Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 179: What an Idiot

"Mm."

Fei Jin nodded, stood up, and walked outside.

At that moment, Yang Kai was sitting alone on a stone bench in his small courtyard, his brow furrowed as he clutched an old-fashioned tobacco pipe.

He couldn’t figure out why Fei Jin and Song Qingya had suddenly changed their minds and agreed to come visit the village.

Weren’t they just giving him the cold shoulder yesterday?

’Could it be... that the few baskets of sweet potatoes I sent over yesterday offended them?’

’Or did I come on too strong and annoy them?’

He smoked his pipe, muttering to himself, "That can’t be it... They don’t seem like those kinds of people... But what could it be?"

But that was the best he had to offer.

He had thought it might move them, that it would be worth it even if it only earned him a little understanding.

"Captain Yang! Captain Yang!"

An urgent shout shattered the silence in the house like a clap of thunder.

His heart skipped a beat. He subconsciously tightened his grip on his tobacco pouch, his gaze quickly shifting from the gifts on the table to the doorway.

"What is it?"

Yang Kai looked up, his brows knitted tightly.

He saw that the young soldier’s forehead was covered in sweat; he had clearly run all the way here.

"Village Chief Fei and the others... they’re here!"

"What?!"

Yang Kai shot up from his chair.

’No way... Why would they suddenly show up at a time like this?’

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, all pointing to the worst possible outcome.

’They aren’t here to settle scores because they thought the gift was subpar, are they?’

"Village Chief Fei, Doctor Song, I’m... I’m so sorry. I... I shouldn’t have taken it upon myself to bother you with those things..."

Yang Kai began to apologize haltingly the moment he saw Fei Jin and Song Qingya step through the door.

Seeing him so nervous, Song Qingya’s heart softened.

"Captain Yang, you’ve misunderstood. We’re not here to call you to account."

Yang Kai looked up, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something, but he swallowed his words.

His gaze shifted back and forth between Fei Jin and Song Qingya.

Seeing his expression, Song Qingya patiently explained:

"What Cheng Peng said to you this morning was actually a test. We wanted to see how you would handle that kind of situation if it were you."

She paused, then continued, "We saw the things you sent. We weren’t looking at their monetary value. We were looking at you, at your character—whether you have a sense of responsibility, whether you’re sincere."

Upon hearing this, Yang Kai froze on the spot, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Song Qingya smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling. "But from what we’ve seen, you’ve done well."

A jolt went through Yang Kai. He was both shocked and overjoyed, yet a sliver of fearful disbelief remained in his heart.

"Village Chief Fei, is what Doctor Song said... true? Are you... really willing to help me?"

Fei Jin looked at him and, instead of answering immediately, took two steps forward.

Then, he gave a slight nod.

"It’s true."

He paused, his gaze fixed on Yang Kai’s eyes.

"Now that we’re here, we have no intention of standing by and doing nothing."

Hearing Fei Jin’s personal promise, the heart that had been caught in Yang Kai’s throat finally settled.

’Could it be... that my luck is finally turning around?’

He looked up at the two figures in the doorway, his eyes turning slightly red.

Song Qingya understood completely. Without any fuss, she said in a crisp, direct tone:

"Alright, stop standing there in a daze."

"Take me to see the patients. The sooner we treat them, the sooner we can all rest easy."

With that, she turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

Fei Jin followed silently. After a few steps, he suddenly stopped and looked back at Yang Kai, who was still standing there dumbfounded.

His tone was calm as he said coolly:

"Go prepare some warm, clean water so Doctor Song can drink it whenever she needs."

Yang Kai snapped back to his senses and replied hastily, "Yes! Right! I’ll go right now!"

Now he was completely convinced—these two were really here to help him!

「The vehicle escorting Song Chenglu drove toward the outskirts of the city, the surrounding scenery growing increasingly desolate.」

Song Chenglu was wedged in the back seat between two soldiers, her hands bound behind her with a rope. Her body swayed from side to side with the vehicle’s movement.

As she gazed at the scenery outside the window, her heart sank bit by bit.

Seeing the car turn onto a remote path overgrown with weeds, clearly heading toward the detention center, she could no longer sit still.

"Comrade! Comrade!"

she cried out urgently, her voice already trembling. "Can you... can you take me home for a moment first?"

The soldier driving gripped the steering wheel, neither looking back nor responding.

The man next to her, Wang Gui, frowned and shot her a sidelong glance.

His tone was harsh and non-negotiable. "No. We have orders from above for a direct escort. No detours."

Song Chenglu’s eyes instantly reddened, and she could no longer hold back her tears as they streamed down her face.

"Comrade, I’m begging you... I just want to go back and see my mom for a moment..."

"Once I go, I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back... My mom’s health is poor, I’m afraid she won’t be able to handle it..."

"Just one look, one word, and I’ll come right back. It really won’t cause any delay..."

Seeing her crying so pitifully, Wang Gui felt a strange discomfort in his heart.

After all, she was just a young woman, probably in her early twenties, wearing old, faded clothes. But her eyes held a clean, almost stubborn light.

Wanting to see her mother was understandable.

Besides, he had also endured hunger and hardship as a child, so he was no stranger to this feeling of helplessness. After a moment’s hesitation, his expression finally softened. He let out a soft sigh and said in a low voice, "...Alright. But only a quick look. You can’t go inside, and you can’t stay long."

"See her and come right back! No delays, and don’t even think about pulling any tricks!"

His face darkened as he warned her, word by word, "Song Chenglu, don’t try anything funny! I’m already bending the rules by giving you this time. If you dare to run, don’t blame me for being merciless!"

Hearing him give in, Song Chenglu sneered inwardly.

’What an idiot. Utterly brainless.’

’All I had to do was act pitiful, say a few soft words, and pretend to be completely downtrodden, and he caved so easily.’

’People like him deserve to get reamed out by their superiors and still look aggrieved, not knowing why.’

But her face instantly shifted to an expression of tearful, overwhelming gratitude.

"Thank you, Comrade! You’re truly a good person! To be so accommodating at a time like this... I... I don’t even know what to say!"

"A kind and upright person like you will definitely marry a sweet and thoughtful wife someday!"

Hearing this, Wang Gui felt a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, and the tense expression on his face slowly relaxed.

This young lady was such a sweet-talker; every word she said went straight to his heart.

And that pitiful, delicate appearance of hers was enough to soften anyone’s heart.

Without even realizing it, his tightly held defenses against Song Chenglu had been dismantled by a few nice words.

He cleared his throat, his tone no longer so harsh. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Take her home."

The driver nodded, skillfully turned the steering wheel, and the car quickly reversed direction, heading steadily toward the Fei Family’s home.