The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Gu’er and Lin Shan ran into a few people on the road. They all greeted Gu’er warmly, their eyes filled with envy.

Gu’er spoke with each of them in turn. Returning to the village, despite the biting winter cold, she felt a sense of peace.

When they reached the Sun Family’s home, Sun Jiaming heard their voices and came outside. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw Lin Shan and Gu’er.

"Uncle, Gu’er, what are you two doing here? The roads are so bad. You didn’t get hurt, did you? Hurry, come inside."

Sun Jiaming’s eyes filled with concern. He wanted to take Gu’er’s hand, but he was too shy to do it with Lin Shan right there.

Lin Shan and Gu’er went inside and first brushed the snow and ice from their clothes.

Once they were done, Gu’er and Lin Shan went into the inner room.

"Is that Gu’er and her father visiting?"

Grandma Sun asked, though her voice sounded weak.

"Grandma. What’s wrong?"

Gu’er rushed to the side of the kang in a few steps. Looking at Grandma Sun, Gu’er’s eyes reddened. Grandma Sun was much thinner than the last time she’d seen her. Her eyes were somewhat sunken, her face was a sallow yellow, and she looked completely listless. ’Is she sick?’

"It’s nothing, Gu’er. Grandma’s getting on in years, just old. Don’t you worry."

Seeing Gu’er seemed to lift Grandma Sun’s spirits a little.

’Sun Jiaming’s heart ached. His grandmother’s health had been poor since before the New Year. When his parents returned on the fourth day of the festival, his mother had a huge fight with his grandmother, and her spirits had gotten even worse. He wanted to take her to the city to see a doctor, but she absolutely refused. The village doctor couldn’t figure out what was wrong, either. So it just dragged on, and all he could do was take care of her as best he could.’

Lin Shan frowned as well. The old woman’s condition was far worse than the last time he’d seen her.

"Jia Ming, what exactly is wrong with Auntie? Why don’t we take her to the city? She needs a proper check-up at a hospital."

"Young man, I’m not going to the hospital. Who doesn’t get sick when they’re old? It’s nothing. I can still live a couple more years. I have to see Jia Ming get married. Don’t worry, I’ll recover."

Grandma Sun held Gu’er’s hand, rejecting Lin Shan’s proposal.

Gu’er looked at Grandma Sun’s hand. It was dark and gaunt, as if there were nothing left but a layer of skin over bone. ’If she keeps going on like this, she won’t last much longer,’ she thought. ’I don’t want Grandma Sun to die.’

"Brother Jia Ming, let’s take Grandma to a hospital in the city to get her checked out."

Gu’er turned to Sun Jiaming, her eyes shimmering with tears.

"I’m not going. Be a good girl, Gu’er. Grandma is fine. I’ll get better once the weather warms up."

Grandma Sun shook her head.

But Gu’er kept her gaze fixed on Sun Jiaming.

"Grandma, you see? Gu’er is saying it too. Let’s just go."

Sun Jiaming sat by the kang and added his own persuasion.

"I won’t go. No matter what you say, I’m not going. If I’m going to die, I’ll die at home."

Grandma Sun shook her head adamantly.

"Grandma, I’m begging you, please go. If you’re sick, we can get you treated. Didn’t you say you want to see Brother Jia Ming get married? You can’t just let this drag on. If you don’t go, then... then... that means Jia Ming isn’t a good grandson, and I won’t marry Brother Jia Ming."

In the end, Gu’er had to resort to a threat. She knew that many elderly people in the village were like this—when they got sick, they would just wait at home to die. But she didn’t want Grandma Sun to pass away. In the eyes of others, Grandma Sun might be a burden, but to her, she was simply an old woman who doted on her and Sun Jiaming. She was more than willing to care for an elder like her. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Neither Lin Shan nor Sun Jiaming had expected Gu’er to say that. Sun Jiaming’s expression flickered for a moment, but he knew Gu’er was only saying it for his grandmother’s sake, so he didn’t take it to heart.

"Silly child, how can you say such things? Grandma is still waiting to celebrate at your wedding. I really don’t want to go to the city. Besides, how much would a hospital stay cost? And where would I stay in the city? I don’t want to be a bother."

"Auntie, you can stay at my place. If you’re worried about imposing, I actually just bought a house for Gu’er. It’s not furnished at all yet, so stay at my home for a few days. Once her place is ready, we’ll move you over. This will also give Gu’er a chance to show her devotion."

Lin Shan spoke on Gu’er’s behalf. He knew his daughter; his girl would never find an elder to be a burden.

Gu’er nodded repeatedly. She hadn’t even known her father had already bought the house.

"There’s no need, Uncle. I’ve bought a house in the city, too, and I’m already fixing it up. I was originally planning to bring Grandma to the city once the weather warmed up. Grandma, don’t you worry. We have a place to stay, and don’t you worry about the hospital bills. Your grandson has money."

Sun Jiaming was grateful for Lin Shan’s kind intentions.

Lin Shan glanced at Sun Jiaming. ’I can’t believe he bought a house in the city. This young man is so quiet and unassuming, but he’s quite thoughtful.’

’Gu’er also hadn’t expected Sun Jiaming to have bought a house. He hadn’t told her; he probably wanted it to be a surprise. Still, having a house was a good thing. Having your own place was convenient and comfortable.’

"Grandma, see? We have a place to stay. Let’s just go to the city."

Gu’er continued to persuade her.

"Well..."

Grandma Sun hesitated. No one wanted to be sick if they could get better. Before, she had only been afraid of spending too much money in the city and becoming a burden to Jia Ming. But now that they put it this way, she was indeed tempted.

"Let’s go."

Lin Shan, Sun Jiaming, and Gu’er all said at once.

"Alright, let’s go. We’ll leave after we eat lunch."

Grandma Sun finally nodded, her eyes glistening with tears. Her body had truly been torturing her lately.

"I’ll go heat something up. We can have a quick bite. Never mind what time it is, we’ll leave as soon as we’re done eating."

After speaking, Gu’er stood up. The road was difficult, and they’d need energy from some food.

Lin Shan nodded at her. Sun Jiaming exchanged a few words with Gu’er, then stayed behind to look after his grandmother and talk with Lin Shan.

Gu’er saw there was meat and vegetables in the kitchen. She made a pot of geda soup, and they each had two bowls. Grandma Sun only managed two bites; she hadn’t had much of an appetite lately.

Sun Jiaming found a pushcart and laid two thick quilts on it. While Lin Shan held the cart steady, Sun Jiaming carried his grandmother out on his back and settled her onto it. Gu’er quickly covered Grandma Sun with the comforter she was holding.

They bundled Grandma Sun up tightly, tucking two hot water bottles in with her to make sure she wouldn’t get frozen on the way.

The group locked the door. Sun Jiaming went to let Aunt Zhao’s family know they were leaving. Then, he pulled the cart while Lin Shan and Gu’er pushed from behind, and the group headed for the city.

The journey was incredibly difficult. In many places, the snow was so thick it was hard to even walk, let alone push a cart through. But with Sun Jiaming pulling and Lin Shan and Gu’er pushing, they forced their way through.

The cold wind blew, and the air was frigid, yet Lin Shan, Sun Jiaming, and Gu’er were all sweating. Their clothes were soaked, and when the wind hit them, it sent a chill straight to the bone.

The swing between hot and cold made them shiver, but none of them paid it any mind.

When they finally reached the city, Sun Jiaming, Gu’er, and Lin Shan all let out a long sigh of relief.

Lin Shan led the way, and Sun Jiaming pulled his grandmother to Yonghong Hospital, which was in Lin Shan’s district.

Lin Shan made a call, and they were able to admit her right away. The hospital director personally accompanied them, finding the best department head to examine Grandma Sun and order X-rays.

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