The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Gu’er understood what Lin Shan was saying.

Her mother had left her city for a small village. Because of her beauty, she was coveted by other men. If her father hadn’t been there to protect her, she might have ended up as a farmer’s wife in that very village today.

Gu’er knew about that era. In her own village, there were women who had been "sent down" and ended up marrying local men. One of them later abandoned her village husband and children to return to the city, while others had settled down there for good.

She had heard many such stories. Some women were forced into marriage, while others, desperate to return to the city, were preyed upon by village cadres.

Her father lamented that era. It was truly a heart-wrenching time.

"You Erbaihua and I became enemies. But afterward, he kept a low profile and even got married, so I thought he had settled down. Now that I think about it, he must have been full of resentment when I was returning to the city. It’s very possible he hired someone to snatch you, to carry you off and abandon you somewhere. It happened many years ago, but it’s not impossible to investigate. If I find out it was him, I will not let him get away with it."

The look in Lin Shan’s eyes was cold. He wouldn’t have cared if You Erbaihua had targeted him, but to think he would go after a child... Gu’er was only a little over three at the time. How could he have been so heartless?

Gu’er fell silent. ’It’s certainly possible,’ she thought. ’You Er wanted Mom and hated Dad, but he didn’t dare to cause trouble for them openly. When they were about to return to the city, he couldn’t stomach it, so he had me abducted. A missing child, Mom pregnant, and Dad not yet established in the city... He just wanted to make trouble for Dad. That man is truly vicious.’

"Dad, are you really going to be transferred to a village? Is the mistake that serious? It’s all my fault."

Gu’er’s thoughts returned to what Secretary Yuan had said, filling her with unease and guilt. If her father really was sent to a village to be an official, she couldn’t imagine how her mother would take it.

"Silly girl."

Lin Shan patted Gu’er’s hand, his gaze gentle and loving.

"Actually, that’s not what Secretary Yuan meant. He’s not simply sending me to a village. He wants me to go to a county to serve as a cadre and gain some practical experience. Gu’er, for me, this is a good thing."

There was a note of wonder in Lin Shan’s voice.

Gu’er frowned, confused. ’How could this be a good thing? Doesn’t everyone want to go to the city? Who would possibly want to go out to the countryside?’

"Gu’er, Secretary Yuan is in charge of personnel. While he can’t transfer cadres on his own, he can make recommendations to the Organization Department. At my current level, the chances of advancing are slim. Without someone speaking up for you, becoming a district secretary is almost impossible. But now, it’s different. If Secretary Yuan really recommends me for a position in a county, and if I can produce results, then after three years of experience, my promotion to district secretary upon my return would be a sure thing. It might even lead to..."

Lin Shan paused.

"To what?"

Gu’er asked. In her past life, she’d never had contact with influential people, so she didn’t understand these matters. It was only after Lin Shan’s explanation that she understood. ’So, for a cadre to be promoted, they have to go out and gain experience first.’

"Deputy Mayor."

Lin Shan’s voice was quiet, but inwardly he was reeling. He had never imagined he could one day reach such a position. He knew he had no connections, no one at the provincial level to speak on his behalf. No matter how capable he was, promotion would have been difficult. But now things were different. Secretary Yuan had given him this platform, this opportunity.

Secretary Yuan had a good reputation, and Lin Shan could tell he was not fond of You Er. ’You Er’s dream of becoming district secretary is impossible now,’ he realized. ’He might not even be able to hold on to his position as district chief.’

Gu’er didn’t understand all this, but You Er and Manager Shang certainly did. That explained why You Er had been so resentful after Secretary Yuan left, and why Manager Shang had suddenly become so agreeable.

’This time, not only did I avoid serious disciplinary action, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.’

’Oh, right. Secretary Yuan seemed to know Gu’er. He even said her cooking was good. How does Gu’er know Secretary Yuan?’

Gu’er, however, was completely stunned. ’Deputy Mayor? Will Dad really become a deputy mayor in the future?’ Her mind was a chaotic buzz. She racked her brain, trying to remember. Was there ever a deputy mayor with the surname Lin in their city? ’I don’t think so,’ she thought. ’Even though I never associated with people at that level, you constantly see photos of major figures on TV.’

Right, important people were on TV. With a jolt, it hit Gu’er. She remembered. She remembered where she’d seen Secretary Yuan before: on television.

She had seen this Secretary Yuan on TV, but not in the present—it was from a memory of six or seven years in the future. By then, Secretary Yuan wasn’t a deputy secretary; he was the number one leader of their entire province.

’Oh my god, how could I not have recognized such an important figure?’ she thought. ’I even cooked a meal for him last time! And both times I’ve run into Secretary Yuan, I’ve been involved in a fight.’

’Still, if Secretary Yuan is going to become the top provincial leader, and if he really has a good impression of Dad, then he might genuinely promote him. Maybe there was no Deputy Mayor Lin in my last life, but what about this one? Perhaps Dad really will make it.’

Gu’er felt her head buzzing.

"Gu’er. Gu’er."

Lin Shan called out to her. ’What’s she thinking about, spacing out like that?’ he wondered. ’I’ve called her name several times.’

"Huh? Dad, what did you say?"

Gu’er finally snapped out of it.

"I was asking how you know Secretary Yuan."

Lin Shan asked again.

Gu’er explained what had happened last time. Only then did Lin Shan understand. ’So that’s why Xiao Li rushed over and started cursing the moment he saw Gu’er—it’s because Sun Jiaming beat him up before.’ He also thought about Manager Shang. ’To think he didn’t fire a guy like that and just kept him on.’ But he also knew Manager Shang must have done it out of deference to Yu District Chief.

"That Jiaming kid is a good one."

Lin Shan added with a note of praise. A man ought to protect his woman. No matter who you’re up against, you have to stand in front of her and never back down. He didn’t care about his future son-in-law’s status or wealth; as long as he could protect his daughter and treat her well, that was all that mattered.

The corners of Gu’er’s mouth lifted, and a gentle light filled her eyes. ’Some people might call a man like that impulsive,’ she thought, ’but when someone is bullying your woman, what’s the use of trying to reason with them or worrying about the consequences? If you don’t step up at that moment, stand in front of her, and shield her, who can she possibly rely on!’

"Dad, let’s not tell Mom what happened today when we get back. We don’t want her to worry."

Gu’er didn’t want Chen Fengjiao to find out what happened. Chen Fengjiao was already feeling a bit down, and knowing they had gotten into a fight during dinner would only make her feel worse.

"I know."

Lin Shan patted Gu’er’s head.

Gu’er and Lin Shan walked home slowly as light snow drifted down around them. Gu’er was content to just keep walking like this.

———————————— 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

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