Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 187: You’re So Popular

"I’m not trying to be nosy, but Doctor Song is your wife, after all. She represents you. If she dresses so plainly, aren’t you worried people will make fun of her? If word gets out, people will think our regiment mistreats its family members."

Fei Jin’s expression immediately darkened, and his voice grew colder.

"Doctor Qi, watch what you say. What Song Qingya wears is the Fei Family’s business. It’s no concern of yours."

But Song Qingya gently raised her hand and patted the back of his, signaling for him to calm down.

The corners of her lips tilted up slightly as her calm gaze met Qi Yuanyuan’s.

"What does my clothing have to do with you, Doctor Qi? It’s not like I’m dressing for you."

"You, on the other hand, Doctor Qi... Shouldn’t you be at the hospital seeing patients? Are your case notes finished? Have you given clear instructions for your patients? Running over to the cafeteria at high noon... Did you forget you’re a doctor, or..."

Her voice rose slightly.

"Don’t tell me you came here specifically looking for Mr. Fei? This ’coincidental’ meeting is a little *too* convenient."

Qi Yuanyuan’s face instantly turned beet red, and she pointed a finger straight at Song Qingya.

"You... Don’t talk nonsense! I-I was just passing by! I was hungry, so I came to eat. Who... who came looking for him on purpose? Don’t you dare slander me!"

"Do you think everyone is like you, with a mind full of ulterior motives!"

Song Qingya arched an eyebrow, her tone leisurely.

"Oh? You were really just passing by? My mistake, then."

"But your outfit, Doctor Qi... it doesn’t exactly scream ’casual stroll’."

Her gaze swept over the other woman’s carefully styled curls, her deliberate makeup, and the cream-colored dress she was wearing.

"This outfit... are you going to meet a suitor, or did you dress up for someone in particular?"

Qi Yuanyuan was so cornered she was speechless. The color instantly drained from her face, and her fingertips trembled.

She whipped her head around to look at Fei Jin, her eyes filled with desperation and panic.

"Mr. Fei, I... I didn’t mean anything by it. I just... I was just concerned about you."

"Doctor Song... How could she accuse me so unjustly?"

As she spoke, she lowered her head, her shoulders hitching as if she’d suffered a terrible injustice.

But Fei Jin didn’t even spare her a glance.

He tightened his grip on Song Qingya’s hand, smoothly pulling her behind him.

"Doctor Qi, I know my wife best."

"But you, on the other hand, keep showing up and bothering us. What exactly are you trying to do?"

He narrowed his eyes, a chill emanating from his brow.

His gaze swept over Qi Yuanyuan’s face, making her involuntarily take half a step back.

"If there’s a next time, it won’t be just a few words."

The warning was clear, carrying an underlying threat.

Qi Yuanyuan snapped her head up, her face a mask of disbelief.

Song Qingya peeked out from behind Fei Jin, a hint of teasing mockery in her eyes.

She saw Qi Yuanyuan’s dazed expression and deathly pale face.

"Looks like Doctor Qi didn’t come here for a meal."

"She came to be the butt of the joke."

The words weren’t spoken loudly, but they seemed to make the air freeze for a moment.

Though the patrons at the surrounding tables said nothing aloud, whispers began to ripple through the room, punctuated by stifled chuckles.

Qi Yuanyuan’s face turned pale, her lips trembled, and her fingers clutched her purse strap.

She wanted to argue, but the words were caught in her throat; she couldn’t get a single one out.

Finally, she managed to choke out a single, tearful accusation.

"You... You’re going too far!"

With that, she spun around, covered her face, and scrambled out of the restaurant.

Watching her pathetic retreat, Song Qingya retracted her gaze, her expression serene.

She turned to Fei Jin, her features softening and her voice growing gentle.

"I’m sorry you had to deal with a scene like that."

Fei Jin looked down at her, a hint of tenderness in his eyes.

"I’m the one who wasn’t considerate enough. I put you in a difficult position."

Song Qingya shook her head. She didn’t say anything, just smiled gently and squeezed his hand.

「On the way back, the night wind seeped through a crack in the car window, carrying the chill of early autumn.」

She tilted her head to look at his profile, focused as he drove. A playful smile touched her lips.

"Mr. Fei, you’re quite popular."

Fei Jin’s gaze was filled with tenderness.

He freed one hand and gave her fingers a gentle squeeze.

"What nonsense."

"But it was strange, her suddenly showing up today." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

His brow furrowed slightly, and his voice dropped.

"Since this involves the Song Family, we can’t take it lightly. I’ll use whatever resources I can to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. I’ll give you a clear answer."

Hearing this, Song Qingya felt a sense of relief.

Her gaze drifted absently to the streetscape flying by outside the window.

Seeing her like this, Fei Jin’s eyes crinkled with a smile.

"What’s wrong? Feeling jealous? You didn’t look too happy back there."

Song Qingya shot him a sidelong glance, the corners of her eyes lifting with a hint of haughtiness.

"I don’t have time for that. Do you think everyone is like your little admirer, gawking at your every move all day?"

’Though she denied it flatly, his words sent a secret thrill through her.’

She pressed her lips together, forcing down the smile that threatened to form, and pretended to be engrossed in the view outside.

The car soon entered the compound. The iron gates opened slowly, and the sentry on duty saluted as they passed through.

Fei Jin had just brought the car to a stop when someone hurried to block their path, moving with brisk purpose.

"Brother Ajin!"

Yang Meiling approached, her makeup exquisite, her eyes full of undisguised affection.

"Brother Ajin, I heard there’s trouble with the Song Family! It’s all over the phone lines. They’re saying Doctor Song is implicated and that something happened to Song Chenglu!"

"What happened to Cheng Lu? Did she really get arrested?"

She clasped her hands to her chest, the very picture of worry.

Sitting in the car, Song Qingya sneered inwardly.

’Is she genuinely concerned, or just here for the gossip?’

She stepped forward, placing herself squarely in front of Fei Jin and cutting off the other woman’s view.

"You’re quite well-informed, Ms. Yang. To know so much about my family’s private matters."

She paused, her indifferent gaze sweeping over the other woman’s face.

"But this is a private family matter, so we won’t trouble you with it. We’ve just finished up and have had a long drive. We’d just like to go home and rest now. Please let us pass."

The dismissal was so blunt that Yang Meiling’s smile instantly froze on her face.

She suppressed her anger and turned to Fei Jin, her tone becoming softer and more urgent.

"Brother Ajin, I shouldn’t have asked. But Cheng Lu is my friend. We went to elementary school together, we joined the Young Pioneers together... how can I not be worried about her?"

"Did she... did she get into some kind of trouble again?"

As she spoke, she shot a meaningful glance at Song Qingya.

"I heard... that this whole affair might have something to do with Sister Qingya—no, I mean, Doctor Song?"

"Brother Ajin, don’t let anyone fool you! Cheng Lu might be a bit spoiled and prone to tantrums, but she’s not a bad person at heart. She’s never done anything truly harmful. Someone must be plotting against her, trying to frame her! You have to see things clearly."

Fei Jin’s expression darkened instantly.

He strode forward to stand beside Song Qingya, partially shielding her with his body.

"Yang Meiling, watch what you say!"