The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Gu’er and the others had driven a long way to pick him up, but they still hadn’t seen any sign of Lin Shan.

The road became increasingly difficult to navigate, and the snow was deep in some places.

"Why don’t we stop the car here? The snow is even deeper up ahead. If the engine stalls, we won’t be able to get back."

Gu’er suggested.

"But if we stop, how are we supposed to keep going? We can’t just wait here."

Li Zhi was also worried the engine might stall.

"Li Zhi, you wait here and watch the car. The rest of us will walk on ahead to see if we can find them."

Gu’er didn’t want to wait in the car.

Sun Jiaming nodded. Of course he was going to go with Gu’er. If he hadn’t known just how worried she was, he wouldn’t have let her get out of the car at all.

"I’m going too. We’ll just lock the car. It’s not like anyone’s going to steal it out here in the middle of nowhere. Let’s all go together."

Li Zhi got out and locked the car.

They supported one another as they trudged forward, their steps sinking unevenly into the deep snow.

Soon, beads of sweat formed on Gu’er’s forehead. The winter wind was sharp enough to cut to the bone, yet here they were, sweating—a testament to how difficult the journey was.

"Gu’er, why don’t you have Jiaming take you back to the car? The rest of us can keep going."

Li Zhi’s heart ached for her. Gu’er had stumbled just a moment ago; if they hadn’t all been holding hands, she might have fallen into a ditch.

"I’m fine, I— Huh? Hey, look up ahead. Are those people?"

Gu’er pointed.

"You’re right."

Sun Jiaming’s gaze had been fixed on Gu’er, so he hadn’t looked ahead. Now that he did, he could see dark figures that looked like people, and what seemed to be a vehicle.

"I’ll go check it out. You guys take it slow, don’t rush."

With that, Dingzi strode forward. He was a fast walker and light on his feet.

Gu’er and the others watched Dingzi go and started walking after him. They saw him reach the group of people. They were still too far away to make out anyone’s face, but Gu’er had a gut feeling: her father, Lin Shan, had to be one of them.

A moment later, Dingzi returned.

"The car flipped."

He said three words.

Gu’er cried out. ’The car flipped! Oh my god, is Dad okay?’

"Don’t panic! Uncle Lin is fine. He’s just a little hurt."

Dingzi shouted hastily when he saw Gu’er start to run toward them in a panic.

His words did the opposite of reassuring her. Gu’er grew even more frantic. ’Hurt? Where is he hurt?’ She was desperate to see Lin Shan.

Sun Jiaming took Gu’er by the arm, helping her forward.

"Do you even know how to talk? You’re going to give someone a heart attack with a line like that."

Li Zhi shot Dingzi a glare.

Dingzi just looked at him without saying another word. He felt he’d made himself perfectly clear. When Li Zhi ignored him and walked on, he followed.

"Dad! Dad! Are you okay?"

Gu’er cried out anxiously as she reached the vehicle.

Lin Shan had already seen Dingzi, so he knew Gu’er and the others were coming. When he saw his daughter, he stood up and smiled. "I’m fine, don’t you worry. Your dad is really okay."

Gu’er looked over her father. He was a little thinner than before, but there was no blood on his face. ’Thank goodness.’ She let out a long sigh of relief. Looking closer, she saw that his clothes were dirty in several places. His padded cotton pants were torn, and a trickle of blood was seeping through.

"It’s nothing, don’t worry. Just a scratch."

Lin Shan patted Gu’er’s shoulder and moved his leg a little, signaling that the injury was nothing serious.

Gu’er said no more. She glanced at the vehicle, still stuck in the ditch. Besides Lin Shan, there were two other men. One had a bloody cut on his head; the other had a scraped arm, much like her father. All of them looked a bit battered.

"It’s a good thing you all came. We might not have been able to get the car out otherwise. We’re a long way from the village and a long way from the city. We were at a loss for what to do. I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you to help us move it."

Lin Shan said to Sun Jiaming, Li Zhi, and Dingzi.

"You’re too kind, Uncle Lin. It’s no problem. Leave it to us; we’ll definitely get the car out."

Li Zhi declared, patting his chest.

And so, everyone pitched in—even Gu’er, and the injured men were no exception. With a great deal of effort, they finally managed to heave the car out of the ditch.

Once the car was out, everyone was drenched in sweat and panting from the effort.

"Dad, why don’t you let them drive back? The road ahead is bad, and we don’t want the engine to stall again. Li Zhi’s car is parked over there. What day do you have to go back to work? We can just drive you then."

Gu’er said to Lin Shan, glancing from the car to the road ahead.

"Alright."

Lin Shan nodded and went to talk it over with the driver and the other man.

Once everything was settled, that car turned around to head back, and Lin Shan started walking toward the city with Gu’er and the others.

As they walked, Gu’er held Sun Jiaming’s hand with one of hers and Lin Shan’s with the other. A wide smile spread across her face. ’With these two men by my side, I’m not afraid, no matter how hard the road gets.’

"Uncle Lin, which day are you heading back? My dad was just telling me he wanted to find some time to have a drink with Lin Shan these next few days."

Li Zhi chatted with Lin Shan as they walked.

"I was supposed to go back on the eighth, but I’ll probably have to head back on the fifth to arrange some work. If I’m free in the next day or two, I’ll go find your dad for a couple of drinks. It’ll be good for us old buddies to have a nice long chat."

Lin Shan answered Li Zhi with a hearty laugh.

"You’re going back on the fifth? So soon?"

Gu’er hadn’t expected him to be in such a hurry. She knew the conditions where her father worked were poor, and she had been hoping he could stay for a few more days.

"What’s wrong? Can’t bear to see your old dad go?" Lin Shan chuckled. "After the New Year, when the snow melts, you all should come visit. I’ll take you fishing. That stream in the village might not look big, but the fish are incredibly tasty. I guarantee you’ll love them."

Lin Shan chuckled. The past few months had been harsh and the work exhausting, but his outlook had improved. ’No matter the post, as long as I do my job well, serve the common people, and ease their worries, that’s enough.’

"Sounds great! The last time we were in the village, Gu’er fried up some of those little fish for us, and they were amazing. I’ll tell my dad he should come with us next time he’s free."

Li Zhi agreed enthusiastically.

They continued walking and talking until they reached Li Zhi’s car.

After they got in, it took Li Zhi a few tries to get the engine started in the cold.

By the time they arrived at the Lin family’s home, it was already after one in the afternoon.

"What took you so long? I’ve been worried sick! I’ve already had to reheat the food twice."

Chen Fengjiao muttered the moment she saw them. But when her eyes fell on the wound on Lin Shan’s leg, she gasped, and her eyes instantly filled with tears.

"It’s nothing, just a scrape. Don’t get worked up, the children are here. Come on, let’s eat. We’re all starving."

Lin Shan comforted her.

"Dad, here."

Just then, Lin Zheng ran over holding a pair of padded cotton pants. They were Lin Shan’s; he had noticed his father’s were torn.

"Good boy, Xiao Zheng. Dad will go change right now."

Lin Shan chuckled as he took the pants. He ruffled Lin Zheng’s hair, his face overflowing with paternal love.

Lin Zheng beamed at the praise. It was the New Year, the house was full of people, and he had even received gifts and lucky red envelopes. He was overjoyed. ’If only every day could be like today.’

——————

I’m heading to the mountains tomorrow, so I have to stay up all night writing.