The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Sun Jiaming glanced at Gu’er. If she didn’t want to do it, then no one could force her.

Gu’er looked at the middle-aged man. ’Is he interested in the recipe I mentioned?’

’No, he probably just misses his old way of life. That’s why he wants to eat wild boar. If there’s a new recipe, it’s only natural he’d want to try it.’

’Should I do it, or not?’

’I’ll do it.’

Gu’er made her decision in an instant.

It wasn’t a decision born from a fear of authority. She was simply touched by the man’s nostalgic sentiment; she had a soft spot for people who cherished the past.

"Originally, I wasn’t planning on it. But seeing as you’re a man who cherishes the past, Sir, I’m willing to cook. I don’t know that many recipes, though, just a few. I hope you won’t be disappointed."

Gu’er spoke calmly. She didn’t know who the man before her was; she couldn’t place him and didn’t want to try. Nor did she know how high his status was. At that moment, she simply treated him as someone deeply nostalgic for life in the village.

Of course, Gu’er wasn’t entirely without her own motives. She had no intention of fawning over powerful people, but she didn’t want to offend them, either. This was just a chance encounter; she wasn’t after anything, and it wasn’t as if she could use this to ask for favors later. She just wanted to leave a good impression. After all, while she wasn’t afraid for herself, she had her father to think about. The hotel surely had connections. If they investigated her background and found her dad, she feared it would bring him trouble. If this important figure thought well of her and the conflict with the hotel was smoothed over, that could only be a good thing. That was why Gu’er decided to cook.

As for Xiao Li, his face was flushed with resentment, but now, he didn’t dare say another word.

"Good. Then I’ll leave it to you, young lady."

The middle-aged man nodded at Gu’er, a flash of satisfaction on his face.

"Manager Shang," he called out again.

"Right here, sir! Please, don’t you worry. I’ll go make the arrangements at once. The wild boar and roe deer will be dressed shortly. Whatever this young lady needs, we will provide our full support."

Manager Shang quickly chimed in. He knew what to do without needing to be told.

The middle-aged man nodded.

"And how should we address this young lady?" Manager Shang asked.

"My name is Gu’er."

Gu’er stated her name. She had nothing to hide.

The middle-aged man heard Gu’er’s name as well. He smiled but said nothing.

"Sister Gu’er, we’ll be relying on you, then. Just tell the kitchen staff whatever you need. If they don’t have something, have them go buy it. You just have to say the word."

Manager Shang finished speaking and shot a look at the kitchen staff, who hurriedly agreed.

The staff went to prepare the wild boar and roe deer, while Manager Shang escorted the middle-aged man back to the main dining area.

"S-So it’s sold? For eighty cents? I-I thought they were going to give us a beating and throw us out."

Uncle Zhao’s jaw dropped. Even now, he couldn’t quite snap out of his daze. It felt like a dream; how could things change so completely from one moment to the next?

Zhao Daniu remained silent. He knew that if Gu’er and Sun Jiaming hadn’t been there today—if it had just been him and his father—things would have ended very differently.

Sun Jiaming and Gu’er exchanged a glance. Neither of them had expected that simply selling a wild boar would stir up such a commotion.

"Why don’t you all head back to the village once they bring the money? It’s getting late, and the roads are rough. I live close by, so I can head straight home after I finish cooking."

Gu’er thought it would be safer for them to leave.

"That’s not happening," Uncle Zhao refused. "If we go, what’ll you do if they try to bully you? Say what you will, but we’re grown men. If there’s a fight, we can take a few punches. We can’t let them hurt you."

"They’re not going to start a fight."

Gu’er felt a bit helpless. The hotel staff wouldn’t dare start anything now that things had developed this way. But as for that Xiao Li... Her eyes flickered at the thought of him.

"Still not happening. We leave together or not at all," Uncle Zhao insisted.

Sun Jiaming looked at Gu’er, saying nothing. He didn’t have to. There was no way he was leaving until he knew she was safe.

"Alright, fine. Then Uncle, you all find a place to sit and wait. Or maybe go get a bite to eat? There’s a little diner next door. Have Brother Jia Ming order a couple of dishes and get something in your stomachs."

Gu’er had completely forgotten that the three of them hadn’t even eaten yet.

"You haven’t eaten yet? Why didn’t you say something?" Manager Shang, who had just walked over, heard Gu’er and quickly interjected, hoping to smooth things over. "There’s no need to go next door—you’re in a restaurant right now! Our food is much better than that place. Just tell me what you’d like to eat. I’ll have someone make it for you."

"That won’t be necessary. Thank you, Manager Shang," Gu’er said, not wanting to be indebted to him.

"That’s right, no thanks. We can’t afford to eat here," Uncle Zhao added with a nod.

"It’ll be on the house. That whole scene earlier was our fault. Look, how about I have someone whip up a few dishes? Please, consider it our apology."

Manager Shang had lost all of his earlier arrogance.

"That’s not necessary. Thank you for the offer, Manager," Sun Jiaming said. "But that business had nothing to do with you, so we can’t accept an apology." There’s no such thing as a free lunch. The manager might not care about one meal, but there was no reason for them to accept it and be indebted.

"Come on now, my friend. If you don’t accept, it just means you’re still holding a grudge. Besides," Manager Shang said, glancing at Gu’er, "I still have a favor to ask of Sister Gu’er."

"If there’s something you need, Manager Shang, just say it."

Gu’er remained calm. ’What could Manager Shang possibly ask of her? At most, he just wanted her to cook well, to use all her skills to help him satisfy their important guest. Only when the guest had eaten his fill and was happy would Manager Shang’s task be complete.’

"I’ve never had the pleasure of tasting Sister Gu’er’s cooking, but I’m sure it’s wonderful. I was hoping you could help us out by making a few of your more distinctive dishes. As you know, hosting an important guest isn’t easy. We have to make sure he enjoys his meal."

Manager Shang stated his request. He wasn’t entirely confident in Gu’er’s cooking, but since the distinguished guest himself had asked for her, he didn’t dare object. He could only pray silently that Gu’er would do a good job and that the meal would be to the guest’s satisfaction.

"You can rest assured, Manager Shang. It’s my responsibility now. I’ll do my best," Gu’er said with a nod. Even without him asking, she intended to do a good job.

"Excellent. I’ll be counting on you, Sister Gu’er. My friend," he said to Sun Jiaming, "let’s go out front. We’ll let Sister Gu’er cook in peace, and I’ll go settle your payment."

Manager Shang could tell Sun Jiaming was the leader of their group, which was why he asked for his input. ’He would be the one paying, of course; he couldn’t possibly let the guest of honor foot the bill.’

"Thank you, Manager, but we’ll just wait here."

Sun Jiaming was unwilling to leave the area. He needed to keep an eye on Gu’er; if anything happened, he had to be the first to know.

"Alright then. I’ll have a table set up right here with a few dishes. You all can eat here while you wait for Sister Gu’er. I’ll go get your payment calculated now."

Manager Shang didn’t mind the cost of a few dishes, so long as Gu’er cooked a good meal for his guest.

This time, Sun Jiaming didn’t object. Refusing too insistently would only displease the manager.

Manager Shang left again. Someone brought over a table and stools. Uncle Zhao, Sun Jiaming, and Zhao Daniu sat down and were served some water. Meanwhile, the kitchen staff had finished dressing the wild boar, its bristles completely removed, and they called over to Gu’er that she could begin.