The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Everyone looked at Gu’er. They could sense her sorrow, but they still didn’t understand. Wasn’t Gu’er Secretary Lin’s daughter?

"When I left that home, I swore to myself that I would make money. I had to earn enough to buy my own house, so I would never be homeless again when someone bullied me. I had to make money, lots of it, so I would never again be cornered over fifty yuan like that one night. I had to earn money to take my destiny into my own hands. That’s why I, a girl, went out to struggle and hustle alongside these men. Why can I earn money today? Because I have the spirit to fight for it. Because I’ve gambled with my own life, staking everything I have. I’ve paid my dues. Don’t I deserve to earn some money?"

Gu’er questioned the crowd, her head held high. But she didn’t come across as arrogant. Instead, she radiated an air of absolute fearlessness.

Listening to Gu’er’s words, the crowd exchanged glances. ’If that’s what she’s been through,’ they thought, ’then it’s only right she wants to make money. The fact that she earned it means she deserves it.’

"So you’re not Secretary Lin’s daughter?"

Grandpa Wang voiced everyone’s confusion.

"I am. His biological daughter."

Gu’er nodded firmly.

"Then?"

Grandpa Wang was confused.

"That’s what I’m about to explain. When I was three years old, my father was taking my mother back to the city when I went missing. They could never find me, no matter how hard they searched. They asked people to look for me, but no one had any luck. I was found and taken in by a family. My adoptive mother was very good to me, but my adoptive father... he wasn’t."

Gu’er didn’t hide anything.

"How tragic! No wonder you’ve suffered so much. So you didn’t even grow up with Secretary Lin."

The old woman with the cane sighed. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"The truth is, I didn’t just wander off and get lost back then. It was him."

Gu’er pointed at Yu District Chief.

"Back then, my father was assigned to their village. This man did something wrong, and my father punished him for it. He’s held a grudge ever since. Right when my mother was about to leave, he had someone secretly snatch me away. He had them abandon me in another village, one far from ours. Then, he and his cronies spread false rumors, saying I’d wandered off, that I’d been taken by human traffickers and sold off to some distant place. Those lies deliberately misled my father, so he never searched in the right area. That’s why I had to suffer for so many years. Not long ago, my dad and I ran into him again while we were out for a meal. He wants to become the secretary in my dad’s district and wanted my dad to put in a good word. My dad refused. So he’s been resentful and looking for revenge ever since. Today, I stand before you, and I can tell you all with full responsibility: every single penny I’ve earned is from my own hard work. My father has never pocketed a single cent. In fact, ever since he came to this township, he hasn’t given my mother any of his salary. I’m the one who gives my mother money for living expenses each month. So where did my father’s money go? Where did all the things I brought him on my visits go? I’m sure I don’t need to say more. All of you should have a good idea by now. So, are you still going to listen to him? Do you still doubt my father?"

Gu’er demanded of the crowd.

"I believe this girl! That official, You, is a menace! So he’s only stirring up trouble because he has a grudge against Secretary Lin. A man like that is unfit to be an official!"

The old woman with the cane shouted.

"I’ll beat you to a pulp, you little bastard!"

Grandpa Wang had a fiery temper. Without another word, he rushed forward and slapped Director You right across the forehead.

Director You’s eyes flashed with anger, but just as he raised his hand to strike back, several burly men swarmed him. They grabbed his arms, pinning him in place.

"Stop! All of you, stop! This is outrageous! Director You is a member of the Party, a state official! How can you lay a hand on him? Her words are just one side of the story; we still need to verify the facts. What do you think you’re doing?!"

Director Chen yelled sternly.

"That’s right! Don’t listen to her nonsense! They showed up in two cars, didn’t they? What do you think they’re here for? They’re here to collect the money Lin Shan embezzled! She’s just trying to trick all of you!"

Director You yelled back.

"Heh. So, Director You is curious about why we’re here?"

Gu’er sneered at Director You.

"Don’t tell me you came all this way just to visit Lin Shan! With so many of you, does your food and lodging come free? You’re leeching off the state, off the common people! Everything you eat and enjoy is paid for by the people’s blood and sweat!"

Director You could only resort to flinging baseless accusations at Gu’er.

"You’re right about one thing. We’re not just here for a casual visit with my dad."

Gu’er nodded at him.

"See? I told you! Listen, everyone, she admitted it herself!"

Director You felt he had successfully trapped Gu’er with her own words.

"We aren’t just here for a casual visit. I had originally planned to state our purpose after meeting with my father, but since Director You is in such a hurry, I might as well say it now."

Gu’er finished, cleared her throat, and looked out at the crowd. In a loud voice, she announced, "We came here today for three main reasons. First, to visit my father and take a look around the village. Second, we want to open a nursing home here. This home will be for the elderly who are childless, or for those who have mobility issues, or whose children live far away and can’t care for them. We will welcome them all."

Gu’er hadn’t even finished speaking before the crowd erupted. What village doesn’t have elderly folks? Every village does. If this nursing home she was talking about was real, it would be a wonderful thing.

"Is... is this for real? What are the requirements to get in? How much does it cost?"

The old woman with the cane asked, her voice trembling.

"Grandma, I only learned of the situation after my father told me. I know many of the elderly here have a very difficult life. My dad has always wanted to do something to help, but his own ability is limited; there’s only so much one person can do. So we discussed it and decided to open a nursing home. There will be no fee to move in. Not a single cent. Our main goal is to provide a place where everyone can live comfortably. We will hire staff to cook for you, and we’ll arrange for medical care when you’re sick. There will also be people to assist those with mobility issues. This isn’t about money."

Sun Jiaming, Li Zhi, and Dingzi exchanged a look. None of them had discussed this idea before coming here; Gu’er had just come up with it on the spot. This single move would likely win the hearts and minds of many, re-establish Secretary Lin’s authority, and make people appreciate his good deeds even more.

Of course, opening a nursing home would cost a lot of money, but it was an expense they could handle. Besides, it was a good cause. They felt good about being able to do something for the community, and they all supported Gu’er.

"Oh, my... we’ve... we’ve met a true Lord of Heaven! To think of us so single-mindedly... You’re spending your own money for our sake. What could you possibly hope to gain from this?"

The old woman with the cane asked Gu’er as tears streamed down her face, a mixture of excitement and profound gratitude.

"Our only wish is for the elderly to be supported and have security in their old age."

As Gu’er spoke, her own eyes welled with tears. ’At first, there was a part of me that was doing this to build a good reputation for Lin Shan. But looking at the emotional faces of all these elderly people, thinking of how lonely Li Hua was in my past life, and remembering my own suffering... my heart ached.’ At this point, her sincerity was genuine. This was no longer about reputation; she truly wanted to give these seniors a place where they could live out their days in peace.

’She wasn’t short on money now. It felt right to give something back to the elderly.’

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