The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Gu’er was relieved to see Sun Jiaming accept the gift. She was really just thanking him; she didn’t mind whether he could actually help her or not.

Besides, she didn’t need help with anything at the moment.

Other than asking Sun Jiaming to help her hide some money. While that small amount might not seem like much to Sun Jiaming, it was her own hard-earned savings.

"If you need something, Gu’er, just tell me,"

Sun Jiaming asked. He was serious.

"Well, Brother Jia Ming, you know how Zhang Da came to my house to propose. The only reason my dad didn’t agree was because I promised him I’d earn thirty yuan for him within a year. If I did that, he wouldn’t marry me to Zhang Da. You know what my dad’s like... He takes all the money I earn from selling vegetables and spends it on drinking and gambling. He takes every single cent I give him. I don’t think this is a real solution. I’m worried that after I give him the thirty yuan, he’ll realize he hasn’t saved any of it and just marry me off to someone random anyway. I don’t want to work so hard just for it to end like that. So, I’ve been saving a little money every time I sell vegetables."

Gu’er watched Sun Jiaming’s expression as she spoke. She could see he wasn’t looking down on her; his face only showed a hint of sympathy.

"I figured if I saved some money for myself, I’d have something to fall back on if Dad tries to marry me off to just anyone. I was hiding it at home, but a couple of days ago, I noticed my bed had been searched. I’m terrified. If Dad finds out I’m hiding money, he’ll kill me, and I’m afraid my mom will get dragged into it. But I can’t take the money with me, and I can’t think of anywhere safe to put it. I just can’t find anyone I trust to keep it for me."

Gu’er lowered her head as she finished. She hadn’t originally planned on asking Sun Jiaming, but when he refused to accept her gift, she had impulsively said she needed his help.

"You’re just planning for your future; you’re not to blame. It’s really Uncle Ma who... Since you trust me, Gu’er, what more can I say? I’ll help you. You can leave the money with me, and whenever you want it back, just say the word."

Sun Jiaming agreed without hesitation. In truth, he did have some reservations. After all, he and Gu’er weren’t that close. She was a young, unmarried woman and he was a man, which could lead to awkward situations. But when he thought about the life she led and all her hardships, he felt he had to help. ’As long as my intentions are pure and I don’t covet her small amount of money, it’ll be fine.’

’Everyone falls on hard times. It’s only right to lend a hand when you see someone struggling.’

"Thank you, Brother Jia Ming. I’m so sorry to trouble you, I..."

Gu’er looked both grateful and a little embarrassed.

"Don’t say that, Gu’er. I’d do the same thing in your position. Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul."

Of course, Sun Jiaming knew what she was implying.

"Then... these things..."

Gu’er gestured again to the items on the table.

"I’ve accepted them. Let’s just say I asked you to buy them for me," Sun Jiaming said, a smile in his eyes.

Gu’er blushed slightly. ’Sun Jiaming is a clever man,’ she thought.

"Brother Jia Ming, I’d like to go see Grandma. Is that okay?"

Gu’er stood up. ’I came here on the pretext of visiting her. It wouldn’t be right to leave without even saying hello.’

"Of course. I’ll take you to see her now. Grandma will be so happy to know you came to visit."

Sun Jiaming nodded and led Gu’er into the inner room.

The inner room was dimmer than the main hall. It contained a large kang bed, a table, a washstand, a few stools, and several wooden chests.

Most homes in the area were furnished this way.

Gu’er looked at the elderly woman reclining on the kang bed.

The woman had a full head of white hair. She was very thin, and her face was covered in wrinkles.

Her eyebrows were sparse, her eyes were small, and her gaze was a little cloudy.

Due to her age, Gu’er couldn’t imagine what Grandma Sun looked like in her youth, but she could tell she had a very kind face.

"Who’s come to visit?"

Grandma Sun asked, squinting slightly at Gu’er. She could make out a young woman but didn’t recognize her.

"Grandma, it’s me, Gu’er, Zhou Mazi’s eldest daughter. I came to see you."

Gu’er took two steps forward to the edge of the kang bed and introduced herself to Grandma Sun.

"Oh, it’s Gu’er! Come, come, have a seat."

Grandma Sun smiled kindly, beckoning for Gu’er to sit.

Gu’er sat on the kang bed and began to chat with Grandma Sun.

As Sun Jiaming watched Gu’er chat with his grandmother, a light flickered in his eyes.

’Grandma hasn’t left this kang bed in years. She eats, drinks, and relieves herself right here. Even though I take good care of her, the room has a certain smell. I might be used to it, but an outsider would notice it immediately. The last time Zhou Mei came looking for me, I was inside feeding Grandma. She just stood in the doorway, holding her nose as she talked to me, and wouldn’t even step inside. It was so obvious how disgusted she was.’

’But now, here’s Gu’er, sitting right on the bed, chatting with Grandma. Not only is she not holding her nose, she’s even holding Grandma’s hand and smiling as they talk.’

’Can she not smell it?’

’Of course she can. It just means she doesn’t mind.’

Suddenly, Sun Jiaming’s impression of Gu’er improved dramatically. ’A young woman who isn’t put off by the elderly... that means she’s a good person.’

Sun Jiaming was right. Gu’er had indeed noticed the smell, but she truly didn’t mind. In her past life, she had cared for Zhang Da, and then Li Hua, until their old age, and had also raised her own granddaughter. She wasn’t the least bit squeamish. On the contrary, she knew how difficult caregiving was, and she deeply admired Sun Jiaming for staying home to look after his grandmother.

"Why don’t you stay for dinner, Gu’er?"

Sun Jiaming wasn’t sure why he had blurted that out. Before, he might have extended the invitation out of politeness, but that would have been a mere formality. This time, he truly meant it.

"That’s right, Gu’er, stay and eat with us before you head back. You came all this way to see me, and that makes me so happy. If you leave without eating, I’ll be upset."

Grandma Sun also insisted that Gu’er stay.

Grandma Sun was a kind woman with a good temper. Usually, Sun Jiaming was the one who kept her company. When he had to go out, a neighbor would come over to look after her. Very few people came to visit and chat, so she was truly happy to have Gu’er there.

Gu’er had intended to decline, but after hearing Grandma Sun say that, she found it hard to refuse.

She glanced at Sun Jiaming again. ’He must be the one who does the cooking in this house. He’s a young man in his twenties; I wonder what he can make. I should probably help out.’

"Alright, I can stay for dinner, but only if you let me help, Brother Jia Ming."

Gu’er stood up with a smile.

"No, no, I can manage," Sun Jiaming said, waving his hands. ’How could I let a guest do the work?’

"Don’t be a stranger, Brother Jia Ming. If you don’t let me help, I’ll feel too awkward to stay and eat."

Gu’er smiled. For her, cooking a meal was the easiest thing in the world.

"Jia Ming, just let Gu’er help you. She’s a diligent girl."

Grandma Sun nodded at her grandson. ’I’d like to see how well she can cook, too,’ she thought.

"Alright then. I’ll have to trouble you, Gu’er. Grandma, you rest for a bit. I’ll come get you when dinner’s ready."

Sun Jiaming nodded and led Gu’er to the kitchen.