The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Liu Yue Mei sat on the sofa. Seeing her like that, everyone just ignored her. After all, no one was really going to kick her out.

Gu’er and Lin Shuying’s family went to her little room. As soon as she stepped inside, a thick smell of smoke and another indescribable odor choked her, making her frown.

The desk had been ransacked. Several of her father’s books were scribbled all over with a pen, beyond recognition. Two more were even torn, and another had been knocked to the floor. She didn’t have to guess; this had to be the work of that little tyrant from the Chen Family.

A few articles of clothing were tossed on the kang bed, along with socks and other things. There were even cookie crumbs. Someone had clearly been eating in here. A fire ignited in Gu’er’s heart. ’Are these guests? How can they be so destructive!’

Lin Shuying couldn’t stand the sight of it either. She went over and tidied things up, then swept the kang bed and wiped it down before pulling Gu’er to sit beside her.

"Don’t blame your mother. She can’t help it. Back when she wanted to marry your dad, her family didn’t approve. For one thing, they were fairly well-off, and for another, they wanted her to stay in her hometown. But your mom had her heart set on your dad and was determined to marry him. I heard she had a big falling out with her family over it. When your mom and dad went to visit, they weren’t even allowed in the door. Your aunt even gave your dad a tongue-lashing, telling them not to bother coming back. Your mom cried for days over that. She didn’t get back in touch with them until Sui’er was five. But they live far away and she only went back every few years, so their relationship was always a bit distant. After your maternal grandparents passed away, your mom basically stopped going back to her family’s home. You can see for yourself that your uncle is an honest man, but he can’t handle your aunt. She runs the household. Your mom can’t stand her personality either, but what can she do? That’s her family."

Lin Shuying sighed. She was trying to console Gu’er. Although she felt Chen Fengjiao could be a bit delicate, she knew her heart was in the right place. Chen Fengjiao had always been good to her, her sister-in-law. Since she rarely came back to visit, she didn’t want things to get ugly between everyone.

"I know, Auntie. Please don’t worry."

Gu’er nodded. ’This aunt seems very reasonable.’

"Auntie, has Brother Zhongshan had a full check-up? What did the doctor say?"

Gu’er asked about Zheng Zhongshan’s health because she noticed his complexion looked a little worse than it had when he arrived yesterday.

"The doctor just said he developed a chronic condition back then and needs to recuperate. They couldn’t say anything more specific. He had a check-up, yes, but it was just done back home."

At the mention of her son, a look of heartache flashed across Lin Shuying’s face.

Gu’er knew that Lin Shuying had been sent down to a relatively poor mountain village back in the day. Later, she married a man from that village. Gu’er didn’t know the specific reasons for the marriage, but even when she was allowed to return to the city, she didn’t. She stayed there, living a very frugal life. It was Lin Shan who sent her money every year to help out. Under such conditions, there was no way she could have afforded a comprehensive medical examination.

"Auntie, why don’t you all stay at my new house tonight..."

Before Gu’er could finish, Lin Shuying cut her off. "How could we do that? It’s your new house; you haven’t even lived in it yet! How could we stay there? Besides, Gu’er, you’re getting married. It would be bad luck for us to stay in your new house, especially with your cousin’s health the way it is."

"That’s right, Gu’er. Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. The hotel is nice and convenient."

Zheng Zhongshan chimed in, nodding in agreement.

"Auntie, Brother Zhongshan, why be so polite with me? We’re all family. Good luck, bad luck—I don’t care about that stuff. You should get some proper rest. That way, you won’t have to rush around tomorrow, and it’ll be easier to get to the restaurant from there. After the next couple of days are over, I’ll find someone to take Brother Zhongshan for a proper check-up. If it’s treatable, we’ll get him the best treatment. If he gets better, then you can finally stop worrying, right, Auntie?"

Gu’er held Lin Shuying’s hand. Her aunt must have had such a bitter life all alone in another province. It made her heart ache.

Lin Shuying’s eyes grew red. This was the first time she had met her niece. When she first arrived, she’d been worried they wouldn’t get along, but she never expected Gu’er to be so thoughtful. Looking at Gu’er, then back at Zhongshan, a tear trickled down her cheek.

"Mom, I think Sister Gu’er is right. Why don’t we stay and take my brother to see a doctor? Every time he feels sick, he just goes to a small clinic, and they can never figure out what’s wrong. And Dad... he always gives us such a hard time. If my brother gets better, Dad won’t yell at you anymore, and he won’t...."

Zheng Xinghua didn’t finish her sentence, unsure of how to continue.

Gu’er froze. ’From the sound of it, my uncle scolds my aunt? She gets yelled at for trying to get her own son medical treatment? What kind of person is he? No wonder he didn’t come. There must be a reason.’

"Xinghua, stop. We’ll talk about this after your Sister Gu’er’s wedding is over. This is a happy occasion; let’s not bring up other things."

Lin Shuying stopped her daughter. No matter how wronged she felt, a wedding was a joyous occasion, and she didn’t want to spoil everyone’s mood with her own problems.

"Auntie, Sis, Bro, come out quick! My dad is back!"

Lin Zheng ran in excitedly, shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Shan is back? Quick, quick, let’s go out."

Lin Shuying was incredibly excited. She hadn’t seen her younger brother in several years.

When they went out, they saw Lin Shan talking to Liu Yue Mei. When he saw Lin Shuying and the others, he also looked excited and called out, "Big Sister."

Lin Shuying ran over to him, and looking at Lin Shan, she couldn’t hold back her tears and began to cry.

"What’s all this for? Crying on a joyous day like this, are you trying to bring bad luck? Let me tell you, don’t you dare go crying to him. I didn’t bully you. Even if you complain, I have plenty to say for myself. Don’t think you have someone to back you up just because your brother’s home. This house belongs to my sister-in-law, too!"

"Sister-in-law, can’t you just say a few words less? Big Sister isn’t that kind of person. She just hasn’t seen Lin Shan in a long time and got a little emotional. She didn’t mean anything by it."

Chen Fengjiao’s head was pounding. Sometimes, she really wished she could just throw her sister-in-law out.

"Hmph. Who knows what her real intentions are. Some people seem nice on the surface, but they’re rotten to the core."

Liu Yue Mei pursed her lips.

Lin Shan’s face darkened. His older sister already had a hard enough life. To have someone speak to her like that in his own home—how could he tolerate it?

But Lin Shuying pulled hard on Lin Shan’s arm and shook her head, stopping him from standing up for her. She didn’t want to cause a scene right after arriving; it would make them a laughingstock. It would put Feng Jiao in an awkward position, too.

"Zhongshan, Xinghua, quick! Come and greet your uncle."

Lin Shuying called her two children over, effectively turning the page on what had just happened.

Zheng Zhongshan and Zheng Xinghua both stepped forward and greeted him as "Uncle," much to Lin Shan’s delight.

"Chen Ping, come over and greet your uncle. Where are Chen Yu and Shuangbao? And your father? Where the hell did he run off to? Wasn’t he supposed to pick someone up? Who knows where he’s gone."

Liu Yue Mei called for her daughter, all the while grumbling about her husband.

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Thank you to Melody Ranran for the monthly ticket, and thank you all for your support.