"Would you like me to accompany you for a stroll nearby?" Old Su gazed at the back of his daughter, who sat in silence upon a rock.
"It's alright, Dad. I'm fine." "Don't be silly. Sitting here all gloomy this early morning, how about chatting with your old man?" Old Su glanced at Dou Dou, who lay beside them, feeling that this fellow was oddly human-like, akin to a little dog.
"I..." "Are you thinking about Xiao Guang?" Old Su took a seat beside his daughter. Su Pei remained silent.
"It's not just you; everyone is thinking about him." Old Su lamented the unpredictability of life. "We all hope for miracles, but there aren't that many miracles. The environment is treacherous, the water is deep, the waves are fierce, and there are so many predators. The chances are incredibly slim."
"But what if he's still alive? What if he's somewhere, waiting all alone? Or if he's injured and in need of help, what should we do?" "In that case, how can we search for him? Do we still have the capability to venture onto the sea's surface?"
Su Pei fell silent, sitting there contemplatively. Old Su embraced his daughter, patting her head just like he used to when she was young.
"We believe he's still alive. And it's not just him—all the missing individuals are still alive. But right now, we lack the means to find them. Our airship isn't repaired, we're out of fuel, our personnel are exhausted, most of them injured. We can only gather our strength, recover quickly, and then we'll have a chance to find them. Whether they're alive or not, we'll do our best to locate them and bring them home, just like Xiao Guang did. He believed we were still alive and brought us back. We believe in him too. He must be somewhere, just as we once were, living tenaciously, waiting for the day of our return."
Su Pei nodded in her father's embrace. "But I can't help feeling that my current comfort comes at the cost of his life. I don't have the ability to search for him now, but by staying here comfortably, I feel unworthy."
"What was his purpose in searching for us? Foolish girl, he worked hard, and he succeeded. If he knew we were all alive, living peacefully, he would find it worthwhile."
"As for feeling unworthy? Indeed! If our commemoration is mere words without corresponding actions, then we truly would be unworthy!"
"Hmm?" Su Pei looked up at her father with some confusion. "Dad, does this mean we need to do something?"
"Yes! Do you remember Xiao Guang mentioning Jin Lao and his daughter Jun Ya? He was worried about them. Originally, he should've gone to see them, but he delayed it to save us." "Considering the circumstances back then, my estimate was that even if a political upheaval occurred, it would take a few more years at least. But upon our return, things seemed different," Old Su explained to his daughter. "Xiao Guang's status was incredibly important! When you brought the news back here, information about our survival spread rapidly throughout the base. However, you came seeking help, and we were on the brink of death. In truth, the base couldn't spare so many hands for a thousand-mile rescue; it would've been too risky. Even your later rescue was a near-death experience. If I had known, I'd rather have died than let you take that risk," Old Su said, hugging his daughter tightly. "Don't doubt it, none of us would agree to have our loved ones do what you did for us, but only loved ones would do such things, and they'll definitely do them."
"The base's decision not to aid is reasonable; after all, sending the remaining men into danger to attempt something with slim hope yet immense danger would be cruel to their families. We should understand this and not blame them."
"However, Xu Dekai's appearance changed everything. He's a man of responsibility. While initially a few women's volunteering might have been impulsive and stubborn, his taking charge turned the expedition into a reality. In that atmosphere, he led thousands of elderly, weak, women, and children on an expedition, causing discontent among those who wield actual power in the base."
"Under the catalyst of these conditions, something must have happened at the base after Xu Dekai left. I dare say Jin Lao must've been forced into it; otherwise, he couldn't have disregarded our return. With his personality, the highest probability was that he would personally bring supplies, but now, that might not be feasible."
"Could there be danger?" Su Ya asked, "Won't those people rebel?"
"Rebel? No, this isn't the same world as before; it's an independent world where the old rules have been shattered. People's hearts have changed. Hopefully, they haven't twisted too much yet, so casualties might be avoided."
"Xiao Guang cares a lot about his teacher and Jun Ya. Now that his fate is uncertain, we should continue the work he didn't finish. So, let's gather our spirits and head to the base—for Xiao Guang, for ourselves!"
"Yeah, alright. When do we depart?" Su Pei cheered up.
"We've discussed it; we'll leave early tomorrow. This time, we'll travel light: you, me, Xu Dekai, along with Ma Lao and the two commanders, Huang Zhong and Shi Xiao Fang."
"Sure, but won't others be coming? How are we going to travel?"
"Others will stay behind; there's much to tend to and develop here. We need more reserves and adaptability, which require manpower. Those airships also need repairs. As for us few, we'll take the fastest route, naturally."
"I understand. Don't worry, Dou Dou can carry six people without a problem. Just one thing, should you all ride on Dou Dou's back or use a basket?"
"Well, you decide. Whichever is more convenient."
"... " The next morning, at dawn, the departing and seeing-off team gathered on the hillside. Everyone packed their belongings, while Li Ji was conversing with Old Su about something.
"Why didn't you take me? What if something happens?" "It's precisely because something might happen that we didn't take you!" Old Su replied. "Look at your fiery temper. Those two," Old Su gestured toward Huang Zhong and Shi Xiao Fang who were laughing and chatting nearby, "don't offend people as easily as you." "Even if those two teamed up, they wouldn't be my match."
"Look, did we go there to start a fight? Would I take my daughter to a brawl?" Old Su stared at him. "Calm down, work on construction with Old Wei, take a breather, and once we're done with the crab issue, we can rest." "I'm worried about the situation there," Li Ji argued. "Oh, Old Li, don't worry. We're going to observe and talk. The situation isn't clear. Many of our comrades are over there. I don't believe they're all in league. Taking my daughter with me is to show that we're not going there to fight; it's a friendly visit," Old Su explained. "Exactly, look at my sister. I treasure her so much; would I let her take risks?" Xu Dekai comforted Li Ji. This time, they brought Zhen Zi along too. Both she and Su Pei, the two girls, were seated in the Beetle's back seat, receiving care. "Alright, go and come back early," Li Ji said. "Over here, we'll fix the airship quickly and find fuel." "Okay, then let's split up and act!" "Sure, we're off. Old Wei, see you later." "Alright, kid, fly slowly." Old Wei advised Su Pei. "I got it, see you later, Uncle Wei!" Under everyone's gaze, Dou Dou, well-fed and well-drunk, carried Su Pei and Zhen Zi on its back, while everyone else sat securely in the basket. The carapace gleamed in the sunlight, and with a buzzing sound, it took off. After circling in the air once, it flew towards the direction of the Northwest Base.
Li Ji watched them depart, murmuring to himself, "I need to find beehives quickly." "What? Beehives?" Han Tiao, who was nearby, heard, "You want honey?" "Your head! The airship's fuel is beeswax." "Oh," Han Tiao didn't know beeswax could be used to make candles, that it could burn. It hadn't yet dawned on him that beeswax was their airship fuel. "Then that means there's honey too." "Exactly, exactly! There was honey. Back then, it was so fragrant and sweet. That chunk of honey was even bigger than my head. What a pity, we didn't eat it. We couldn't take it, so we threw it away." "What? Brother, you threw it away?" "Yeah." Li Ji glanced at Han Tiao, "Tiao Tiao, take your locusts with you and let's go to the forest to find beeswax." "Alright, when do we leave?" Han Tiao automatically ignored the "Tiao Tiao" address. "Let's go now. I'll go call a few people." "Good, I'll call a few people too. Let's bring back a bunch." Old Wei, who was listening nearby, found it somewhat amusing. Just you wait, your appetite will be satisfied once you find them. Honey?