The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Chen Fengjiao was displeased with Gu’er, but she kept it buried in her heart. After all, Gu’er was her own daughter.

"Gu’er, Sui’er is your little sister. Right or wrong, are you really going to embarrass her in front of a guest? Are you going to side with an outsider against her?"

Chen Fengjiao felt Gu’er didn’t know who her real family was.

Seeing her mother act this way, the disappointment in Gu’er’s eyes was palpable.

"Since you think I’m the one who’s wrong, Mom, that I shouldn’t have brought someone home... Since you want to protect Sui’er, I won’t say any more. If you don’t want to make Sui’er apologize, I won’t force her."

When she finished, Gu’er looked away from Chen Fengjiao, her voice tinged with exhaustion.

"Brother Liu Yuan, I’m so sorry. I invited you over as a guest, but I never thought I’d drag you into this."

Gu’er looked at Liu Yuan and apologized sincerely. She knew her mother looked down on him, and that Lin Sui’er had only said those things about Liu Yuan because of her.

"Gu’er, please don’t say that. It’s not your fault. I was the one who was too presumptuous."

A flicker of anxiety crossed Liu Yuan’s eyes. He never imagined his visit would cause Gu’er so much grief. ’If I’d known this would happen,’ he thought, ’I never would have come up.’

Chen Fengjiao watched without saying a word. Her gaze flickered, her expression complex and unreadable.

Lin Sui’er’s eyes went wide as she watched. ’What is Lin Gu’er trying to pull?’ she wondered. ’But whatever. I don’t have to apologize anymore. I won. I knew it. In Mom’s heart, I’m the most important one.’

"Dad, Mom, I was in the wrong today. I shouldn’t have brought a guest over without telling you first. It won’t happen again."

Gu’er looked at Lin Shan and Chen Fengjiao.

"I never said you couldn’t bring people over," Chen Fengjiao said. "It’s just, you should give us a heads-up so we can be prepared, you know?"

Chen Fengjiao let out a long, internal sigh of relief, feeling the matter was finally settled. ’Good, Gu’er is being obedient today. She didn’t make me lose face. I’ll just make sure to treat this Liu Yuan well. Later, I’ll buy Gu’er a couple of new outfits to make it up to her. The New Year is coming, after all. I’ll take her shopping and buy her lots of things.’

Lin Shan, however, sighed. He knew his wife’s personality all too well. He had put up with her for all these years because she had married him at his lowest point. Back then, he had sworn to always treat her well. In the beginning, she had been gentle and kind, but ever since Gu’er was lost, she had been afflicted by a sickness of the heart. Later, after getting pregnant with Lin Zheng, she quit her job, and her personality had changed even more drastically.

’Her blatant favoritism today has already wounded Gu’er deeply. Even if I forced Sui’er to apologize, it would only make Chen Fengjiao more defensive, and the situation would get worse. I can’t let Sui’er go on like this. After the New Year, I have to send her to a strict school. I just don’t have the time to discipline her myself.’

’As for Gu’er, I don’t know what she’ll choose to do, but I know this: my eldest daughter will likely be forever estranged from this family.’

Gu’er didn’t know what Chen Fengjiao was thinking, nor did she care to find out.

"Dad, Mom, the New Year is almost here. I want to go back to the village to celebrate. After the holiday, I’m thinking of renting a place and moving out. That way, you won’t have to be put in such an awkward position anymore, Mom."

Gu’er’s voice was quiet, but it carried an inexpressible, world-weary sorrow.

Her words were like a bomb going off in the room.

"What did you say? Say that again!"

Chen Fengjiao pointed a disbelieving finger at Gu’er, her eyes terrifying. She looked as if she could eat her alive.

A glint appeared in Li Zhi’s eyes. ’I’m seeing Gu’er in a new light,’ he thought. ’She has a mind of her own. She wants to move out? Good. That’s good. If she moves out, my plan will be much easier to carry out. I need her.’

Liu Yuan stared at Gu’er in surprise, but he quickly understood. ’Gu’er isn’t the type to just take abuse. Even from her own mother, if it’s unfair, she won’t stand for it. So you’re saying I brought someone home without asking? You don’t want me to treat this place like my home? Fine, I won’t. I’ll just move out, how about that?’

Lin Sui’er’s eyes filled with disbelief. ’Lin Gu’er actually wants to move out? Is she kidding? Our house is so big and has everything. How could she bear to leave it? She’s just a country bumpkin. Does she think just anyone can afford to live in the city? She’s just trying to manipulate Mom and Dad. I hope Mom agrees. Then this house will finally be rid of the superfluous Lin Gu’er.’

At this thought, a gleam of excitement flashed in Lin Sui’er’s eyes. She could barely stop herself from nodding in agreement for Chen Fengjiao and Lin Shan.

A strange light also flashed in Lin Shan’s eyes. ’Gu’er wants to go back to the village for the New Year, and she wants to move out. This is her protest. A protest against injustice. Feng Jiao and I have wronged her, we’ve broken her heart. When I brought her home, I promised I would give her a family. But what is a family? It’s supposed to be a safe harbor, a place to rest and feel at ease. But what has Gu’er found here?’

’I’ve tried to be good to her, but she lived for over a decade without me, and I’ve only been by her side for a few days. It’s nowhere near enough.’

’As for Chen Fengjiao, she gave Gu’er material things, which on the surface looks like she’s treating her well, but it isn’t real motherly love. I’ve told her several times to truly care for Gu’er, to accept her from the bottom of her heart and treat her well, not just by buying her things. But she just complains to me, saying she’s already been good enough to Gu’er, and that it’s Gu’er who refuses to get close to her.’

’A home should be the hardest thing to leave, but this place doesn’t feel like home to Gu’er. That’s why, in her moment of disappointment, her first thought is to leave.’

"I want to move out,"

Gu’er repeated, her voice firm.

The color drained from Chen Fengjiao’s face, and her body began to tremble. She felt as if Gu’er had just slapped her. ’What kind of child acts like this? Threatening to move out over one little disagreement! If all children were like her, they’d trample all over their parents’ dignity.’

Chen Fengjiao was about to explode with rage, but before she could get a word out, she saw Lin Shan stride over to stand in front of Gu’er.

Chen Fengjiao’s heart skipped a beat. ’Is Lin Shan so furious he’s going to hit her?’

’No, he can’t hit her. He can’t! Even though I’m furious with Gu’er, and I think she has a terrible temper, she’s still my daughter! Even if she’s in the wrong, he can’t hit her!’

Chen Fengjiao wanted to scream. But before she could make a sound, she saw Lin Shan’s hand touch Gu’er’s head. Chen Fengjiao’s eyes flew open.

Lin Shan stood before Gu’er, raised his hand to her head, and gently stroked her hair.

Watching her father stand before her, his hand stroking her head again and again with such a gentle motion—as if she were a small child in need of his care—his face was full of fatherly love, heartache, and a trace of guilt. A pang of sorrow shot through Gu’er’s heart, and tears welled in her eyes.