Sterling arrived at the governor's mansion on time, and Zichuan Shenxing greeted him warmly and led him to the dining room. Sterling found that this was indeed a commonplace meal, as Shikawa Samxing had said, as there were no other guests besides him. And the dishes were very hearty, and Sterling wondered in his heart, this was not in line with Zichuan Shenxing Xi xìng. Li Qing, who served as an internal affairs official, once mentioned to him with a smile: "Our chief is the least extravagant and wasteful of all previous chief ministers. It implies that Zichuan Shenxing is very stingy in some aspects, he can not hesitate to spend three hundred million to arm a legion, but he is reluctant to add an extra fish to his dinner. "Your Highness, it's too rich, Your Highness, you're too expensive, we can't finish it. ”

Zichuan Shenxing said indifferently: "It's okay, I'll continue to eat the next meal if I can't finish eating." He smiled and said: "Come on, come on, since you are a guest, don't be so restrained." Relax, open your appetite and eat hard! Alas, it has really hurt you in the Far East these days, Sterling, look at yourself, after a few months of work, you will be dark and old. ”

"Willing to serve the family! That is the duty of the subordinates, and they really dare not be ...... like this."

"Oh, didn't I tell you not to be restrained? Sterling, you're not good at that, you can't let go. You are not allowed to say anything "Your Excellency" or "Your Highness" tonight. How about you treat me as your elder and call me Uncle Sanxing?"

Sterling had always been a little nervous in his heart, but when he saw Zichuan Shenxing so kind, a stone in his heart also fell to the ground, and he said with a smile: "Then the next official will over." ”

As the two of them began to sit down, Zichuan Shenxing kept introducing various dishes to Sterling: "This is a patterned crucian carp from the west, which can only be caught in a few weeks a year, and it is rare to have to send it alive to dìdū." "I worked hard to pick up vegetables for Sterling, Sterling was overwhelmed, and I felt very uncomfortable, but the general manager was kind, it was really difficult to refuse, and I was sweating profusely after a meal.

After the meal, the two chatted in the living room over coffee. Zichuan Shenxing inquired with concern about the situation in the Far East. He was particularly concerned about the morale and combat effectiveness of the militias recruited from all walks of life, which accounted for more than half of the Zichuan Wang's army in the Far East.

Sterling thought about it for a while, and said frankly to Zichuan Sanxing: "Most of the ranks of the people's army are nobles and peasants from all over the country, although they formed an army in a hurry, but with that bloody courage and fearlessness of death, once they start to kill, they can be comparable to the regular division for a while." But it is easy to panic when it is downwind to defend, and I heard an incident: all the way the people's army went to suppress the bandits, and the half-orcs only came out so many dozen people to fight, which frightened thousands of our people's troops to flee; and another time in the middle of the night, in Fang Jin's camp, a civilian soldier had a nightmare at night and shouted: "Devil!" As a result, the camp was immediately bombed, and the soldiers cried and shouted: "Oh no, the demons are coming! In the dark night, everyone was scurrying around like a group of headless flies, and they couldn't figure out the direction but were crying: "Run, run!" Fang Jin wanted to bounce them down, holding a torch and shouting: "Calm down, everyone move closer to me, move closer to me!" But he couldn't stop the flow of people like cháo, if it wasn't for his guards desperately rescued, Fang Jin would have been trampled to death by the crowd that night. After dawn, I found that hundreds of people had been trampled to death and drowned by their own people last night. It took Fang Jin a week to regather the scattered soldiers, but there were already a few thousand fewer people, either as deserters, or when he was alone, he was killed by the rebels. ”

Now the family royal army has four groups of men and horses in the Far East: my zhōngyāng army, about 100,000 people, Minghui's Black Flag army, also about 100,000 people, Fang Jin's various people's armies, about 250,000 people, and the rest of the original Far East Army, after sorting out, there are still about 110,000 people, but they are relatively scattered, including the defenders in the Valen fortress and the garrisons of the two provinces of Deya and Iria. Several of our commanders who led the troops believed that Fang Jin's subordinates had the largest number of subordinates, but when it came to combat ability, Fang Jin was the weakest, because his subordinates did not even have a regular division. If the rebels want to open our gap, they will definitely attack from Fang Jin's side. Minghui and I both planned to send one or two divisions to augment Fang Jin's troops as support. ”

Zichuan Sanxing listened attentively, and nodded incessantly: "Yes! The soldiers have to be trained! I have already arranged for 50,000 civilian troops to receive formal training in the Valen Fortress!"

Stirling nodded in agreement: "Your Highness is wise." ”

Zichuan Shenxing immediately changed the topic: "By the way, Sterling, you are not too young, and the matter with Li Qing should be done quickly, right?"

Stirling was taken aback, and immediately replied: "Your Highness is grateful, but at present, the mountains and rivers are broken, the Far East is still unpacified, the rebellion is still unsettled, and hundreds of thousands of rebels are in the dust. ”

"That's not right for you, Sterling. Zichuan Shenxing said very solemnly: "Quelling the internal strife and defending against the enemy outside is a matter for which all the family members are responsible." You can't say it's your own business! Wouldn't we be able to put down the rebellion in the Far East without you?"

Sterling was frightened, got up and saluted: "Yes, the lower official is arrogant, I hope His Highness will forgive his sins." ”

Zichuan Shenxing waved him to sit down: "So, you don't feel too much weight." From your point of view, it is true that it is the duty of the family to be loyal to the family, but the family has the patience to let the loyal ministers suffer and suffer and delay the youth? You said that after the rebellion is put down, I think that if we fail to negotiate peace, we will fight this battle. Is it really pedantic that you have to wait for it to be ten or eight years later before you get married? That's a joke.

Sterling reluctantly said: "But the military affairs of the lower officer are urgent, and he will rush back to the Far East troops soon......"

"Ai, there's no hurry. Now it's a negotiation anyway, and you won't have anything to do when you go back. It's better to stay for a few more days and leave after the marriage is done. Of course, the time is a bit rushed, but you can leave it to me, I will preside over it, and ensure that it is done in a decent manner!"

It was a great honour for the chief to give the wedding and officiate at the wedding, and if it was a normal situation, Sterling should have knelt down and agreed. But Sterling's mind was so confused at the moment that he couldn't find anything to say, so he froze.

Zichuan Shenxing didn't blame him for being rude, and said to himself: "At that time, everyone's name is decided, so you can wait with peace of mind! Otherwise, Li Qing is a girl, can you bear to let her spend her youth in waiting?"

"Sterling, killing enemies on the battlefield is important, but it is also very important to nurture the next generation for the family. You and Li Qing are both very good and loyal to the family, and I believe that your descendants must also be very good and loyal!"

"Well, Sterling, I don't think you have any problem. So let's do it. Well, I just turned over the rì calendar, and the rì of the day after tomorrow is very auspicious, Sterling, you don't have any opinions, right? Then you spend a week on your honeymoon and then go back to the Far East. ”

"How much savings do you have? Is it enough for a marriage? If not, I can help you with some of it, Li Qing is from a famous family, we can't be too shabby and wronged her. ”

Sterling's mind is chaotic, but there is always one thing that is sober: "I must not let go of my words now." He said in a hoarse voice, "Your Highness, Your Majesty pleads to postpone the marriage. ”

Shikawa Samxing's face sank, this was the first time Sterling had violated his will.

"Sterling, why do you have such an attitude? Do you think that your identity is extraordinary, and Li Qing is not worthy of you?"

Now that the words were spoken, Sterling felt a lot bolder: "The lower officials don't dare." Miss Li Qing is of noble birth, beautiful in appearance, virtuous and generous, and quite capable......"

Zichuan Shenxing couldn't stop nodding: "Yes, yes, then what are you not satisfied with?"

"Nope. Xia Guan just thinks that with Miss Li Qing's appearance and character, she should be able to choose a better destination. Xia Guan is just a martial artist, and he was born poor, and his identity and family background are not worthy of such a good wife. ”

Zichuan Shenxing stood up and said word by word: "Sterling, do you want to regret your marriage?"

Sterling gritted his teeth and said softly, "Yes." ”

After the words were spoken, his whole body collapsed, and he stubbornly closed his eyes and waited for the coming thunder rage.

However, it was calm, and Zichuan Shenxing's tone was surprisingly kind: "Sterling, you don't like Li Qing, is it because you have taken a fancy to other girls? Whoever it is, just say it. ”

"My lord?" Sterling was a little confused about Zichuan Shenxing's thoughts.

"Whoever it is, just say it. ”

"Indeed, Xia Guan already has a place in his heart. Seeing Zichuan Shenxing's kind attitude, Sterling had the courage to say: "The person I like is Cardin." ”

Zichuan Shenxing raised his eyebrows: "That princess of the demon clan?" In fact, he had long been clear about Cardin's background, but now he still had to act like he didn't know anything.

Sterling plucked up the courage to tell the story again. Zichuan Shenxing listened very carefully, but did not say a word, walked around the room, and finally he stood on the windowsill and said slowly: "I am already old. ”

Sterling didn't know what he meant, so he had to say, "My lord, you are less than sixty years old, and you are still young and strong.

How can we talk about the word "old"!"

Zichuan Shenxing ignored him and continued: "It stands to reason that after living so old and being the chief minister, it is considered to have been earned, so I should look down on everything." But there is only one thing I can't reassure about. ”

Sterling looked at Zichuan Shenxing silently. Tonight, the scheming chief seemed to have put down the mask he had been wearing, showing a rare candor.

"From our ancestor Zichuan Yun overcoming obstacles to create the surname Zichuan, to the time when my brother forgot to die in a bloody battle, the bloodline of my Zichuan family has gone through ups and downs and has been passed down for seven generations! The glorious surname of "Zichuan" must not be extinguished from my hands! Otherwise, the results of the bloody battle of seven generations will die in my hands, and I will really have no shame to see my brother and my family's ancestors after I die! Therefore, I do not hesitate to do everything in order to maintain the family for a long time. I am willing to bear the sins I have committed alone, even if I fall into hell after death, I dare to say that I have no regrets!"

Sterling comforted: "Your Highness is serious, although the Far East rebellion is serious, but the trouble of brothers and sisters is not enough to threaten the life and death of my family." ”

"I don't mean the Far East. Zichuan Shenxing's gaze was threatening: "In the ten years after my death, our family's inheritance will be in the most dangerous period. Zichuan Ning is young, his knowledge is shallow, and he is also a woman, and he does not have the slightest prestige, how can he suppress the many opposition forces and deter the ministers? The ambitious general Wenchen, seeing that the lord and the country are suspicious, will definitely have bad intentions; the princes of various places, seeing that the royal power of zhōngyāng is weakened, there will also be people who take risks and try to replace them! Just like the rise of my Zichuan family in the territory of the Bright Empire back then, who could have predicted that there would not be a second? At that time, Zichuan Ning had neither the support of the army nor the support of the civil servants, so how would she, a weak woman, deal with this chaotic ministers and thieves who were all over the government and the opposition from the inside out?"

Sterling was shocked when he heard this, and then comforted Zichuan Shenxing and said, "I think Your Highness is still too worried. The courtiers and civil and military officials of the family are still loyal to the family, and I wish Your Highness eternal life, but if there is a landslide, I believe that the courtiers of the family will still love Miss Dai Ning as much as His Royal Highness does, and will be loyal to her. ”

Zichuan Shenxing shook his head: "Sterling, you think of people too well! Now that I'm alive, of course they are all very well-behaved." You just have to wait for me to die, hmph! I still remember that the great traitor Yang Minghua was also very loyal when my brother was alive?"

"Then His Highness means ......"

"Zi Chuan Ning is a woman, and she needs a strong man to hold the regency power and guard her side! He is like a sharp sword, intimidating the rebellious ministers and thieves, making them afraid to act rashly. In this way, Zichuan Ning can be protected from the dangerous time of the first ten years of his reign! This person needs to be able to deter his ministers, and he needs to be loyal and courageous, otherwise it will be counterproductive. Sterling, who do you think would be the right person for this task?"

Sterling thought about it and replied: "This is a major matter of the family and the country, and it should not be left to the lower officials. However, since the chief inquired, the lower officials could only say that according to the current situation: President Luo Minghai is loyal to his family and you, and he is diligent in the king's government, good at civil affairs, and has won the support of everyone. I think he's a good fit. ”

Zichuan Shenxing smiled: "I believe that Luo Minghai will not have any second thoughts. But he has a fatal weakness, he does not understand military affairs and lacks the support of the military. He looks good now, and that's just because I have me behind his back, and by then I'm gone, and he can't handle it. ”

Zichuan Shenxing secretly said in his heart: First of all, he is not Di Lin's opponent at all! Luo Minghai, Luo Minghai, you have always been obsessed with the death of your family, and hatred has blinded your eyes and reason, this should not be the instrument of the political zhì family who is in charge of great affairs! If I were you, I would be sad and sad, but I would treat it as a natural disaster, just as a tsunami or earthquake will kill people, and accidental injuries in war are also a common thing. Why can't you treat it calmly? So that you don't get into a relationship with Di Lin? In a political fight, a calm political family can agree to cooperate with the enemy who killed his father without hesitation, as long as necessary. You can't see this, you can't see that if you, as the president, want to plan any big things, you must have the support of the director of the Supervision Department, Di Lin. Didn't Yang Minghua dare to openly rebel after gaining Xiao Long's support? If the two of you joined forces, you would be able to do whatever you wanted, run amok, and even depose me -- but then again, if it weren't for this reason, I wouldn't have elected you and Di Lin as the president and inspector general respectively......

※※※

Stirling pondered, "My lord, what about Inspector General Dilin, he is capable, strong, well versed in military affairs, resolute and resolute......

Before he could finish speaking, Zichuan Shenxing interrupted him with a wave of his hand: "I know that Di Lin is talented, but he kills too much, and there are too many enemies, so it is really difficult to convince the public." It is not advisable to consider him. ”

※※※

He couldn't help but say a word: Sterling, have you ever noticed that Di Lin's eyes are burning with ambition! I have never seen anyone have such a naked ardent thirst for power! How dare I entrust my niece's life and the fate of my family to such a careerist and murderer? The reason why I still let him live is because I need him to balance Luo Minghai. Before I die, I must get rid of him!, otherwise he will become the biggest threat to my Zichuan family, a hundred times more dangerous than Yang Minghua!

But who will be arranged to carry it out? Well, Luo Minghai will definitely be happy to do it, and then Sterling and Zichuan Xiu will definitely cry and avenge their eldest brother, and they will have a lot of fun fighting with Luo Minghai...... This is the best ending, let them be entangled and restrained below, so that my niece Zichuan Ning's position can be stable, and the luck of my Zichuan family can last for a long time.

Haven't we always been like this in the past 200 years of ups and downs? In another 200 years, we will be the same......

※※※

Then Sterling mentioned Fang Jin and Minghui again, and Zichuan Shenxing smiled and said, "How can I rest assured that the fate of the family will be handed over to the runaway king?"

Stirling laughed too, and continued, "There's one man: he's loyal to Miss Ning, he's wise and brave, and he's good at fighting - I think it's fitting that he's the regent!"

"Oh, who is it?"

"Shikawa Xiu. What is rare is that he and Miss Ning love each other, and after they get married in the future, Zichuan Xiu will serve as the Prince Regent as the husband of the chief and take charge of the command office. Since they are a family, of course, there will be no struggle for power and profit, and their descendants will naturally become the next chief in the future, and the power can be handed over smoothly, and the reproduction of the family lineage will be guaranteed. And if Zi Chuanxiu is in power, Di Lin and I will definitely give full support, and there will be no more intrigue between the current command office and the supervision office, unity and harmony from top to bottom, and one heart to the outside world, it will not be far from my family's domination of the mainland!--What does Your Highness think?"

Zichuan Shenxing sneered at the candidates mentioned by Sterling before, but at this time, he was indeed a little excited! Especially the two items of maintaining the family bloodline and dominating the continent are indeed tempting. Becoming the overlord of the world, that is the dream and glory of seven generations!

But he quickly calmed down: Zichuan Xiu is too cunning and too difficult to fathom! Everyone has a goal: Di Lin's goal is power, Luo Minghai's goal is Di Lin's head, and Sterling's goal is the loyal family and Princess Cardin...... People with a purpose are also easier to figure out their actions and intentions. I don't know what Zi Chuan Xiu's goal is! He actually gave up the opportunity to enter the command office in order to intercede for the traitor, and he is not close to the female sè, although he gets along well with Zi Chuan Ning, he always maintains an attitude of imminent separation...... What did he want?

Di Lin is dangerous, but Di Lin can still see through it after all, but I can't see through Zi Chuanxiu! Do you say that he is cowardly and afraid of things? Back then, he dared to go straight to the camp of Liufeng Xishan with 800 cavalry! Dare to infiltrate the Chinese army of the demon clan alone and assassinate the general of the opposing army! Dare to kill the number one master of the family on the spot in the camp of the zhōngyāng army! Dare to risk being hacked to death with a random knife to persuade the rebellious zhōngyāng army officer!

But we can't say that he was brave: When Luo Minghai and I joined hands to exile him to the Far East for six years, he didn't complain at all when he came back! I deliberately provoked him to idle him into the reserves, but he obediently obeyed orders and did not make a sound. It's terrible to have such a deep city! It's not surprising that such a person can do anything, today he can be loyal to you, and tomorrow he may sell the entire Zichuan family to Liufeng!

※※※

Zichuan Shenxing retracted his thoughts, and said to Yan Yue: "Ah Xiu is good, but he is too young, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince the public." I think there's someone better suited than him. ”

Sterling failed to help Zichuan Xiu succeed in interceding, and felt a little disappointed: "The lower officials listened to the commander-in-chief's instructions. ”

"Well, I think Sterling is a good fit!"

All the blood rushed to his brain for a moment, and Sterling staggered to his feet: "My lord, no, Temple... Your Highness. How dare I, Sterling, be such an honor?"

"Sterling, sit down and listen to me. Zichuan Shenxing was even more kind: "Your character and loyalty, I can rest assured." You have made outstanding achievements in war, and you have come from a military background, and the military will certainly support you very much! You also have a very good reputation among the people, you are honest and upright, and the people love you, and even the fastidious old guys of the Senate will praise you when they mention you!

You are the good brother of Di Lin and Zichuan Xiu, you are in power, and they are also supportive! Look at it, you are the only person who meets so many conditions!"

Sterling's brain was buzzing. Although he was upright, he was not so high that he was not so high, and seeing that an incomparably dazzling future had unfolded for him in front of him, he did not feel his breathing quickening, his heart pounding, and he felt dizzy.

"When the time comes, you will be the leader of the president and the commander of the zhōngyāng army, and you will be in charge of the family's first jīng sharp troops, and you will be guarding Gyeonggi!

As long as you are here, the internal traitors and thieves will never dare to act rashly! Externally, you are my family's number one famous general in the world.

"How, Sterling, for the sake of the family, for me, you agreed, right?"

Sterling's mood was agitated, and he said in a trembling voice: "Sterling comes from a humble background, and such a high position should not be what I dare to hope for. But since the chief is so trusted, and the family is so gneon, Sterling can only do his best and die in order to repay the family!"

Zichuan Shenxing applauded: "In this way, I will be relieved! With you taking on the great responsibility, even if I die, I will be blind! You are so loyal, I believe that in the future, my niece Zichuan Ning will not treat you badly, and in the future, your Sterling family will definitely advance and retreat with my Zichuan clan, and share the glory and decline! The descendants of you and Li Qing will also stretch for hundreds of generations, rich and glorious......

Stirling Xiang suddenly threw a basin of cold water on people, and said with a pale face: "Your Highness, what you said, I am married to Li Qing, and it is really difficult for the minister to agree. The minister has already made a white head covenant with Cardin. ”

Zichuan Shenxing looked at him gently: "I don't have any prejudice against Princess Cardin, I believe that she must also be a rare good woman, so she will make you so tempted." I don't have to marry Li Qing, in the family territory, no matter which lady you fall into, I can promise you that you will definitely help you become Yucheng - but you must not marry Cardin!"

"Why, Your Highness?"

Zichuan Sanxing sighed: "Sterling, why don't you understand! Be sober! The demon clan is our great enemy again, and you will become the leader of the command office in the future, the person who commands the entire family army, if you marry their princess, then your prestige will be lost! How will you serve the public? At that time, the army of the Far East will be the first to refuse!"

"Think about it again, you and Cardin have very different life experiences, and each other's living habits are very different, and you don't feel it yet, but living together will definitely be uncomfortable. Love is very different from marriage!"

"What's more, with your character and status, where can you find a girl who is a good match? I even say, if you want, I can marry A-Ning to you! At that time, you will be the husband of the chief and the prince regent, and you will stand tall above ten thousand people!"

"Think about it, Sterling, men should put their careers and the country first! Children's private affairs are just passing away in a blink of an eye! That is more important: a woman of the demon clan, or will you have an immortal name and deeds in the future? You are a smart man, Sterling, you should be able to make a wise choice for yourself!"

Sterling's face was pale, red and white, and the two thoughts were fighting to the death in his heart, and the seductive words of Zichuan Shenxing rumbled in his ears: "A thousand great deeds!" "One person is below ten thousand people!", Cardin's tearful eyes appeared in front of him again...... For a while, he only felt that the world was spinning, and his head was cracking!

"Your Highness, I have already made up my mind. Sterling stood up and bowed deeply, and said in a hoarse voice, "I will marry Cardin." There was no turning back in his voice.

Zichuan Shenxing leaned softly on the back of the chair, looking at him silently, there was no anger in his eyes, only sadness, "For His Highness's kind grace, Sterling is really grateful. I'm sorry to disappoint you, Your Highness. I also hope that His Highness will forgive me for my Ren, but please believe that no matter what, my loyalty to the family will never change, and I will continue to ......"

Zichuan Shenxing interrupted Sterling's speech with a wave of his hand, and closed his eyes tiredly.

There was a moment of silence between the two.

After a long time, Zichuan Shenxing opened his eyes and asked softly, "Have you made up your mind?"

"Yes, I'm very sorry, Your Highness. But I will not abandon my duties, and if you allow me, I would like to wait until this rebellion in the Far East has been quelled before I resign, and then I will get married. I won't embarrass you, Your Highness. ”

Zichuan Shenxing looked confused, as if he was listening attentively, and as if he hadn't listened to a word, and finally he sighed wistfully: "People are not as good as heaven - you go, Sterling." ”

It was at this moment that Sterling discovered for the first time that the chief was actually an old man who was already powerless. At this moment, he had aged a lot, exhausted, out of breath, his expression was very tired, the wrinkles on his face had slackened all the way, and the age spots on his face became more and more obvious.

Sterling's heart felt pity: what a heavy burden this old man carried! He had expected himself to help him share it, but he was ruthlessly rejected.

Sterling felt a sense of guilt: "Your Highness, you ......"

"Let's go, Sterling. Zichuan Shenxing said for the second time.

Sterling had a thought: The old man in front of him is so weak and lonely!

He bowed deeply and said sincerely: "Sterling has retired! Please take care of your health, that is the blessing of all the people! The world's major events have their own luck, please Your Highness don't have to be too tired and hurt." ”

Zichuan Shenxing did not answer.

Walking to the door, Sterling turned back again and said earnestly, "Please take care of your Highness." Sterling retired. Turning around, a voice came from behind him: "Wait a minute." ”

Stirling looked back: "Your Highness?"

Zichuan Shenxing opened a drawer majestically and took out a small black leather box: "Take it." ”

Sterling took it inexplicably, and opened it to see that it was a sapphire bracelet studded with diamonds. Handmade jīng beauty gorgeous. Stirling was not a connoisseur, but he knew that such a thing was precious.

"Take it and give it to Cardin. I know, you don't have a lot of money, your identity is a princess, and if you can't get any decent gifts, you'll be too wronged by her. ”

"Your Highness, I can't take it, it's too precious......"

"Nothing. I originally intended to give this bracelet to Li Qing when you got married, and now I will give it to Cardin the same. It should be regarded as a blessing to you from this old man! I wish you all happiness and happiness in old age. ”

Sterling tried to excuse himself, but his throat seemed to choke on something, and he couldn't make a sound.

"You don't have to be upset. I also understand that everyone has their own destiny and cannot be forced. Just do as you say, and when the war in the Far East is over, you will resign and get married. I'm not going to your wedding. After getting married, remember to hurry away from dìdū, you are too kind, this is not for you. ”

"When the child is born, you and Cardin can bring the child back to see me, come and help me sweep the cemetery, burn candles, weed, and wipe the tombstone. You and Cardin are both very good people, and the child must be very beautiful and cute, right? Remember to tell the child that the person lying down below is Grandpa Samxing. I think you'll be the only one who will remember me and come to see me. Be sure to come then,......"

Stirling couldn't hold back any longer, tears burst out of his eyes, and he cried loudly: "Your Highness......" threw herself into Zichuan Shenxing's arms, crying silently.

Zichuan Shenxing hugged Sterling's head tightly and whispered, "I've always thought, if you were my son, if I had a son like you, how good it would be, how good it would be...... The same old tears splashed down on Sterling's dark thick hair.

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