The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Gu’er had said one thing, but when New Year’s Eve came and Lin Shan still hadn’t returned, she went back to the Lin Family’s home early anyway. It was the New Year, and it would have been wrong of her not to go back.

Sun Jiaming accompanied her. They had agreed to spend the day at the Lin Family’s home, then return to the Sun Family’s place after dinner to see in the new year. That way, they could celebrate with both sides.

"Gu’er, do you think something happened to your dad?"

Chen Fengjiao asked while trimming vegetables with Gu’er.

"Mom, it’s New Year’s. We shouldn’t be saying such unlucky things. I already called them. They said something came up that Dad needs to handle, but he should be able to come back tomorrow."

Gu’er was truly exasperated with her mother. ’On New Year’s of all days, can’t she think of anything good?’

"I mean, really. He can’t even come back for the New Year. It’s ridiculous. Every other family is together for a reunion. What does that make us look like?"

Chen Fengjiao was very upset that her husband couldn’t come back for the holiday. It made the New Year celebration feel tasteless.

"It’s just a special circumstance, isn’t it? It’ll only be for a year or two. Things will be fine once Dad gets transferred back home."

Gu’er could only try to console her.

"Sigh, let’s drop it. We should hurry and get the food ready. Let’s make a few extra dishes today. We can’t have Jia Ming finding fault with us, saying we didn’t prepare anything for the New Year."

Chen Fengjiao sighed.

"It’s fine, Mom. He won’t."

Gu’er smiled. Sun Jiaming would never be so picky.

"Jia Ming seems like a pretty decent person, now that I see him more. Back then, I thought people from the village had no worldliness, and I was worried he’d be short-sighted too. It looks like your judgment is pretty good after all. Li Zhi and his friends are nice as well. It’s a shame I didn’t have more daughters. Wouldn’t it be great if they could all be my sons-in-law?"

Chen Fengjiao’s words left Gu’er speechless. She simply smiled and didn’t respond.

"Gu’er, do you think Li Zhi has a girlfriend? Is there any chance for him and your sister, Sui’er?"

Chen Fengjiao asked Gu’er, lowering her voice.

"No chance."

Gu’er rejected the idea without a second thought. It wasn’t that she was unaware of Lin Sui’er’s little crush—what young girl doesn’t dream of romance? Everyone, good or bad, has the right to like someone, so Gu’er wouldn’t normally interfere. But Lin Sui’er and Li Zhi were truly impossible. Li Zhi was a very discerning person. He might seem to talk a lot of nonsense, but he wasn’t like that with everyone. If you were his friend, he was incredibly loyal. A man like that would never fall for Sui’er, and Gu’er didn’t want to have a falling out with Li Zhi over it.

"You’re not him. How would you know there’s no chance?"

Gu’er’s words displeased Chen Fengjiao. Before Gu’er could reply, she continued, "In terms of looks, your sister isn’t bad-looking; she’s pretty, too. As for her age, she’ll be sixteen after the New Year, practically a flower in bloom. And family-wise, our family and the Li Family are a good match for each other. It’s not like we’re beneath them. What reason could he possibly have to look down on Sui’er?"

’Why don’t you mention her character?’

Gu’er didn’t say the words out loud.

"Sui’er is still young. Li Zhi can’t possibly wait for her. Mom, you should talk to her and tell her to give up on this idea."

Gu’er didn’t want to be harsh. Chen Fengjiao was a mother, after all, and in her heart, Lin Sui’er was absolutely perfect and a worthy match for anyone. The problem was, others didn’t agree.

"Sigh, your sister has mentioned it to me several times. She’s always wondering why her Brother Li doesn’t visit anymore. I know she’s still young, but if they could just get things settled, Li Zhi could wait a couple of years for her. By that time, your dad might even be the vice-mayor, and the Li Family would surely be willing. Why don’t you go talk to Li Zhi? If he shows any interest, I’ll reach out to the Li Family."

Chen Fengjiao’s voice was very low, her eyes fixed on Gu’er, full of earnest hope.

"I’m not going, and I’m not saying anything. Li Zhi wouldn’t agree anyway. Just tell Sui’er to give it a rest. Li Zhi told me he’s practically afraid to come to our house now. He’s not interested in Sui’er; he only sees her as a younger sister."

Gu’er shook her head. She wouldn’t do it. She knew it was impossible, so why should she put Li Zhi in a difficult position? ’Someone like Sui’er... wouldn’t that just be setting Li Zhi up for trouble?’

"Gu’er, that’s not the right way to think about it. Sui’er is your own sister. If he could be interested in you, why couldn’t he be interested in Sui’er? What’s wrong with her?"

Chen Fengjiao was clearly displeased.

Gu’er frowned. ’That’s not how it works. Love isn’t something the younger sister can just inherit if the older one isn’t available.’

"Gu’er, you’re not even willing to ask. Don’t tell me you still have some feelings for him? You have Jia Ming now, so don’t be ambiguous with Li Zhi. If you have feelings for Li Zhi, then break it off with Jia Ming. What kind of behavior is this? You..."

Before Chen Fengjiao could finish, Gu’er slammed the vegetables she was holding onto the counter. She stared intently at her mother, a look that made Chen Fengjiao’s skin crawl.

Gu’er told herself to stay calm. ’It’s New Year’s. Don’t make things unpleasant.’

"Mom, I don’t want to hear you say things like that ever again. Sui’er is your daughter, but so am I. How can you tear me down like this just for her sake? From start to finish, the only one in my heart has been Brother Jia Ming. I have never been ambiguous with any other man. Whether it’s Li Zhi or Liu Yuan, I’ve made it very clear to them that we are friends, just buddies, and there are absolutely no romantic feelings involved. We hang out and do business together because we get along, not because they all have a crush on me. When you talk like this, what do you take me for? And what do you take them for? The only reason I refuse to talk to him about this is because I know it’s impossible, and I don’t want to lose a good friend over it. That’s it. Please, don’t think about your own daughter that way. I have feelings, too. If you keep hurting me, my heart will grow cold. It’s New Year’s. I don’t want to say any more. This conversation is over."

After she finished speaking, Gu’er turned away from Chen Fengjiao and started cooking.

"I... I didn’t mean it. I wasn’t thinking that, I..."

Chen Fengjiao stammered out an explanation, not having expected Gu’er to react so strongly.

"Fine. Let’s drop it. If you don’t have anything else to do, why don’t you go watch TV in the living room? I can manage everything here."

Gu’er truly had nothing left to say. This was her own mother, saying such things to her for the sake of her younger daughter. How could she not feel a chill in her heart?

Chen Fengjiao watched Gu’er’s back and bit her lip. ’I really didn’t mean it. I just got anxious and didn’t even know why I said that.’ But Gu’er wasn’t listening to her explanation. ’Forget it,’ she thought. ’When Lin Shan gets back tomorrow, Gu’er will definitely come over again. I’ll talk to her then, after she’s had time to cool off.’

"Well, I’ll go get Jia Ming a snack then."

Feeling awkward in the kitchen, Chen Fengjiao made the excuse and went into the living room to see to Sun Jiaming.

When she came out, Lin Sui’er looked at her with bright, hopeful eyes. Chen Fengjiao shook her head, and the light in Lin Sui’er’s eyes instantly dimmed. She knew her mom’s talk with Gu’er must have failed.

Seeing Sui’er’s disappointment, Chen Fengjiao’s heart ached for her again. Her older daughter was doing so well now—she was engaged and earning her own money, living a comfortable life. ’I’ll just have to put more effort into helping my younger daughter.’

’No, this won’t do. I have to make a good plan for my younger daughter.’ If she couldn’t get through to Gu’er, what about Jia Ming? Jia Ming was also good friends with Li Zhi. Maybe she could get Sun Jiaming to talk to him. At this thought, Chen Fengjiao smiled and sat down next to Sun Jiaming.

——————

Thank you all for your support. I’m completely wiped out today. My daughter is already asleep, and I don’t even feel like eating. I’m off to bed.