Dora breathed a sigh of relief: "That's great, it only takes half a day to ride a horse back and forth, and I will be relieved to return the gift he gave as soon as possible." ”

Winnie asked, puzzled, "Miss, do you really want to return that dress?" That's a piece of Young Master Chulov's heart, besides, aren't you planning to save face for your uncle at the May Day Ball? ”

Dora smiled: "I just want to know Ito's most popular skirt style, and I can also buy cloth to make it." Although An Long gave in, he must have been very unhappy in his heart. Take advantage of his absence, and return the things, lest he blame me later when he remembers it. She looked at the two beautiful cardboard boxes on the table, opened one of the larger ones, touched the extraordinarily soft and smooth dress inside, and sighed: "I don't know if I will have a chance to wear it in my life." ”

Winnie couldn't help but feel sorry for her: "Oh, my poor Miss Dora, you should have been the brightest pearl of Ito City, and if you hadn't married your uncle, you wouldn't have to endure this kind of life. Thinking of An Long, she was a little dissatisfied in her heart: "Although my father is very remarkable, but with such a mother, it's no wonder that my uncle will have no interest." ”

Dora interrupted her: "Don't say it! She took one last look at the dress that emitted a faint glow, and simply closed the lid of the box: "This is only temporary, one day, An Long will get ahead and take our whole family out of this ghost place!" ”

The next day, Goodwin came to his home and took back the gift. Although he was very sorry in his heart, in the face of Dora, who kept apologizing, he still comforted him gently, expressed his understanding of her approach, and sincerely wished her husband and wife a speedy reconciliation. Dora watched him leave with gratitude, and sighed in her heart, such a good person, but it was a pity that she did not fall in love with him.

At this time, Xiao Tianjian came back with Minna after practicing light exercises, and when he saw the carriage in the distance, he felt a little familiar. Dora only vaguely said that she was a guest, and didn't say much, just wiped her daughter's sweat distressedly, and whispered: "Look how tired you are?" What do girls learn to do? ”

Minna shouted nonchalantly, "I'm hungry, I'm going to eat Winnie's little cake!" Dora said, "Winnie is busy making clothes for the May Festival, and she doesn't have time to make snacks, so let Marshall make them for you." ”

Minna answered, shouting "Grandpa Marshall, I want to eat a small round cake", and quickly ran to the kitchen to find the old butler, and saw him sitting at the desk in a daze, seemingly lacking in energy, so she asked, "Grandpa Marshall, are you sick?" ”

Marshall came to his senses and waved his hand hurriedly: "No, it's just that I'm old and in poor spirits." Suddenly, he saw Xiao Tianjian who entered the door with his granddaughter, and hurriedly stood up and bowed: "Are you back?" Please wait a little while, and I'll make the little round cakes. Xiao Tianjian smiled faintly: "It doesn't matter, you can rest if you are not in good health, but I remember that you are two years younger than me, and it is not okay to serve old age so early." ”

Marshall smiled, but insisted on measuring the flour. Seeing that he seemed to be very tired, Minna felt a little sour in her heart, and hurriedly persuaded him: "Grandpa Marshall, I don't want to eat, don't do it." Marshall smiled and pushed her out of the kitchen: "Sit back, I'll be ready in no time." Then he turned around and went to work. Minna had to give in, but she didn't go outside, but sat on a small bench at the small coffee table in the corner of the kitchen, and helped Marshall wipe the cup of tea as usual.

Xiao Tianjian looked at this scene and didn't know what it was like in his heart.

Marshall was originally the youngest son of the old housekeeper of the Cardo family, and he and Mei Li, who was also a servant, were childhood sweethearts, and everyone thought they would be a couple. But the appearance of Xiao Tianjian took away Mei Li's heart. In fact, Xiao Tianjian knew in his heart that Mei Li only regarded Marshall as a brother, and the latter did not prevent Mei Li from falling in love with someone else, he always thought that there was no love between men and women, and later saw that Mei Li and Marshall got along happily, and he also had a feeling of being deceived, so he ignored it for many years.

Now he knew that Merry had always been to him, but Marshall's thoughts, he was a little confused. With his father's identity and Kado's background, Marshall can have a better future, and it is also possible to become a noble butler, why is he willing to stay by An Long's side as a housekeeper and valet? You even have to cook it yourself.

Xiao Tianjian couldn't understand Marshall's intentions, but in any case, he never regarded this person as an opponent, but now this person has obviously become a part of this family, and even replaced his role as a "grandfather" to some extent, which made him feel a little uncomfortable.

A few days later, when Anlong returned to his home from the dwarven mountains, he was somewhat surprised to find that his father and his family had gotten along well.

Her daughter, Minna, is learning simple sword moves from her grandfather; Xiao Tianjian, on the other hand, gave his daughter-in-law Dora the precious flower seeds he had obtained during his travels over the years, and also helped her make a garden swing; For Winnie, who was excited at the sight of him, he was very enthusiastic and meticulous in teaching her more than ten dishes of food, and highly praised her ability to distinguish fine wine; Even Brie, the temporary maid, received a pair of beautiful silk bows from him as an ornament for the May Day ball. If you ignore Marshall, who has rarely been in good spirits lately, almost the whole family has liked him, even the neighbors in the vicinity, and it is said that several taverns and bars in the city have rated him as the most welcome guest, and several local girls in their prime also flatter him every day.

On the one hand, his father seemed to have the intention to make up for his relationship with him and his family, which made him a little happy, but on the other hand, his father was again messing with flowers and grass, and he was very angry about it. Therefore, when faced with his father, he couldn't help but sarcastically: "It seems that you have adapted well, you can really have fun everywhere, and let me once again appreciate your unparalleled charm." ”

Xiao Tianjian coughed lightly and said with some embarrassment: "This ...... It's just a little entertainment, I don't do anything bad, I don't have any interest in those little girls. ”

"Really? That's a great way to congratulate! Am I supposed to be glad that they have escaped? ”

"Ahem......" Xiao Tianjian felt a little uncomfortable, and hurriedly changed the topic, "That...... You probably don't know yet, do you? Minna is learning light skills and swordsmanship from me, and I think she's quite clever, maybe she'll be a master in the future. ”

An Long didn't know whether to be jealous of his daughter or his father for a while: "Is it? I've taught her before, but she just won't learn by heart. It seems that you are really attractive and even a mischievous six-year-old girl would like to listen to you. But she's not like Bevin in that she's a girl, so you don't have to waste your time! ”

"You can't say that." Xiao Tianjian muttered, "Although Minna is worse than Bei Wen, she still has some talent, she is still young, she is just playing, how much can she learn." She learns easily, and I teach easily, and I'm idle anyway, so I just think it's to pass the time. ”

An Long had a gloomy face, but in the end he still did not object, he knew very well in his heart that people with ability are easier to control their own destiny than ordinary people, although this man has all kinds of bad deeds, but he does have real skills.

Both father and son were silent, and after a while, Xiao Tianjian couldn't help but speak: "I almost forgot to tell you that the captain of your knight team came once and said that he was going to escort a batch of goods to the Northern Fortress, and the work of soldier training would be handed over to you." Why do you guys be knights and make guest appearances as delivery men? Could it be your boss making extra money? ”

An Long knew that the new batch of weapons must have been prepared, and the captain would first escort them to the northern fortress, and then the fortress would send people to the various armies, but this kind of thing involved military secrets, and Xiao Tianjian, who had retired from the military and political circles for many years, should not ask, so he said with a straight face: "This has nothing to do with you." ”

Xiao Tianjian didn't want to ask, so he had to smile, hesitate, and asked, "That...... You're going to train soldiers, right? I don't know...... Can I help? You know, I have some experience with that......"

An Long was stunned when he heard this, and his face became complicated: "This is my task. He knew that this man had been a famous army commander, and had a brilliant record of training a group of civilians, mercenaries, caravan guards, and soldiers into elite troops in a short period of time, and if the other party was willing to help, not only would the task be much easier, but also the protection of the border would be of great benefit.

However, he is unwilling to accept this man's help, is it possible that he can't do without this man?

"An Long, I know you hate me...... Xiao Tianjian looked at him, "However, you are a smart kid and know what is right. Don't let your personal feelings overshadow your sanity. As long as the boy accepts his help, he is sure that his son will be reconciled to him.

An Long looked at him silently, and after a while, he spit out a sentence: "Okay, then...... I'm sorry for you. ”

Xiao Tianjian was overjoyed, and since then, he has followed his son to the knight training center every day, in addition to training soldiers with the training methods he knows, he also formulated his own training plan for the weaknesses of everyone in the knight team, and won a lot of friendship for his son. An Long's perception of his father has improved somewhat, but his attitude is still cold.

Xiao Tianjian didn't care, he carefully instructed his son's swordsmanship, not only corrected several mistakes, but also taught a lot of clever moves. An Long's swordsmanship level has improved rapidly, and while he is happy in his heart, he also has a little more admiration for this father who is superb in martial arts, and in addition to occasionally sarcastic, he will gradually take the initiative to talk to him.

But Minna was depressed. Because grandpa only cares about teaching his father now, he doesn't pay much attention to her, and it takes a long time to instruct her.

Xiao Tianjian noticed that his little granddaughter was losing her temper, so he took advantage of the break to coax her with a smile. Minna glanced at him, rolled her eyes, and said, "If I don't get angry, it's okay, I want to learn the trick that my father used just now, which is to use the sword to stir other people's swords around and then flick it, and turn around and jump ......away" She waved the wooden sword as she spoke, gesturing according to her father's movements in her memory, but her feet didn't stand firm, and she fell to the ground, and her little buttocks hurt from falling.

Xiao Tianjian hurriedly stepped forward to check: "It's not hurt, right?" This trick is too difficult for you to learn right now. Minna got up from the ground, patted the dust off her body, and looked at her grandfather angrily. Xiao Tianjian looked embarrassed, so he had to say, "I really can't learn." Why don't you buy you delicious candy? ”

"I've got a lot of candy, and Grandpa Marshall said I'd lose my teeth if I ate it again!" Minna was unmoved.

Marshall again! A trace of displeasure flashed in Xiao Tianjian's heart, and he decided to maintain his dignity as a grandfather: "That...... Grandpa will give you a few interesting little things, just like the mosquito repellent box last time, very fun. ”

Minna was a little moved, but: "But the box was put away by my mother, if you give me something again, she will put it away, I can't play with it at all." ”

Xiao Tianjian was surprised for a while: "Why did your mother put things away?" ”

"She said it was a very valuable thing, and she was afraid that I would break it, so she helped me put it away first, and then returned it to me when I grew up."

Xiao Tianjian was dumbfounded, so he had to go to Dora to negotiate, but Dora said: "The child is not sensible, how can she give her such a valuable alchemy work as a toy?" That's worth twenty gold coins, and her father's monthly salary is only thirty gold coins. ”

Xiao Tianjian hurriedly said: "Actually, it's just a very practical daily necessities, if you put it away and don't use it, how can it reflect its value?" And it's only valid for three years, and it's useless when the time comes, isn't it a waste? Although Minna is just playing with it, at least she can catch a few mosquitoes. ”

Dora insisted, "No, Minna will definitely break things, and they will be thrown everywhere." Such a valuable thing cannot be given to children to play with. ”

Xiao Tianjian was a little angry: "It was given to me by my friend, it didn't cost me a penny, I'm happy to be a toy for my child, isn't it?!" ”

Dora wanted to say something, but Winnie quietly pulled her skirt, and suddenly realized that although the man in front of her had a very young face, it was actually her father-in-law, and her attitude was too rude, so she finally gave in and handed the mosquito repellent box to Xiao Tianjian.

As soon as Minna got the box from Xiao Tianjian, she happily pulled him to play with him.

This time they found other uses for the box. Those few decorated gems are actually switches, and when you flip the red one, the box will emit a faint aroma, so that snakes and rats and other animals dare not approach; Flip the green one, and the box will emit gentle music that will make people fall asleep; Flip the white one, the purple light in the box will disappear, just pour in half a glass of water, close the lid, the box will vibrate, after a while, just pull the bottom of the box apart, pour out the dirty water, you can clean the mosquito blood or debris on the small balls tied at the end of the line.

Minna was particularly interested in the function of white gemstones, and tried them over and over again. Xiao Tianjian looked at it and felt a little proud, you know, it was the idea he mentioned, although it was based on the washing machine. But to be honest, he was a little speechless about his little granddaughter's curiosity and desire for knowledge, no wonder his daughter-in-law was worried. Minna not only experimented with the various functions of the box over and over again, but also poured different liquids such as tea and milk into it to "wash", and even threw crumbs of biscuits or mud into it to test the cleaning ability of the box. He couldn't help but secretly rejoice that his old friend's work was quality assurance and was not so easy to break.

It's a pity that he said this sooner, and in less than two days, the box broke down, because Minna took the box into the bathtub while taking a shower, and the poor little box soaked in the water for half an hour, and finally couldn't stand it anymore.

Xiao Tianjian comforted his frustrated granddaughter while taking out a new mosquito repellent box from the storage ring to coax her. Dora, who was angry, was about to dry the bad one, but when she saw this, she was angry. Xiao Tianjian hurriedly took out another one and said to her: "Don't be angry, I still have it, don't blame the child, she is already sad." ”

Dora shook for a moment, took a deep breath, and turned around in a huff. She pushed open the door of the study and said angrily to An Long: "Look at what your father spoiled his child like?!" Don't you just care?! ”

An Long quickly pressed the piece of paper he was writing with a book, causing his wife to be suspicious: "What are you writing?" ”

"It's just drafting an official letter." An Long looked nonchalant, "What happened?" Why are you so angry? ”

Dora then remembered her intentions, and hurriedly said the matter, and said: "It's all your father's habit, twenty gold coins, and it was broken in less than two days, and your father didn't allow me to scold the child, and took out more things for Minna to spoil!" ”

An Long frowned slightly: "Really?" I'll talk to him. ”

Dora left satisfied, and Anlong watched her disappear outside the door before he breathed a sigh of relief and took out the half-written letter again.

It was a letter written in a password dedicated to the Security Department. Veronica had been gone for many days, and she should have returned a long time ago, but there was no one to be seen, and no news had come. He was a little uneasy in his heart, could it be that something had happened? Thinking that he should have traveled with Veronica, wouldn't it be his responsibility if she was in danger?

There was another noise at the door, and he quickly put the letter away again, and when he looked up, it was his father.

Xiao Tianjian smiled a little flatteringly and asked him, "What are you looking at?" Did your daughter-in-law come to sue just now? ”

An Long said lightly: "Dora also has her reasons, you are too indulgent to Minna, it is not good for the child." ”

Xiao Tianjian touched his nose: "It's okay for children to pet more, not to mention that Minna is not a bad child." Seeing his son's face, he hurriedly shrunk his neck and walked away quickly.

The days of peace passed, and while the whole family was happily preparing for the upcoming May Festival, Anlong's worries were not alleviated in the slightest. The secret message sent to the boss has never been answered, and Veronica's whereabouts are still unknown, what happened?

One night, a strange businessman knocked on the door of An Long's house. Not only did he send back Veronica, who was seriously injured and unconscious, but he also brought the sad news of the destruction of the Mytown Intelligence Station.