The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Chen Fengjiao was a little surprised to see the father and daughter return together, but she was still very happy inside.

"Big Sis."

Lin Zheng rushed over like a gust of wind, throwing himself at Gu’er’s side.

"Big Sis, I saw the things you bought for me! I love them so much."

Lin Zheng looked up, his face filled with joy and admiration. He had missed Gu’er a lot during the days she was away. When she came back yesterday, he saw so many new things in his room—wonderful things he had never seen before. He was overjoyed. He thought this big sister of his was simply the best.

"Xiao Zheng has been asking so many times, ’When is Big Sis coming back?’ If you hadn’t returned soon, he was going to start pestering me to take him to the hospital."

Chen Fengjiao’s face was also full of smiles.

Gu’er stroked Lin Zheng’s hair. ’The little guy knows who’s good to him.’

"Big Sis, Mom said you went to a really faraway place. And that the people there don’t look like us. Is that true? Why are they different?"

Lin Zheng tilted his little head up, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"That’s right, the people there don’t look like us..."

Gu’er gave Lin Zheng a simple description of what Russians looked like.

Lin Zheng was amazed. He couldn’t understand why some people’s hair wasn’t black, their skin wasn’t yellow, and their eyes weren’t black. ’Are they monsters?’ he wondered.

Lin Sui’er watched Gu’er and Lin Zheng talking so affectionately, a glint of jealousy flashing in her eyes.

’Lin Gu’er came to this house and stole everything that was mine. Dad is good to her, my little brother clings to her, and now even Mom praises her. So what does that make me!’

’She shouldn’t think I care just because she brought me a dress and a scarf. Mom already promised to buy me a dress, so I don’t want the one Gu’er brought back. Lin Gu’er stole Brother Li Zhi from me. I hate her!’

"What are you standing there in a daze for? Didn’t you like the things your sister brought back for you? Go talk to her."

Chen Fengjiao gave Lin Sui’er a gentle push. She hoped her three children could get along well.

"I couldn’t care less."

Lin Sui’er, however, ground out the words through clenched teeth. Then she turned, looking wronged, and went back to her room, shutting the door.

"This child... It’s almost time for dinner. Who is she trying to pick a fight with?"

Chen Fengjiao sighed. ’Looks like getting my eldest and second daughter to get along is going to be very difficult.’

Gu’er didn’t say anything. ’Maybe Sui’er and I are just naturally at odds. All I can do is my part.’

"Do you want some food made by Big Sis? Should Big Sis make you something delicious?"

Gu’er looked at Lin Zheng, her eyes full of affection. She really was fond of the little guy.

"I want the candied potatoes Big Sis makes! Can you make them?"

Lin Zheng’s eyes were full of longing. He loved sweet things, but the last time his mom made them, they were terrible.

"Of course. Big Sis will make them for you right now."

Gu’er stood up.

Dinner that evening was a relatively cheerful affair.

"Look, Gu’er, quick, look! How does your dad look?"

After dinner, Chen Fengjiao had Lin Shan try on the woolen overcoat Gu’er had brought back. Actually, Lin Shan had already tried it on yesterday, but Chen Fengjiao felt Gu’er should see it today. After all, Gu’er had bought it; it was a token of her affection.

’And really, her dad looked great in it. Lin Shan wasn’t young anymore, but he was in his middle age—the time when a man is at his most mature and charismatic. Plus, he carried an air of authority that most people lacked. The moment he put on the form-fitting coat, the difference between this and his usual padded cotton jacket was night and day.’

"My dad is so handsome."

Gu’er praised Lin Shan using the word "handsome." That way of speaking might not have been in vogue yet in this era, but everyone still understood what she meant.

Lin Shan looked a little uncomfortable, but he didn’t let it show and instead just smiled.

"See? I told you it looks good on you. When the weather gets a little warmer, you should wear it out. Our daughter bought it for you; we don’t need to be afraid of what people say."

Chen Fengjiao was in a great mood, too. She had worn the woolen scarf out today, and several people who saw her asked where she bought it and how much it cost. When they heard Gu’er had brought it back for her from the Soviet Union, everyone was very envious. They praised her for having such a good daughter, and she couldn’t have been more delighted.

"Alright."

Lin Shan nodded. He wasn’t a pretentious person. But there was no need to wear it in the house; he had only put it on for Gu’er to see. So, Lin Shan took it off again.

"Dad, Mom, since you can make money in the Soviet Union, I want to go with my sister. I don’t want to go to school anymore. I want to make money too."

Lin Sui’er spoke up at that moment, her tone casual but deliberate.

Lin Shan’s face immediately darkened, and the color drained from Chen Fengjiao’s as well.

"Sui’er, don’t talk nonsense," Chen Fengjiao quickly advised her daughter. "Your dad went through a lot of trouble to get you into your current school. Just study hard. Wouldn’t it be great to be a teacher in the future? It’s a stable government job, and you’ll be respected."

"I don’t want to go to school, and I don’t want to be a teacher! I want to make money so I can buy whatever I want for myself!"

Lin Sui’er yelled defiantly. ’Why is it that Lin Gu’er gets to travel with Li Zhi? Why does Lin Gu’er get to make money, but I can’t?’

"You want to travel? You want to make money, is that right?"

Lin Shan looked at Lin Sui’er. Seeing her nod, he continued, "Fine. You want to go out and make money, I won’t stop you. You don’t want to go to school, I won’t stop you either. But you can tell me that when you’re eighteen. Once you’re eighteen, you choose your own path. Whatever you make of your life will be up to you, and I won’t interfere. However, Lin Sui’er, you listen to me and listen good. Right now, before you turn eighteen, you will go to school and behave yourself. You will learn everything your teachers teach you. I will test you every day when you come home. As for quitting school and traveling... don’t even think about it."

’Lin Shan was truly disappointed in his younger daughter. She had all the advantages Gu’er never had, yet this is how she turned out. Yes, it was partly his fault for not teaching her well, and Chen Fengjiao’s for spoiling her. But sometimes, it was just a matter of disposition. After all, Gu’er had a father like Zhou Mazi, yet she hadn’t turned out rotten!’ 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Mom."

Lin Sui’er cried out to Chen Fengjiao, her eyes welling with tears. She really didn’t want to go to school anymore. The school her father had found for her this time was too strict, and she couldn’t stand it. On top of that, her father checked her homework every day when he came home, wanting to know how she was doing. The teachers were always lecturing her with all these principles, telling her she couldn’t do this and she couldn’t do that. She was absolutely sick of it.

Chen Fengjiao’s mouth moved, but seeing the death glare Lin Shan shot her way, she said nothing. She had a huge fight with Lin Shan last time, and he had made himself very clear. If she kept spoiling Sui’er, if she kept defending her without reason while he was trying to discipline her, if she continued to be unreasonable, then he would move out, just like Gu’er had.

Her tears had no effect on Lin Shan now. She knew he was a man who would follow through on his words. If she really pushed him too far, he would actually leave her and move away with the children. She was afraid of that.

Lin Shan was a man who valued relationships deeply. He had never been unfaithful to her. She couldn’t be the one to drive him away. So, even though her heart ached for her daughter, Chen Fengjiao didn’t dare to defend Sui’er unconditionally like she used to.

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Thank you to Shui Xin Ru Yue, Hua Xi Qing Gua, 1382544553, and Xin You Du Zong for the monthly tickets. I went out to run errands this morning and got caught in a downpour. Came back soaked to the bone and have a headache, but the third update will still be posted.