The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Sun Jiaming stepped up to Zhou Gu’er’s side. His eyes were filled with heartache as he looked at her, but his expression was resolute, proving he wasn’t just talking—he was serious.

The onlookers couldn’t help but start murmuring again. Some even shouted for Sun Jiaming to stay out of it.

Zhou Mei’s eyes were fixed on Gu’er like a venomous snake. If looks could kill, she would have killed Gu’er a thousand times over by now. But all she could do was vent her fury with her gaze; she didn’t dare approach. The memory of Gu’er brandishing a knife and coming at her, the phantom pain in her arm—it made her tremble uncontrollably.

"Jia Ming, what’s the meaning of this? This is a matter for the Old Zhou Family. Why are you sticking your neck out? Don’t you go getting hot-headed and do something reckless," Zhou Mei’s uncle, Zhou Da Kui, said unhappily.

Sun Jiaming glanced at Zhou Da Kui, then over at Zhou Mei’s group. The whole Zhou family was there. A flicker of disdain crossed his eyes. ’After what Zhou Mei did, not only does her family refuse to admit fault, but they’re all ganging up on a defenseless girl like Gu’er. What a bunch of cowards.’

"That’s right, Jia Ming. Don’t go helping someone you shouldn’t. Out of respect for your grandfather, we’ll pretend we didn’t hear that. Come over here and sit down. Your Second Grandpa will have a proper talk with you."

Second Grandpa wasn’t happy either, but he didn’t dare speak too harshly to Sun Jiaming. Instead, he invited him to sit, which showed just how much importance he placed on him.

"Second Grandpa, Uncle Zhou, I’ll speak with you in a moment."

Sun Jiaming didn’t walk over. After his brief reply, he turned his attention to Zhou Mazi.

"Gu’er, I’ll lend you fifty yuan. Uncle Zhou, you can write up the agreement now."

He had stepped forward to help Gu’er, not to make small talk.

"Thank you, Brother Jia Ming." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Gu’er thanked him in a low, trembling voice. She would never forget this kindness for the rest of her life.

Zhou Mazi’s eyes darted toward Sun Jiaming. ’Has Sun Jiaming really taken a fancy to Gu’er? Is he willing to offend the entire village for her?’ But then again, he knew Sun Jiaming wasn’t afraid of the villagers, and none of them dared to make an enemy of him.

He debated whether to take the money. ’If I don’t? An opportunity like this is rare. I have to get this hot potato, Gu’er, off my hands. Otherwise, Zhang Da, Zhou Mei’s father Zhou Dapao, and Zhou Da Kui will never let me hear the end of it.’

’But if I take it, and Sun Jiaming really does want Gu’er... if he marries her, I could definitely get much more than fifty yuan out of it.’

Zhou Mazi’s mind raced, weighing his options, unsure whether to agree or refuse.

Just as Gu’er was about to speak, Zhou Erpao stepped forward and confronted Sun Jiaming. "Jia Ming, what is the meaning of this? Everyone is watching! You’re not helping us, you’re helping the person who attacked my Mei’er! Are you trying to humiliate me?! Just yesterday, I went to the city and settled everything with your parents! We were just waiting for them to get back to finalize the arrangements between our families. What are you trying to pull now?!"

Zhou Erpao’s expression was thunderous. ’First, my older brother tried to talk to Sun Jiaming, and he was completely ignored. Now he’s actually offering money to help Zhou Gu’er? Who the hell is Zhou Gu’er? She’s the one who hurt my daughter! And Sun Jiaming is my future son-in-law! How can I let this happen?’

His words immediately caused an uproar. The Zhou and Sun families were to be joined by marriage! Sun Jiaming was going to marry Zhou Mei, yet here he was, helping Zhou Gu’er. This drama was getting more and more interesting.

’Sun Jiaming’s parents already agreed to Zhou Mei’s father?’ Gu’er’s heart sank.

"Jia Ming, are you really going to lend Gu’er fifty yuan? You’re not just messing with me, are you?"

Zhou Mazi immediately asked, afraid that Zhou Erpao’s interference would make Sun Jiaming change his mind and leave him empty-handed.

"I will."

Sun Jiaming ignored Zhou Erpao and simply nodded at Zhou Mazi.

Zhou Erpao glared, fuming.

"Uncle, we can talk later," Sun Jiaming added in a low voice to Zhou Erpao.

"Fine. But if you don’t give me a proper explanation later, I’m going to your father."

Zhou Erpao snorted. Even though Sun Jiaming was supposed to be his future son-in-law, he didn’t truly dare to cross him. After all, the Sun Family was very well-regarded in the village.

Meanwhile, Zhou Mazi found someone to draw up a formal agreement. It clearly stated that in exchange for fifty yuan to settle matters with Zhou Mei and Zhang Da, Zhou Mazi would sever all ties with Zhou Gu’er. From that day forward, Gu’er would establish her own household. Whether she married or what became of her, it would have nothing to do with Zhou Mazi, and he was forbidden from interfering in her life. Likewise, Zhou Gu’er could never again seek help from the Zhou family; even if she starved to death, she could not return.

Sun Jiaming went home to get the money. Zhou Mazi wouldn’t let Gu’er go until he had cash in hand.

Gu’er was left standing there alone again. As the murmurs of the crowd buzzed around her, her thoughts began to drift.

Sun Jiaming returned. He had the fifty yuan, but he was also carrying an old hunting rifle.

’Is he trying to back me up? But can that rifle even fire?’

Gu’er was puzzled, unaware that the sight of the rifle had struck terror into the eyes of many in the crowd.

Zhou Mazi’s eyes lit up at the sight of the fifty yuan, and he ignored everything else.

Zhou Mazi and Zhou Gu’er both pressed their thumbprints on the document, as did the witnesses.

Second Grandpa and the other elders had no intention of being witnesses. But when Sun Jiaming stood before them, holding the agreement in one hand and the hunting rifle in the other, staring them down, the three men began to tremble. Without daring to ask a single question, they pressed their thumbprints onto the paper.

Zhou Da Kui stared at the rifle in Sun Jiaming’s hand, his expression incredibly complicated. He clenched and unclenched his fists several times before finally pressing his thumbprint on the document.

The agreement was finalized, with Zhou Mazi and Gu’er each taking a copy. From this day forward, they were two separate families. Gu’er could now establish her own household in the village.

Gu’er’s hand trembled as she held the agreement. Since her rebirth, all she had ever wanted was to leave the Zhou family. But now that she actually held the document that severed her ties to Zhou Mazi, she felt no joy. She had never wanted it to happen in such a brutal fashion.

She glanced at Sun Jiaming again. ’If he hadn’t shown up today, this whole affair would have dragged on much longer. Even if Zhou Mazi had agreed, he probably would have only found one or two insignificant witnesses. But Sun Jiaming’s forceful intervention made all these important people press their thumbprints, giving the agreement real weight. But why is he so assertive? Why does everyone defer to him like that?’

Zhou Mazi counted the money again and again. ’With this cash, I can live it up for a good long while. I’ll worry about the future later. Besides, Zhou Gu’er can’t really disown me as her father forever. I don’t believe for a second she won’t come back to the Zhou family. And even if she doesn’t, I still have two other daughters. There’s more money to be made.’

"Jia Ming, I believe it’s time we had our talk now."

Seeing that this matter was settled, Zhou Erkui came forward, his face grim.

"Uncle, no rush. We’ll talk when Gu’er’s business is completely finished."

Sun Jiaming, however, was in no hurry. If Gu’er’s affairs had been fully settled, he would have spoken up sooner, but now wasn’t the right time.

Gu’er stepped forward. She knew that simply having the agreement wasn’t enough. There were still the two cuts. Only by taking a knife to her own body twice would this matter be truly resolved, and her ties to Zhou Mazi be completely severed.