Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 177: Saving People is the Priority

But he didn’t dare press the issue.

He could only nod repeatedly, forcing a sincere smile onto his face. "Yes, yes, I’ll do as you say. As long as it saves lives, I’ll do whatever it takes!"

"Fei Village Chief, Doctor Song, I’ll be leaving now. I’ll be back on time to pick you up tomorrow morning!"

After speaking, he bowed deeply.

Seeing this, Song Qingya slowly pulled several crisp banknotes from the pocket of her cotton-padded jacket. The bright red bills were especially conspicuous under the light.

She extended her hand toward Yang Kai. "Take this money for now. Buy some food for the villagers so they don’t go hungry. It’s a long journey on mountain roads, and they’ve worked hard. They need to fill their stomachs first."

Yang Kai’s eyes went wide. He stared at the banknotes, his lips slightly parted, and was stunned for a long moment.

In those days, these banknotes were hard currency. A single bill could be exchanged for a sack of white flour. An ordinary family might not see more than a few even after a month of hard work.

"This... How can I accept this? It’s too much..."

He stammered his refusal, but his eyes were glued to the money, unwilling to look away for even a second.

Song Qingya didn’t say much more, simply stuffing the money into his hand.

"Take it. Saving lives is what’s important."

Clutching the bills, which were still warm from her, Yang Kai felt a lump in his throat. His voice trembled uncontrollably. "Thank you, Doctor Song! Thank you, Fei Village Chief! I... I really don’t know how to repay you... This kindness, I’ll never forget it as long as I live!"

Fei Jin’s face was cold as he suddenly spoke again, his tone severe. "Yang Kai, take the things you brought with you."

Yang Kai froze, looking at Fei Jin in confusion. A moment later, he realized—they weren’t accepting his gift.

He panicked instantly, a thin layer of sweat breaking out on his forehead. He began bowing and scraping. "Right, right, I’ll take them back, right away! I was being foolish. I shouldn’t have brought these... I shouldn’t cause trouble for the organization!"

"If I find out you’ve given these things to someone else, or pocketed them yourself, don’t blame me for being merciless."

Fei Jin’s tone was harsh, his expression an undisguised warning.

Yang Kai shuddered with fear and quickly waved his hands. "I wouldn’t dare! I absolutely wouldn’t dare do anything reckless! The things you’ve given me—I will make sure they get to where they need to go, exactly as intended!"

Fei Jin waved his hand impatiently. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

As if granted a pardon, Yang Kai snatched the items from the table and bolted.

Song Qingya turned to Fei Jin and teased with a smile, "What’s wrong? Feeling unhappy? The look on your face just now was like someone touched your precious treasure."

"Unhappy?"

Fei Jin raised an eyebrow, his gaze slightly mocking. "What do I have to be unhappy about? Now that the items are his, his life is in his own hands. I’m merely betting on the choice a person will make."

Song Qingya chuckled and shook her head. "You weren’t worried I would go with him, were you? After all, he did offer an olive branch and promise benefits."

"Ha, that’s hilarious."

Fei Jin scoffed and sneered, crossing his arms with a look of utter disdain. "You think I’m afraid of you leaving with him? If you really wanted to go, could I even stop you? Why would I try to hold on to someone whose heart is already gone?"

"Then why didn’t you want me to go?"

Song Qingya blinked, feigning an innocent and naive expression. "Weren’t you just opposing me meeting with him privately? Why the sudden nonchalance?"

Fei Jin’s expression was complex. "I was afraid something would happen to you. Yang Kai has managed to survive this long right under Wang Kang’s nose and has even been secretly gathering support. He’s no ordinary character. I don’t trust him."

Seeing his grave expression, Song Qingya stepped closer to him. "I understand you’re worried about me. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. I won’t take unnecessary risks."

She paused, her tone calm and rational. "On the surface, Yang Kai seems decent. Wang Kang is greedy and cruel, sees only his own interests, and has no integrity to speak of. But Yang Kai at least knows how to feign weakness and make plans. We need someone to help us in this place. We can’t rely on Wang Kang. As for Yang Kai... he’s worth a try."

Fei Jin frowned and turned to look at her. "Do you really think he can be trusted? Or are you just gambling?"

Song Qingya’s tone wasn’t forceful, her voice still soft. "I agreed to meet him to give him a chance. If he passes this test, it means he has discretion and principles, and we can lend him our support. If he fails, it just means he’s another Wang Kang. We can abandon him then. It’s no loss to us."

She looked up, meeting his eyes directly. "Yang Kai is worth a shot. Even if it’s just a test, someone has to take the first step."

Fei Jin gazed at her, and a light gradually kindled in his eyes.

Finally, he slowly nodded.

"Village chief! Village chief!"

Cheng Peng rushed in, his face full of anxiety.

"What is it?"

Fei Jin’s tone was calm but held an undercurrent of vigilance.

"Reporting! We’ve found out!"

Cheng Peng stood ramrod straight, his hands pressed tightly against the seams of his trousers.

"Yang Kai has a good reputation among the common people. Many say he’s a down-to-earth person and is fairly well-liked. But... he’s extremely poor. His family doesn’t even own a decent pot, let alone have any background or backing."

He paused, then continued, "He can’t compare to Wang Kang’s faction. They have guns, men, and grain, and they’re backed by a few local squires. The people support Yang Kai in their hearts, but no one dares to openly take his side for fear of retaliation from Wang Kang."

Song Qingya listened quietly, the corners of her mouth lifting into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

’I was right. Yang Kai has ambition but lacks a solid foundation.’

"So, you’re saying Yang Kai wants to climb the ladder, but he can’t?"

Cheng Peng nodded, his expression serious. "That’s more or less the situation."

He added, "He tried to organize village meetings a few times, but Wang Kang’s men sabotaged every attempt. Once, someone had just spoken up for him, and that very night, their family’s granary was set on fire. After that, no one dared to stick their neck out for him again."

After hearing this, Fei Jin’s tense expression relaxed slightly.

His wariness toward Yang Kai also lessened quietly after these words.

A person with popular support who harbors the desire to change his destiny could, with proper guidance, become a reliable pawn.

The key was whether he was trustworthy and whether he was willing to be won over.

"Qingya, you’ll go yourself tomorrow."

Fei Jin said finally, after a moment of contemplation.

"Go meet with Yang Kai. See if he’s truly worth our intervention."

He paused, then added, "Don’t reveal our intentions. First, test his principles and his sincerity."

Early the next morning, just as the sky began to lighten and the morning mist had yet to dissipate, Song Qingya was already out of bed.

A faint glimmer of daylight shone through the window, illuminating her simple, clean face.

She washed up simply, splashing her face with cold water. The icy droplets rolling down her cheeks woke her completely.

She walked to the door and called out loudly, "Cheng Peng."

"Here!"

He appeared almost at a jog, his steps steady and his expression respectful.

"Go to Yang Kai’s place and relay a message."

"Just say that Fei Village Chief has changed his mind and no longer plans to get involved. And that I’ve had second thoughts and don’t want to get mixed up in it either."

She spoke with such clarity and certainty that it seemed she had truly abandoned their original plan.