Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 22: Acting Pitiful

Fei Jin was a regimental commander.

He received a large number of grain tickets each month.

It was far more than the two of them could use, which made the tickets perfect for trading.

The woman was incredibly grateful, as if she’d met her savior. She asked again and again if Song Qingya was really willing to buy her entire stock.

"Thank you so much!"

With these grain tickets, the woman’s daughter could finally eat better.

"You’re welcome. Your goods are just that good," Song Qingya said.

"Will you be setting up your stall here again? If you have any other specialty products, bring them all. I’ll definitely buy everything!"

"Really?"

"Of course."

In this era, many rural families survived off the land.

In addition to their issued grain tickets, they could also hunt and fish, giving them access to a much wider variety of food than people in the city.

But while they had food, it was difficult for them to turn it into cash.

Meanwhile, people in the city might have money, but they struggled to get their hands on such food.

That’s why many people risked coming to the market to trade for what they needed.

It was almost noon, with the sun hanging high in the sky. She couldn’t stay much longer.

Song Qingya bought ten pounds of fresh pork, five pounds of white sugar, and two hundred whole eggs. She also unexpectedly found a second-hand radio.

On her way back, she happened upon a man selling beef.

The man said his own cow had died in a fall, so he was selling the meat.

Song Qingya decided to buy all the remaining beef.

She figured it was a guarantee of the food’s quality.

After taking stock of her haul for the day, she packed everything snugly into her space.

’This must be that special satisfaction that comes from hoarding, right?’

’It’s simply the best!’

She checked the time. It was almost time to meet Fei Jin.

When Song Qingya arrived at their meeting spot, she saw a tall figure standing by the side of the road, waiting.

Fei Jin’s posture was ramrod straight. Even when he wasn’t with his unit, he maintained his military bearing.

He drew more than a few glances from the women who passed by.

Song Qingya snuck up on him, planning to clap him on the back for a little surprise.

But before she even got close, he twisted around and restrained her, pinning her shoulder and arm.

"Hss..."

In truth, it didn’t hurt; she was just startled.

The moment Fei Jin saw it was her, he immediately let go. "I’m sorry," he said, his face full of apology. "Are you all right?" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"How could I be all right!" Song Qingya shot back, feigning indignation.

"Do you have eyes in the back of your head? How did you know someone was coming?"

"I heard your footsteps," Fei Jin explained with a small smile.

Song Qingya was taken aback.

’Is every soldier’s hearing really that good?’

"Are you hurt? Let me see."

His expression was a mixture of anxiety and self-reproach as he rushed forward to check her arm.

Song Qingya, however, just grinned smugly.

"I’m not that fragile," Song Qingya said breezily. "Come on, let’s go."

"..."

Fei Jin remained silent, his brow furrowed as if he were lost in thought.

The moment she finished speaking, the atmosphere turned a little strange.

She saw the man’s expression darken.

Song Qingya took a few steps before turning back to look at him, confused. "Come on. What are you waiting for?"

Fei Jin pursed his lips.

He looked somewhat resigned and said in a low voice, "You’re going the wrong way. The Civil Affairs Bureau isn’t in this direction."

"The Civil Affairs Bureau? What are we going there for? We’re going to the supply and marketing co-op!"

People on the busy street started casting curious glances at the couple who had suddenly stopped.

The surrounding passersby were all staring at them curiously.

Song Qingya understood immediately.

’Fei Jin has been acting a little strange lately.’

’He’s clearly been so good to me, yet he always keeps a certain distance.’

Recalling one moment after another from the past few days, her mind filled with questions.

’So that’s it! He’s been thinking I want a divorce this whole time!’

’How on earth did this misunderstanding even start?’

Song Qingya’s eyes widened.

"Who said we were getting a divorce?"

The words practically flew out of her mouth.

Fei Jin was stunned.

"That time in Qi City."

Song Qingya tried to recall that scene.

That had been her first day in this world.

"..."

She fell into a brief silence, the scene from that day flashing through her mind.

She had just arrived then and hadn’t yet figured out the situation. So when Fei Jin had discussed a time for their divorce, she hadn’t argued.

That must have made Fei Jin think she’d tacitly agreed.

Figuring all this out, Song Qingya couldn’t help but laugh.

But amidst her laughter, she was also touched.

’The only reason Fei Jin was being so sensitive was because he truly cared about me.’

A prompt flashed in her mind.

[Plot change detected. The system is at your service. The host may now select a suitable script to enact!]

Two options appeared before her.

Option 1: Deny it directly, have a heart-to-heart with the male lead, and clear up the misunderstanding.

Option 2: Play the victim. Grievously question the male lead about why he wants a divorce to increase his guilt.

A cunning glint flashed in Song Qingya’s eyes as she saw the second option.

’Now that’s an interesting idea!’

Each option came with a small tip.

For the first option, the system’s explanation was as follows.

This approach was relatively safe and reliable, allowing for a gradual increase in the male lead’s favorability.

The information regarding the second path, however, indicated something else.

Although this approach was riskier, it also had the potential to be an effective way to quickly close the distance between them and significantly intensify the male lead’s feelings for her.

However, it also came with a high chance of failure.

However, Song Qingya was not the type to play it safe.

She always loved a good thrill.

So naturally, she wasn’t about to take the safe option.

’As if!’

A faint smile played on Song Qingya’s lips.

Song Qingya had never been one to follow the rules.

She unhesitatingly clicked the second option.

’If you’re going to go for a thrill, you might as well go all the way!’

「The next moment.」

Fei Jin, who had been standing steady with a serious expression, suddenly froze.

His eyes took on a dazed look.

Her voice choked with emotion.

"So... you want to divorce me?"

The one thing Fei Jin couldn’t stand was seeing her cry.

Whenever he remembered the times Song Qingya had cried alone at her parents’ house, his heart ached with tenderness for her.

He knew back then that she was only so heartbroken because she was being neglected by her family.

Fei Jin’s heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vise.

He quickly reached out and wiped away the tear about to fall from her cheek. "No," he said, his voice slightly hoarse. "I never thought about leaving you."

But Song Qingya wouldn’t let it go, her voice still thick with tears as she continued.

"Then why did you bring up the Civil Affairs Bureau? You must be tired of me. You want to divorce me."

Song Qingya’s eyes were brimming with tears.

"Qingya, I..."

Fei Jin tried to explain.

But a wave of self-reproach rose from deep within, leaving him almost speechless.

Just then, a voice only Song Qingya could hear suddenly sounded in her ear.

[Congratulations. The male lead’s favorability toward you has increased by 20 points.]

Although the system’s voice was calm, it made Song Qingya’s heart beat faster.