The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Looking at Li Ting standing there, fuming and crying, Gu’er felt that this was truly a girl who had been coddled her whole life.

"Alright, this is a happy occasion. Don’t cry. You won’t be pretty anymore if you keep crying. Your brother didn’t really mean to scold you, and let’s just forget about the apology. Everyone, hurry up and eat, or there won’t be anything left soon."

Gu’er stood up to smooth things over. For Li Zhi’s sake, she couldn’t be too hard on Li Ting.

Besides, it was a small matter. When a family’s own kid acts immaturely, you can just laugh it off. There was no need to make things awkward. If she made Li Ting lose face in front of her friends, Li Ting probably wouldn’t be able to hang out with them anymore.

"Look at you, playing the good guy. This is all your fault," Xiao Li muttered, pouting at Gu’er.

Li Ting, however, said nothing.

"When you’re a guest, you should act like one. Li Ting invited you here out of goodwill. I hope you don’t become unwelcome guests."

Gu’er had no good feelings toward these two. ’They came to someone’s house as guests, empty-handed no less, and they should be a positive influence. I’m giving Li Ting a way out, and even Li Ting hasn’t said anything. What are they trying to accomplish by stirring up more trouble?’

"This isn’t your house, it’s Li Ting’s house. What business is it of yours?" Xiao Hong chimed in.

"Xiao Ting."

Li Zhi looked at Li Ting, a warning in his eyes. ’Look at the kind of friends she’s made.’

"Alright, that’s enough. Hurry up and eat. Can’t all this food shut you up?"

Li Ting glared at Xiao Li and Xiao Hong. ’How can they be so clueless? My own brother got angry at me, and Liu Yuan had also criticized me. I didn’t want to apologize to Gu’er, but then Gu’er spoke up and gave me an out. I didn’t even say anything, I was ready to quit while I was ahead, but I can’t believe Xiao Li and Xiao Hong would say something like that. Are they trying to make me have a falling out with my brother? If we did, who would give me money to spend however I want in the future?’

When Xiao Li and Xiao Hong saw Li Ting glaring at them, they were unhappy but didn’t dare say anything. Usually, when they went out with Li Ting, whether it was for meals or anything else, Li Ting always paid. That’s why they clung to her and didn’t dare offend her.

After speaking, Li Ting went back to eating as if nothing had just happened.

"Alright, don’t be angry. We’re all family here. Let’s just move past it. Come on, let’s drink."

Sun Jiaming knew that Li Zhi hated this kind of situation more than anyone, because he was the host. But who would have thought Li Ting would bring two friends like that and make everyone miserable?

The meal wasn’t very pleasant. The men, in particular, didn’t eat much; they just drank.

Gu’er didn’t eat much either. In contrast, Li Ting’s two little friends ate with great enthusiasm.

"Let’s go. We can go drink over there. I have something to discuss with you guys anyway," Li Zhi suggested, tired of looking at his sister’s two friends.

"If you all leave, who’s going to clean up here?" Li Ting called out anxiously as she saw them getting up to leave.

Li Zhi didn’t even acknowledge her. Gu’er didn’t say anything either; she was under no obligation to stay and clean.

They relocated to Dingzi’s place.

Dingzi’s house didn’t have as much stuff as Li Zhi’s. He was a simpler person, buying only what was useful and skipping what wasn’t. The house seemed a bit empty, but it wasn’t lacking anything essential.

The group each found a comfortable spot to sit.

Sure enough, without any disruptive people around, everyone was in high spirits. They talked and drank, and even without any food, they finished quite a few bottles.

After they were done drinking and talking, Li Zhi returned to his new house. Li Ting wasn’t there, nor were her two friends. They had probably gone out together after eating. Looking at the mess of plates and cups on the table, Li Zhi frowned. ’That girl Li Ting actually just ran off like that, without even thinking to clean up a little.’

’Then again, Mom has always spoiled her at home. She’s a grown woman, about to get married, and she can’t even wash a bowl, let alone cook. I have no idea how she’ll manage when she marries into another family someday.’

Li Zhi thought about cleaning up, but his head was spinning, probably from drinking too much. He shook his head, went into the bedroom to rest, and left the table as it was.

Just as he was about to fall asleep, a thought popped into his head. ’It’s time to get married and start a family. I need a wife. This house needs a woman to run it. Otherwise, there won’t even be anyone to cook a meal. If I have to rely on that girl Li Ting, I’ll starve to death...’

「In the blink of an eye, two or three months passed.」

Gu’er and the others made another trip to Harbin. This time, they ordered a large quantity of white sugar and also picked up some other goods. Dingzi and Li Zhi escorted the truck on its way to the Soviet Union.

Gu’er and Sun Jiaming, meanwhile, went to the government building. Gu’er wanted to see if she could run into Vice Secretary Yuan. She was still a little worried about the provincial-level investigation into Lin Shan.

They signed in at the entrance and entered the building. Gu’er was just trying her luck. After all, she didn’t have an appointment and had no idea if Vice Secretary Yuan would even see her.

As luck would have it, Vice Secretary Yuan happened to be in his office today. He had just finished a meeting. When someone went in to tell him that Gu’er and her companion wanted to see him, he thought for a moment and remembered Gu’er. He still had an impression of her; their first two meetings had been quite memorable.

Gu’er and Sun Jiaming entered Vice Secretary Yuan’s office. Someone poured them water. Vice Secretary Yuan’s attitude was very amiable. He made some small talk with them and praised Gu’er and the others for their charity in building nursing homes for the city and the village. He said that it was wonderful she was using the money she earned to help ease the government’s burden and serve the people, and that he might have to hold them up as role models when the opportunity arose.

Gu’er hadn’t expected Vice Secretary Yuan to know about that, and she smiled and offered a few modest words.

Vice Secretary Yuan then asked how Lin Shan was doing in the township.

It had been Vice Secretary Yuan’s suggestion for Lin Shan to go to the township in the first place, as he wanted to give Lin Shan a chance. He had someone keep an eye on the situation afterward and knew that Lin Shan was doing a good job and was popular with the people. He was quite gratified, feeling that he hadn’t misjudged the man.

As for You Erbaihua, whom he had originally considered promoting, he had instead proposed to the city that the man be removed from his post as district chief and sent back to the township to be a minor office director.

Gu’er didn’t hide anything. She told Deputy Director Yuan about the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection sending people to investigate Lin Shan and about You Erbaihua finding people to slander him. She wanted to know if this was an order from the provincial level.

Hearing Gu’er’s words, Deputy Director Yuan frowned slightly. ’The Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection investigated Lin Shan? How did I not know anything about this? It’s not the right time, either. They shouldn’t have gone. Could it be...?’

Deputy Director Yuan had a good idea of what was going on. He asked Gu’er to wait a moment while he made a few phone calls.

After he finished his calls, Deputy Director Yuan’s expression was not pleasant.

"Gu’er, I’ve gotten to the bottom of this. The investigation into Lin Shan was not ordered by the secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. That Director Chen who went is just a deputy director of an office. He never reported it up the chain, nor did he go through the approval process. His investigation into Lin Shan had no proper authorization. I have already spoken to the secretary about this and asked him to investigate it thoroughly. If he really went on his own accord, then he is astoundingly bold. This is a violation of discipline. Tell Lin Shan not to worry. He will get an explanation in due course."

Deputy Director Yuan explained this to Gu’er. He had taken a liking to Lin Shan because he felt the man had courage and good character. That’s why he developed an appreciation for his talent. He never expected that someone would privately investigate his man and even lead others to speak ill of him. ’This is a targeted attack on Lin Shan. Who gave them the authority to do this? If all the country’s cadres acted this way, would there be any discipline left? Wouldn’t it be chaos!’ That’s why he demanded a thorough investigation.

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I know many of you have been unhappy with the recent plot. I’ve sorted out my thoughts today and will wrap up this storyline as soon as possible.