The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Gu’er was taken aback by Liu Yuan’s words. His enthusiasm was a bit much for her to process. ’This is only our second time meeting, right? And he’s already asking me to a meal? Isn’t that a little too fast?’

But Gu’er quickly understood. ’People in this era are still very simple and honest. If you walk up to someone’s door and say you haven’t eaten, they’ll give you a meal, regardless of whether you’re a relative or not.’

’Liu Yuan must be like that, too. He probably feels that since I’m a girl who has come into the city, and this isn’t far from his home, he’s playing the part of a host. That’s why he said it. It’s not like in the future, where someone asks you to a meal and has other intentions.’

"No, thank you. I’ve already eaten."

Gu’er thanked him. Regardless, his intentions were good, and she appreciated the thought.

Liu Yuan actually hadn’t thought that much about it. When Gu’er said that, he blushed a little. He didn’t dare to look her in the eyes, afraid she would misunderstand and laugh at him.

His eyes glanced over her cart and saw a single corn bun. Liu Yuan frowned. ’Is this all Gu’er is eating?’

But then he thought about what he’d heard. The Zhou Mazi family had always had it rough. In that household, Gu’er and her mother had the lowest status; it was a blessing they were even given food to eat. ’Want to eat well? That’s just a dream.’

"There are no side dishes. How can you just eat a plain corn bun? What do you like to eat? There’s a restaurant not far from here. I can go get a dish for you."

Liu Yuan looked at Gu’er, his gaze filled with pity. He felt that her life was just too hard.

’He’s actually going to a restaurant to get a dish for me?’ Gu’er glanced at Liu Yuan curiously. Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, she was slightly moved.

’How could she not know there was a restaurant nearby? But she couldn’t afford it. Even if the dishes weren’t expensive, they were beyond what she could spend right now, so she never even considered it.’

"Thank you, Brother Liu Yuan, but really, you don’t have to. Look, my cart is full of vegetables. I just ate some, so why would I need another dish?"

Gu’er pointed to her cart.

Liu Yuan looked. There were quite a few varieties of vegetables on the cart, but how could she eat them raw?

His gaze fell on a bowl. Inside were some prepared vegetables—some fiddleheads, some thorny sprouts, and a bit of sauce. It seemed Gu’er had eaten this. ’Good, at least she had some proper food,’ Liu Yuan felt relieved. But then he immediately felt a bit embarrassed. ’Was I being too forward? I hope she doesn’t read too much into it.’

He didn’t know, however, that Gu’er hadn’t eaten any of the vegetables in the bowl at all. There was only a small amount left, which she was saving as samples for afternoon customers. She didn’t eat them, afraid that if there was nothing for people to taste, she wouldn’t be able to sell the rest. Not only would she earn less money, but she would also have to painstakingly push the heavy cart all the way back home. She wanted to return with an empty cart.

Looking at this somewhat shy young man put Gu’er in a great mood. ’Since my rebirth, although some things have changed compared to my last life, my days are still very hard. The physical toil is one thing, but I’m also spiritually deprived. Besides Li Hua and Sun Jiaming, now I’ve also felt Liu Yuan’s kindness. No wonder women like to be doted on, to be cherished. It feels so good to be cared for.’

The corners of Gu’er’s lips curled up slightly. She liked this feeling.

"Gu’er, I..."

Liu Yuan had just called out her name when, before Zhou Gu’er could answer, a customer arrived. Liu Yuan quickly stepped to the side, quietly watching as Gu’er spoke with the person and sold some of her wild vegetables.

"Brother Liu Yuan."

After Gu’er collected the money and the customer left, she called out to Liu Yuan with a smile, wondering what he had wanted to say to her earlier.

"It’s nothing. Don’t mind me, just focus on your business."

Liu Yuan was afraid of holding up Gu’er’s sales.

"It’s fine. This is all I have left. I’ll probably be sold out after a little while longer. Brother Liu Yuan, do you have something you need to do? If you do, you should go. I don’t want to hold you up."

Gu’er was quite happy to see Liu Yuan. Although they had only met once, he was still an acquaintance. Seeing an acquaintance—and a nice one at that—was certainly better than standing here all by herself.

"No, you’re not holding me up! I really don’t have anything to do. Am I getting in the way of your business? I can just stand here and not say a word."

Liu Yuan quickly waved his hands. He had come specifically to find Gu’er, so how could he feel like he was being held up?

"How could you be in the way? Brother Liu Yuan, why don’t you stand over here? You’re right in the sun over there, it’s too hot."

Zhou Gu’er didn’t think much of it. As long as she wasn’t keeping him from his own affairs, it was fine if he wanted to stay. There were no customers at the moment, so it was nice to have someone to talk to.

"Okay."

Liu Yuan nodded and walked over to stand where Gu’er had indicated. He glanced at her, then lowered his head, feeling very happy inside. ’She’s concerned about me, worried I’ll get sunstroke. Gu’er is so kind-hearted.’

Gu’er had no idea what he was thinking. If she did, she wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’This man is so naive. I just said one sentence and he thinks I’m kind-hearted. He’s really too simple.’

They continued to chat idly like this, and Liu Yuan stood with Gu’er for over an hour.

"Brother Liu Yuan, are you sure you don’t have anything to do? I’ve almost sold out of my vegetables. Once I sell these last two portions, I’ll be done and heading back."

Gu’er didn’t know why Liu Yuan was staying with her the whole time. ’Maybe he’s just kind-hearted and worried because I’m a girl and not familiar with the city, so he wants to help me.’

"I’m fine. When you’re done selling, you’ll head back... who did you come with? Don’t tell me you came by yourself?"

Liu Yuan hadn’t noticed the time fly by. When Gu’er said she would be leaving after selling the last two portions, he felt a bit reluctant to see her go and immediately thought about her journey back.

"That’s right. I’ve been to the city before, so you don’t have to worry, Brother Liu Yuan. I know the way."

Zhou Gu’er answered casually.

"That won’t do! A young woman like you, walking such a long way all by yourself isn’t safe. How about this: wait for me while I go tell my family, and then I’ll walk you back."

Liu Yuan was very worried and decided to escort Gu’er home.

"No, no, Brother Liu Yuan, you really don’t have to. Look, it’s still early. It won’t even be dark by the time I get back. You don’t need to worry. I’ve made this trip back and forth several times already. Really, there’s no need."

Zhou Gu’er hurriedly stopped him. ’Is he kidding? How could I let Liu Yuan walk me home? If we were from the same village, it would be one thing, since it would be on his way. But he’s from the city. He’d have to come all the way back after dropping me off. It would be midnight by the time he got home! We’re not even relatives, how could I have the nerve to let him do that?’

’Besides, what would people think if they found out?’

"Don’t worry, I was planning to visit my aunt’s house anyway, so it’s on my way. I’ll just go tell my family. I... I don’t have any other intentions."

Liu Yuan knew he was being too forward, but he was genuinely worried, so he used visiting his aunt as an excuse.

"Brother Liu Yuan, you can go tomorrow. If you go now, it’ll be midnight by the time you get back. There isn’t much going on in the village, and your aunt is doing fine. If you want to visit her, it doesn’t have to be today."