Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 113: Kneel Down and Apologize

She quietly raised her eyes and looked at Sun Zhenhai, who stood not far away.

"Sun Zhenhai, I just want an apology from you in front of everyone."

"What did I say that was wrong!"

Sun Zhenhai shouted indignantly, his face flushing then paling.

He clearly hadn’t expected Song Qingya to openly demand an apology, and for a moment, he couldn’t hide his embarrassment.

Sun Zhenhai’s neck stiffened, and he was about to say something more when Sun Qiang, who was behind him, smacked him hard on the back of the neck. His cheeks instantly flushed crimson.

Sun Qiang glared at his good-for-nothing son with a reprimanding look.

"Hurry up and apologize to your cousin! If you don’t take this chance to back down now, are you going to wait until she completely loses it?"

’He knew with perfect clarity that if today’s matter wasn’t handled well...’

’...the family wouldn’t be able to see each other anymore.’

"You say he doesn’t know any better?"

Song Qingya looked at Sun Zhenhai with an indifferent gaze.

"He’s almost twenty. Is it really good for him for you to keep spoiling and indulging him like this, Uncle Sun?"

Song Qingya chuckled softly, her gaze slowly sweeping over the messy, chaotic room.

"I believe I just heard that this young master of the Sun Family intends to join the army?"

Song Qingya smiled slightly.

"Ajin, don’t you think someone with a temper like his would be turned away at the door before he could even enlist? Even if he got lucky and wormed his way in, he probably wouldn’t last long. He’d get kicked out in no time, wouldn’t you say?"

Fei Jin responded coolly.

"Yes. The service values rules and discipline. Someone with such a volatile personality would only be weeded out."

Sun Qiang quickly upped the ante from the side. "Zhenhai, you went way too far just now! You shouldn’t have flipped the table, you shouldn’t have talked back to Qingya, and you certainly shouldn’t have spoken that way. Kneel down right now and apologize to your cousin and cousin-in-law. You also have to promise in front of everyone that you won’t lose your temper, flip tables, or kick chairs anymore!"

His words came faster and faster, his voice growing louder.

Yang Yunhua and Sun Qiang anxiously tugged at their son’s sleeves, their eyes filled with panic. They were terrified that saying anything more would completely infuriate Song Qingya, who was seated in the place of honor.

Yang Yunhua whispered repeatedly in his ear.

"What are you being so stubborn for? Do you want to join the army or not? Don’t you want to see yourself in the uniform? Stop being a fool!"

Her fingers tightly gripped the hem of her son’s clothes.

In this day and age, having someone in the service was a great honor for the entire family.

If a family had a child who could wear the uniform while visiting relatives or meeting neighbors...

...everyone would look on with envy. Even the way they spoke would carry more weight.

To shut Song Qingya up and to secure the enlistment spot once and for all...

Sun Qiang gritted his teeth and continued to urge him on.

"Zhenhai, do as I say! Kneel down right now and apologize! You must do it immediately, don’t bring shame to our family."

"Dad."

Sun Zhenhai finally spoke.

He wanted to argue, to resist.

But the fierceness in his father’s eyes made him shudder.

"Kneel!"

Sun Qiang growled, his eyes filled with grim resolve.

Thinking of the enlistment spot that was within his grasp...

It meant a future of limitless possibilities and bragging rights with his friends for a lifetime.

Sun Zhenhai hardened his heart, swallowed his fury, and his knees suddenly gave way.

He fell heavily to his knees.

He lowered his head, biting his lip until it bled, and mumbled, "Cousin... Cousin-in-law, I was wrong."

’A real man knows when to yield. Where there’s life, there’s hope.’

He silently recited the self-reassuring old proverbs, forcing himself to look up at Song Qingya.

Seeing her nod with a satisfied look on her face,

Sun Zhenhai felt his insides twist into knots.

But Song Qingya, sitting in the seat of honor, just smirked.

’In her past life, the original owner of this body had been horribly bullied by this guy.’

’Making him kneel was letting him off easy!’

Thinking this, Song Qingya leaned back lightly against the sofa.

"Get up, Zhenhai. The floor is cold. If a neighbor were to come over and see you kneeling, they might think we’re being unreasonable."

"Zhenhai, did you hear?"

Yang Yunhua, standing nearby, immediately seized the opportunity, a broad smile on her face.

"Your cousin has forgiven you! Hurry up and come over to thank her, won’t you?"

She took the opportunity to change her tune, seeming to think the situation had stabilized.

But in fact, Song Qingya had only told Sun Zhenhai to get up; she hadn’t said a word about forgiving him.

Yang Yunhua, however, paid that no mind and simply confirmed the matter on Song Qingya’s behalf.

Sun Zhenhai slowly rose, his head hanging low.

He tightly clenched his fists.

He swore fiercely in his heart.

’This shame and humiliation I’ve suffered today...’

’I’ll get my revenge for every last bit of it!’

But reality was not so kind; he didn’t even have a chance to strike back.

Song Qingya gave him no hope at all.

Just when it seemed Song Qingya would give a promise...

...she simply stood up and headed for her room without a backward glance.

This sudden turn of events left Yang Yunhua and her husband stunned.

They never imagined their niece would just leave without saying a word.

Without a second thought, the couple hurried after her, calling out.

"Qingya, look! Your cousin knelt and apologized, you have to give us an answer! Are you going to help him join the army or not? Just say something."

"Yes, that’s right! Xiao Fei, you see it too. It all comes down to your approval. You should go talk to your wife. We can’t let things get stuck here, can we?"

However, Song Qingya’s steps paused slightly at the edge of the hallway.

"When did I ever promise to arrange for Sun Zhenhai to join the army? Are you misremembering?"

She asked nonchalantly.

"Besides, I’m not some person with powerful connections. What makes you think I can pull strings for anyone? If he really wants to join the army, he should just go through the proper recruitment channels, shouldn’t he? If you’re serious about going tomorrow, the most I can do is ask my husband to give you a ride."

Yang Yunhua and Sun Qiang were stunned speechless.

The two were so panicked they didn’t know what to do. Flustered, they waved their hands and shook their heads frantically.

"Don’t joke, Qingya. Getting your cousin into the army is just a matter of you saying the word, isn’t it?"

"Xiao Fei, you’re the village chief, you have to put in a good word, support your brother-in-law."

"Wait, stop!"

Song Qingya wasn’t falling for it.

’The Sun Zhenhai standing before me is no relative of mine.’

’He’s the one who bullied the original owner’s younger brother.’

’And to be blunt, if I’d had such a worthless younger brother when I was a child, I’d probably have thrown him in a river long ago.’

"Auntie, Uncle Sun, are you trying to get Ajin in trouble with what you’re saying?"

"You think one ’effective’ word can settle things? Do we own the military? Do you really think it’s that simple? Enlisting in the army has procedures and requirements. Just being old enough is nowhere near enough."

"Then you tell us what counts as qualified! He’s clearly old enough now, shouldn’t he be able to pass?"

"He ’should’ be able to?"

Song Qingya shot back.

She gave Sun Zhenhai a long, meaningful look from head to toe and couldn’t help but chuckle.