The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

With great products, excellent service, and the enticing gimmick of a sale, the mall was packed to the gills all day.

Watching the crowds swarm every stall, Gu’er and the others on patrol couldn’t help but smile. Why had they worked so hard? For this exact reason—for the business to thrive. The grand opening was just as wildly successful as they had anticipated. They were all confident that the business would continue to do well.

Even by the fourth day, when the sales had ended, the crowds didn’t thin out. Word had spread, and people from other districts began making their way over.

Gu’er then launched a new promotion: membership cards.

Members who spent over a certain amount would receive a free gift from the mall. There were gift tiers for spending one hundred, five hundred, one thousand, and even ten thousand. To put it plainly, it was a way to stimulate spending.

Even though customers understood Gu’er’s strategy, every family had things to buy. The selection here was comprehensive and high-quality, and if you spent more, you got free stuff. Who wouldn’t want that?

The moment the news broke, it attracted a huge number of people, especially women. Their enthusiasm was incredible; every day, long lines formed at the membership card counter.

Qu Feng was now deeply impressed with Gu’er. He thought she was a genius. Her ideas were endless, coming one after another, and each one produced extraordinary results.

Gu’er remained calm on the outside, but inwardly she felt a little embarrassed. ’None of these are my original ideas; they’re all borrowed from people of the future.’ But she didn’t feel too guilty about it. After all, having an idea was one thing; whether or not they could actually make money and run the business well depended on their own skills.

That day, Gu’er went home early. The mall was bustling, but she and Sun Jiaming left anyway. Lin Shan was leaving for the countryside tomorrow, and they wanted to go back and have a farewell dinner with him.

"Having a car makes things convenient. If you miss Uncle Lin in the future, I’ll take you to see him often."

Sun Jiaming knew how reluctant Gu’er was to see her father go, and he comforted her as they walked upstairs.

"Mm."

Gu’er nodded. She knew this was a good opportunity for her father, but she would definitely miss him, not being able to see him all the time for the next two years.

When they opened the door, Lin Shan wasn’t back yet. Chen Fengjiao was in the kitchen preparing dinner.

Lin Sui’er and Lin Zheng were both in the living room. Perhaps knowing their father was leaving for the countryside tomorrow, they both seemed a little down.

Gu’er poured Sun Jiaming a glass of water and asked him to play with Lin Zheng while she went to help Chen Fengjiao in the kitchen.

"Mom."

Gu’er called out.

"Oh, you’re back. Come help me chop the vegetables."

Chen Fengjiao replied.

"Mom, Dad going to the countryside is a good thing. Please don’t be upset."

Gu’er saw that Chen Fengjiao’s eyes were red and knew she had been crying. No matter what, Chen Fengjiao still had very strong feelings for Lin Shan.

"I know, I know it’s a good thing. But out in the countryside, the food isn’t good, the living conditions are poor, and your father’s stomach is weak. If I’m not there, who will cook his meals on time? Who will take care of him? When I think about it, my heart just aches."

As Chen Fengjiao spoke, she started to cry again. She understood the logic—if her husband went to gain experience for two years, he could get a promotion when he came back. It was a good thing. But the thought of being separated for two years was unbearable. Even if Lin Shan could come home once or twice a month, it wasn’t the same as having him come home every day. For the past few days, she’d felt like crying whenever she thought about it.

Gu’er understood. If she were in her mother’s shoes, she would be just as upset, so she really didn’t know how to comfort her.

When Lin Shan returned, he was surprised to see Gu’er and Sun Jiaming. He quickly realized they had come back specifically to have dinner with him.

During dinner, Lin Shan asked Sun Jiaming to join him for a couple of drinks.

"Jia Ming, stay and have a chat with me. Feng Jiao, you and Gu’er go and get her things packed. Let Gu’er move into her own house tomorrow."

Lin Shan’s words stunned everyone in the room, including Gu’er.

Chen Fengjiao couldn’t hold back, and tears immediately started to fall.

Gu’er hadn’t expected her father to suggest she move out at a time like this, but she understood he was doing it for her own good. ’With Dad gone to the countryside, there will be four of us left at home. I don’t get along with Lin Sui’er, and Mom always sides with her. With no one to keep her in check, Sui’er is bound to cause trouble. I’m not afraid of her, but it’s exhausting to be fighting with someone all the time.’

’And if Lin Sui’er and I fight every day, Mom will eventually start to resent me, and the bond between us will only get worse.’

’If I move out, they can be as chaotic as they want at home; it won’t have anything to do with me. Besides, if I’m not around, Lin Sui’er will have no one to pick fights with. The house might actually be peaceful.’

’But with Dad gone, Mom might need help, and then there’s Lin Zheng...’ She was reluctant to leave her little brother.

’Oh, forget it. It’s not like I can stay home every day anyway. I have to go to the Soviet Union, to Guangzhou, to Wenzhou, and to the mall. I spend so little time at home as it is, it’s almost like I don’t live here already. It’s better to move out. If Chen Fengjiao needs help, Sun Jiaming and I can just come by often to check on her.’

"Okay. I’ll move after I see Dad off tomorrow."

Having finished her train of thought, Gu’er nodded. She hadn’t planned on moving out just yet, but since her father had brought it up, she thought it was for the best. It would be easier for everyone.

"You won’t be home, and you’re making Gu’er move out? Will this house even feel like a home anymore? I have to manage Sui’er and Xiao Zheng by myself. With Gu’er here, I at least have some support. If she moves out, what am I going to do?"

Chen Fengjiao was truly hurt. Having been a housewife for so many years, she felt she had lost her independence. Without someone to rely on, she didn’t even know how she would manage.

"Mom, Jia Ming and I will come back to visit often. I’m hardly ever home as it is, so it doesn’t really make a difference whether I move out or not. It’s not like I’ll stop being your daughter or never come back. Please don’t be upset. Even after I move, things will be just like they are now."

Gu’er comforted her. ’My mom must be made of water,’ she thought. ’I cried so much in my past life; I probably inherited it from her.’

"That’s right, Feng Jiao," Lin Shan added. "Jia Ming and Gu’er are both sensible kids. They’ll come back often to check on you. I’ll be back on my holidays, too. It won’t be as bad as you’re making it out to be."

Lin Shan sighed inwardly. ’My younger and elder daughters just don’t get along. If they did, I could rest easier knowing my older daughter was here to help out. But with me gone, I’m afraid my wife and younger daughter will start trouble with my older one. It’s better to just let her move out. That way, she won’t have to put up with anything or feel aggrieved, and my younger daughter will lose her excuse to act out. The house will be more peaceful.’

Thinking of Lin Sui’er gave Lin Shan a headache. ’She’s already like this with me at home. When I’m gone, I’m afraid she’ll become completely lawless. Maybe I should just take her with me to the village for two years?’

He considered it for a moment. ’But if she goes to the countryside, she won’t be able to continue her schooling, and Chen Fengjiao would never allow it. Better to just let her stay in the city and study.’ The thought flashed through his mind, and he immediately dismissed it.

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Thank you to Midnight Blue 3355, Cunning Rat, Lemon Lemon, and Fang-er for the monthly tickets. Thank you all for your support.