The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

It took Chen Fengjiao a long moment to come to her senses.

"Gu, Gu’er, who is that guy? How is he so strong? How did he just... haul him away like that?"

Chen Fengjiao was still in shock. Sun Zhuzi was a grown man who weighed well over a hundred pounds, after all. Dingzi wasn’t any taller than Sun Zhuzi—in fact, he looked even skinnier. How could he just lift him up like that?

"He’s a former soldier. He came with us on this trip. He’s very capable, just not much of a talker. He hauled Uncle Sun off, so his wife followed him out. And now it’s nice and quiet, isn’t it?"

Gu’er smiled, genuinely impressed with Dingzi.

"Oh, so he was a soldier. No wonder. If only he’d shown up earlier, I wouldn’t have had to listen to Cao Qiu’s nagging. That mouth of hers could drive a person crazy. Really, it’s all their fault—Cao Qiu and her husband. If they hadn’t been here, I would’ve asked Li Zhi and the others to stay for dinner. Sui’er has been talking about her Brother Li for days now."

The thought of Cao Qiu made Chen Fengjiao start complaining again.

Gu’er said nothing, instead pulling out a few small trinkets for Chen Fengjiao to give away as gifts.

As for the gifts for Lin Zheng, she had bought several fun gadgets and toys, which she placed in his room.

Gu’er returned to the living room. After a moment’s thought, she took out a thousand yuan. ’Dad spent a lot of money buying me that house, but that was a gift from his heart. I don’t want to use that to pay Ma back right now. I’ll accept his kindness for now and repay him in the future.’

"This is?"

Chen Fengjiao’s eyes flickered as she looked at the thousand yuan Gu’er was handing her. When she had given Gu’er five hundred yuan, she couldn’t help but feel a little resentful. The family had been broke ever since. For the past ten-odd days, she had barely bought any meat, and they had been scraping by at mealtimes. She was angry, feeling that her husband played favorites with Gu’er far too much.

Gu’er had come back from her trip with gifts. ’So what if she didn’t make any money?’ Chen Fengjiao had thought. ’These things must be worth a lot, too. As long as she’s back safe and sound, that’s all that matters.’

But now Gu’er was giving her money. She counted it—a thousand yuan, double what she had given Gu’er. A complicated feeling welled up inside her.

"Ma, we made a little money this time. I still need to restock my inventory, and I’m planning to buy a few things for the other house in the next couple of days, so I kept some for myself. I know the family was short on cash after I took that five hundred, but I didn’t have enough capital back then, so I had to swallow my pride and ask for it. This is for you. If I make more next time, I’ll bring more back for you."

Gu’er offered a gentle smile.

"Oh, you. You’re my daughter; of course you can use the family’s money. Don’t talk to your mother like we’re strangers. You have to go again? How long can you stay home? What’s it like over there? It’s not dangerous, is it? Can you understand what they’re saying? Is the food any good?"

Chen Fengjiao accepted the money. The family really needed it, and from what Gu’er said, it sounded like she had more, so Chen Fengjiao didn’t refuse. If Gu’er had nothing left for herself, she wouldn’t have taken it.

"I can probably stay for seven days. It’s fine, I actually think it’s pretty nice over there. By the way, Ma, Grandma Sun hasn’t been discharged yet, has she?"

Gu’er asked about Grandma Sun.

"Not yet. She was supposed to be, but your dad said it was Jia Ming’s idea for her to stay a few more days for observation and only leave when she’s ready. I figure it won’t be more than a few days now."

Chen Fengjiao was up to date on the situation.

"Alright then, Ma. I’m going to head to the hospital to see Grandma Sun and Brother Jia Ming, so I won’t be home for lunch. If I’m back tonight, I’m back. If not, don’t wait up."

With that, Gu’er grabbed her bag and headed for the door.

"At least eat and rest for a bit before you go."

Chen Fengjiao didn’t understand why her daughter was in such a rush.

"I’ll skip it."

Gu’er waved her hand, opened the door, and left.

Chen Fengjiao sighed. ’I didn’t raise her, so of course we aren’t close.’ She had only said a few words to her before running off, so eager to see those other people. A pang of sadness hit her, but there was nothing she could say.

Gu’er’s heart pounded with excitement as she arrived at the hospital. She missed Grandma Sun. She missed Sun Jiaming. She even missed her own father and brother. ’Has it really only been a few days? And I already have people to miss this much?’

When she reached the door to the hospital room, Gu’er didn’t go straight in. Instead, she peeked her head around the frame to look inside.

As if sensing her presence, Sun Jiaming glanced toward the doorway at the exact moment Gu’er peeked in. And with that one look, he saw her.

A look of pure delight flashed in Sun Jiaming’s eyes. He was in the middle of feeding his grandmother, and in his surprise, his hand slipped, nearly causing him to drop the bowl.

"Gu’er? Gu’er’s back!"

Grandma Sun had seen her too.

"Hehe, yes, Grandma, Brother Jia Ming, I’m back."

Gu’er beamed with happiness. In that moment, she felt like a carefree child again, a young girl brimming with cheer.

"Quick, come in, let your grandma get a good look at you. You’re not hurt, are you? You’ve gotten thinner. You must not have been eating well while you were away."

Grandma Sun pulled Gu’er close, looking her over from head to toe.

"You’re looking wonderful, Grandma. So much better than when I left."

Gu’er studied Grandma Sun as well.

"How could I not be? You have no idea, I’ve spent a fortune these past few days! But I have to admit, my body feels much better than before."

A pained look flickered across Grandma Sun’s face at the thought of the cost.

"As long as you’re well, any amount of money is worth it."

Gu’er squeezed Grandma Sun’s hand, sincerely hoping from the bottom of her heart that the old woman would make a full recovery.

Grandma Sun smiled kindly as Gu’er turned her gaze to Sun Jiaming.

She hadn’t seen him in over ten days, and he, like her, had gotten thinner. ’He must have been working so hard lately.’ Gu’er knew just how exhausting it was to care for someone who was sick. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Here, let me, Brother Jia Ming."

Gu’er reached out and took the bowl from Sun Jiaming’s hands.

Sun Jiaming smiled and handed the bowl to Gu’er, who then fed Grandma Sun, spoonful by spoonful, until the meal was finished.

Once she had helped Grandma Sun clean up, Gu’er presented her gifts for Sun Jiaming and his grandmother with a flourish.

"This... this must have been expensive, right? I’m an old woman, what do I need this for? Gu’er, you should take it back and give it to your mother, or you could sell it. You could probably get a few dollars for it. It’s not easy for you to travel and work so hard. You shouldn’t be giving things to us."

Grandma Sun stroked the wool scarf Gu’er had given her. She barely dared to touch it, afraid her hands might get it dirty or snag the fabric.

"My mom has her own. This one is for you, and I’m not selling it to anyone."

Gu’er smiled and had Sun Jiaming try on the wool overcoat. You had to hand it to him, Sun Jiaming had a great build. The moment he put on the coat, his whole appearance changed. He looked much sharper, even like a gentleman.

Gu’er nodded in satisfaction. ’Clothes really do make the man.’

"I have to say, Jia Ming looks quite dashing in a long coat like that."

Grandma Sun nodded in agreement.

Sun Jiaming didn’t say a word, only smiling gently. The way he looked at Gu’er was enough to make her melt.

’This coat, this scarf... Gu’er had bought these for him.’ He didn’t care how much they cost. What mattered was her thoughtfulness.

A sweet warmth bloomed in Gu’er’s heart. Giving things to Cao Qiu and Chen Fengjiao had never felt like this. But now, seeing the people she cared for, her real family, wearing and holding her gifts... this was happiness.

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Should I release three Chapters tomorrow?