and reverence for him than affection.
Liang Ping was now 13, right at the age of adolescence—a phase of seeking identity and independence.
If Commander Han tried to rule him with a heavy hand, it might backfire.
Commander Han glanced at Han Mei, who was hiding behind Wang Xiuzhi. "I understand. Thank you, Doctor Lin."
Lin Zhilan shook her head and was helped into their home by Su Lang.
Commander Han and Wang Xiuzhi took the two children back home.
As Commander Han sat down, he noticed the three of them standing in a line nearby.
He sighed. "All of you, sit down."
Only then did Wang Xiuzhi and the children sit.
Commander Han let out a breath. "Why did you steal the money? What did you need it for?"
Liang Ping lowered his head and said nothing.
Han Mei glanced at her brother, her lips parting slightly.
Commander Han looked at her. "You talk."
Han Mei pursed her lips, tears falling as she spoke softly, "Jiang Chengzhou and his little sister eat ice pops every day... My brother and I have never tried one."
Han Mei and Liang Ping had grown up in a cave dwelling on the Loess Plateau.
The word "ice pop" hadn't even existed in their minds until they came to the military base.
On this island, with its sweltering weather, ice pops were the favorite summer treat.
Jiang Chengzhou had a regular allowance, and Deng Jing always bought snacks for her kids.
Han Mei and Liang Ping would always hide in a corner, watching them eat ice pops.
Both siblings harbored the same thought: they just wanted to know what an ice pop tasted like.
When Han Mei got to that part, Liang Ping took over.
"I passed by Doctor Lin's house this morning and saw their door wasn't fully shut..." Liang Ping bowed his head even lower. "I just wanted to take the money to buy an ice pop."
Commander Han frowned, skeptical. "Twelve yuan? Since when do ice pops cost that much?"
Liang Ping fidgeted with his fingers. "I didn't know how much an ice pop cost. I was afraid I wouldn't have enough..."
The money in Lin Zhilan's house wasn't hidden well—just in a drawer in the living room cabinet.
There were dozens of yuan inside. Liang Ping had originally planned to take just two.
But then he remembered he didn't know the price of an ice pop, so he grabbed a ten-yuan bill instead.
Looking back now, Liang Ping didn't know what he was thinking. It felt like the only thing on his mind was that ice pop.
Hearing the siblings' answer, Commander Han was stunned.
Wang Xiuzhi licked her lips. "Why are you comparing yourselves to them? Other families have money—they can buy whatever they want. How can our family be like theirs?"
"Xiuzhi..."
"Hm?" Wang Xiuzhi looked nervously at Commander Han.
