Shang Lu put his cell phone aside. He rarely replied to Lin Yanyan directly, but pretended not to see it.

She held the sweet potato and ate it, the sweet taste filling the air, one bite after another, from the first small bite to swallowing it without chewing much.

I am unspeakably upset.

She thought she would be numb after hearing things related to Shang Mu, but she still couldn't help but think about the message Lin Yanyan sent her.

Stop thinking about it, it has nothing to do with her.

Shang Lu told himself this. After eating a large piece of roasted sweet potato, he felt very uncomfortable after forcing so much stuff into his stomach.

She stopped eating, poured herself a sip of warm water, and drank from it.

No, she had to find something to do for herself.

After throwing all the new sheets and quilts into the washing machine, Shang Lu resignedly sat back at the table and picked up his cell phone.

She told herself that she was not concerned about Shang Mu's situation and that his life and death had nothing to do with her.

She was just watching the fun and adding insult to injury.

So Shang Lu sent a message back to Lin Yanyan.

[Shang'an has never hit me. Is he serious? 】

This "him" naturally refers to Shang Mu.

Seeing Shang Lu's denial, Lin Yanyan thought that she had seen a lot of skin on Shang Lu's body, and it was indeed white and clean, so she breathed a sigh of relief.

[That's good]

[I don't know, after all, I haven't seen it with my own eyes, but the nurse said it was like being abused, it was scary. My dad also said that your brother was admitted to the hospital a few years ago. Because the family didn’t agree with the relationship at that time, his ribs were violently kicked... It’s terrible. Why does his bones keep suffering? Sure enough, you chose to stay away from this family. Correct! What a violent maniac! 】

Because the family did not agree with the relationship at that time, the ribs were violently kicked.

These words made Shang Lu slightly startled.

She desperately searched for relevant fragments in her memory, but found nothing.

At that time, the only few times she and Shang Mu met were spent in quarreling, and other than that, she never raised her head to look at him.

Shang Lu scrolled up the information.

There are old scars all over the body, not a single good spot.

Just two simple sentences, but they kept popping up in her mind.

for a long time.

She responded anyway.

[Is Shang Mu still in your hospital? ]

Lin Yanyan replied.

[I have gone back a long time ago, it seems to be just a common fracture, not a big deal]

Shang Lu slid his fingertips on the screen, found the avatar that had been blacklisted for a long time, moved it out, and sent a message.

[Where are you? I'm going to find you. I have something to ask you]

Shang Mu replied to her message almost instantly.

[I'm at home]

[I can go out, anywhere, you decide the address]

When Shang Lu moved out of the business, Shang Mu came to her for the first time. She said at that time that she wanted to go back to that home, and it could only be Shang'an is dead or she is dead.

Shang Lu also understood what Shang Mu meant and replied to him.

[Didn’t he want to die? It's almost done, don't worry about it. 】

An hour later.

Business entrance.

This is the place where she has lived for more than 20 years, and every plant and tree is familiar.

When I left last time, I didn't expect that I would come back one day.

The moment he saw Shang Lu, the old housekeeper said with joy, "Miss? Miss is really back!"

The housekeeper usually didn't treat Shang Lu badly, so Shang Lu asked in a gentle voice, "Where is Shang Mu?"

The housekeeper Answer: "The young master is waiting for you. He said before that you would come back. He happily asked the servants at home to prepare a lot of your favorite food to wait for you."

Shang Lu understood and walked into the house.

Before I even entered the house, I could smell the sweet aroma of cake.

The coffee table was filled with all kinds of desserts, and some of her favorite fruits had been cut. Shang Mu still had a cast on his leg and was sitting on the side in a somewhat embarrassed manner.

They haven't seen each other for a long time.

To Shang Lu, the person in front of him was familiar, but he looked a little strange.

His eyes were no longer as indifferent as she remembered, but looked a little expectant, even cautious.

Shang Mu looked at her, wanting to say something, but he opened his mouth but only said two words: "Sit down quickly."

Shang Lu took his bag and put it on the side of the sofa and sat down. She looked at Shang Mu, her eyes falling on On the leg that was in plaster, he said: "What a deep love between father and son."

They are blood relatives, so if she wants, she can be like him, knowing how to express the most hurtful words in the most indifferent words. People's words.

But Shang Mu was not annoyed. He could even smile at her and reply: "It would be too easy for him to die."

Shang Lu pursed his lips and asked: "How is he now?"

"Already almost crazy. Now, my waking hours are getting less and less every day. I begged him to take good care of his body and take less drugs with hallucinogenic side effects, but he didn't listen." Shang Mu said slowly, "I don't know where he heard it. Taking drugs can also cause hallucinations. If I hadn't worked hard to stop him, I might have done it long ago. But I am also very busy. If I neglect to control him one day, it may be very troublesome. "

"That's his own fault . Choice." Shang Lu replied, not caring about it.

Shang Mu suddenly asked her: "Do you want to see him? He is neither human nor ghost, lying on the ground like a dog."

Thinking of this scene, Shang Lu only felt a little chilly.

It's not that she sympathizes, it's just that she doesn't want to see it with her own eyes, and it doesn't bring her pleasure.

Whether she was escaping or saying she was weak, what she wanted more than whether Shang An was living a good or bad life was not to hear any news related to him.

She didn't come here for Shang'an today, the topic had already gone too far.

Shang Lu looked at Shang Mu and asked straight to the point: "Did he often hit you before?"

The topic changed suddenly, and Shang Mu instinctively denied it: "No."

"If you lie, there is no need to continue talking." Shang Lu picked up his bag again with an obvious attitude.

Her expression was calm to the point of indifference, but there was an uncontrollable annoyance at the same time.

Shang Mu didn't know how to tell with such a look. She seemed to care about him.

Shang Mu lowered his head and slowly rolled up his sleeves. There were several shocking scars on one arm alone.

The longest one is nearly ten centimeters and looks uneven.

Sure enough, it's true.

Shang Lu closed his eyes and asked again, "Does he often beat you?"

"Yes." Shang Mu put down his sleeves and said, "It's been like this for these years. I get beaten when I do something wrong, and I'm used to it. ."

A brief moment of silence.

But Shang Lu looked him in the eyes and said: "You're still lying, Shang Mu, except for falling in love, in my impression you have almost never done anything that dissatisfied him."

If you do something wrong to get beaten, then He wouldn't have so many scars on his body.

Shang Mu avoided Shang Lu's eyes: "When he is in a bad mood, he will vent on me."

Shang Lu was dubious, but still did not ask, but murmured: "Is this retribution for him now?"

" Well, it's retribution, maybe his mother is punishing him in heaven."

Shang Mu did not choose to tell the truth, because he knew that Shang An was their biological father no matter what, and the less he knew about some things, the better Shang Lu could live. The easier it is.

Shang Lu accepted this statement, or she hoped so.

At this moment, a private doctor came to Shang Mu's door to check him again.

Two servants came over quickly to help him.

Shang Mu refused to go upstairs, but looked at Shang Lu and asked her: "Will you be there when I come down?"

Shang Lu's idea of ​​leaving was seen through, but she still gave in and said: " I'll leave after you come down."

Only then did Shang Mu agree to go upstairs.

Quietness returned downstairs.

Shang Lu looked at the old housekeeper who was refilling her tea and asked, "You know something, right?"

The old housekeeper's hands shook slightly and he accidentally spilled some tea, but he still pretended to be calm and said, "Ms. What do you mean?"

"Shang Mu's injuries." Shang Lu took a piece of biscuit and took a bite. She still didn't believe Shang Mu's words.

Shang Mu's character has always been calm, and it is impossible to make Shang An dissatisfied so many times.

And Shang An is not sick. His unsatisfactory life and work cannot be inexplicably vented on his children. If it is true as Shang Mu said, then Shang An should treat everyone equally and cannot only treat Shang Mu.

The old housekeeper looked more and more embarrassed: "Miss, it's not that I don't want to say it."

"Say it, or I'll leave now." Shang Lu stood up as he spoke, pretending to leave: "Shang Mu can't see me when he comes down, so he should also Get angry. As long as you tell me, I can pretend that I haven't heard anything."

There was a trace of hesitation on the old housekeeper's face.

He knew that his young master had a naughty personality and would never take the initiative to tell the truth, and he also knew that the young lady would not lie to him since she had promised.

He actually... also hopes that the young master and the young lady can reconcile.

So the old housekeeper still compromised, and he said: "It's because of you, miss. Whenever you do something that the master is not satisfied with, he will... vent his anger on the young master. I once heard them arguing once, and the master I think it's my brother's fault that I didn't discipline my sister well, because the young lady looks like my wife, so I can't bear to punish you, so I can only let the young master remember this."

This was an unexpected answer from Shang Lu, but it was in line with Shang An's . Character is something he can do.

Shang Lu believed it, but still found it difficult to understand: "Whenever I do something wrong, he is the one who gets beaten. Is it always like this?"

The old housekeeper replied: "It's always been like this."

Shang Lu didn't say anything, just held up the cup in front of him . took a sip of hot tea.

She seemed to be able to understand Shang Mu suddenly.

If she were Shang Mu, she had done nothing wrong but was always punished for her sister. She had been taught this way since she was a child, and it would be difficult not to feel disgusted and resentful.

But the old housekeeper said, "But miss, you didn't do anything wrong, and neither did the young master."

The old housekeeper watched Shang Mu and Shang Lu grow up, just like watching his own grandchildren.

Many times he felt sorry for these two children, but he couldn't do anything because of his identity.

They have all grown up, and he only hopes that they will be fine.

"I know, thank you." Shang Lu forced a smile.

When Shang Mu finished the examination and came downstairs, Shang Lu stood up, obviously going to leave.

Shang Mu was ready for her to leave directly, but he didn't expect that she would ask him: "Let's have a meal together."

Shang Mu looked flattered and immediately arranged for a driver to take them off.

Shang Lu didn't know why he made such an invitation.

Perhaps it was because she thought that she and Shang Mu had been relatives for so many years, but they had never had a good meal.

Shang Lu asked him: "What do you want to eat?"

Shang Mu said: "Anything is fine, eat what you like."

Shang Lu chose hot pot.

For Shang'an, such simple and low-end things are not allowed to appear in merchants, otherwise it will be a dereliction of duty by the chef.

Because Shang Mu's leg was still injured, Shang Lu chose Yuanyang Pot.

Two people had hot pot and asked for a private room.

A lot of food was served.

There was actually nothing to talk about between Shang Lu and Shang Mu. They just repeated the same action of putting the dishes into the pot.

Shang Luqi didn't care much about Shang Mu. She just ate what she wanted to eat. She didn't refuse when Shang Mu fished out two pieces of meat for her with serving chopsticks.

In fact, Shang Lu regretted a little. If he had known better, he should not have invited Shang Mu out to eat hot pot, or asked the two servants at home to come in instead of eating at the table at the door. It would be strange for them to be alone together.

Shang Lu felt that he had nothing to talk to Shang Mu, but Shang Mu suddenly spoke. He said, "I met A Yin last month."

This A Yin was Shang Mu's first love, and Shang Lu remembered it The same beautiful girl.

In an instant, Shang Lu put down his chopsticks and looked up at Shang Mu, his face full of curiosity.

She admitted that she was curious and asked to speak quickly.

At the mention of this name, Shang Mu's expression became gentler and he said: "Before you participated in the variety show, I went abroad for a long time because of the news about her, but I didn't see anyone that time. Last month I finally got in touch with her and agreed on a meeting place. She came to see me, bringing... her son. "

This turn of events was too sudden.

Shang Lu covered his mouth with one hand, and it took him a few seconds to react: "She's married?"

"Well, it happened three years ago." Shang Mu fumbled with the top of the chopsticks with his fingertips, his expression filled with memories. : "When she arrived abroad, she knew there was nothing she could do to change the status quo, so she took advantage of the opportunity to continuously learn and improve herself. Just as I thought, she was still so good. She said she thought about waiting for me, but she met a man who loved her very much. . The other party has been chasing her for several years and has always been very good to her, so she still entered into marriage with him. She said she was sorry to me, and I said it was fine. Fortunately, she didn't really wait for me, otherwise I would have wanted to. We won't be able to find her until this year, and we don't know how many years of her youth have been delayed.

Her son is of mixed race. His blond hair is very cute, but the lower half of his face looks very much like hers. You can tell at a glance that he is her son. . She told her husband that I was the beloved first love she once mentioned. Although her husband was a little wary, he was still very polite. I could see that he loved her very much, and she loved him very much, so she She would tell my existence so calmly. I also found someone to investigate her husband. His family education was very good, and her parents liked her very much. He also had knowledge and a stable job. He also saved an old man who fell into the water. He was a kind man. He is worthy of her."

Shang Mu's voice became lower and lower, and gradually became a bit uncontrollably crying, but he still said: "She is living a good life, and she has found someone better than me to spend her life with. , she will live a happy life, and I have no regrets. "

There are not so many fairy tales in reality. Reunion after a long separation may not be a romantic reunion, but it may also be a matter of things changing.

Shang Lu also liked that sister very much. She also felt a little regretful, but she could only comfort her: "Shang Mu, this proves that you should let go, and you will have a new life."

"Yes." Shang Mu did not Denying Shang Lu's words, he closed his eyes.

There were some words that neither of them said, but they thought of them at the same time.

It would be nice if I wasn't born into such a family.

It would be nice if I didn't have such a father.

It's a pity that everything in this world is impossible.

This is their fate, whether they admit it or not, it is already like this.

Finished the meal.

But Shang Mu suddenly asked: "There is a cinema upstairs, do you want to go see a movie together?"

Shang Lu looked at him puzzled, feeling that this invitation was even more sudden.

Shang Mu and Shang Lu explained: "It is a foreign classic film. The domestic limit is only three days, and today is the last day."

Shang Mu's words made Shang Lu a little curious, but when he got the movie tickets, , but felt a little want to laugh.

It is indeed a classic foreign film.

There are such coincidences in this world. What they want to watch is the horror movie that Xiao Huanxi and Ye Lu watched together when they were recording.

She originally watched it five times, and last time she watched it with Ye Lu for the sixth time. In total, this is already the seventh time.

When Shang Lu took the movie tickets and Shang Mu sat down, he saw that the cinema was full of people, so he asked: "It looks very popular. How did you buy the tickets and get such a good seat?"

Shang Mu Ze The answer was: "I want to invite you. I have bought tickets for every show in these three days in advance."

Shang Lu understood, but he didn't fully understand.

She asked: "Why do you want to invite me to watch this movie?"

"There are many horror movie discs among the things you left behind. I have watched all your programs. You and Ye Lu watched this movie together. After that, you said you had watched it five times." After Shang Mu answered, he suddenly realized something was wrong and asked tentatively, "Don't you like it? Or have you watched it too many times?"

"No." The deer shook his head and she looked forward: "Stop talking, the movie is about to start."

This movie is indeed scary.

Most of the people present were those who had gone there before in search of excitement, but one could still hear the screams one after another.

Shang Mu didn't come here just to watch the movie, but occasionally he would be frightened and look a little pale when watching the plot.

When seeing a scary place, even though he already fully understood the scene, Shang Lu would still cover his eyes and scream like the girls next to him.

Before the most terrifying scene came, Shang Mu reminded her to close her eyes.

Obviously, he came here after doing his homework and seeing it in advance.

Shang Lu closed his eyes, feeling a little sore, even swollen and painful.

But fortunately, it was dark in the cinema, so as long as she didn't say anything, no one could tell.

After finishing the meal and watching the movie, it was time to separate.

Shang Lu looked at Shang Mu. The way he walked beside her on a crutch was really funny. She suddenly asked: "Shang Mu, before I was born, did you expect me to come into this world?"

" Yes." This question made Shang Mu stop, and he replied: "I had thought at that time that if you were a boy, we could learn swimming and boxing together, and if you were a girl, I would take you to Friends. Showing off in front of me makes them all envious that I have a sister."

"That's it." She raised her lips with a smile, and seemed to have fantasized about that scene according to Shang Mu's description, and then she said: "Shang Mu. Mu, I really let it go this time."

Shang Mu was stunned and didn't seem to understand what she was talking about.

Shang Lu bit the Coke straw and paused for a while before saying: "The last time was actually a lie. It doesn't matter if it's not true. It's because I don't want to quarrel with you anymore, so forget it."

Shang Mu leaned on a crutch with one hand and said: "...I know."

"But this time is different. I can understand you, so I really don't blame you." Shang Lu also had some helplessness in his eyes, and continued to smile: "I just thought about it for a long time. What's the best way to get along, but I can't imagine how we can fight each other like ordinary brothers and sisters. I'm sorry, Shang Mu, why don't we just keep in touch if we need help from each other, and live our lives well if nothing happens."

Shang Mu was silent for a long time, but did not avoid Shang Lu's eyes.

His voice was hoarse, but he still agreed: "...Okay."

At this moment, Shang Lu's cell phone rang.

When I saw the sender of the message, her expression was typical of a shy girl in love.

Shang Mu realized it immediately and asked her, "Is it Chi Yan?"

"Yes." Shang Lu nodded directly, and after quickly replying to Chi Yan's message, he thought about it and told Shang Mu: "He is my boyfriend. "

Very good." This was the answer that Shang Mu expected. He knew how much the Chi family valued his sister, and it was normal for his sister to accept that he fell in love with him.

Shang Mu still warned: "If Chi Yan treats you badly in the future, tell me. We are not afraid of him, nor are we afraid of the Chi family."

Although Shang Lu did not think that this day would come, he did not refute at this moment, but just nodded in agreement. : "Okay."

They took the elevator and came downstairs.

The merchant's car and Chi Yan's car were waiting one behind the other. Shang Lu sent a message to Chi Yan half an hour before the movie ended.

Shang Lu glanced at Shang Mu's leg, which was still in plaster, and asked, "Do you need me to help you get into the car?"

Before Shang Mu could speak, the driver immediately jumped out of the car and helped Shang Mu.

Shang Mu felt that he was in the way, but he could only say: "No, since the banquet is here, you should go back early." "

Okay." Shang Lu nodded in agreement, and stopped looking at Shang Mu, and went directly to the banquet. Got the car for the banquet.

Seeing Shang Lu walking over, Chi Yan got out of the car and opened the car door for her and glanced in Shang Mu's direction.

The two of them nodded and said hello.

Shang Lu stuck his head out again. She seemed to have made up her mind and said, "Happy birthday, Shang Mu."

She threw a keychain over and closed the car window.

This was what Shang Mu won on the game console next to her when she was buying popcorn. She didn't have any other gifts, so she had to make do with this.

Shang Mu caught the keychain, his eyes turned red at this second, and then got in the car.

The two cars drove in different directions at the intersection in front of them, and soon they were so far back that they couldn't even see their license plate numbers.

night.

Chi Yan did not take the initiative to ask Shang Lu why he stayed with Shang Mu, but after seeing that she was depressed, he pulled her to watch vulgar romance movies on the sofa at his home.

Shang Lu stared at the screen in a daze, letting the routine in the movie continue to play. Then when he turned around, he saw Chi Yan sitting next to him with almost tears streaming down his face.

Chi Yan wiped his tears: "It's so touching."

Shang Lu: "...?"

Chi Yan asked her with red eyes: "Why don't you cry, such a touching love."

Shang Lu: "..."

If she hadn't I remember wrongly, she clicked on this movie casually, and it got a rating of 3.7 on a certain page.

Who wants to cry over a piece of shit like this?

What’s more important is that

the eye drops are still on the coffee table. It’s so fake!

Why couldn't Shang Lu see that Chi Yan was giving her a chance to shed tears? She said in a helpless voice, "I don't want to cry."

"Oh?" Chi Yan looked down at her, with a bit of doubt on his face. Not too convinced.

Shang Lu tilted his head and leaned on Chi Yan's shoulder, saying, "Really, I'm very happy."

Her voice was gentle, and she recounted everything that happened today very slowly.

Chi Yan nodded constantly, responded to Shang Lu's every word, and held her hand.

Shang Lu looked at Chi Yan with a smile and said, "I really don't blame him. He must have had a hard time in those years. It was more painful than mine. He must have been so desperate when he was separated from Sister Ayin. I thought about it. I thought, if I never see you again from now on, I won't be able to be absolutely calm and trustworthy, and I will also be angry at the people who may cause us to be separated."

So she let go of those years and let go of that relationship. Rose Manor where she cried until her pillow was soaked through countless late nights.

Until the end, Shang Lu sighed softly and said, "It still seems a bit regretful. I know he tried his best, but I seem to have tried my best too. He and I can only be like this now."

Shang Mu thought To make up for it, he took her to see the most annoying horror movie. He really thought she would like it.

While watching the movie, she thought about countless possible endings between herself and Shang Mu, and finally made that choice.

Happy birthday, brother.

She thought so in her heart.

That's all.

That’s all there is to it.

They all tried their best.

It's a pity that in the end no one can cross the twenty years that have really passed.