The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Gu’er watched Lin Shan’s back. It wasn’t as sturdy as Sun Jiaming’s. His bike wasn’t as fast or as steady, either. This was the first time she had ridden on another man’s bicycle besides Sun Jiaming’s, and this man was her father—her real father.

She finally had a real father to rely on.

The corners of Gu’er’s mouth lifted slightly, and a hint of joy appeared on her face.

Lin Shan brought Gu’er to their front door.

Gu’er jumped off the bike as Lin Shan brought it to a stop. Seeing his face covered in sweat and his clothes soaked through, Gu’er felt a strange mix of emotions.

"Come on, let’s go home."

Lin Shan smiled at Gu’er, his eyes filled with a mix of sympathy and affection.

’Home.’ The word echoed in Gu’er’s mind. She looked at her father, then at the building before them. ’Will this place really become my home?’

Lin Shan had already secured the bicycle. When he saw Gu’er just staring up at the building without moving, he walked over and gently took her hand.

Gu’er flinched as if she’d been shocked, nearly pulling her hand away.

"Come home with Dad."

Lin Shan said again. He could sense what Gu’er was feeling. After all the years Zhou Mazi had treated her so poorly, she had never known a father’s love. ’She must be terrified.’

’I’m her father, yet I’ve given her nothing. Now I’ve brought her to this unfamiliar place; of course she’s worried and anxious. This anxiety and worry won’t disappear overnight. We’ll have to take it slow. As long as Feng Jiao and I are genuinely good to Gu’er, I believe she’ll eventually accept us with all her heart.’

"Okay."

Gu’er looked at Lin Shan and gave a slight nod. She took a long, deep breath. ’I hope this family won’t let me down.’

Lin Shan led Gu’er up the stairs. The Lin family lived on the second floor. Just as they reached the door, before Lin Shan could even take out his keys, it swung open.

"Shan, Gu’er, you’re back! Quick, come in, come in."

Chen Fengjiao stood in the doorway, her face flushed with eagerness and excitement. She immediately grabbed Gu’er and pulled her into the apartment.

She had been waiting for a long time, ever since Lin Shan had left. Every time she heard footsteps outside, she would rush to the door, but it was never them. She had been growing quite anxious. Now, they were finally home.

Gu’er smiled at her. The Lin family lived in an apartment building, and their unit was quite large—about eighty square meters at a glance. It had several rooms, including a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. It had everything.

The living room had a sofa, a coffee table, and even a black-and-white television. Back in the village, people didn’t even have radios, let alone TVs.

’Her parents are living quite well.’ Gu’er knew a little about apartments like this. To buy one personally would probably cost tens of thousands of yuan. However, this was likely subsidized housing from Lin Shan’s work unit, meaning they didn’t have to pay for it.

’It pays to be an official,’ she thought. ’A place this big... who knows how long it would take me to earn enough to buy one.’

"Come, sit down, sit down! You must be tired. Are you thirsty? What would you like to drink? I’ll get it for you."

Chen Fengjiao pulled Gu’er down onto the sofa, her eyes filled with joy. ’My daughter is back,’ she thought. ’From now on, I have to treat her well. I won’t let her suffer anymore. I’ll let her enjoy a good life.’

"Mom... please, don’t go to any trouble. I can get it myself."

Calling her "Mom" felt awkward on her tongue; she wasn’t used to it. She didn’t feel like she was home. Instead, she felt like a guest.

"Feng Jiao," Lin Shan chimed in. He knew that his wife being overly polite would only make Gu’er feel more constrained. "This is Gu’er’s home now. Just show her around. If she wants something, she can get it herself."

"I was just worried she’d be too shy," Chen Fengjiao replied.

For days, she had been eagerly awaiting her daughter’s return, constantly wondering how they would get along. But now that Gu’er was actually here, she felt nervous all over again. She didn’t know Gu’er’s likes or dislikes. She was just desperate to make up for the past and give her daughter the best of everything.

"Mom, it’s okay. Just like Dad said, I’ll be living here from now on, so I can do things myself."

Gu’er could sense what Chen Fengjiao was thinking and gave her a friendly smile. ’Since I’ve decided to live here, I should do my best to get along. No matter what, this woman is the mother who gave birth to me.’

"Alright, alright. Let me give you a tour."

Chen Fengjiao pulled Gu’er to her feet and began to show her around the apartment.

Gu’er followed her from room to room, taking it all in and getting a clear sense of the layout.

There were three bedrooms. One was Lin Shan and Chen Fengjiao’s, and two slightly smaller ones were likely for Lin Sui’er and her younger brother. There was also a very small room containing a small heated brick bed and a bookshelf. It seemed to be Lin Shan’s study.

"These two rooms were originally for your sister, Sui’er, and your brother, Zheng’er—one for each of them. Take a look and see which one you like. If you want a room to yourself, you can take Zheng’er’s. He’s still little, so he can stay with us. If you’re not used to being alone, you can share with Sui’er. The bed is big enough for both of you. But if that’s not comfortable for you, I’ll buy you a new bed. And in this wardrobe, I bought you some new clothes. Try them on later to see if they fit. If not, I’ll buy you new ones."

After showing Gu’er the room and the bed, Chen Fengjiao pulled her over to a wooden wardrobe. Inside were several sets of new clothes in various colors and modern styles. There was new underwear as well.

"And shoes. I bought you two pairs to start. I had to guess your size, so try them on and see if they fit."

Chen Fengjiao then took out two new pairs of shoes: one pair of cloth shoes and one pair of black leather ones.

Gu’er couldn’t quite put a name to the feeling in her heart. ’This mother of mine... she’s treating me well, buying me new clothes and shoes. I can tell she’s trying to make up for the past. Her expression is full of affection, but there’s also a faint eagerness to please. She wants me to accept her as quickly as possible, doesn’t she?’

Not wanting to refuse the kind gesture, Gu’er tried on the shoes.

"They fit perfectly. Thank you, Mom."

Gu’er thanked Chen Fengjiao. ’This is the first time I’ve worn leather shoes since I was reborn.’

"Nothing to thank me for. I’m your mother. From now on, if there’s anything you want to wear, just tell me and I’ll buy it for you."

Chen Fengjiao was very pleased, feeling that her gifts had met with her daughter’s approval.

After the tour was over, Chen Fengjiao had Gu’er sit down again. This time, Gu’er took the initiative, picking up the water pitcher and pouring two glasses of water.

Lost in her own excitement, Chen Fengjiao didn’t notice the small gesture, but Lin Shan had been observing Gu’er the entire time. A flash of approval crossed his eyes. ’Even though Gu’er spent so many years in the countryside, she doesn’t have that timid air you often see from village girls. And her reaction to everything in the apartment was so calm; she isn’t easily impressed by material things. My eldest daughter is surprisingly poised and seems to have a worldly perspective. I was prepared to spend a lot of time and effort teaching her, but it looks like she’s full of surprises.’

Just as Lin Shan was lost in these thoughts, Gu’er walked over and took his hand. Lin Shan froze for a second but allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. Gu’er then had him sit down next to Chen Fengjiao.