The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Lin Shuying avoided Zheng Changsheng’s gaze.

"Changsheng is a good man. He’s helped me a lot over the years. When Zhongshan was sick, he helped me take him to the doctor many times. A few times, he even fronted the money for me. When I couldn’t keep up with the work in the fields, he would secretly help me get it done. Da Niu wasn’t good to me, and Changsheng tried talking to him several times, but Da Niu wouldn’t listen and would just say nasty things. He even got into a fight with Da Niu last time because of Chang Juhua. After what happened this time, I’m afraid a lot of people will be talking about him when he goes back to the village. It’s all my fault for dragging him into this. But, Gu’er, there’s really nothing between us."

Lin Shuying said this in a low voice, as if she were speaking to Gu’er, and also to herself.

At first, she hadn’t known about Zheng Changsheng’s feelings for her, but she came to understand them later. For her, having someone like him helping her during those difficult days was like a warm current. It was just that she was another man’s wife, so she couldn’t possibly entertain any other ideas.

Now she was divorced, but she truly had no heart for other things. She only wanted to nurse Zhongshan back to health, find him a wife in the future, and see Xinghua married off well. As for herself, she planned to live out the rest of her life just like this. She had no intention of finding another man.

Gu’er could understand Lin Shuying’s feelings. She sighed to herself. ’In my past life, Zhang Da’s death was a release for me. No matter how hard things got, I never planned to remarry. It seems my aunt has the same idea. But I know just how hard it is to be alone. At night, after a long day’s work, the cold bed and the silent loneliness can drown a person, suffocate them.’

After dinner, when they left the restaurant, Squad Leader Shang and his men didn’t leave right away. They were soldiers, and although they would be assigned jobs after transferring from the military, the assignments weren’t always ideal. They could tell that Li Zhi’s group was doing well for themselves. ’If things don’t work out for us one day, maybe we can go to them for help?’

So, Squad Leader Shang and the other soldiers got Li Zhi’s number, wanting to keep a path open for the future.

"I’m going to thank the Village Chief. After all, if he hadn’t taken us to the brigade office to get the certificate, this wouldn’t have been settled so quickly. We’ll have to trouble him again tomorrow to transfer the household registration."

Gu’er said to Lin Shuying and Sun Jiaming before walking over to Zheng Changsheng.

Zheng Changsheng hadn’t expected Gu’er to approach him. He stared at her, fixedly. He didn’t know her well, but he knew she was no simple woman. Although she was a girl, he could see that the others all listened to her. Whatever she said, they would do without hesitation. That was almost impossible around here, where women had such low status and rarely had a say at home.

’I wonder what she wants. Is she just going to say a few polite words, or is she here to warn me?’

Zheng Changsheng wondered.

"Village Chief Zheng."

Gu’er called out to him.

Zheng Changsheng nodded.

"Thank you for today."

Gu’er thanked him.

"I didn’t really help with much, so there’s nothing to thank me for. Besides, I got a meal out of you."

Zheng Changsheng shook his head. The reasons he had joined them for dinner were, one, he didn’t want to leave with Zheng Daniu, and two, he wanted a few more chances to look at Lin Shuying.

"You like my aunt?"

Gu’er asked in a low voice that only she and Zheng Changsheng could hear.

Zheng Changsheng froze. He hadn’t expected her to ask him that. It was so direct. How was he supposed to answer?

"Yes."

Zheng Changsheng nodded.

Gu’er raised an eyebrow at him. ’At least he has some backbone. If he didn’t even dare to admit it, then there’d be no point in me saying anything else.’

"You realize that after today, Zheng Daniu, Zheng Fuzi, and their cronies will all target you, right? I can tell that a lot of people side with Zheng Fuzi’s group. Life in the village won’t be easy for you. It won’t matter that you’re the village chief."

Gu’er asked Zheng Changsheng.

"I know."

Zheng Changsheng nodded, then added, "But it’s fine. Since I said what I did, I’ve already considered the consequences. I don’t care whether I’m the village chief or not. As for things being difficult in the village... I don’t have any family left here anyway. If I can’t stay, I’ll just leave. As long as I can work, I won’t starve no matter where I go."

Zheng Changsheng’s voice wasn’t loud, but Gu’er could sense his sincerity. He wasn’t just saying it; he truly meant it.

Gu’er looked at Zheng Changsheng and recited a string of numbers.

Zheng Changsheng stared at Gu’er, stunned, not understanding what she meant.

"That’s my family’s phone number. If you ever come to the Northeast, you can call this number."

Gu’er smiled.

Zheng Changsheng’s eyes widened as he looked at Gu’er in disbelief.

"You... say that again."

Zheng Changsheng’s voice trembled slightly.

"I said, that’s my family’s phone number. If you ever come to the Northeast, you can call this number. But don’t bother if it’s many years from now; the number will definitely have changed by then."

Gu’er repeated herself, a faint smile on her face.

"No, no, I don’t mean that. I mean the number. I didn’t catch all of it just now."

Zheng Changsheng said, a little excitedly.

Gu’er laughed. She actually knew what he meant and had just been teasing him. She recited the number one more time.

Zheng Changsheng repeated it, and Gu’er nodded. He had remembered it correctly.

"Well, I’ll be going then. You should head back soon too, Village Chief. It’ll probably be midnight by the time you walk back to your village, right? Why don’t you stay here for the night? We have to go to the brigade office again tomorrow to transfer the household registration."

Seeing that he had memorized it, Gu’er didn’t say anything more. She didn’t know if Zheng Changsheng would one day make his way to the Northeast to find her aunt, but by leaving this path open, she was giving both him and her aunt a thread of hope to hold on to.

"I’m not afraid of it being midnight. Don’t worry about me. I’ll get up early tomorrow and wait for you at the brigade office. You all be good to your aunt. She’s suffered a great deal and has been through a lot."

Zheng Changsheng couldn’t help but add.

"We will."

Gu’er nodded.

By the time Gu’er returned to Lin Shuying’s side, the soldiers had all gotten into their vehicle and were saying their goodbyes.

"What were you talking about for so long?"

Lin Shuying asked Gu’er in a low voice.

"Oh, nothing much. I just thanked him, exchanged some pleasantries, and told him to head back early. He said he’ll wait for us at the brigade office tomorrow for the household registration transfer."

Gu’er said nonchalantly.

Sun Jiaming glanced at her, his eyes flickering. He knew Gu’er had said more than that; she had definitely said something else, something she couldn’t easily tell Lin Shuying. ’As for what she said... I can probably guess.’ But he wouldn’t be the one to expose her.

"Let’s go. We should head back too. This trip has finally resolved the matter. I can rest easy now."

Lin Shuying let out a long sigh, feeling much lighter.

"Let’s go. I’m exhausted from today. That vehicle nearly rattled my bones apart. I’m going to get a good night’s sleep. Once we get the household registration sorted tomorrow, we’ll buy our tickets home."

Gu’er nodded. With the matter resolved, she also felt relieved. Once they had the household registration certificate in hand, they could go back, and she would have something to report to her father.