The Adopted Cannon Fodder Made a Comeback

Chapter 566: Chapter 545: Zhang Juan

“Running? Why would we go running?”

Marina didn’t understand Gu’er’s reasoning. She was puzzled. Life was great, and every day felt fulfilling. Why did Gu’er suddenly want to start running?

‘I can’t just tell her I’m afraid she’ll pack on the pounds and get all big and burly, can I?’

Instead, Gu’er listed off the many benefits of running.

“Sure. I’ll go running with you every day after the New Year.”

Marina nodded. If Gu’er was so keen on it, she would happily join her, but it would have to wait until after the New Year.

Gu’er realized she was right. ‘The New Year is only a month away. Even after the holidays, we probably won’t be able to run. The weather will be freezing and the ground covered in ice. Forget running—we’ll have to be careful just walking to keep from falling.’

“Let’s just wait until the weather gets warmer,” she said.

It was all Gu’er could say. Since it was the wrong season, her running plan had to be put on hold.

But Gu’er had no idea that her wish to start running wouldn’t be happening anytime soon.

On the twentieth of the twelfth lunar month, Gu’er and Sun Jiaming went to deliver some New Year’s gifts to Li Hua and Qin Dali.

Even though Li Hua was married and had someone to look after her, the two families hadn’t lost touch. Li Hua would occasionally come to see Gu’er and Jiji, and during holidays, Gu’er and Sun Jiaming would bring their child to visit Li Hua. They didn’t see each other all that often, but their relationship was good. As long as Li Hua could live a peaceful life, Gu’er was satisfied. It wasn’t as if they had to meet every day to prove they were close.

When they arrived, they ran into Zhang Da, Zhou Feng’er, and their child, Zhang Juan, at the entrance.

Apparently, Zhang Da had brought Zhou Feng’er and Zhang Juan to demand money from Li Hua, claiming they had none for the New Year and telling her to give them a few hundred yuan.

Neither Li Hua nor anyone from the Qin Family was at the door; they were clearly unwilling to deal with the trio.

Although the Qin Family drove them away almost every time they came, refusing to let them in the house, they still showed up to cause a scene every month or two. They were always holding onto the faint hope that maybe, just once, their tantrum would work and Li Hua would give them the money.

Gu’er hadn’t wanted to get involved, but she inexplicably found herself walking toward them. She didn’t know why, but she wanted to see what Zhang Juan looked like.

Zhang Juan was over two years old, yet Gu’er had never once laid eyes on her. It wasn’t for lack of opportunity; Gu’er subconsciously avoided it. She had an aversion to seeing the child.

But having run into her today, Gu’er wanted to see for herself what this Zhang Juan looked like.

As Gu’er walked over, Sun Jiaming followed close behind, worried she might get the worst of it.

Gu’er stared at the child Zhou Feng’er was holding by the hand. It was winter, so the girl was bundled up in a hat and scarf, and her face wasn’t visible from a distance.

“Zhou Gu’er, what do you think you’re doing?!”

Zhou Feng’er insisted on calling her Zhou Gu’er. It was as if only by using that name could she acknowledge that Gu’er had once been part of the Zhou family, destined for the same fate as her—no, an even worse one. It gave her a sliver of superiority.

“Nothing. I just noticed your daughter’s face is getting frostbitten. It’s so cold out. You adults might not mind the hardship, but your child is suffering. Just stop causing trouble and go home.”

Gu’er hadn’t gotten a clear look at Zhang Juan’s face, only her eyes. She couldn’t be sure; the memories of her past life were already distant.

“None of your business! If you’re so kindhearted, then give us money. If not, then stop spouting nonsense!”

Zhou Feng’er retorted defiantly. She hated Gu’er, the person she detested most in this life. Sadly, she had no way to get revenge, so all she could do was run her mouth for a bit of satisfaction.

But for all her talk, Zhou Feng’er still pulled down Zhang Juan’s scarf to check if her daughter’s face was frostbitten.

It wasn’t, though it was red from the cold. Zhou Feng’er pulled the scarf back up.

But in that moment, Gu’er got a clear look at Zhang Juan’s face.

At over two years old, Zhang Juan was quite cute. To be honest, Zhang Juan had never been ugly. And while she didn’t look exactly like Gu’er, her features were still pleasant enough.

Even though Gu’er’s memories of her past life had become somewhat hazy, she still remembered what Zhang Juan looked like.

And wasn’t the little girl standing before her the spitting image of the Zhang Juan from her past life?!

‘Why? I’m not Zhang Juan’s mother anymore. So why does the daughter born to Zhou Feng’er look exactly like her? That, plus the name… could there really be some unseen connection, some twist of fate?’

Gu’er staggered back a step, and Sun Jiaming quickly freed a hand to steady her.

Seeing the concern in his eyes, Gu’er snapped out of her chaotic thoughts and shook her head at him.

‘I’m not Zhang Da’s wife anymore. I’m not Zhang Juan’s mother. Even if the Zhang Juan of this life has the same name and the same face, she is not my daughter. She has nothing to do with me. I can’t think about it. To do so would just be asking for misery.’

Gu’er shook her head again, more forcefully this time. ‘I have to forget.’

“What’s with you? Possessed or something?”

Zhou Feng’er muttered, having no idea what was wrong with Gu’er.

Zhang Da, meanwhile, was staring at Gu’er with a strange look in his eyes. He’d always had his eye on her, but after the time she’d chased him with a cleaver, he’d become terrified. He had sensed then that she truly wanted to kill him, so he hadn’t dared to harbor any improper thoughts about her since.

But seeing her today… Gu’er was no longer a girl of eighteen or twenty, but she was still so radiant. Her skin was fairer than before, with a faint, lovely blush. She was captivating—hundreds of times better than Zhou Feng’er. ‘Why isn’t a gorgeous woman like her mine?’ he thought. ‘I’d even be willing to fetch her water to wash her feet every day.’ The thought of sleeping with such a luscious woman excited him.

Sun Jiaming seemed to sense Zhang Da’s gaze. He shot a cold glare in his direction, and Zhang Da flinched, not daring to look again.

Sun Jiaming was too worried about Gu’er’s state to be bothered with the likes of Zhang Da.

“Come on, let’s go inside.”

Gu’er squeezed Sun Jiaming’s hand. She didn’t look back, not even for another glance at Zhang Juan. To her, Zhang Juan was just a strange child. The past was in the past. In that moment, she truly let go.

They went inside, but Zhang Da, Zhou Feng’er, and Zhang Juan remained at the entrance, still shouting and making a scene.

The Qin Family and Li Hua welcomed Gu’er and Sun Jiaming in and showed them to their seats.

Gu’er could see that Li Hua was uneasy. She was used to not letting Zhou Feng’er and her family in by now, but it was still mortifying to have them blocking the entrance and causing a ruckus.

Qin Dali had tried to shoo them away time and again, but if he went out, Zhang Da and Zhou Feng’er would just prolong their scene. And with the child, Zhang Juan, present, he couldn’t get physical. Sometimes, he felt helpless against them.

“Du’er, come here. I want to have a word with you.”

Gu’er beckoned to Zhou Duo’er.

Zhou Duo’er was astonished. This older sister figure usually ignored her. No matter how she tried to curry favor, Gu’er never paid her any mind. ‘What’s gotten into her today?’ she wondered. ‘Why is she talking to me first?’

Confused as she was, Zhou Duo’er still trotted happily to Gu’er’s side.