The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Lin Shan looked at Gu’er. He knew she wasn’t just talking big, nor was this some reckless whim. She was truly confident.

’That’s good. As long as she has that conviction, I believe she’ll succeed. And even if she doesn’t, she will have tried, so there will be no regrets later.’

’Children will make their own way in life. If your kids want to do something, you just have to let them try. As parents, all you can do is give them your support.’

"Good. Just like a daughter of Lin Shan should be. Go on and chase your dreams. If anything happens, Dad’s got your back."

Lin Shan looked at Gu’er, his eyes filled with pride. ’My daughter is responsible and has drive. That’s a good thing.’ He thought of himself. ’Wasn’t I also brimming with spirit when I was young? I had my own ideas, great ambitions, and a single-minded focus on forging ahead. Young people should be passionate and daring. Otherwise, what a waste of their youth!’

Gu’er hadn’t expected her father to be so supportive. Looking at him, she nodded vigorously, overjoyed by his affirmation.

"That Li Zhi kid is a bit shrewd, but he’s trustworthy. With Brother Li’s connections, you should be able to get the paperwork done smoothly and avoid a lot of trouble. If there’s ever a time you need Dad to step in, just let me know. And Gu’er, when you’re doing business—especially at the start—don’t get too ambitious, and don’t be greedy for quick results. You need to learn a lot, watch a lot, and build up experience. Take what’s rightfully yours, but don’t touch what isn’t. Integrity comes first, especially in a partnership. Only if you honor your side of the deal can you expect them to honor theirs. That’s the only way you’ll last long-term."

Lin Shan advised Gu’er in a grave and heartfelt tone.

"Dad, I understand. Don’t worry."

Gu’er understood this principle as well.

"Good. Dad has faith in his good girl. Also, I don’t have much cash on hand, so I can only give you five hundred yuan. I don’t have any more."

Lin Shan said no more, his gaze softening as he looked at Gu’er.

"No, no, don’t give me any money. I have some, and we weren’t planning on putting up a lot of cash to start with."

Gu’er tried to refuse. She knew her father had taken out all the family’s money to buy her a house; she didn’t want to take any more from him.

"It’s a gesture from your dad. You know the saying: skimp at home so you can be secure on the road. It gives you confidence to have a little extra cash on hand when you’re away from home. When you’re a big shot later, you can just pay Dad back."

Lin Shan stroked Gu’er’s hair.

Gu’er nodded and rested her head against Lin Shan’s chest. ’To have a father like this, in two lifetimes... It’s truly a blessing from heaven.’

"Alright, we have to go back to work on the eighth. I have the fourteenth off, so I’ll go with you to the village to talk this over with Jia Ming. I’ll feel more at ease with him there with you. As for Aunt Sun, if Jia Ming is worried about her, you can tell him we’re here. Your mother and I can help look after her."

Lin Shan patted Gu’er’s shoulder. He was growing fonder and fonder of this daughter. At the same time, a deep sense of guilt washed over him. ’If only I had been more diligent back then, maybe we would have found her. Not being able to be by your child’s side, to watch her grow—that has to be a parent’s greatest regret.’

The following days returned to normal, and Gu’er and Chen Fengjiao’s interactions were tolerable. Perhaps knowing Gu’er would be moving out soon, Chen Fengjiao’s gaze was always loving and full of reluctance, yet deep down, there remained a hint of something more complex.

On the fourteenth, Lin Shan had the day off. After breakfast, he gathered their things and accompanied Gu’er to the village.

Lin Zheng didn’t go with them. He really wanted to, but he knew the road was in bad shape. Lin Shan and Gu’er couldn’t ride a bike and would have to walk to the village. He knew he would only get in the way, so he sensibly suggested he stay behind. Gu’er promised to take him to play once the roads improved, and he nodded obediently.

The road was indeed in bad shape. The snow was deep, and at one point, both Lin Shan and Gu’er missed their footing and fell into a large drift. It took them a good while to climb out.

Covered in snow from head to toe, the father and daughter looked quite disheveled. But neither of them was angry or upset. Instead, they just looked at each other and smiled, a warmth spreading in their chests.

By the time they reached the village, the cuffs of Gu’er’s and Lin Shan’s pants were soaked. The snow on them had even frozen into a crust of ice.

As they passed the gate to the Zhou family’s home, Zhou Cai happened to come running out. He was in such a rush that he nearly collided with Gu’er.

"Gu’er! Big Sis, you’re back! Are you here to see us? Mom! Mom, hurry and come out! My big sister is back, and she’s carrying a lot of stuff!"

Zhou Cai yelled into the courtyard, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Gu’er and Lin Shan felt a little awkward, but Zhou Cai had already called out. They couldn’t just ignore him and walk away, so they had no choice but to stand there and wait.

"Big Sis, how come you never visit? Second Sister and Third Sister said you’re rich now. How come you don’t give us any money? You ate our family’s food for all those years, you can’t have done it for free."

Zhou Cai demanded of Gu’er.

His words, however, were deeply unpleasant.

Hearing the shouts, Li Hua came running out. Her eyes widened in disbelief when she saw Lin Shan and Gu’er standing at her gate.

"Gu’er... B-Brother... what are you two doing here? The roads are so bad, was the trip alright? You must be freezing, quickly, come inside and sit."

Li Hua was at a complete loss for words. However, the flash of heartache and longing in her eyes was genuine.

Gu’er noticed that Li Hua had gotten thinner, and her face looked wan and weary.

"Mom, were you still busy over the New Year? Why do you look so pale?"

Gu’er took Li Hua’s hand. She was grateful to this woman; the emotional bond she felt with her was even deeper than the one she had with Chen Fengjiao.

"It’s nothing. It’s just that your dad has been coming home late the past few days, so I haven’t been sleeping well."

A shadow passed over Li Hua’s eyes.

"Dad comes home in the middle of the night every day," Zhou Cai blurted out. "And when he gets back, he just makes a scene. Sometimes when he’s been drinking, he even hits people."

Gu’er fell silent. She knew what their life was like, but she was powerless to change things for Li Hua.

"Mom, I won’t come in. I brought these for you. My dad and I are on our way to see Grandma Sun."

Gu’er handed a portion of the things she’d brought to Li Hua.

Li Hua started to refuse, but Zhou Cai snatched the things from her hands and shouted, "Thanks, Big Sis!"

He clutched them and ran into the courtyard, as if terrified someone would try to take them from him.

"Your brother..."

Li Hua lowered her head. She knew in her heart that Gu’er hadn’t come to see her.

"Mom, you have to be strong. Don’t be afraid of him. If things get really bad, just divorce him. I’ll take care of you."

Gu’er had brought this up with Li Hua once again.

Li Hua’s face turned deathly pale. She shook her head. ’I have children... Zhou Mazi’s children. How could I ever leave the Zhou family?’

Gu’er had expected this outcome.

"You two should get going. I won’t keep you. Gu’er, as long as you’re doing well, that’s all that matters to Mom."

Tears welled up in the corners of Li Hua’s eyes.

"If things ever get too difficult, come find us," Lin Shan added. "Or find Jia Ming. Just don’t let yourself suffer too much."

Lin Shan knew Li Hua’s situation was pitiful, but as long as she refused to break free from the Zhou family, her fate would never change.

"Yes... thank you, Brother."

Li Hua knew that Gu’er and Lin Shan both had her best interests at heart.

Lin Shan and Gu’er departed. Li Hua stood on the road by the gate, watching until their backs disappeared from view. Only then did she turn around. As she looked at the courtyard, her heart grew so heavy she could barely breathe. This house was a cage that devoured people, but her children were inside. She had no choice but to step back into it.

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Thank you to Karl King for the He Shi Bi, and thank you to Ning Zhihai for the like. By the way, if I follow the outline and kill off Lin Shan, are you all going to kill me? After writing this far, I really, really don’t want to kill him off.