The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Zhou Ya and the other girl hurried to pick up the cart.

"The back-basket and the other basket, too. Put them back properly for me."

Zhou Gu’er commanded with a cold expression. Even though her heart was pounding, she put on a frigid act.

The two of them scrambled to set the back-basket and the other basket right.

"C-can you let go now?"

Tears streamed from Zhou Mei’s eyes—partly from the pain, and partly from the shame. ’To be taken down by a mere adopted daughter... how utterly humiliating!’

"Let go? Fine."

But after saying that, Zhou Gu’er didn’t loosen her grip.

"You have to promise me you’ll stop coming after me from now on."

Zhou Gu’er stated her condition.

Zhou Mei gritted her teeth in anger. Just moments ago, she had been threatening Zhou Gu’er, and now the tables had completely turned. ’I don’t want to agree. I still want to get my revenge!’ But the sharp pain from her scalp served as a stark reminder. She was at a disadvantage. ’I’ll just agree for now and deal with her later.’

"I... I promise. I won’t cause you trouble anymore. I swear."

Zhou Mei said through her humiliation, taking a deep breath.

Zhou Gu’er knew she didn’t mean it, but she didn’t care.

"You also have to promise me you’ll stay away from Brother Jia Ming."

Zhou Gu’er added.

Zhou Mei’s eyes flew wide, the pain momentarily forgotten. ’So it’s true! That Zhou Gu’er really does have her sights set on Brother Jia Ming. She’s actually making a move on him! That bitch!’

"How dare you threaten me! Brother Jia Ming would never fall for you."

Right now, Zhou Mei wanted to tear Zhou Gu’er to pieces. ’So she’s been faking it this whole time! Acting all weak and pitiful in public, but so ruthless behind the scenes. I completely misjudged her.’

"Threaten? Heh. Weren’t those your exact words to me a moment ago? I’m just giving them right back to you. As for what happens with Brother Jia Ming, that’s none of your business."

Zhou Gu’er sneered. ’So it’s fine for her to threaten me, but not the other way around?’

"I won’t promise you that. Brother Jia Ming is mine!"

Zhou Mei shook her head, forgetting her braid was still in Zhou Gu’er’s hand. A piercing pain shot through her scalp again, but she still refused. ’Sun Jiaming is the best young man in this village. He might even move to the city someday. He’s my only ticket out of this rural life, my only chance to live in comfort. I will not give him up.’

’Who would have thought Zhou Mei actually likes Sun Jiaming this much right now,’ Zhou Gu’er could see it clearly. But her heart ached when she remembered what happened later: how Zhou Mei slept with her own cousin and brought immense humiliation upon Sun Jiaming.

"Zhou Mei, as long as I’m here, you can forget about marrying Sun Jiaming in this lifetime."

Zhou Gu’er pulled Zhou Mei close and said this in a low voice that only the two of them could hear. The chill in her tone, however, made Zhou Mei shudder.

After saying her piece, Zhou Gu’er finally released Zhou Mei’s braid.

"Get lost. And if you ever try to block my path again, don’t blame me for what happens next."

Zhou Gu’er shoved Zhou Mei aside and walked over to her cart.

’I meant every word of that. I really won’t let Sun Jiaming marry Zhou Mei. It’s not because I’m reborn and want to meddle in other people’s lives—I’m not that overbearing. I just want to repay Sun Jiaming for helping me. I can tell he has no interest in Zhou Mei; otherwise, he wouldn’t give her the cold shoulder. It’s all just her wishful thinking. But... in my last life, they really did get married. In this life, our paths have crossed. I haven’t thought about pursuing anything with him myself, but he helped me, and I don’t want him to suffer the same humiliation as before. For a man to find out his wife is cheating on him with someone else... it’s the ultimate disgrace. That’s why I said it. I hope Sun Jiaming marries a good, virtuous woman and has a happy life, not someone like Zhou Mei. I want to change his fate.’

"Zhou Gu’er, I’ll make you pay for this!"

Zhou Mei’s eyes were filled with tears, but her gaze was burning with pure hatred.

"I’ll be waiting."

With those three words, Zhou Gu’er pushed her cart and left.

Staring at Zhou Gu’er’s retreating back, Zhou Mei and the others didn’t know what to do.

"Sister Mei, what do we do now?"

Zhou Ya asked, trembling. The four of them had ganged up on Zhou Gu’er, yet they were the ones who’d gotten the worst of it. Especially Zhou Mei and Zhou Feng’er, who even had red handprints on their faces. ’How are we going to explain this when we get back?’

"Are you all brain-dead? Useless trash."

Zhou Mei cursed at the other three.

Zhou Feng’er and Zhou Ya were unhappy, but they didn’t dare argue with Zhou Mei.

"Zhou Feng’er, you go home. Go cry to your mom and dad. Tell them that adopted girl hit you. I refuse to believe they won’t feel bad for you. With your dad’s temper, he’ll never let her get away with it. Just make a huge scene. Get your dad to beat her up for you. I refuse to believe there’s no one who can put her in her place!"

Zhou Mei coached Zhou Feng’er. That adopted girl had been beaten plenty of times in the past. But this time, she had hit Zhou Feng’er—Zhou Mazi’s own flesh and blood. He would certainly not let Zhou Gu’er off the hook.

Just imagining the miserable sight of Zhou Gu’er being beaten by Zhou Mazi filled her with uncontrollable glee.

"Okay, I’ll go make a scene."

Zhou Feng’er nodded. She couldn’t let herself be beaten for nothing. ’Even if Mom and Dad scold me a little, I can’t let Zhou Gu’er get off easy. How can I get over this anger if she doesn’t get a beating?’

"Hurry up and go."

Zhou Mei waved her off.

’Zhou Gu’er, I’ll make sure you regret this!’

Watching Zhou Feng’er’s retreating figure, Zhou Mei smiled sinisterly. Another idea was already forming in her mind.

By the time Zhou Gu’er returned to the courtyard, the sky had already grown dark.

"Gu’er, you’re finally back! You worried me to death! I was so scared something happened to you. How did it go? Did you sell anything today? Have you eaten? You must be starving. I saved some food for you."

Hearing the noise, Li Hua rushed out to meet her, grabbing Zhou Gu’er’s arm as a stream of words poured out.

Although Li Hua’s words were a jumble, a warmth spread through Zhou Gu’er’s heart. ’My adoptive mother really does care about me.’

"Mom, don’t worry. I’m fine. Nothing happened."

Zhou Gu’er reassured her adoptive mother.

"You’re back, so get your ass in here! Hurry up and tell me, did you make any money?"

Zhou Mazi’s voice suddenly boomed from inside the house.

’My adoptive father was waiting too,’ Zhou Gu’er knew. ’But he wasn’t worried about me, only about whether I’d made any money. If I didn’t make a single cent, he’d probably make me suffer for it.’

"Yes, we’re coming in now."

Li Hua answered on Zhou Gu’er’s behalf.

"Come on, let’s go inside. Your dad’s had a few drinks, so watch what you say."

Li Hua whispered the reminder to Zhou Gu’er.

"Mom! Mom, I don’t want to live anymore! Someone beat me up! You and Dad have to get justice for me!"

Just as the two of them were about to enter the house, Zhou Feng’er ran into the courtyard, wailing.

"What’s wrong? What do you mean you were beaten? Who hit you? Tell Mom, and I’ll go sort them out!"

Li Hua grew frantic, letting go of Gu’er’s arm to pull Zhou Feng’er closer.

"Mom, Mom, look at my face! It hurts so much!"

Zhou Feng’er wailed loudly, but she didn’t say who had hit her.

"What’s with all the wailing? I’m not dead yet! What the hell happened? Get in here and tell me!"

Zhou Mazi’s shout came again. He had clearly heard Zhou Feng’er’s cries.