Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 26: A Husband’s Responsibility

But Fei Jin, who was sitting opposite him, didn’t reach for his glass.

"What’s going on here? You won’t even accept this small gesture?"

Seeing this, Luo Fuman thought Fei Jin wasn’t accepting his apology and grew anxious.

Fei Jin quickly explained, "It’s not that I don’t appreciate the sentiment, but I’ve quit drinking. I haven’t had a single drop since I got married."

"What? You quit drinking?"

Luo Fuman may not have been well-read, but he was quick-witted and immediately guessed the reason.

"Don’t tell me your wife made you quit."

Song Qingya was about to say it had nothing to do with her.

But when she thought about it carefully, she realized she couldn’t really deny it.

Back then, her original self had made that demand of Fei Jin.

Her original self once had a bold idea.

She had hoped to arrange a "chance encounter," get Fei Jin drunk, and have "something happen" to secure their marriage.

Later, she changed the plan to designing a situation where Fei Jin would see her body.

But remembering those old schemes, her original self had worried that other girls might use the same tactics to lure Fei Jin away.

So, her original self had found an excuse, thrown an epic tantrum complete with tears and threats, and ultimately succeeded in making Fei Jin quit drinking.

And Fei Jin had actually complied with her decision.

In the original story, it was often said that Fei Jin was a man who valued his family above all, sometimes to the point of being a bit chauvinistic.

She was certainly experiencing that firsthand now.

But this chauvinism of his was built on the foundation of him working hard to support the family.

He was willing to shoulder all burdens and pressures, and no matter how hard it was, he would never let his wife suffer.

Whether in trivial matters or major life events, Fei Jin hoped to be a rock for Song Qingya.

He knew that only by doing so could their family be more harmonious and happy.

He believed a man’s duty was to take good care of his wife.

In his eyes, this was his responsibility as a husband.

Song Qingya absolutely loved this kind of chauvinism.

She spoke up, "Alright, it’s rare for you two to get together like this. A little drink won’t hurt."

Those words were music to Luo Fuman’s ears.

"You’re absolutely right! See how considerate your wife is? Just have one good drinking session with me today. Don’t go back tonight, just stay in town. Stay at my place! I’ll have your sister-in-law prepare a room for you."

Luo Fuman’s face was all smiles.

"No. I promised Qingya. I won’t touch a single drop."

His self-control was just incredible.

Although Song Qingya said out loud, "I’m sorry, Brother Luo, that’s just how he is,"

...she was secretly ecstatic.

She deeply admired Fei Jin for being able to make such a sacrifice for her.

’I really want to go up and give him a reward kiss, right in front of everyone!’

But considering it wasn’t the right time or place, she suppressed the impulse.

Luo Fuman couldn’t wrap his head around it. "So you’re really not having a single drop?"

Seeing Fei Jin’s resolute expression, he couldn’t help but feel curious.

’How on earth does his wife manage him? The rules at home must be so strict.’

The restaurant’s chef overheard their conversation and chimed in as he brought over a dish.

"Give it a rest, Old Luo. Since he doesn’t want to drink, don’t pressure him. Not everyone loves drinking as much as you do, you know."

Old Hu said, placing the piping hot dishes on the table.

"Hey, Old Hu, what’s that supposed to mean? You’re the same!"

Luo Fuman said, a little indignantly.

"I didn’t drink at first, either. Wasn’t that because..."

Luo Fuman mumbled, seeming to recall some unpleasant memories he’d rather not mention.

"Because of what?" Song Qingya asked.

The conversation between the two men had piqued her interest.

Luo Fuman sighed.

"Back then, when you got injured, the pain was just too much. There wasn’t nearly enough anesthetic, so if someone couldn’t bear it, they could only pour alcohol down their throat to numb the pain for a while..."

"But no matter what, all the guys gritted their teeth and pulled through!"

She had read about things like this before in articles by history bloggers.

When medicine was scarce on the battlefield, some wounded soldiers would indeed drink medical alcohol to temporarily deaden the excruciating pain.

Song Qingya looked at Fei Jin. "So did you also drink back then... to kill the pain?"

Fei Jin shook his head.

"No."

Beside them, Luo Fuman couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

"Sister-in-law, you’d better watch out. This man next to you is no ordinary guy! While the rest of us were relying on alcohol to kill the pain, he really didn’t need any of that."

"Then what did he use?" Song Qingya asked, confused.

"Willpower." Luo Fuman’s eyes were filled with admiration.

"It’s true. No matter how badly he was injured, I never heard him make a sound. I even suspected the guy didn’t have any pain receptors."

Song Qingya almost burst out laughing.

’How could that be possible?’ she thought, knowing better.

However, she was especially eager to know more about Fei Jin’s experiences.

Now, with his comrade Luo Fuman here, it was a perfect opportunity to find out more.

"Brother Luo, please tell me more about what it was like back then. I really want to hear."

Song Qingya asked curiously, "For example, why do you call Fei Jin ’Platoon Leader’? He’s clearly much younger than you!"

"That’s a pretty interesting story. At first, I wasn’t convinced either. Who would have thought a young guy like him would become our platoon leader? But later I understood. He’s a truly outstanding leader."

After a few drinks, it was as if a switch had been flipped. Luo Fuman became a chatterbox, and the old stories started pouring out of him.

Fei Jin watched him with a helpless expression, wondering just how many old stories he was going to spill this time. He could only sigh softly and remind him,

"Old Luo, eat your food and talk a little less. You’ve told these stories so many times. Everyone’s sick of hearing them."

"But I haven’t heard them yet! Don’t you dare stop him. I want to listen."

Song Qingya said stubbornly.

"But..." Fei Jin tried to say something more.

But when he saw the look in Song Qingya’s eyes, his heart softened, and he couldn’t bring himself to object.

"Alright. Old Luo, just keep it brief. Don’t tell the really horrifying parts."

Fei Jin said gently.

"Qingya gets scared easily. She won’t be able to sleep if she hears them."

「After a few rounds of drinks.」

Song Qingya heard many stories about Fei Jin’s past from him.

Luo Fuman said that when Fei Jin first arrived to be their platoon leader, he wasn’t even twenty years old yet—just a young kid.

A lot of the men weren’t convinced by him.

But after their first battle, everyone saw him in a completely new light.

No one had expected this gentle-looking platoon leader to be able to lead them as he charged into the fray.

"Sister-in-law, you should have seen what he looked like before. Back then, he was fair-skinned and handsome. Everyone said he was better looking than a movie star!"

Luo Fuman said, his expression animated.

"Really?"

Song Qingya gazed at Fei Jin’s face and fell into thought.

But if his skin were a bit fairer, and without that scar...

Fei Jin would have a kind of dangerously handsome charm.

Being stared at like that by her, Fei Jin started to feel a little uncomfortable.

"Qingya, don’t listen to Old Luo’s nonsense. I was training every day, out in the sun and rain. My face has long been tanned dark. How could I possibly compare to those fair-skinned, glamorous celebrities?"

Fei Jin tried to convince Song Qingya.