The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

The thought of taking Lin Sui’er to the countryside flashed through Lin Shan’s mind, but he quickly dismissed it. He didn’t mention it to anyone. If Gu’er had known, she probably would have urged him to take Lin Sui’er to the village. ’Let her experience village life for a couple of years and see if she still has that spoiled princess attitude, see if she still feels so wronged all the time.’ But Gu’er also knew it wasn’t realistic. For one thing, it would never get past Chen Fengjiao.

"So they’re all sensible, and I’m the only one who isn’t, is that it? Fine, all of you can just go! Don’t worry about me. Just leave me here all alone."

Over on the side, Chen Fengjiao’s tears wouldn’t stop, and her words were laced with petulance.

Gu’er was speechless. ’Why is Mom acting just like a child?’

"Brother Jia Ming, let me walk you out. You can come pick me up tomorrow."

Gu’er gestured for Sun Jiaming to leave first. She didn’t want Chen Fengjiao to lose too much face in front of him; her mother would surely be embarrassed about it later.

"Alright. Uncle, Auntie, I’ll head back now. I’ll be back tomorrow."

Sun Jiaming stood up. Lin Shan, Gu’er, and Lin Zheng saw him out, but Chen Fengjiao didn’t get up.

"Jia Ming, Gu’er, while I’m away, you should still come back to visit often. Your mom... she’s just in a funk and hasn’t gotten over it. It’s not personal."

Lin Shan said to the two of them downstairs.

"Don’t worry, Uncle. Gu’er and I will definitely come back often. We won’t give you anything to worry about." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Sun Jiaming nodded, giving his assurance.

Lin Shan patted Sun Jiaming’s shoulder. ’This future son-in-law of mine is very reliable. If only Chen Fengjiao didn’t play favorites, if only Lin Sui’er and Gu’er could get along... how wonderful our family would be.’

After seeing Sun Jiaming off, Lin Shan didn’t go upstairs immediately. Taking Gu’er’s hand in one of his and Lin Zheng’s in the other, he found a place to sit down outside.

"Gu’er," Lin Shan began, "I’ll be home very little over the next two years, so I need you to keep an eye on things here. Your mother... she has a bit of a temper. She’s been like that ever since she was young. At first, I didn’t think much of it. I figured, what woman doesn’t have a bit of a temper? This is a woman who has followed a man, built a life with him, borne his children, and taken care of his home. As a man, you have to cherish her, give in to her, and make her life comfortable, so that her time with you is not in vain."

Lin Shan said to Gu’er.

Gu’er nodded. ’As a woman, I also want a husband like Dad,’ she thought. ’Someone who understands how hard it is for women, who will cherish his wife, be tolerant, and dote on her. Sun Jiaming is that kind of man. I’m sure that after we’re married, he’ll treat me just as well as Dad treats Mom.’

"Gu’er, I’m not trying to make excuses for your mother. She’s changed a lot over the years she’s been unemployed, and I’m not blind to it. She used to have her own opinions, but these days she has fewer and fewer. She’s become dependent on others for many things. Not only that, but she’s also become very stubborn. Sometimes she gets stuck on an idea and can’t let it go. I’ve tried to reason with her about it, and we’ve even argued, but your mom still has this knot in her heart. As her husband, I can be understanding. But you’re her daughter, and I can’t ask you to be understanding, because that would inevitably mean you’d have to put up with being wronged."

When Lin Shan finished, he looked at Gu’er, his eyes full of affection.

"Dad, no matter what, she’s still Mom. I know what you mean."

Gu’er understood what Lin Shan was getting at. Since he was home so rarely, he hoped that she would take care of their mother more often when she had time.

"I’m happy that you can be understanding of your mom. Dad knows you’re a kind person. But Gu’er, I’m not telling you all this to ask you to put up with being treated unfairly. I want to tell you that after you and Jia Ming get married, it would be best for you to have something to do, too. When a person is cut off from the outside world, their thinking becomes narrow. As for your mom, just come back and visit her when you have time. If she needs help, you and Jia Ming can give her a hand. That’s all. If your mom makes unreasonable demands, you don’t have to agree. You can’t indulge her in everything. And don’t be afraid of her overthinking things; as long as you’re in the right, you just do what you think is best. As for Sui’er... she needs to be disciplined, but that’s not your responsibility. It’s my fault for not being stricter with her back then. Now... AI."

Lin Shan sighed as he finished. If his family were harmonious, he would have more motivation when he was away and wouldn’t be weighed down by worry.

"Dad, don’t worry. I understand everything. You don’t need to worry about things at home. Just take care of yourself over there. Brother Jia Ming said he’ll take me to visit you when he has time."

Gu’er promised. ’Dad is right. I’ll do what I’m supposed to do, but I won’t accept any unreasonable demands.’

"Dad, I’ll be good too. I’ll take care of Mom, too."

Lin Zheng promised as well, trying to sound like a little adult.

"Good. Zheng’er is such a good boy. You’ll even help Dad take care of Mom now."

Lin Shan ruffled Lin Zheng’s hair, and Gu’er wrapped an arm around him. Her little brother was just so lovable.

Lin Shan put his other arm around Gu’er’s shoulder. The three of them—father, daughter, and son—sat together on the bench outside, a picture of warmth and beauty.

But they couldn’t just sit outside forever. They had to go back in. When they unlocked the door and went inside, they found Chen Fengjiao still sobbing.

"Mom, don’t cry. Aren’t I here at home? That Lin Gu’er wasn’t raised by your side, so of course she’s not close to you. All she knows is how to cling to Dad. The second Dad leaves, she’s moving out. She definitely doesn’t care about you. In the end, I’m the only daughter you can count on."

Lin Sui’er was in the middle of badmouthing Gu’er when, to her surprise, Lin Shan, Gu’er, and Lin Zheng opened the door and walked in. The moment she saw Lin Shan, Lin Sui’er shot to her feet, a hint of embarrassment on her face.

"Um, uh, I was just trying to comfort Mom. I... I..."

Lin Sui’er explained frantically. She was still a little afraid of Lin Shan.

Lin Shan stared at her. He didn’t want to scold his child right before he left, but ’why is it that nothing I teach Lin Sui’er ever sticks?’

"Why are you glaring at Sui’er? Isn’t she allowed to talk now?! All of you are leaving, abandoning me. Isn’t she the only one here with me now? Was she wrong? Gu’er is moving out too. I’m her biological mother, but since she wasn’t raised by my side, she just doesn’t care about me."

Chen Fengjiao had a fire burning inside her with nowhere to go, so she unleashed it on Lin Shan and Gu’er.

"That’s enough. The decision for Gu’er to move out was made a long time ago. You’re not a child; it’s not like you don’t understand that. Don’t say such vicious things to the kids. It’s truly disheartening to hear. Go wash your face."

Lin Shan really didn’t want to lecture Chen Fengjiao.

"I know that nothing I say is right anymore! You’re all so capable now, and she’s gotten so high and mighty. You all look down on me! Just go! None of you ever come back!"

But Chen Fengjiao refused to let it go. She was truly miserable inside.

"Now you’re just being unreasonable. When have we ever looked down on you? Who’s looking down on you? Alright, stop acting like a child. You’re a grown woman. Come on, go wash your face. When you talk to your child like that, don’t you think it breaks her heart?"

Lin Shan shook his head and walked over to take Chen Fengjiao’s hand.

Sobbing softly, Chen Fengjiao stood up and followed Lin Shan to the bathroom.

Gu’er sighed. ’In the future, even after I marry Sun Jiaming, I can’t just do nothing. A woman with nothing to do... that way of thinking... It’s terrifying.’

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Thank you to Tian Gongnan, Book Friend 121115232747609, and Book Friend 140525141926461 for the monthly tickets. Thank you all for your support. There will be a third update today.