The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Gu’er chose two years. She didn’t know if Sun Jiaming would agree. Two years didn’t seem long, but it wasn’t short either. Sun Jiaming owed her nothing, and he had no obligation to wait for her. After all, it wasn’t as if no one else wanted him. But ’Gu’er secretly felt that Sun Jiaming would agree. People dated for years, after all. Besides, she hadn’t even reached the legal age for marriage yet, so getting married in two years was perfectly normal.’

Sun Jiaming hadn’t expected Gu’er to say this. He fell silent for a moment.

Gu’er hadn’t rejected him. She had told him clearly that she liked him too, but she didn’t want to get married right now. She felt she was still too young and wanted to make her own way for another two years. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

’Even though I wouldn’t tie her down,’ Sun Jiaming thought, ’knowing Gu’er’s personality, she’d prioritize family even more after getting married. She wouldn’t just leave Grandma and the home to me. Having a family meant having ties, and Gu’er would have responsibilities holding her back. It’s better this way, while she’s still unencumbered.’

Sun Jiaming understood. He understood Gu’er’s thinking.

Some people had their marriages arranged as soon as they came of age, marrying within three to five months. In their village, there were even couples who got engaged one month and married the next. A two-year wait was almost unheard of in the village because life was too unpredictable. Who knew what might happen in two years?

Take the neighboring village, for example. A family there had taken a liking to a girl from their own village. They were all set to get married, but then the girl’s father passed away. The two families agreed to postpone the wedding for a year. But six months later, the young man went to the city. He ended up meeting a girl he worked with, and they developed feelings for each other. The man then broke off his engagement and married the other girl.

What could the family here do? They weren’t married, after all. After a big fuss, it was all over. The girl eventually married someone from another place.

’If he and Gu’er agreed to wait two years, maybe she would meet someone else in that time, but...’

Why was he overthinking this? He had confidence in himself, and he had confidence in Gu’er. He wanted to spend his entire life with her. If he couldn’t even accept a two-year wait, what right did he have to say he loved her?

"Gu’er, in these next two years, do you want to live in the city or stay here in the village?"

Sun Jiaming had come around. Although he was a bit disappointed, he wouldn’t force Gu’er. If she wanted two years, he would give her two years.

"I won’t be leaving the village anytime soon. The weather is about to turn cold, and I’m planning to gather the mushrooms, hazelnuts, and pine cones from the mountains to sell in the city. If I went to the city now, what would I do about all this?"

Gu’er felt that Sun Jiaming asking this meant he had agreed.

"When you’re ready to do all that, I’ll do it with you."

As Sun Jiaming spoke, he reached out, took Gu’er’s hand, and stood up.

"Gu’er, go ahead and follow your dreams without worry. I’ll support you in whatever you do. If you need anything, just tell me. As long as it’s something I can do, I’ll definitely do it. You don’t need to feel any pressure; just do what you want to do. Also, about the gatehouse—once I get the property deed sorted out and clean the place up, you can use it. If you want to sell anything, just store your things inside. That way, you won’t have to carry everything back and forth. It’ll make things much easier."

Sun Jiaming spoke with earnestness and certainty.

Gu’er’s eyes reddened. ’This man is so supportive, so good to me. I must have done something wonderful in a past life. Heaven must have seen how much I suffered before and decided to give me such a good man in this life.’

Gu’er really wanted to give Sun Jiaming a hug. Not for any other reason, just a simple hug. But just as the thought sprouted in her mind, a sharp voice pierced the air, "What are you two doing!"

It was Cao Qiu. They hadn’t expected her to be up and about at this hour.

Gu’er quickly pulled her hand from Sun Jiaming’s. She didn’t dare turn around because her face was beet red. She just went back to her work.

"Mom, you’re up. Have you washed your face? There’s hot water here."

Sun Jiaming’s face was also a little red, but he quickly composed himself. He couldn’t let Gu’er face this alone.

"Don’t you try to change the subject. Tell me, what were you two doing?"

But Cao Qiu wouldn’t let it go. She even tried to rush over and question Gu’er, but Sun Jiaming stopped her and pulled her outside.

Cao Qiu’s voice rang out from outside, clearly scolding Sun Jiaming. Gu’er shook her head. ’Having a future mother-in-law like that is really something else...’

’But Sun Jiaming said they wouldn’t have to live with his parents in the future. They could buy their own house and live their own lives. When she was happy, she could go with Sun Jiaming to visit them. If Cao Qiu was being unreasonable, she just wouldn’t go. She had endured so much in her past life; she didn’t want to put up with it again in this one. She would be good to those who were good to her. As for those who weren’t, she had no intention of letting them walk all over her.’

Lost in thought, Gu’er finished making breakfast and left the kitchen. Cao Qiu was glaring at her, looking like she wanted to come over and start something, but Gu’er went straight into Grandma Sun’s room.

She changed Grandma Sun’s bed pad and helped her wash up.

Grandma Sun’s expression was calm enough, but her complexion didn’t look as good as it had a few days ago, likely due to yesterday’s commotion.

During breakfast, Cao Qiu kept making veiled remarks about Gu’er. Gu’er acted as if she didn’t hear or understand, refusing to engage. ’For people you don’t care about, ignoring them is the best policy.’

After the meal, Gu’er put the laundry in a basin to soak.

"Zhou Gu’er."

Cao Qiu seized the opportunity to run over to Gu’er.

"Auntie, are you here to wash Grandma’s clothes? That’s perfect, I won’t wash them then. Here’s the soap."

Gu’er offered the soap pod from the water to Cao Qiu.

Cao Qiu glanced at the clothes in the basin and covered her nose. ’So filthy! There’s no way I’m washing them. That old hag wants me to wait on her? Not a chance!’

"I-I’m telling you, don’t you get any ideas about seducing Jia Ming. As long as I’m around, you can forget it."

Unwilling to just walk away, Cao Qiu warned Gu’er.

"Auntie, that’s not right. Isn’t it up to Brother Jia Ming and Grandma who he marries? Didn’t you already sell Brother Jia Ming off? Oh, by the way, Auntie, weren’t you supposed to go back to the city today? How come you’re still here?"

Gu’er knew that being nice to Cao Qiu was pointless. Cao Qiu clearly looked down on her, and she wasn’t about to suck up to someone who treated her with contempt. If she let Cao Qiu think she was a pushover, things would only get worse.

"You! This is my house! I’ll stay as long as I want! I—"

Before Cao Qiu could finish her sentence, Sun Jiaming and Sun Zhuzi came out of the house.

"Mom, Grandma said I should take you and Dad back to the city. Do you have anything you need to pack?"

Sun Jiaming’s words made Cao Qiu’s chest ache with anger. ’Did my son hear me talking to Gu’er? How could it be such a coincidence? I just said I’d stay as long as I want, and now he’s trying to send me back. This is infuriating!’

"I’m not leaving! I’m not going back! I’m going to stay here for a couple of days."

Cao Qiu, unable to swallow her anger, said this in a fit of pique.

"Oh, so Auntie isn’t going back? Alright then, you can wash these clothes, Auntie. If you’re not leaving, then I’ll be heading out. I have some business to take care of in the city."

Gu’er stood up. If Cao Qiu was really staying, then she would go to the city to sell popsicles. Even though she couldn’t earn much in a day now, she didn’t want to be stuck here with Cao Qiu. She would go to the city, check things out, and after she finished selling the mushrooms, she’d see if she could find something else to do.