The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

"Let’s put Aunt’s situation aside for now. Xinghua, I’m asking you, what are your plans?"

Gu’er didn’t mention her plans for Lin Shuying. When the time was right and the issue was resolved, if Lin Shuying wanted to go, she wouldn’t disagree.

"Me? I haven’t really thought about it. I feel like I don’t know how to do anything. I know how to farm, but there’s no land for me to farm here. I can cook and clean, but that’s not needed here either. I don’t think I know anything else. But I don’t want my mom to be the only one working hard to support us both. Maybe... maybe I should just find a job washing dishes or something."

Zheng Xinghua looked lost. She truly didn’t know what she could do. Although her father hadn’t treated her well back home, she had still lived in that place for over a decade. Coming to a strange city, she longed for a new life, but deep down, she still felt anxious and uncertain.

"Well, is there anything you particularly like to do?"

Gu’er asked again. She could understand Xinghua’s feelings. People naturally grow attached to familiar places and feel a sense of fear in strange ones.

"Something I like?"

Zheng Xinghua tilted her head, thinking.

"Oh, right!"

Zheng Xinghua seemed to have remembered something. Her eyes lit up as she said, "Sis, when we arrived, I saw a woman at the train station wearing a sweater. It was so beautiful! I just thought it would be wonderful if I knew how to knit sweaters like that. Then I could make one for each of you, and I could even knit for others and sell them for money. Sis, do you think that could work?"

Zheng Xinghua asked Gu’er with a face full of anticipation. It was the only thing she could think of that she would like to do.

"Why wouldn’t it work? As long as you put your mind to it, you can definitely learn. Eventually, you could knit for others or even open a shop specializing in sweaters, woolen pants, and things like that. You’d definitely make money."

Gu’er was surprised this was what Zheng Xinghua liked, but she thought it was wonderful to earn your own money, no matter how you did it. Knitted sweaters and woolen pants would be in fashion for years. She herself used to knit and knew several patterns, though she’d mostly forgotten them after they went out of style. ’If Zheng Xinghua is interested, I can teach her. Once she learns the basics, I can buy her some pattern books. It’s a good thing for her to have a trade. Oh, and I should knit a sweater for Jia Ming, too.’

At the thought of Sun Jiaming, Gu’er smiled softly again. It was an involuntary smile that came straight from the heart. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Really? You think it’s a good idea too, Sis? That’s great! I want to learn how to knit."

Zheng Xinghua saw that Gu’er had affirmed her idea. She saw Gu’er’s smile and thought it was beautiful. She assumed Gu’er was smiling at her, which made her especially happy. Feeling understood and supported, her heart didn’t feel quite so anxious anymore.

"Learning to knit is a fine idea, but Xinghua, I think you should also get some more education. Even if you can’t go to a regular school, you could attend night school. It’s always good to learn more, don’t you think?"

"I... when my mom left, my dad didn’t give her any money. It was a real struggle for her to get back here with my brother and me. The money she gave you for your wedding was from our uncle... and when he left, he gave Mom another two hundred yuan for me to use. Now, everything we eat and drink is from you, Sis. And... and I don’t want to ask my mom for money. My older brother needs to buy medicine and see a doctor. All of that costs money."

As Zheng Xinghua spoke, the rims of her eyes turned a little red. They had arrived with nothing. They owed her uncle’s family a debt of both gratitude and money, and she would remember it for the rest of her life.

Gu’er patted Zheng Xinghua’s head. ’What a sensible girl,’ she thought.

"I’ll pay for you to go."

Gu’er was gratified that Zheng Xinghua was so sensible.

"No, you’ve already helped us so much. You have no obligation to keep helping us like this."

Zheng Xinghua shook her head. Then, as if she’d suddenly thought of something, she added, "Sis, how about this? I do want to get more education. Let me borrow the money from you. Once I start earning, I’ll pay you back slowly. Is that okay?"

The chance to get more education was very appealing to Zheng Xinghua, but she was unwilling to simply take Gu’er’s money for free. Even for relatives, that wouldn’t be right. But if she borrowed it, she could remember the favor and slowly repay it.

"Alright, then it’s a deal."

Gu’er agreed. Although the money was nothing to her, she approved of Zheng Xinghua’s way of thinking and acting. She admired people who didn’t try to take advantage of others and instead relied on themselves.

"Thank you, Sis."

Zheng Xinghua said her thanks and hugged Gu’er’s arm. Gu’er gently patted her cheek.

The two sisters chatted for a little while longer before going out together. That evening, Gu’er went to get Li Hua and they all had dinner together. After the meal, while everyone else was talking outside, Gu’er pulled Li Hua into her room.

The others in the living room didn’t pay them any mind, assuming the mother and daughter wanted to have a private chat.

"Gu’er, are you still not feeling well? If there’s anything you can’t talk to Jia Ming about, you can tell me."

Li Hua asked Gu’er with concern.

"It’s nothing, Mom. Jia Ming is just making a fuss. Don’t worry, I’m fine."

Gu’er blushed a little. ’It’s just my period, nothing serious, yet everyone is making such a big deal about it. For the past two days, Grandma keeps telling me not to get chilled, Aunt Zhao boils hot water for me every day, and Mom asks about it at least once a day. It’s like I’ve suddenly become fragile.’

"As long as you’re okay. Jia Ming is a good man. The fact that he treats you so well is a blessing. Some husbands couldn’t care less about these things. They’d make you do your chores regardless, forcing you to soak your hands in cold water even if your stomach hurts. And on top of that, they might still complain and say you’re bad luck. If anything went wrong, they’d blame it all on you. Jia Ming is truly a good one. You really lucked out, and I’m so happy for you. Oh, and you can’t be careless about this. If you catch a bad chill, it could make it hard to have children later. Jia Ming treats you so well, so you have to give him a son. His older brother has a daughter, so if you have a son, he’ll be the Old Sun Family’s eldest grandson. Your in-laws, his grandmother, even Jia Ming—they’d all be thrilled. Do you hear me?"

Gu’er fell silent. Every time she and Sun Jiaming were intimate, she would immediately go wash up because she didn’t want to get pregnant right now. But that was something she couldn’t say out loud.

"Mom, I know. I actually wanted to ask you—how are things at the department store? Is anyone giving you a hard time?"

Gu’er had hurriedly changed the subject. She didn’t want to talk any more about having children right now.

"It’s going quite well. The work isn’t tiring—it’s much easier than what I used to do back home. And no one is giving me any trouble."