Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 108: Warm Face, Cold Shoulder

What if Song Qingya truly didn’t want her brother to get a job?

If she were to whisper a few malicious lies in Fei Jin’s ear...

The whole situation could be upended.

Finally, it was time for dinner.

The long table was laden with an array of meticulously prepared dishes.

It was clear a great deal of effort had gone into every single one.

The intention behind it all was perfectly clear.

But their warm gesture was met with a cold shoulder, because Song Qingya had no intention of making an appearance at all.

Seeing this, Sun Qiang couldn’t help but ask.

"Fei Jin, how come your wife went back to her room without even a single bite?"

Faced with the sudden question, Fei Jin’s expression remained calm.

He responded lightly.

"Her appetite has been terrible lately. She feels like throwing up no matter what she eats."

Even so, he still insisted on eating with the old couple in the living room every day.

However, the habits he’d formed in his unit were not so easily broken.

In less than ten minutes, he had devoured the food like a whirlwind.

With a soft CLAP, he immediately stood up.

"I’m finished. I’m going to go check on Qingya."

His voice was quiet.

"You’re not having a little more?"

Yang Yunhua couldn’t resist trying to make him stay for more.

After all, they hadn’t said a single word about her son’s situation!

By the time she was clearing the dishes, Yang Yunhua’s expression had grown gloomy.

There was indeed a lot of good food left on the table.

It was a heartbreaking shame to let it all go to waste.

"What if... we sneak some of this to Zhenhai?"

Glancing at Song Qingya’s tightly closed door, Yang Yunhua suggested in a hushed voice.

"No. We have to let Zhenhai go hungry. That’s the only way to make his brother-in-law worry, and then we might see some results."

"Do you really think that will work?"

Yang Yunhua asked, her voice tinged with hesitation.

She gave a cold snort, a trace of dissatisfaction in her tone.

"I can’t shake the feeling that Qingya is avoiding us."

"Didn’t they say they were here to visit a comrade? They’ll have to stay for at least three or four days. There will definitely be a chance to talk."

Sun Qiang analyzed patiently, trying to persuade his wife.

"I suppose that makes sense."

’It did make sense when she thought about it.’

After murmuring back and forth for a while, the two decided to let the matter rest.

They would figure out their next move tomorrow.

Early the next morning, the sun had just peeked over the horizon.

Yang Yunhua and her husband were already bustling about, having prepared a steaming pot of millet congee along with several exquisite, tasty side dishes.

However, to their surprise, they heard voices at the door.

"We’re going to the movies, so we won’t be back for meals today!"

The old couple hadn’t even had time to react.

Before they knew it, the two were already turning to leave.

"At least have some breakfast! The food outside isn’t clean!"

Yang Yunhua hurriedly called after them.

"We’ll grab a bite outside."

The moment the door closed, the atmosphere lightened considerably.

The sound of footsteps outside gradually faded away.

Song Qingya let out a deep sigh of relief.

Fei Jin opened the car door for her, tilting his head to study her. His gaze was thoughtful and probing.

Then he asked, "Qingya, do you really hate being with your mother that much?"

After a few seconds of silence, Song Qingya said coldly.

"She’s not my mother. She doesn’t deserve to be one."

Fei Jin didn’t press further.

A faint, cool morning breeze swept through the streets.

Fei Jin expertly started the car, sneaking a glance at Song Qingya beside him.

Once he was sure she was settled, he slowly pulled the car out onto the street.

They headed to a breakfast stall first.

Amid the crisp clatter of pots and bowls, the proprietress enthusiastically served them several authentic local snacks. The rich, fragrant aroma was enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

They chatted as they ate, their laughter occasionally echoing from their small table and drawing glances from other customers.

Afterwards, they went to a movie theater in the provincial capital.

Seeing the crowd lined up at the entrance, the two exchanged a knowing smile and joined the queue, hand in hand.

Before they entered the theater, Fei Jin thoughtfully bought her a bottle of water and a warm bucket of popcorn.

They watched a war movie about the resistance.

A hail of bullets constantly flashed across the screen.

The film brought a sting to Song Qingya’s eyes and nose. Tears welled up several times, and she nearly burst out sobbing.

Fei Jin noticed her reaction. He leaned in to ask quietly, gently patting her on the back.

"What’s wrong?"

His voice was so low that only she could hear.

Song Qingya looked up at his familiar face, her eyes glistening with tears.

She didn’t answer. Recalling the scene she’d just watched, she said, "It made me think of you."

It was because the familiar scenes on the screen made her think of the scars on Fei Jin’s body.

’How much had he suffered back then? How much pain had he endured?’

’She couldn’t accept that a man like him would meet such a tragic end in the future.’

’So she resolved that even if she couldn’t change the course of time, she had to do everything in her power to avert that outcome.’

She gripped his arm tightly, hugged him, and said, "Fei Jin, I promise you, I’ll be very good to you from now on."

’And I absolutely have to stop that fate from ever happening.’

Fei Jin’s body stiffened slightly at her words, and he froze for a few seconds.

Then, a warm feeling surged through his heart.

His usually stern gaze softened.

"I believe you."

He added silently in his thoughts.

’I’ll be good to you, too.’

After the movie, Fei Jin checked his watch.

The sun was shining brightly outside.

He suggested they go see a play at the theater, thinking it might be a good way to while away the afternoon.

But Song Qingya waved her hand, indicating she wasn’t very interested.

"I’d rather go to the hospital again to see Old Luo."

Her tone was firm.

"Then let’s go."

Fei Jin nodded, then turned and led her by the hand across the intersection toward the parking lot.

No one spoke on the way there.

When they arrived at the hospital, they bought a bouquet of lilies at a nearby shop.

They walked into the hospital room carrying the flowers, and Old Luo’s face immediately lit up with a delighted surprise.

"You just brought flowers yesterday! Why buy more? You’re making me feel embarrassed!"

Though that’s what the old man said, the excitement in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Yang Yingzi, who was standing nearby, laughed and teased.

"Qingya, if you two come a few more times, this room will turn into a flower shop!"

Her words made everyone laugh.

Song Qingya set the flowers down.

"If you have different flowers every day, it should help lift your spirits, right, Old Luo?"

As she arranged the flowers, she added, "Yesterday’s flowers were for well wishes, and today’s represent new life. It’s good to see something different every day to lift your mood."

Then she turned to Old Luo with a gentle smile.

"Old Luo, I wish you a speedy recovery and a return to high spirits."

"Tsk, you educated folks really know how to talk."

Old Luo said, laughing as he wiped away a tear.

As they were chatting, Wen Xinglu pushed the door open and walked in, her footsteps light but hurried.

Her expression was a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

Right behind her, a tall young man with a ramrod-straight posture strode into the room.

"Doctor Yang, please, come in."

Seeing him, Yang Yingzi quickly stood up from her chair and greeted him warmly.