The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

In the end, Director Chen and the others left, their faces grim.

Gu’er, Lin Shan, and the others couldn’t do anything to them; they had no jurisdiction over Director Chen’s group. But Gu’er still found it a bit strange. ’If investigating Lin Shan was that person named You’s idea, does he have enough clout to get the provincial authorities involved?’

’If this was all really his idea, that would be one thing. After this incident, that You fellow is probably in for a rough time. But what if it wasn’t? Is there someone else behind the scenes working against my father, Lin Shan?’

However, Gu’er didn’t know much about these matters. She had no idea if Lin Shan had any enemies. She’d have to bring it up with him later.

Though the officials left looking dejected, the crowd in the courtyard was unwilling to disperse. They were all buzzing about the two bombshells Gu’er had dropped. After getting confirmation, everyone praised the group and enthusiastically invited them to their homes for a visit.

Gu’er smiled and politely declined their kind offers. She explained that their group was large and they still needed to look around, so they couldn’t visit this time, but she thanked them for their kindness. She added that if they really did build the nursing home and school, they would definitely be back and would need everyone’s help then.

Lin Shan also said a few words, and then the crowd slowly dispersed.

"Don’t you go leaving today! Stay and eat here."

Grandpa Wang said loudly.

Gu’er was about to refuse, but Grandpa Wang glared at her. "What? You lookin’ down on this old man?"

"No, no! We respect you very much, Grandpa. You’re a hero. How could we possibly look down on you?" Gu’er said, waving her hands in a hurry. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Then stay and eat. This old man may not have anything fancy, but I can guarantee you a full stomach. If you don’t eat here, it means you really do look down on me."

Grandpa Wang truly meant it. If they were really going to build a nursing home and a school like Gu’er said, he’d be willing to do anything they asked, let alone just cook them a meal.

"Alright, then. We’ll impose on you, Uncle Wang."

Lin Shan nodded in agreement. He knew Grandpa Wang was sincere.

"Please don’t say that, Secretary Lin. You all head inside and have a seat. I’ll go get things ready."

Seeing them agree, Grandpa Wang’s face bloomed into a wide smile.

"We brought some food. I’ll go get it, and then I can help you cook."

There was no way Gu’er was going to let a man in his eighties cook for all of them.

"I’ll go. I’ll get our things."

Li Zhi chimed in quickly. He had no objection to eating there; the day’s events had shaken him as well.

"Let’s go together."

Sun Jiaming glanced at Li Zhi and Dingzi, and the three of them headed out together.

There were still quite a few people in the courtyard, all of whom smiled and nodded at them warmly.

"Li Zhi, Dingzi," Sun Jiaming said in a low voice, "about what Gu’er said today... I know why she didn’t discuss it with us first. At the time, she wanted to help my dad’s reputation, but I could also tell she genuinely wants to do something for the elderly and the children. It’s not just for show. There was no time to talk it over in that situation. I know she’s probably planning to pay for it all herself. When the time comes, I’m going to put in our share. I hope you guys don’t hold it against Gu’er."

He understood Gu’er and supported her decision, but he also knew that Li Zhi and Dingzi were under no obligation to contribute their own money.

As soon as Sun Jiaming finished speaking, Dingzi glanced at him, but Li Zhi was outright glaring.

"Sun Jiaming, what the hell is that supposed to mean? You think you’re the only real man here? You think we’re just a couple of useless cowards? Gu’er’s a girl, and even she’s thinking about doing something for everyone. If we, as men, actually had a problem with that... would we even be human? Yeah, my family’s well-off. We’re not going to starve, and our elders will be taken care of. And me, Li Zhi? Sure, I can be selfish sometimes, but I’m not a damn heartless bastard! I saw what Uncle Lin did. I heard what Grandpa Wang said. Those lonely old folks in the village are living such hard lives. If I hesitated to chip in some money, what kind of person would that make me?! If you dare say again that this is just your and Gu’er’s business and that we shouldn’t get involved, then we’re done! We can just pretend we never knew each other."

Li Zhi was genuinely angry. He’d always considered them all to be in it together. Even though Gu’er hadn’t consulted them, what she did was a good thing, and he fully supported it. Money was meant to be spent. You could spend it splurging on fancy meals, luxury cars, and mansions, or you could spend it helping people. Since you were spending it either way, why not do something meaningful? He didn’t resent Gu’er in the slightest. They would all stand with her and see this through.

Seeing Li Zhi’s fuming expression, Sun Jiaming gave him a light punch on the shoulder. "You punk. I was just worried you’d complain that the money’s being spent before it’s even had a chance to warm our pockets. I was afraid you’d feel the pinch. I know you’re a stand-up guy. Alright, alright, I won’t say it again."

"Damn right. I’m a man, too."

Li Zhi lifted his chin, looking very pleased with himself.

"Alright, you’re more of a man than I am," Sun Jiaming said with a chuckle.

Dingzi remained silent. ’Actually, when Gu’er first announced it, I was the one who was most shocked, and also the one it hit the hardest. I’ve been on dangerous missions before, missions I thought I might not come back from alive. Back then, I felt sacrificing my life for my country was worth it. My only worry was my grandmother. My parents are gone. If I died in the line of duty, who would take care of her? How would she survive?’

’If there really was a place like the one Gu’er described—somewhere that took in lonely, elderly people, provided them with food and shelter, and looked after them—then what would I have to worry about?’

That was why Gu’er’s plan to open a nursing home struck such a chord with him. He was one hundred percent behind it. He’d be happy to give every cent he had to make it happen.

He also admired Gu’er. ’A kind heart... maybe everyone has one, but not many people are capable of taking their own hard-earned money and using it for others, to do good deeds.’

That was why Sun Jiaming didn’t need to explain anything to him and Li Zhi. They supported the idea—sincerely.

Still, he understood why Sun Jiaming did it. He just didn’t want them to have any hard feelings. It was good that they had cleared the air.

By the time Sun Jiaming and the others got back to the car, Chen Fengjiao had already relayed the whole story to everyone inside. Worried, she had gone back toward the courtyard earlier. She hadn’t gone in, but had stood outside and listened to everything. As soon as it was over, she had returned to the car to give everyone a full report.

So by the time Sun Jiaming and the others arrived, everyone in the car already knew everything.

"Jia Ming, Li Zhi, Dingzi," Grandma Sun asked the three of them, her expression unreadable, "are you and Gu’er really going to open a nursing home here?"

Grandma Dingzi also stared intently at them.

Sun Jiaming nodded.

"That’s wonderful! This is such a good deed. On behalf of all those old folks, thank you."

Tears immediately streamed down Grandma Sun’s face. Even though she was living a comfortable life now, she was still an elderly woman, and she understood their feelings better than anyone.

"You’re all good children. This is a virtuous act, a truly great and virtuous act."

Grandma Dingzi also began to cry. She was elderly, too. When Dingzi wasn’t home, life was hard for her. If she got sick, there was no one to look after her. If she couldn’t get out of bed, she could only starve. She knew better than anyone what a huge difference it made to have someone around versus having no one at all.

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Thank you to Melody Ranran and book fan wang2001 for the monthly tickets, and thank you all for your support. I wrote the wrong title earlier, my apologies.