The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

"I understand, Dad. To be honest, wanting to move out isn’t entirely because of what happened today. I just think it would be more convenient. I’ll still be living in the city. On weekdays or Sundays, whenever I’m free, I’ll come over to visit. Maybe if we don’t live together, there will be less conflict, and we might even grow closer."

’Gu’er understood what Lin Shan was trying to say. But she hadn’t integrated well with this family to begin with. After what happened today, she was afraid a seed of resentment had been planted in both her and Chen Fengjiao’s hearts. Getting along in the future would be even more difficult. Conflict could erupt again at any time. If this kept happening, whatever familial affection they had would eventually be worn away completely. It was better for her to move out.’

Lin Shan stared at Gu’er. Looking at her face, he felt as if he were seeing his wife in her youth.

He remembered the first time he met his wife, the days they spent together, and the joy of becoming a father when Gu’er was born. He remembered the heartbreak when she was lost. Years went by, and he recalled his shock when Chen Fengjiao told him they might have found Gu’er. He then remembered the anger he felt when he investigated Gu’er’s life and learned what she had endured.

He had brought his daughter back, wanting to give her familial love, warmth, and a home that would shelter her from the storms of life.

But had he given her that?

He hadn’t. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Just look at what happened today. Why did Gu’er want to leave? Because this place hadn’t given her enough.

As a father, not only could he not protect his daughter, but he had also allowed her to be wronged. He had failed completely in his duty.

"Gu’er, do you really not want to live here anymore?"

Lin Shan asked, his heart trembling. His tone was extremely serious.

Lin Zheng tugged on the corner of Gu’er’s clothes, his little face turned up to look at her. He didn’t want his big sister to go.

Gu’er looked at Lin Shan, and the resolve in her heart solidified. ’Moving out is the best option.’

At this thought, Gu’er nodded, her expression filled with determination.

"Alright. Dad promises you, you can move out. Don’t worry about a place to live; I’ll arrange it for you. Although I don’t want you to leave... as parents, we want to make it up to you, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re doing what’s best for you. If you’re not happy living here, Dad won’t force you. But I hope you’ll wait until after the New Year to move. Can you give me some time to find a place for you?"

’Lin Shan had also made his decision. He owed this daughter too much. If moving out would make her feel more at ease and free, then he would let her. Even if she moved out, she was still his, Lin Shan’s, daughter. He could still look after her and help her whenever she needed it.’

Gu’er was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Lin Shan to agree to let her move out so easily. ’Stay until after the New Year? It’s only a few days until the New Year. So if I move out after the fifteenth day, that means I’ll still be living here for about twenty more days. That’s not unacceptable.’

"Okay, I’ll move out after the fifteenth, then. Dad, please don’t worry about the house. I’ll be living alone, so I can just rent any place."

She didn’t want to trouble Lin Shan with finding a rental.

"I’m your father. You’ll listen to me."

Lin Shan’s words sounded a bit forceful, but they were filled with his love. ’Since Gu’er feels she can’t live here comfortably, then I’ll give my daughter a home where she can be comfortable. A place of her very own.’

After Lin Shan said this, Gu’er didn’t argue further. ’If Dad wants to do this for me, I’ll let him.’

"Sis."

Lin Zheng’s small face was full of reluctance. He had understood. After the New Year, his big sister was going to move out.

"Don’t worry, son. Gu’er is your sister, and she always will be. Not living together doesn’t mean you can’t see each other. When the time comes, you and I can help your sister move. And when I’m free, I can take you to her place for dinner. Your sister will come visit when she’s free, too."

Lin Shan ruffled his son’s hair.

"Okay."

Lin Zheng nodded with a serious expression. ’Dad’s right. Even if Sis moves out, she’ll still be my sister. That won’t change.’

"What about Mom?"

Gu’er glanced outside as she spoke. ’They can’t hear our conversation out there. Earlier, when I said I wanted to move out, Mom went crazy and forced Lin Sui’er to apologize. It was obvious she didn’t want me to leave. Now that Dad has agreed, what will she do if she finds out?’

"I’ll talk to your mother, don’t you worry. Gu’er, Dad knows your mother hasn’t had it easy, which is why I wanted you to be more understanding of her. But you haven’t had it easy either, and who’s here to be understanding of you? If we, your parents, can’t even treat you well, who can we expect to? I’ve thought it through. Dad isn’t going to ask you to be understanding of anyone anymore. You don’t owe anybody anything. From now on, just live according to your own heart. You don’t have to put up with being wronged again. If you don’t want to be in this house, you don’t have to wait for the New Year. You can move out whenever you want."

’Lin Shan’s state of mind was completely different from when he had first entered the room. Back then, he had wanted to persuade his daughter to compromise, telling her that they were all family and should tolerate one another. But he no longer thought that way. They owed their daughter. What he needed to do was not ask her to keep enduring. He couldn’t wrong his daughter for his wife’s sake.’

"Thank you, Dad."

Gu’er’s eyes reddened. She meant that "thank you" from the bottom of her heart. Her father’s words were enough to satisfy her.

"Silly girl. Stay and celebrate the New Year with us. I’ll have the keys in your hand before the fifteenth. Oh, right. If you want to go back to the village, how about the day after tomorrow? I’m free then. I’ll go back with you."

After speaking, Lin Shan stood up, walked over to Gu’er, and ruffled her hair before ruffling Lin Zheng’s hair as well.

"Dad, I want to go too."

Lin Zheng had heard his big sister talk about the village before, and he was very eager to go.

"We’ll see. If it doesn’t snow, we’ll take you. But when we get there, you have to walk on your own. No one’s going to carry you on their back."

Lin Shan nodded, his face full of fatherly love.

"I can walk! I won’t make anyone carry me."

Lin Zheng’s expression was incredibly serious.

"Alright then. But if you can’t walk, don’t you come crying to me."

After saying this, Lin Shan flicked Lin Zheng’s nose.

Lin Zheng wrinkled his nose and pouted.

Gu’er looked at her father, then at her brother. In that moment, her heart was warm. ’Coming to the city wasn’t for nothing. I have a good father and an adorable little brother. As for my mother and sister... well, not even all ten fingers are the same length. It’s impossible to get along with everyone.’

In contrast to the harmony inside the room, the mood outside was sorrowful. Lin Sui’er was crying nonstop, truly feeling wronged.

Chen Fengjiao comforted her for a while before giving up. She was wondering what Lin Shan and Gu’er were talking about. ’He must be trying to talk some sense into Gu’er. That girl has such a temper. She doesn’t know how to read people or suck up to them. She was clearly in the wrong, yet she forced me to make Sui’er apologize. Now that there are no outsiders, she still hasn’t come to apologize to me or say anything nice. She’s still holding a grudge. It’s true what they say—a child not raised by your side will never be truly close to you.’

’Lin Shan should be able to persuade her. As long as she doesn’t leave, I won’t treat her poorly. I’ll give her everything she’s due. In the future, I’ll just have to help her find a good husband’s family and marry her off on good terms.’

’With that temper of hers, even after she’s married, I’ll have to keep an eye on things. Otherwise, she won’t get along with her in-laws. As her mother, I’ll just have to worry more about her.’

’As for how wronged Sui’er feels, I’ll just have to compensate her more in the future.’

At this thought, Chen Fengjiao’s expression softened. She gently stroked Lin Sui’er’s hair and began to soothe her again.

——————————

Thank you to Pacific Stone Monkey and Zeng Yun for the monthly tickets, and thank you to everyone for your support.