The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Many people in the room were trying to persuade Grandma Sun.

Sun Jiaming understood now. ’Grandma knows what Mom’s like. With something like this at stake, Mom would never let it fall into Gu’er’s hands. She’d definitely try to get her hands on it. But how? She doesn’t want to take care of Grandma, so in the end, I’ll be the one left to do it. That way, Grandma gets what she wants. Mom will be the one who actively makes me stay, and in front of so many people, she won’t be able to go back on her word.’

As for what was in the box, Sun Jiaming secretly shook his head. ’It probably won’t be what Mom’s hoping for. There’s surely nothing valuable inside. If there were, Grandma wouldn’t be acting like this. If it was valuable, my older brother might not say anything, but my sister-in-law would definitely come back to fight for it. Grandma wouldn’t want to cause a conflict between us brothers.’

He glanced at his mother and saw her eyes shining with a frightening light. Sun Jiaming’s heart ached. ’There’s nothing wrong with loving money, but to be like Mom... I just can’t accept it.’

"Sigh, I know what you’re all thinking. You’re afraid I’m being duped. Don’t worry, Gu’er isn’t that kind of person. She doesn’t even know about this; it was my own idea. It has nothing to do with Gu’er. I’m old. How many days do I have left? I also want my children and grandchildren to be filial and stay by my side. I also want to give my things to the Sun Family’s descendants. But look around! Soon, it’ll just be this old woman left here all alone. Gu’er is a good girl. She’s willing to take care of me, so I can’t treat her unfairly. My own descendants? It’s all fake. Whoever is willing to care for me and let me live my last few days in peace, that’s who I’ll give my things to. It’s not like I can take them to the grave with me anyway. You don’t need to persuade me. Grandpa Jia Ming gave this to me, so I have the final say. I’ll give it to whomever I please. Nothing any of you say will change my mind."

Grandma Sun sighed, but her expression was firm. It looked like she wouldn’t be changing her mind.

Cao Qiu was lost in a pleasant daydream, but when she heard her mother-in-law’s words, she took a step forward and shouted, "Mom, that’s not right! The things my father-in-law left behind should be ours! How can you give them to an outsider!"

Cao Qiu’s voice was exceptionally loud. The moment she spoke, the entire room fell silent, all eyes on her.

But Cao Qiu couldn’t be bothered with any of that. She went right up to her mother-in-law, pushed Gu’er aside, and plastered a smile on her face. "Mom, what are you talking about? How could Jia Ming not be filial to you? You’re Zhuzi’s mother! Zhuzi talks about you all the time. As your son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, we all hold you dear in our hearts. How could we not be filial? These are our family’s heirlooms, meant to be passed down to the Sun descendants. How can you give them to someone else? Mom, if you give them to an outsider, when you see Grandpa Jia Ming in the afterlife, he’ll surely blame you! You really can’t give these things away. That Gu’er isn’t your granddaughter! Your son and grandson are right here!"

As she spoke, Cao Qiu shot a look at Sun Zhuzi and Sun Jiaming, signaling her son to step forward and say something nice.

Sun Zhuzi took two steps forward and nodded vigorously. Whatever the reason, now that his wife had spoken up, he was also willing to take care of his own mother.

Gu’er shivered as she watched Cao Qiu’s smile. ’She changes faces so fast! Just a moment ago, she looked at Grandma Sun with such disgust, and now she’s smiling so hard you could squash a fly in her wrinkles. It’s so fake.’

Sun Jiaming stood still, not moving.

"I don’t need you. You wouldn’t take good care of me, and I can’t afford to have you. I’ll just have Gu’er."

But Grandma Sun pushed her daughter-in-law’s hand away.

"Mom, I know I’ve done wrong in the past. It was my fault for not staying to take care of you. But your great-granddaughter needs looking after, I really couldn’t get away! Jia Ming has been here taking care of you all this time. He’s your biological grandson! Don’t you feel for him? It hasn’t been easy for Jia Ming. A young man his age, still not married! Other men his age already have kids who can call them ’Daddy.’ I was just feeling sorry for him, thinking of finding him a wife to help take care of you, wasn’t I? If you feel you can’t be without Jia Ming and you don’t want to go to the city, then fine! We won’t look for a wife from the city; we’ll find one in the village. Jia Ming won’t go to the city anymore. He’ll stay right here and take care of you, no matter who says what. Zhuzi and I will also come back to see you often. From now on, we’ll all be properly filial to you. Mom, really! I really won’t let Jia Ming go to the city anymore. You absolutely cannot give that box to Gu’er!"

Cao Qiu’s performance was so full of emotion and sincerity that anyone who didn’t know her might have actually believed her.

Gu’er had to hand it to her. ’No wonder she’s been able to keep her husband in line all these years. Her acting and face-changing skills are incredible. She can be firm or yielding as needed. I could never be like her.’

"I’m going to the city. I don’t want that stuff. Just give it to Gu’er."

But just then, Sun Jiaming spoke up, completely undercutting his mother.

Cao Qiu was furious. ’Did I give birth to this son just to torment me? Why is he so inconsiderate now? If you wanted to go to the city, why didn’t you say so earlier? Being so contrary at a time like this, isn’t he just trying to put me in an impossible spot?’

"What are you talking about? Your grandma needs someone by her side. How can you go to the city? How can you be so unfilial? All the love your grandma has shown you would be for nothing! As for a wife, don’t you worry. Mom won’t ignore you. Even if you don’t go to the city, Mom will find you a good wife."

As she spoke, Cao Qiu shot a look at Sun Jiaming.

The crowd fell silent. This was, after all, the Sun Family’s business. Besides, they would rather see the Sun Family’s belongings end up with the Suns, not in Gu’er’s hands. If Gu’er were to become a Sun Family daughter-in-law, that would be a different story.

"Forget it. If Jia Ming wants to go, let him. It’ll save you from coming back every other day, one day with this idea, the next day with that one. I can’t take it anymore. Just let Jia Ming go."

Grandma Sun waved her hand dismissively.

"Mom, don’t listen to him! He’s just being immature. Look at how he’s been taking care of you in the village all these years. He’s been devoted, hasn’t he? You can’t just cast Jia Ming aside because of something I said. I’ll take care of things in the city, tell them the search is off. Jia Ming will stay home and take care of you. I promise! I promise I will never mention him going to the city again, okay?"

’For the sake of that box, Cao Qiu was willing to do anything. How many more years can this old hag live anyway? The important thing is to trick her into handing over her things. Once she’s dead, I’ll just have Jia Ming go to the city. When the time comes, we’ll buy a big house. And if I don’t approve of Jia Ming’s wife, I’ll just find him another one.’

"I don’t trust you. Who knows what other scheme you’ll come up with tomorrow? I’d like to live my last few days in peace."

But Grandma Sun just shook her head, refusing to believe Cao Qiu.

Cao Qiu seethed inwardly. ’This damn old hag’s mind isn’t muddled at all. What do I have to do to make her believe me?’

"Mom, then what do you want me to do? Zhuzi is your son, and Jia Ming is your grandson. They’re your closest family, and you don’t even trust them? You’d rather trust an outsider? An outsider is definitely just trying to trick you to get your things. How could they be as sincere toward you as Jia Ming? Besides, Uncle San and the others are all here. They can be witnesses! I promise I won’t let Jia Ming go to the city. If I go back on my word, then may I be damned!"

Cao Qiu wanted everyone to act as her witness; she had even sworn an oath.

But Grandma Sun only shook her head without a word.

"Didn’t Zhou Mazi and Gu’er sign a written agreement the other day? Why don’t we have Sister-in-law write one for us too? Auntie, what do you think of that?"

Uncle Shitou, who had been watching for a long time, finally spoke up.

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