The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Gu’er watched this scene, full of admiration for her father. He could get along with Grandma Sun, chat with Li Hua, and banter with Uncle Zhao. Everyone here liked him, which was a talent in itself. It showed that Lin Shan had succeeded.

The Lin Family didn’t need to ask the Sun Family for anything, and her father wasn’t a mercenary person. The fact that he could do this, proactively befriending these people, was also for her sake—to repay their past kindness to her and to ensure that Sun Jiaming would treat her well in the future.

"Gu’er, how about Mom helps you cook?"

Chen Fengjiao was different from Lin Shan. She wasn’t very familiar with the people here, and unlike her husband, she couldn’t make conversation with them. She had only come today because of Lin Shan.

"It’s alright, Mom. You and Sui’er can watch TV. Aunt Zhao and I can handle the cooking. The kitchen here is small; we wouldn’t all fit."

Gu’er knew Chen Fengjiao’s temperament, so she suggested she watch TV.

"Mom, can we just go back? It’s so stuffy in here, my head hurts."

But Lin Sui’er wasn’t having any of it. She tugged on Chen Fengjiao’s arm, asking to go home. Of course, she kept her voice down; she didn’t dare let Lin Shan hear her.

There were a lot of people, but Li Zhi, the person she wanted to see, wasn’t among them. Besides, they were all just villagers. She didn’t understand what her father could possibly have to talk about with them; they weren’t the same kind of people. That’s why she couldn’t stand to stay any longer.

Chen Fengjiao was about to speak when she saw Lin Shan glance at Sui’er, a hint of displeasure in his eyes. She knew then that Lin Shan had heard what Sui’er said.

"Sui’er, be good. Look, even your little brother isn’t fussing to go home. Just bear with it. We’ll talk after we eat, otherwise your dad will get upset."

Chen Fengjiao coaxed her in a low voice. In truth, she didn’t like it here either. It reminded her of her old days in the village, a period of her life she thoroughly disliked.

Lin Sui’er pouted but could only sit back down and watch TV.

Gu’er was unaware of this little episode, so it didn’t affect her mood. She wasn’t the only one happy that her father could come to the Sun Family’s home today; the Suns were all delighted as well.

Around noon, Sun Zhuzi and Cao Qiu arrived. They were excited to see Lin Shan and the others. Cao Qiu chatted nonstop with Lin Shan, and he answered all her questions.

The sight of Cao Qiu gave Chen Fengjiao a bit of a headache. To her surprise, however, Cao Qiu wasn’t quite the same as before. The way she spoke to her had changed somewhat, making her seem not quite so hard to tolerate. But even so, she still disliked Cao Qiu. She felt they were not cut from the same cloth.

At lunch, they ate in two shifts. The elders ate first. Only after they had finished did Gu’er, Sun Jiaming, and the other young people begin their meal.

"This is all leftovers. How are we supposed to eat this?"

Lin Sui’er grumbled as she picked at the food. ’Who knows how much other people’s spit is on these dishes.’ At home, it would be one thing, but what about Sun Zhuzi, Cao Qiu, Li Hua, and the people from the Zhao family? They were all just villagers. What right did they have to eat before her?

Gu’er ignored her. ’Her spoiled-princess attitude is just too much. If she had to spend two years in the village and live like I used to—without enough to eat—she wouldn’t be like this.’

After the meal, they sat for a little while longer before Chen Fengjiao announced their departure, saying she would take Sui’er and head back first.

Lin Shan glanced at her.

"Auntie, Big Sis, I’m relieved to see you’re all doing well. We have some things to take care of back home, so we’ll head back for now. I don’t leave until the fifth, so I’ll come see you again tomorrow, Auntie."

Lin Shan also climbed off the kang.

"Alright, you all take care on your way. You’ve worked hard all year, so take these next couple of days to rest well. Don’t worry about coming over again. Shan, ah, it’s not that Auntie doesn’t want you to visit, it’s just that I’m afraid you’ll tire yourself out. We’re all doing fine, so don’t you worry about us."

Grandma Sun nodded at Lin Shan and reminded him to take good care of himself.

Li Hua wasn’t a woman of many words, but she gave Lin Shan a pair of cotton-padded shoes.

"Brother Lin, you’ve helped me so much, and I don’t have any way to repay you. I heard from Gu’er last time that your shoes were worn out. I figured it’s cold in the village, so I made you a pair of cotton-padded shoes. They’re certainly not as nice as store-bought ones, but they’re warm. I used new cotton. I hope you won’t mind them."

Li Hua spoke very sincerely. She hadn’t overthought it. When she was making the shoes, she had even asked Gu’er if it was okay, and Gu’er had said yes and even told her Lin Shan’s shoe size. She just felt that Lin Shan had helped her back then, and she wanted to show a little gratitude.

"How could I possibly mind? This is so thoughtful of you, Big Sis. I was just wondering where I could get a pair of cotton-padded shoes. The ones you make can’t be bought in any store. Thank you, Big Sis. It’s just that you’ve only recently recovered, so don’t tire yourself out."

Lin Shan accepted them, looking very pleased.

"Listen to you, Brother Lin. I’m not good at much else, but I can make shoes. If you don’t mind them, I’ll take care of all your shoes from now on. Oh, and your wife’s too, I’ll handle hers as well."

Li Hua was very happy that Lin Shan had accepted her shoes.

"Thank you, Big Sis."

Chen Fengjiao said her thanks, but inwardly, she wasn’t happy at all. ’It’s not like Lin Shan has no shoes to wear. I bought him new ones that are much better-looking than these handmade ones. And this Li Hua... what’s she thinking, making shoes for him?’ Still, Chen Fengjiao didn’t let her feelings show. She knew Li Hua had no other intentions.

After seeing off Lin Shan, Chen Fengjiao, and the others, the group continued to chat.

"Gu’er, ah, is there really something going on at home? If you need help, have Jiaming go with you."

Grandma Sun was worried that Lin Shan had been too embarrassed to say if there was really a problem.

"It’s nothing serious. It’s probably just some of my dad’s old colleagues or friends. They know he’s back and probably invited them over for a meal. Just yesterday, Li Zhi’s dad was making plans to have a drink with my dad."

Gu’er knew that her father’s "something to do" was just an excuse. He wanted to leave with Chen Fengjiao. They had arrived together, so what would it look like if only two of them left first? People who didn’t know better might think they had argued or that their relationship was on the rocks. Lin Shan was doing it to save face for her mother, Chen Fengjiao. But she couldn’t explain any of this to Grandma Sun.

"Oh, oh, that makes sense. Your dad is only back for a few days, so he must be busy. And to think he made a special trip just to see us. Your dad is such a thoughtful man," Grandma Sun sighed with emotion.

"Yes, he is. Brother Lin is a good man," Li Hua added with a nod.

Gu’er smiled. Her father really was a good man.

"Mom, didn’t we come to see you too?" Cao Qiu added, not wanting to be outdone.

Grandma Sun shot her a look. Cao Qiu gave a dry laugh and fell silent. She understood her mother-in-law’s meaning. Who was Lin Shan? And who was Sun Zhuzi? It was only natural for her and her husband, Sun Zhuzi, to visit. But for Lin Shan to come, that was a true gesture of friendship.

But Grandma Sun wasn’t willing to say such things out loud. No matter what, Cao Qiu was better than she used to be, and she couldn’t ask for much more than that.

And so, the lively second day of the New Year came to an end.

On the third and fourth days of the New Year, Gu’er stayed at the Lin family home, helping Chen Fengjiao cook and entertain guests.

When the fifth day arrived, Li Zhi and Dingzi came over early in the car. They were here to drive Lin Shan back.

"Go on back. I’ll come home when I’m not so busy. I’m leaving the house in your care. You take good care of yourself, too," Lin Shan said to Chen Fengjiao.

Only after Lin Shan was in the car did a red-eyed Chen Fengjiao take Lin Sui’er and Lin Zheng by the hand and turn to go back inside.