The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Sun Jiaming didn’t understand what Gu’er was thinking.

"A powder factory wouldn’t normally explode, but I asked around today. The pay is high, but the work is exhausting. People there cover shifts for each other, so some end up working for a whole day and night straight. When that happens, your concentration is bound to slip. A lack of focus leads to carelessness, and carelessness leads to mistakes. If a major mistake happens... well, I don’t know if it would cause an explosion, but the consequences would definitely be severe."

Sun Jiaming laid out his thoughts.

Gu’er silently agreed. ’Sun Jiaming has a point. In my past life, I never worked in a factory, so I’m not familiar with it. What he’s described is definitely possible. I need to find time to see Liu Yuan and ask if that’s what it’s really like. Then I can see if there’s a way to prevent this tragedy from happening.’

"Thank you, Brother Jia Ming."

Gu’er thanked him.

"What’s there to be so formal about with me? By the way, Gu’er, I went into the city today and bought the storefront. In about a month, I’ll go again and have a friend help me get the deed processed."

Sun Jiaming wouldn’t have returned so late if it weren’t for buying the property. He had gone to help Gu’er with her inquiries, so he took the money with him in the morning and bought the storefront. He had already spoken with his friend beforehand and arranged everything, so it all went smoothly today.

"It’s good that you bought it. Oh, right, when you ask someone to help with the deed, do you have to give them a little something extra?"

Gu’er asked. She was also planning to buy a storefront in the future.

"No need. I’ll just treat them to a meal and buy them a couple cartons of Hongtashan cigarettes."

Sun Jiaming had already figured it all out. He was prepared for this.

"Hongtashan cigarettes aren’t cheap. By my calculation, that won’t cost any less than three hundred yuan."

Gu’er did a quick calculation in her head, but she also knew that you couldn’t get people to help you without spending a little money.

Sun Jiaming didn’t say anything.

"Brother Jia Ming, when you treat them to that meal, can I go with you?"

Gu’er asked Sun Jiaming. She wanted to buy a storefront for her business in the future too, which meant she would also need to get a deed. ’If I get to know these people, it’ll be more convenient. Otherwise, I’ll have to find someone else to help. And even then, you need a connection. If you don’t know them, they won’t even show up if you invite them to dinner.’

"No."

Sun Jiaming refused flatly.

Gu’er lowered her head, a slight ache in her heart. She wasn’t embarrassed, just surprised that Sun Jiaming would refuse her so bluntly. After all, for him, it seemed like such a small favor.

"Gu’er, eating with them definitely means drinking. They won’t agree to anything unless they’ve had their fill. Those guys can really hold their liquor; one of them can down a liter without any problem. Even if they wouldn’t do anything to you, I still can’t take you. I don’t want you to have to face that kind of thing, you understand?"

Sun Jiaming knew Gu’er had misunderstood him, so he explained earnestly. He was a man; he could handle these things. Gu’er was a young woman. If those men teased her with even a comment or two, he wouldn’t be able to stand it. He also couldn’t let her be forced to drink. That’s why he didn’t want her at such an occasion.

"Gu’er, I know you’ll probably want to buy a place in the city someday. When you’ve saved up enough money and are ready to buy, just leave getting the deed to me. You don’t need to show up for any of this. None of it. I’ll take care of it."

Sun Jiaming added that he understood Gu’er. She had broken away from the Zhou family and was earning her own money. She wanted to be independent. Since she had asked about buying property, she clearly had her own plans. He wouldn’t stand in her way; he would let her grow. But whatever he could do for her, he definitely would.

Gu’er looked up at Sun Jiaming, her eyes sparkling. ’I misunderstood him. He only said no because he didn’t want me to be put in an uncomfortable position.’ He was protecting her. ’What have I ever done to deserve a man like this, who’s always planning for me, thinking of me, and shielding me behind him?’

"Brother Jia Ming."

Gu’er called out his name, deeply moved in that moment. ’This feeling of being cherished is so wonderful.’

"Gu’er."

Sun Jiaming suddenly reached out and grabbed Gu’er’s hand. His expression was serious, his eyes filled with tenderness. He was in love with Gu’er. He had always suppressed his feelings, never saying or asking anything because he felt the time wasn’t right. But today, he wanted to ask her. He wanted to know if she felt the same way he did.

"Ah."

Gu’er was startled. She never expected Sun Jiaming to grab her hand. Though handshakes would later become a common courtesy, this... this was different from a handshake.

Gu’er felt Sun Jiaming’s large hand was like a furnace, and her face burned red. She tried to pull her hand back, but his grip was strong. It didn’t hurt, but she couldn’t break free.

’What do I do?’

’If Sun Jiaming says something... what am I going to do?’

Gu’er’s heart was in a panic, her mind a chaotic mess.

"Gu’er, you’re in my heart. I know I shouldn’t be saying this, but I don’t want someone else to ask on my behalf. I want to send a matchmaker. I want to marry you. I want you to never be alone again. I want to give you a home. I want to be good to you for the rest of our lives. What about you? Are you willing?"

Sun Jiaming’s voice was a little hoarse. He hadn’t intended to be so direct, but he couldn’t control himself. He wanted to know if Gu’er was willing to marry him. Every word he spoke came straight from the heart.

’It’s over. Sun Jiaming really said it. Oh, no... what do I do? How do I answer him?’

If it weren’t for the experiences of her past life, Gu’er would have nodded without a second thought. Sun Jiaming was a good man. Even though his family had its troubles and his mother was difficult to get along with, she wasn’t without her own problems. She had broken things off with Zhou Mazi, but who could guarantee he wouldn’t come looking for her in the future?

Besides, she didn’t even have her own family to go back to, yet Sun Jiaming had never once looked down on her. He liked her this much, wanted to give her a home... Gu’er really, truly wanted to nod.

’But... but...’ Gu’er looked at Sun Jiaming. ’He’s so good to me. Could I really deny him children?’

At the thought of children, the faces of Zhang Juan and Little Yueyue flashed through her mind. All the color drained from Gu’er’s face. ’I can’t say yes. It’s precisely because Sun Jiaming is so good that I can’t ruin his life.’

"I... I..."

Gu’er couldn’t bring herself to say the words of refusal. This was different from when she’d faced Liu Yuan. Rejecting Liu Yuan, she had only felt apologetic toward a friend. But rejecting Sun Jiaming... her heart ached.

"Jia Ming, Jia Ming."

Just as Gu’er was at a loss, a voice suddenly called out for Sun Jiaming.

It was Cao Qiu. She had probably been waiting in her own courtyard, and when Sun Jiaming didn’t return, she started calling for him. ’She must be afraid that something is happening between Sun Jiaming and me over here.’

Gu’er let out a silent breath of relief. For a moment, she was actually grateful to Cao Qiu. Her call was perfectly timed; now Gu’er wouldn’t have to answer.

But Sun Jiaming didn’t let go of Gu’er’s hand, nor did he answer Cao Qiu’s call. He watched Gu’er intently, wanting to hear her answer.

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Thank you to Huaxi Qinggua and Zhainü Mao’er for the monthly tickets, thanks to Ning Zhihai for the praise, and thank you all for your support. Every time I watch my kid do their homework, it feels like going to war. I always tell myself to control my temper, but I just can’t. Am I going through menopause?