"Father. Shen Mengting called softly.

Without further ado, the father turned his straight body to the other side, and he stepped into the corner hallway.

This time, Shen Mengting didn't stop her father again, she just stood in place, recalling her past with her father.

The mother suddenly walked behind Shen Mengting and put her hand on one of her shoulders. When Shen Mengting turned around, her mother pursed her lips and only shook her head at her. The mother's expression was sad, but not for herself.

"Perhaps your father was a good marshal and a good official. However, he was not a good father. ”

The mother threw out the sentence as she slipped away.

The other servants and soldiers scattered sparsely when they saw that the protagonist was gone. However, Shen Mengting still stopped in place for a long time.

At night, Shen Mengting still didn't come out of what she had done before. No matter how long she lay in bed, she couldn't close her eyes and fall asleep. In desperation, she simply got up and went outside the house.

Walking to the distance, she tried to stretch her lower limbs. The air outside was much fresher, and her breathing was smoother.

Pacing in the backyard for a while, she seemed to hear something. It came from the pavilion diagonally opposite, and Shen Mengting walked towards it lightly.

There seemed to be a figure shaking on the pavilion, Shen Mengting squinted and looked at it, only to realize that it was actually her father. My father was sitting on a chair in the pavilion, seemingly holding something in his hand.

Shen Mengting was a little puzzled, not to mention that his father didn't sleep so late and ran to sit in the pavilion in the backyard, he seemed to be sitting and talking to someone.

As the distance approached, Shen Mengting found that her father was holding her younger brother.

"You must be strong! You know, you are a man, or my son of Shen Haiteng. "My father kept saying something to my father in his arms.

Seeing this, Shen Mengting hurriedly hid under a lush pine tree next to her, she was clinging to the thick trunk of the tree, so that she would not be seen on the other side of the pavilion.

"Yes, I see, Daddy!" the younger brother replied as he sat on his father's lap.

"Alas, you are born with weak bones! Don't talk about trials, you can't even take care of yourself, how can you rest assured that you and my mother are telling me!" the father's tone was extremely sad, which was unheard of in normal times, "After all, it is impossible for your parents to take care of you for a lifetime. ”

"Yes, I see. I will definitely try my best in the future. I want to train hard and make my body as strong as my father, and then I want to be a swordsman like my father. It's too early to talk about that, and I should be targeting my sister right now. ”

"Well, it's good to have that kind of thought. The father touched his brother's head, "Okay, it's not early now, let's go to bed!"

The younger brother then slipped from his father's body. Although the younger brother was very unsteady on his feet, his father did not come to his aid for a moment. Gradually, the younger brother walked into the house.

Shen Mengting covered her mouth all the time, trying her best to reduce the grief in her heart.

For a long time after his brother left, my father sat in the pavilion. After a long time, he got up and walked towards the house. My father's pace was slow, as if he had lost his former demeanor.

Shen Mengting tried to swim around the stout pine tree, because when her father left the pavilion, she could be seen hiding behind the tree on the road she was taking.

However, as she slowly moved to her feet, she stepped on a branch near her feet. With a 'snap', Shen Mengting couldn't help but lower her head in frustration.

His father also sensed something, he stopped, and squinted his eyes to look in the direction where Shen Mengting was.

"Hey, why don't you sleep and hide here at night?" the father put his hands behind his back, looking full of seriousness.

Shen Mengting licked her lips and walked out from behind the pine tree helplessly.

"Father, I'm sorry!"

"Why are you saying you're sorry?"

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation with my brother!"

"No, it's not eavesdropping. The father immediately denied, "You have the right to know everything I have said to your brother." ”

Suddenly, a sentence gathered in Shen Mengting's throat, and she wanted to say it. But as soon as the words came out of her mouth, she was stuck.

Father saw Shen Mengting's thoughts. He straightened his waist and slowly walked in front of Shen Mengting. "What's the matter, do you have anything to say to me?"

Shen Mengting hesitated again and again, and after swallowing a few salivas in succession, she still had the courage to release the melancholy in her heart.

"Actually...... Actually, my father has always liked my younger brother very much! I have always regarded my younger brother, me, and my mother as the most important people to him. But...... But why are you so cold to your family?"

Father listened to Shen Mengting's words, and a breath of air came out of his nostrils. He didn't respond for a long time, resulting in a sense of silence in the huge backyard. Except for the chirping of birds and insects, and the sound of human breathing, there is nothing else.

The overly dull silence made Shen Mengting very uncomfortable, and she began to gasp for air.

At this moment, a group of patrolling guards happened to pass by, and they looked at their marshal in bewilderment.

Shen Haiteng shook his hand casually, signaling that there was nothing wrong. The guards decided to leave. However, just as they mentioned the steady and orderly pace, their father actually reminded them in the back.

"Hey, it's not too early, so be careful. ”

The leading guard was grateful, and he smiled and expressed his gratitude to his father.

Shen Mengting found that those guards respected her father very much, and her father seemed to care about them very much.

"Mengting!"

Just when Shen Mengting was distracted, her father's opening pulled her back to reality.

"You're right, my father has always cared for you. Actually, not only you, but every young man in the Saran Kingdom, I am very concerned. I hope that every young person can find their own characteristics and live on their own feet. However, in recent years, young people have really failed to achieve something, and my father is really worried about this. Afraid that they will be bullied by other countries in the future. So......" Father paused, a sad murmur hidden in his tone, "so I have not had a good temper lately, and I have been implicated in you and my brother. Mengting, my father really has to apologize to you. ”

"Father's ......"

"Actually, my father always knew that you were very good, and you reached that height at such a young age. Many people have also told me that you can inherit my mantle and defend the kingdom of Saran. As for your brother, although he can't become a talent, it's also because he is sick. Alas, he couldn't be blamed for anything. Maybe God can only give me an excellent child!"

Father's words were like flying arrows that kept shooting, making Shen Mengting's heart almost fall. She quickened her breath, and a burning sensation seemed to release from her eyes.

"Father, I ......"

"Don't say anything more, just keep doing it!" "Father stretched out his hand and patted Shen Mengting's shoulder, "Father believes that one day you will achieve unprecedented achievements in the profession of swordsman." ”

"En!" Shen Mengting snorted sharply and nodded repeatedly.

"But!" said the father's face suddenly sad, "if only you were a man." Alas!"

This sentence made Shen Mengting stop breathing, and she held her lips tightly, as if a breath was congested in her chest, causing her to not be able to go up and down.

The father was about to turn around, but Shen Mengting hurriedly walked around to him. "Father, I always felt that whether I was a man or not was not important in terms of success. What men can do well, women can do too. ”

The father seemed to be shocked, and he stared at Shen Mengting tightly without saying a word. It was not long before my father briefly explained, "Well, you are right. I believe you can be a female swordsman who is not bad for men. However, have you ever thought about the problem, you will definitely marry someone in the future? If you are too masculine, how can your future husband put up with you?"

"It doesn't matter, it's a big deal that you won't marry for the rest of your life. ”

Father seemed a little surprised, but he still breathed steadily, "Yes, whatever you want." In the future, you will need to complete your life by yourself. So be it!"

At the moment when he finished speaking, his father walked away. This time, he really left, and didn't stop or look back.

Shen Mengting, who was left, clenched her fists, and as far as what she saw and heard tonight, she understood many things. Although his father is unkind on the surface, he actually has a tender side. He also cares a lot about everyone's feelings. For this reason, Shen Mengting deepened her admiration for her father Shen Haiteng.

Of course, there's a little more tonight. Shen Mengting knew that she had been recognized by her father, and she also expressed to her father how she should finish her life in the future.

Shen Mengting only felt relaxed, and her breathing was a lot easier.

After this night, many things have changed significantly. Shen Mengting's estrangement between their family is disappearing, and the family is happy. Although his father is still away from home all year round, he rarely shows up. But Shen Mengting has formed a strong bond with her mother and younger brother.

Shen Mengting no longer snubbed her younger brother, she regarded her younger brother as a baby, and that kind of love was slightly inferior to her mother. 's mother didn't understand why Shen Mengting had changed like this. And Shen Mengting's answer was:

"I'm still young, and I'm only a mid-level swordsman, so I can only use my mother and younger brother as treasures. If my achievements continue to climb upward, I will protect the people of the whole country of Salan as treasures. ”

Shen Mengting made such an assertion.

But the idea is beautiful, but the reality is often cruel. Shen Mengting only loved her brother for a few months, and her brother died of illness. The younger brother was already in poor health, and after a fall while playing, he never woke up. This is also Shen Mengting's first contact with death, she only feels that there is a plug blocked in her chest, and she can't pull it out anymore.

The death of her younger brother brought a great shadow to Shen Mengting's family, and her mother, including her grandparents, didn't think about it. Shen Mengting also sat at home all day long, missing the trial class in the trial ground for the first time.

My father hadn't changed much, and those weeks were his busiest. During those times, relations between the Kingdom of Saran and the Sauron Empire deteriorated. Fortunately, with the mediation of the elves of the Principality of Aria, the two countries did not fight again. But because of this point, hardliners like my father and Yang Jiening raised their heads again.

In order to train the soldiers in the barracks better, my father hardly went home. Even if the younger brother was gone, the father only hurried back on the day of the funeral.

At the funeral, my mother and grandparents wept bitterly, but my father was expressionless. He didn't seem to be sad at all, but Shen Mengting knew that his father's heart was dripping blood.

In the evening, my father was still discussing with several generals about hurrying back to the barracks, because several recruits were undergoing the initial trial. If it is not passed, it will be caught by the compromisers, and the cost of military rations will be deducted.

After the generals left, the father sat in front of his younger brother in a daze. During the evening vigil, my father urged my grandparents to leave and leave him alone. As a result, there was only one father in the entire mourning hall. Shen Mengting was late at night after passing by, and she couldn't sleep and asked her younger brother Ling to come and speak.

But he met his father. His father's back was a little lonely, and his eyes were staring at the cabinet where his brother's body was kept.

Shen Mengting's steps forward alarmed her father, and her father slowly turned his head.

For a while, Shen Mengting gasped. Father's eyes are completely dull and stupid, which is almost 108,000 miles different from his usual image.

After his father saw Shen Mengting, he lowered his eyes.

"I'm not a good father, I'm a little guilty that I didn't be with him when he died. ”

"Father. ”

"But think about it, it should be a relief for him!" "The father moved his mouth casually, his face seemed to be frozen in plaster, and he didn't release any expression, "When I am my son, I guess it gives him a lot of pressure." He couldn't do what he liked because of his health, so he must have had a hard time. Now, he's finally free. ”

Shen Mengting's tears couldn't stop from under her eyes. She couldn't control herself and ran away.

After a day's vigil, my father did not slack off and left. But from the moment he left home, Shen Mengting and his mother went out to see him off, only to be surprised to find that he had returned to his original appearance as a marshal. He was so heroic and composed, as if his brother's departure could no longer affect him.

Shen Mengting has not been able to get out of her brother's departure for a long time, and she is depressed all day long. This move alarmed the Minister of Magic, Yang Jiening. For this reason, Yang Jiening personally came to visit Shen Mengting.

"Mengting, I know that your brother's departure has hit you a lot, and it is reasonable for you to be sad. But no matter what, you can't put off the Proving Ground course! Remember what you said before? You said that you want to be like your father and become the best swordsman in the world. Do you remember that?"

Uncle Yang Jiening walked into Shen Mengting's room and spoke directly. From time to time, he poked his staff on the ground a few times, and his tone was quite stern.

But Shen Mengting was lying on the bed like a dead person, and in order not to listen to Uncle Yang Jiening's words, she turned around and covered her ears.

Yang Jiening's heart was full of sadness when he saw it, he sighed, and walked closer to the bed, "I think I have made it very clear, you can continue to be sad about your brother's departure." But you can't go on like this. You know, you haven't been to the proving ground for two months, and if you continue like this, you won't be able to pass the assessment of a high-level swordsman at all. If that's the case, your brother and your parents will be sad. ”

Shen Mengting moved her body, and she began to pull the quilt on her head. In this way, she seems to be isolated from the outside world.

Yang Jiening seemed to have run out of tricks, and he sighed straight out: "You once said that your father is your target." But now your father, no matter how sad he is, is sinking without emotion. He is still fighting on the front line, trying to defend his country. But what about you! Think about it, your exile like this is not good for anyone, and your brother will not come back to life because of it. If you give up your ego like this, you will only bring harm to the people who care about you. Look at your mother, she's all going to the proving ground now to beg not to fire you, why are you still asleep here. ”

Shen Mengting hugged the quilt tightly and wrapped her face, she had to forcibly block her ears no matter what.

Yang Jiening really had no choice, he 'snorted' and poked the ground with his staff. Then he turned and was about to leave.

"It seems that you can never compare with your father, the gap between you and him is too great. ”

Before leaving, Yang Jiening also threw out such a sentence.

Shen Mengting couldn't control her emotions anymore, she yelled 'no', and then jumped up from the bed.

"Uncle, I have a sentence that I have wanted to say for a long time. It's me who is wrong, I killed my brother. ”

Yang Jiening turned his head in surprise: "What's wrong?"

"I didn't treat my brother badly before, and I even thought he was a scourge. It was he who robbed my parents of their love for me. So, I used to hate him very much. I've always looked down on him, and I've never given him any love that a sister deserves. I don't deserve to live in this family, and I'm sorry for my brother. ”

Shen Mengting rushed to Yang Jiening crying.

Yang Jiening seemed to understand something, and he let Shen Mengting get into his arms.

"Uh......h Woo...... Woo...... I could have felt it earlier, but my brother actually liked me very much. But I didn't bother to pay attention to him, and every time my mother cared for him, I had to be angry for a long time. I'm ashamed to think about it now, how could I have such a thought! He's my own brother!"

"Woo...... Later, I realized that I wanted to care for my brother. But he was gone. I can no longer take on the duties of a sister. I'm really ...... It's really ...... Woo...... Woo......"

Yang Jiening stopped Shen Mengting with one hand: "I know, I see." I'm sorry, but I'm underestimating the feelings of a girl your age. I thought you were just childishly sad and useless. But I can't believe that you have faced such pain in these days. I know, I know. ”

"Uncle Yang Jiening, am I very unbearable. I treat my own brother so ruthlessly. How can I protect the civilians of this country in the future!"

"No, no, no. Yang Jiening hurriedly dissuaded, "You have this kind of thought, you really shouldn't be." But that's all in the past, and if you have the courage to speak out, it proves that you have the responsibility to mend your ways. He patted Shen Mengting on the back, "Just take your brother's matter as a warning, and treat everyone sincerely in the future." I'm sure your brother won't resent you. ”

"Really?" Shen Mengting raised her head, two lines of tears clearly visible on her face.

"Really, everyone has a terrible past, and not everyone is born with noble thoughts. But the key is whether this person can reform and improve his cultivation from education and experience. Mengting, I believe that after this place, you will definitely grow into a real adult. ”

Uncle Yang Jiening's words were full of care, and Shen Mengting suddenly stopped crying.

"Besides, didn't you say it yourself! I already want to care about my brother, but I am sorry that my brother has left. Then, my uncle will educate you, hoping that you will take this as a warning and treat everyone of this age as if you were a younger brother. Wouldn't that be able to comfort my brother's soul in heaven?"

Shen Mengting listened to this, and she wiped her cheeks with both hands.

'Treat everyone of this age as if they were younger brothers', Shen Mengting firmly remembered these words. These words also became deeply seared into her body after the menstruation. She never forgot it again.