The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

In the blink of an eye, it was April.

These days, everyone was busy preparing things for Gu’er and Sun Jiaming’s wedding.

The date for Sun Jiaming and Gu’er’s wedding was set for the eighth of April. Once the news was out, both the Sun Family and Chen Fengjiao’s side of the family took it very seriously.

Everything that needed to be bought for the new home had been purchased. The bed, cabinets, and sofa were all chosen according to Gu’er’s tastes. Besides the indoor furnishings, all the small items were bought as well. Additionally, Sun Jiaming had someone make several camphorwood chests for Gu’er.

Although they had moved to the city and now had wardrobes, meaning the chests would become obsolete and rarely used, Sun Jiaming always remembered the time back in the village when Gu’er had looked on with envy at others who had chests as part of their dowry. He had decided back then that when Gu’er got married, he would definitely have some proper camphorwood chests made for her.

So today, regardless of their living situation or whether they had money, he remembered the promise he had made to himself.

Gu’er had also prepared a lot of things. Although neither she nor Sun Jiaming cared much for such formalities, she still had to have a dowry. She had also had essential items like clothes and quilts made.

Originally, Gu’er had been looking forward to marrying Sun Jiaming, but as the day drew nearer, her heart grew more and more flustered. She seemed a little scared—scared that life after marriage would change, scared that it wouldn’t be as wonderful as she had imagined.

"Gu’er, open up! We brought you something."

Gu’er was leaning on the sofa, lost in thought, when she suddenly heard a knock on the door. From the sound of the voice, it was Li Zhi. ’We’ve pretty much bought everything. What could he be bringing me?’

Gu’er got up and opened the door.

Li Zhi and Dingzi were standing outside. On the ground by the door was a large box.

"What did you buy?"

Gu’er asked curiously.

"What else could it be? A TV, of course. You’re getting married. As your big brother, I can’t just do nothing, can I? If I did, Jia Ming would say I’m not a true friend. So Dingzi and I came to deliver your dowry."

Li Zhi and Dingzi spoke as they carried the box into the room.

"Didn’t we already buy a TV? These are so expensive, why buy another one? And why is this one so big?"

Gu’er cleared a space for them to put it down.

"The one you guys bought is black-and-white. This one is a big color TV. I had to pull some strings to get it. It can be part of your dowry. When people see it, it’ll be a credit to you, right? You can put the other one in Grandma’s room. That way, you won’t have to fight over it."

Li Zhi said it casually, as if he were just giving her an ordinary gift. But Gu’er knew that a color TV was very valuable at this time, and not something you could just buy anywhere. Yes, Li Zhi wasn’t short on money now, but that money was his. For him to give her a color TV for her wedding was a significant gift. What touched her even more was the thought behind it.

She wasn’t oblivious to the feelings Li Zhi had for her. But whether it was Liu Yuan or Li Zhi, they had all become good friends with her and Sun Jiaming now, which was truly rare and precious.

"Are you super touched? Haha, let me tell you, originally, this kid Dingzi and I were discussing your and Jia Ming’s wedding, and we were planning on getting you a car. Imagine how impressive it would be to have that driven to the Sun Family’s home as part of your dowry on the wedding day. But this kid Dingzi said it wasn’t appropriate, so in the end, we decided on a color TV."

Li Zhi chuckled, looking genuinely happy for Gu’er. But only he knew that underneath his blessings for Gu’er and Sun Jiaming, there was also a hint of disappointment.

"I don’t think it was inappropriate. You probably just thought a car was too expensive and couldn’t bear to buy it."

Gu’er teased. ’The old man upstairs has really been good to me in this life, giving me such wonderful friends.’

"You’ve got a point. It really was too expensive; my heart ached just thinking about it. But why’d you have to say it out loud? Couldn’t you have just pretended you didn’t know?"

Li Zhi glared at Gu’er.

Dingzi didn’t say anything, but the coldness in his eyes was gone. Now, when he looked at people, there was a warmth to his gaze. He wasn’t as intimidating as before.

"Hey, we’ve been working hard here. Hurry up and get us a glass of water. You’re so clueless. Only Jia Ming would treat you like a treasure."

Li Zhi said, chiding Gu’er.

Gu’er didn’t talk back. She went to pour two cups of tea and brought them over on a tray.

Li Zhi reached for one, but Gu’er sidestepped, avoiding his hand.

"What, not even letting me have a sip of tea?"

Li Zhi glared at Gu’er in mock indignation. Of course, he wasn’t truly upset with her.

Gu’er placed the tray on the coffee table, picked up one cup with both hands, and presented it to Dingzi. She smiled and said, "Brother Dingzi, have some tea."

Dingzi looked at Gu’er, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. Gu’er smiled at him again, and Dingzi seemed to understand her meaning. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he grunted an "Alright," and took the tea from her.

A flicker of understanding also crossed Li Zhi’s eyes. Gu’er brought the other cup to him, presenting it with both hands, and said, "Li Zhi..."

Before Gu’er could finish, she saw Li Zhi glare at her, so she quickly added, "Brother. Have some tea."

She said it with sincerity, unlike her previous jokes. Whether it was Li Zhi, Dingzi, or Liu Yuan, they were all worthy of being her older brothers.

Hearing Gu’er call him that, Li Zhi’s heart felt a pang of bittersweetness, but he smiled. Taking the tea, he said, "I thought you were going to say, ’Hey, Li Zhi, drink your tea.’ I didn’t expect you to actually call me ’Brother.’ Good. On your wedding day, we’re not elders, so we can’t accept a formal tea offering from you. Since you’ve served us tea today, from now on, we’re your maiden family. If that kid Jia Ming ever bullies you, don’t worry, we’ll take care of him. Not that he would ever bully you."

By saying this, Li Zhi was establishing his relationship with Gu’er. From now on, Gu’er was his little sister.

"Okay."

Gu’er nodded, her eyes turning red. From now on, they were her brothers.

Dingzi also gave Gu’er a solemn nod. He didn’t need to say anything; his acceptance was clear in his heart.

"By the way, did Uncle Lin say he’s coming back on the seventh? Aren’t you moving back? So on the wedding day, will you be leaving from here or from the Lin Family’s home?"

Li Zhi asked Gu’er.

"I’ll go back to stay on the seventh and leave from there. My parents’ relatives and friends will all be coming. I don’t want to go back for the next couple of days. I’m too tired and want to rest here."

Gu’er had only just gotten a moment of free time to come back and rest today. Sun Jiaming was still busy.

"Sounds like a plan. We’ll head over on the seventh, too. If you need help with anything, just let us know."

Li Zhi didn’t much like going to the Lin Family’s home when Lin Shan wasn’t there either.

"We won’t hesitate to ask."

Gu’er nodded.

"By the way, Gu’er, there’s something I need to tell you."

Li Zhi thought for a moment and decided he should tell Gu’er after all.

"What is it?"

Gu’er didn’t understand what Li Zhi was about to say.

"You and Jia Ming have been busy this whole time, right? You haven’t been to the shopping center. Someone came looking for me the day before yesterday."

Li Zhi said seriously.

Li Zhi’s words made Gu’er frown slightly. She asked, "Did something happen at the shopping center?"

Gu’er is getting married! Thank you to Li Xuexiang and Broken Moon·Rush for the peace charms, thank you to Dian Dian and Pacific Stone Monkey for the monthly tickets, and thank you all for your support.