The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

At first, Gu’er didn’t notice, but when she heard him shouting, she turned to look. The man’s eyes were red, and both his arm and leg were wrapped in white bandages. Gu’er recognized him. He was the one she had hit with pepper spray and stabbed.

’Why is he calling out to me? Is it because he’s still bitter that I injured him and wants to cause trouble?’

Dingzi looked over at the man as well. He listened to what the Vietnamese man was saying, then glanced at Gu’er with a strange expression. He wasn’t sure if he should translate it for her.

"Brother Dingzi, what is he saying? Is he telling me to watch my back, that he’ll get revenge once he’s healed?"

Gu’er was very curious.

Dingzi looked at Gu’er, the corners of his lips twitching into a smile. It was a stiff expression, but a smile nonetheless.

"He said he really admires you. He’s Wen Bin’s top enforcer, a guy who fights like his life depends on it. He never expected to be injured by you today. He said you’re incredibly feisty, like a real man, and that if you ever need his help in the future, you just have to say the word and he’ll be there for you."

Dingzi gave her the gist of it. While the man was indeed praising Gu’er, his original words hadn’t been quite so mild. Still, the praise was genuine. He was truly impressed by Gu’er, finding her both brave and calm.

Gu’er hadn’t expected that. ’He called me feisty? Am I really that feisty? I’m actually quite gentle. And like a man... Am I a tomboy?’

But he wasn’t seeking revenge, and he’d even offered to help her in the future. That was a good thing.

At that thought, Gu’er smiled sweetly at him. It seemed helping them hadn’t been for nothing.

Gu’er’s smile dazzled the Vietnamese man. ’Is this sweet-faced little girl really the same person who almost blinded me and stabbed me? Right now, she doesn’t look like it at all.’

Gu’er said a few words for Dingzi to translate, and then they left.

Gu’er was in a pretty good mood as she left. Although she was out a few hundred US dollars, she had gained a few allies. Their future help was worth far more than a few hundred US dollars. With them on her side, things would be much more convenient here from now on.

Next, they returned to the street from yesterday, found a shop, and started buying more goods.

At one point, a few men who looked like they were collecting protection fees came in, but they didn’t approach Gu’er’s group. Perhaps it was because they’d made a name for themselves the day before. The local gangs that usually collected money had likely heard what happened and decided not to mess with them. It just wasn’t worth the risk of getting hurt.

Gu’er hadn’t expected that side effect, but it was a welcome one. It saved them a lot of trouble.

They selected their goods, paid for them, and carried everything back to where they were staying.

They went back again the next day and kept buying until they physically couldn’t carry any more. They kept a little cash on hand, just in case they needed to deal with customs officials. It wouldn’t do to be caught in a situation without a single cent.

With their goods and tickets purchased, it was time to prepare for the journey home. They had been in Russia—or the Soviet Union, as it was then—for over a week.

Of course, before leaving, Gu’er and the others paid another visit to the hospital to check on Wen Bin’s crew.

They told Gu’er and Dingzi that they were checking out of the hospital as well. Even though their injuries hadn’t fully healed, it was too expensive to keep staying there. They planned to recover at their own place. The man gave his address to Dingzi and told him to look them up the next time he was in town.

After making plans, they returned to their lodgings.

They went to settle the bill with the building manager. He was very friendly, telling them to come again, and was especially warm toward them because Gu’er had given him a small gift.

The next day, Gu’er, Li Zhi, and Dingzi, laden with bags of all sizes, left their lodgings and took a vehicle to the train station.

Just before entering the station, Gu’er glanced back one last time at the city she was visiting for the first time—a place that had brought her profit and put her through so much.

They had arrived covered in bags, and now they were leaving covered in bags. But Gu’er didn’t mind. The more they carried, the more effort they put in now, the greater the reward would be later.

’Goodbye, Soviet Union. I didn’t get to have any fun or truly appreciate your sights this time, but you helped me make money. I’ll be back.’

A smile touched Gu’er’s lips. A lot had happened over the past few days, but she felt she had grown a great deal as well.

Gu’er turned and entered the station with Li Zhi, Dingzi, and Qu Shui.

On the train, every available space—the overhead luggage racks, the space under the berths, even the berths themselves—was crammed with merchandise. They weren’t the only ones traveling like this.

With goods worth tens of thousands of yuan, the four of them were on high alert. They made sure that at least one person was always awake and on watch to guard against thieves.

Their first stop was Dalian. Qu Shui didn’t get off with them, instead continuing on the train toward his hometown. Gu’er, Li Zhi, and Dingzi went straight to the place they had stayed before. After unloading the goods and locking the door, the three of them didn’t even stop for a drink of water before grabbing their bags and finding a place to set up a stall.

At that time in China, while many people weren’t yet wealthy, there was still a considerable number who had money to spend. The goods they brought back were considered novelties, and anyone who could afford them was eager to buy. Even for those with less money, the small items Gu’er had brought back, like nail clippers and ear picks, were very popular.

They stayed in Dalian for a day and sold more than half of their inventory. For their second stop, they took a train to Harbin.

The purchasing power in Harbin was much higher than in their hometown. The moment they laid out their goods, people started snatching them up, just like they had in Russia.

People nearly snatched away the few items Gu’er had set aside for her family. It was then that Gu’er realized it wasn’t just the Russians who were frenzied shoppers—her own countrymen were just as wild.

Aside from the gifts for their families, the three of them sold out their entire stock.

Feeling a huge sense of relief after selling everything, the three of them found a restaurant and treated themselves to a feast. They weren’t short on cash anymore and could finally afford to eat well.

None of them drank any alcohol, not even Li Zhi and Dingzi. They were carrying a large amount of cash, so it was best to be cautious.

Once they finished eating, they headed straight for the station. They wanted to catch an overnight train back without any delay. The sooner they got home, the sooner they could split the money, rest for a few days, and then head back to the Soviet Union.

That night on the train, Gu’er didn’t dare shut her eyes. Lying on her berth, she kept touching the money belt wrapped around her waist.

She wasn’t doing it intentionally; there was just so much cash wrapped around her waist that she couldn’t help but feel anxious.

"Go to sleep. I’m here." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Dingzi noticed her restlessness. A hint of a smile seemed to break through his usual expressionless face. ’She’s kind of cute,’ he thought.

"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Brother Dingzi."

With Dingzi’s reassurance, Gu’er finally felt a little more at ease. She knew there were thieves on the train, and while Li Zhi was there, people could get desperate for money. A thief might risk everything for such a large sum. But with both Dingzi and Li Zhi watching, she could finally relax.

Gu’er was asleep when a thief actually did try to sneak over in the middle of the night. But with Dingzi on watch, the thief didn’t stand a chance. A little after nine the next morning, Gu’er and her group got off the train, back in the city they had left more than ten days ago.

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Thank you to Pacific Stone Monkey for the monthly ticket, to dingdingdangdang3 for the peace charm, and to everyone for your support.