The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Gu’er was speechless at Cao Qiu’s behavior.

But she knew it was useless to try and embarrass someone like Cao Qiu. Besides, with Sun Jiaming in the picture, there was little she could do to her.

"I say, my dear in-law, this house of yours is massive! How much would it cost to buy something like this? Your husband is a truly capable man."

"And I say, in-law, this... of yours..."

Cao Qiu’s mouth ran like a machine gun, chattering nonstop. She commented on everything in the Lin family’s house, her eyes filled with intense envy.

"Who’s your in-law? Can you please just shut up!"

Chen Fengjiao couldn’t take it anymore. She wanted to sew Cao Qiu’s mouth shut. If she really had an in-law like this who was always dropping by, she’d go insane.

"Oh, in-law, look at you. We’re all family here, why are you acting like this? We’ll be seeing a lot of each other in the future, so we should visit often."

But Cao Qiu didn’t care. Her heart was pounding with excitement. She had thought Gu’er had nothing and was a thousand, no, ten thousand times against Jia Ming marrying her. But things were different now. Gu’er had actually found her biological parents, and her father was a government official! An official! That was a world away from common folk like them.

When she arrived at the Lin family’s home and saw the apartment building, the huge flat, and all the things inside, she was a million percent satisfied. If they became in-laws with a family like this, they would definitely benefit from the connection.

"Gu’er, look at Jia Ming’s older brother and his wife. They’ve been struggling in the city for years and have nothing to show for it. After you marry Jia Ming, it won’t look good if your brother-in-law and sister-in-law don’t have decent jobs. Could you talk to your dad and see if he can arrange something for them? Maybe get them factory worker positions?"

Cao Qiu stopped talking to Chen Fengjiao and turned her attention to Gu’er.

Gu’er stared at Cao Qiu in disbelief, gaining a new level of understanding of the woman’s shamelessness. ’This is her first-ever visit. My parents are already so hostile they’re practically trying to herd them out the door, yet she still has the nerve to ask for jobs for Sun Jiaming’s brother and sister-in-law. And she’s asking for factory worker positions, just like that! Are factory jobs that easy to come by these days?’

"Don’t even think about it! My dad won’t arrange anything for them. Who do you people think you are? The nerve of you!"

Lin Sui’er shot to her feet, her eyes filled with contempt and fury.

"Sui’er, don’t be rude."

Lin Shan frowned.

"Exactly! How can a child like you talk like that? Gu’er is your older sister, and my son will be your brother-in-law, understand? Isn’t it only right to find jobs for your brother-in-law’s own brother and sister-in-law? And Jia Ming’s father, too! Gu’er, have your dad arrange something for him as well. Even a job as a factory gatekeeper would be fine. In the future, Zhuzi will be your father-in-law. If he has a good job, it’ll make you look good too, won’t it?"

Cao Qiu was completely unfazed and proceeded to ask for a job for Sun Zhuzi as well.

"Auntie, please stop. If you keep this up, I’m afraid things between Brother Jia Ming and I will be over."

Gu’er couldn’t hold back any longer. Although she had no intention of breaking up with Sun Jiaming, she knew she had to be firm with Cao Qiu. Otherwise, if she gave the woman an inch, she’d take a mile.

"Gu’er, what are you saying? You can’t forget your roots."

Cao Qiu was displeased.

"Auntie, my parents already disapprove of my relationship with Brother Jia Ming. I’m fighting with them about it right now. My mom said if I marry him, she’ll kick me out of the house. I don’t even know what to do. Please don’t make things worse. If you really don’t want me and Brother Jia Ming to be together, then by all means, keep talking."

Gu’er said this with a very serious expression.

"Really? What’s all this about? My Jia Ming is such a great guy. What’s not to like?"

Cao Qiu asked Chen Fengjiao.

Chen Fengjiao pursed her lips and ignored her.

"Auntie, please, say no more. If you really push my mom over the edge, she truly won’t let me get married. As for jobs for his brother and the others, my dad can’t help. If you force me to beg my dad... well, then I’ll just have to leave this family. I might as well go back to the village."

As she finished, a hurt expression crossed Gu’er’s face.

Neither Lin Shan nor Chen Fengjiao said a word. ’Lin Shan chuckled to himself. He felt relieved. Even with a future mother-in-law like this, his daughter wouldn’t be taken advantage of. She knew what she could and couldn’t do, who she could indulge and who she couldn’t.’

"Oh no, don’t do that! Don’t go back to the village! You finally made it out, why would you go back? Auntie is counting on you and Jia Ming to settle down in the city. Fine, fine, I’ll stop talking for now. We’ll talk about this later."

Cao Qiu grabbed Gu’er’s hand. She decided to drop the subject for now and bring it up again after Gu’er and Sun Jiaming were married. ’If Jia Ming could make it in the city, and if her older son, daughter-in-law, and husband could all get good jobs, she would be overjoyed. She couldn’t let this marriage fall through.’

The moment Cao Qiu finished speaking, before anyone could say anything else, there was another knock at the door.

Lin Sui’er went to open it.

"Brother Li, you’re here! It’s cold outside, come in quickly."

Lin Sui’er’s delighted voice came from the doorway.

Only Li Zhi could make Sui’er this excited. Gu’er wanted to facepalm. ’She hadn’t even managed to get rid of Sun Jiaming’s parents, and now Li Zhi shows up. Could the timing be any more perfect?’

"Sui’er, Happy New Year. Another year has passed, you’re a year older and a proper young lady now. Here, this is some New Year’s money from your Brother Li."

Li Zhi said with a cheerful smile, handing Lin Sui’er a ten-yuan note for New Year’s money.

"Thank you, Brother Li!"

Lin Sui’er was thrilled.

"Li Zhi, you’re here! Sui’er, quick, help your Brother Li with his things. Goodness, you silly boy, you always bring so much every time you visit. Quick, take off your hat and come warm up."

The moment Chen Fengjiao saw Li Zhi, her face broke into a wide smile. She even went to greet him personally, her tone incredibly gentle.

"I came to see you and Uncle. Do you have guests?"

Li Zhi asked with a smile, glancing toward the living room.

Lin Shan and Gu’er both nodded and smiled at him.

"They just showed up on their own. They claim to be my older sister’s future in-laws and are asking my dad to arrange jobs for their family. So shameless."

Lin Sui’er blurted out, deliberately saying it for Li Zhi to hear.

"Sui’er, don’t talk nonsense."

Chen Fengjiao chided her. She found this all too embarrassing.

Li Zhi’s eyes narrowed. ’At first, he had thought that Liu Yuan fellow from last time was Gu’er’s boyfriend, but he was wrong. So, this middle-aged man and woman were Gu’er’s future in-laws. And they’d shown up to demand jobs for their family. It seems they’re not a very impressive bunch!’

"I’m not wrong. Come on, Brother Li, let’s go sit down. I’ll pour you some tea."

Lin Sui’er wasn’t afraid of her mother, Chen Fengjiao. As she spoke to Li Zhi, she reached for his arm, but he gently sidestepped her. Li Zhi’s gaze was fixed on Gu’er.

Gu’er felt a wave of helplessness. She wanted to stand up, but Cao Qiu had a death grip on her, so all she could do was offer Li Zhi a weak smile.

A cold glint appeared in Cao Qiu’s eyes. ’This young man is quite handsome,’ she thought, ’and seems like a respectable person. The Lin family is so warm toward him, and he’s about the right age... Could he be the match the Lin family has found for Gu’er? No way. I can’t let this kid named Li Zhi get any ideas. I can’t let him steal Jia Ming’s girl. I need to show him what’s what!’

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Thank you to Huaxi Qinggua and Pacific Stone Monkey for the monthly tickets, and thank you all for your support. My internet went out at ten-something last night and is still down. My husband says it’s because of the rain. I’m not sure if the connection will have more problems in a bit.