The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Li Zhi and Dingzi fell silent.

Li Zhi looked at Sun Jiaming. He, Sun Jiaming, and the others had been about the same distance from Gu’er—a half-step at most. Yet when it happened, the first to react wasn’t him, nor was it the highly agile Dingzi. It was Sun Jiaming. ’What does that prove? It proves that Sun Jiaming’s focus was entirely on Gu’er. In his heart, she’s more important than he is to himself. That’s why he was able to react so fast.’

Some people said Sun Jiaming wasn’t good enough for Gu’er, but Li Zhi now realized that Sun Jiaming’s feelings for her were truer and deeper than anyone else’s. ’He and Gu’er are the perfect match.’

"I... I... I didn’t do it on purpose."

The worker who had jumped down from the ladder saw that he had hit someone and nearly struck Gu’er. His face went pale with fright, and he began to stammer.

"It’s alright, it’s nothing serious. Just be more careful next time, so you don’t get hurt either."

Sun Jiaming didn’t lose his temper. Instead, he reassured the man. He knew it was an accident. ’As long as Gu’er isn’t hurt, everything’s fine.’

"We’re going to the hospital."

Gu’er grabbed Sun Jiaming’s hand and didn’t let go. He had shielded her.

"There’s no need for a hospital, I’m really fine. If you’re worried, after dinner, you can just take some of the leftover liquor and rub it on my shoulder for me."

After speaking, Sun Jiaming rotated his shoulder to show Gu’er he was alright.

Seeing that he could still move it freely, she knew no bones were broken and finally relaxed a little.

"My good brother, come on, let’s go get that drink."

Li Zhi slung an arm around Sun Jiaming. This time, he was thoroughly impressed.

Dingzi nodded as well, having taken a liking to Sun Jiaming.

Liu Yuan’s gaze was full of envy, his expression dimming slightly. He had always thought his feelings for Gu’er were just as strong as Sun Jiaming’s, but today he realized he couldn’t even compare.

The group had dinner together. Afterward, Gu’er didn’t take the leftover liquor. Instead, she had Li Zhi pull over, found a pharmacy, and bought some iodine and medicinal oil for bruises.

"Li Zhi, please drop us off at my place. I want to put some medicinal oil on Brother Jia Ming, and then we’ll head home together."

Gu’er explained to Li Zhi.

"Alright."

Li Zhi nodded, but he couldn’t help the sour feeling in his heart. Gu’er was going to be alone with Sun Jiaming in her apartment. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t envious, but he wasn’t jealous.

Sun Jiaming hadn’t expected Gu’er to say that either, and a bright light shone in his eyes.

When they arrived, Gu’er and Sun Jiaming got out of the car and said their goodbyes. Watching them go, both Li Zhi and Liu Yuan felt an indescribable pang in their hearts. Dingzi, however, was unfazed. He simply saw Gu’er as a little sister and felt nothing more.

Gu’er and Sun Jiaming went back to her apartment. Lin Shan had bought it for her, and though she’d said she would move in, she never had. She only came by occasionally.

She flicked on the light and led Sun Jiaming to the living room sofa.

"Brother Jia Ming, let me see your shoulder."

Gu’er was still worried. ’There’s no way a heavy ladder like that could hit him and leave him completely unscathed.’

"It’s really nothing, Gu’er."

Sun Jiaming didn’t want to show her.

"Brother Jia Ming, if you don’t let me see, I can’t rest easy. If it’s really nothing, just let me rub some medicinal oil on it for you."

Gu’er knew he was just afraid of making her worry.

Sun Jiaming saw how serious her expression was and knew she wouldn’t be able to rest until she saw it.

Sun Jiaming slowly undid the buttons of his shirt and bared his shoulder.

His shoulder was red and swollen, a far cry from the "nothing" he had claimed.

Gu’er gently placed her hand on his shoulder, and his muscles twitched involuntarily—a natural reaction.

Tears immediately welled up in Gu’er’s eyes. ’What does a woman want in life? Isn’t it just a man who understands her, who cherishes her, who treats her well? For a man like that, a woman is willing to give anything. And Sun Jiaming is exactly that kind of man.’

"Please don’t cry. It makes my heart ache to see you cry. Gu’er, it really doesn’t hurt. It looks red, but the swelling will be gone by tomorrow. You bought medicinal oil, right? Why don’t you help me rub some on?"

Sun Jiaming quickly tried to comfort her.

"Okay. Brace yourself, I’ll rub it for you."

Gu’er nodded. She took out the medicinal oil, poured some into her palm, and rubbed her hands together to warm it before slowly massaging it into his shoulder.

Sun Jiaming’s face slowly turned red, and even his ears flushed. It wasn’t from the heat or the pain, but from a slight embarrassment. Gu’er’s small hands moved gently over his shoulder. Though the bruised area ached, the sensation of her touch was far stronger. It felt like a soft caress, making his heart itch with an unbearable feeling and his blood surge through his veins.

"Brother Jia Ming, does that feel any better?"

Gu’er asked softly. She was so close to Sun Jiaming that as she spoke, her warm breath brushed against his ear. Gu’er had no ulterior motives, but that warm breath made Sun Jiaming’s head buzz.

"It’s... it’s better."

Sun Jiaming barely managed to suppress the urge to pull her into his arms. ’We aren’t married yet. I can’t be forward with her.’

"Brother Jia Ming, why are you sweating? Does it hurt a lot?"

Gu’er asked, confused. She moved to stand in front of him and took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow. Her thoughts were entirely on his injured shoulder. She knew he had been hurt protecting her; if that ladder had hit her instead, who knows what would have happened. Because of this, she felt deeply moved and also guilty.

"It... it doesn’t hurt."

Sun Jiaming replied. He looked at Gu’er sitting before him, at her beautiful, youthful face, at the worry in her eyes. With a rush of blood to his head, he could no longer hold back. He grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace.

Gu’er’s eyes flew open. ’Wait, wasn’t I just asking about his injury? Asking if it hurt? How did I end up in his arms in the blink of an eye?’

Gu’er could feel his heart pounding in his chest and hear his ragged breaths. Having been in a relationship before, how could she not understand what he was thinking right now?

’Sun Jiaming is a young man, full of vigor. It’s only normal for him to have these impulses, these desires... But... but what am I supposed to do?’

In her past, Gu’er had been used to passively accepting whatever came her way. Whenever Zhang Da had his needs, he would just pounce on her. She never wanted it, and it was always incredibly painful, but she could only endure. The truth was, she had deep-seated trauma when it came to physical intimacy. ’But I know Sun Jiaming isn’t like Zhang Da,’ she thought. ’He would never treat me that way... But... but I don’t have any other experience...’

"Gu’er, Gu’er."

Sun Jiaming held Gu’er, nervous himself. He just held her tightly, repeating her name, his hands remaining still.

"I... I’m a little hot, Brother Jia Ming... I can’t breathe."

Scared and shy, Gu’er struggled in his arms.