Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 190: The Knot in the Heart is Untied
"If you really care about her, don’t disturb her right now. Let her have some peace and quiet to recover. In her current state, she can’t handle any more stress."
Wei Yongde looked up, a vein throbbing in his neck. His tone was aggressive, and his voice rose a few notches.
"What’s that supposed to mean? She called me just a few days ago and said everything was fine. How did it all suddenly fall apart? What exactly happened?"
"Don’t tell me... did you guys do something to her?! She’s with you people. Did you force her to do something? Or say something to set her off?"
Song Qingya’s gaze turned cold.
"Wei Yongde, don’t make baseless accusations."
"I have no obligation to explain anything to you, but since you’re asking, I’ll tell you this: Song Chenglu physically assaulted someone. That’s a fact. The evidence is all there. Believe it or not."
"I can overlook your emotional state right now, but I’m warning you, don’t try to shift the blame onto others."
"If you insist on provoking her and making her condition worse, and if something happens or causes an even bigger problem, you’ll have to take full responsibility. Don’t blame me for not warning you."
Wei Yongde opened his mouth, but couldn’t get a single word out.
His head was buzzing, and his vision went black. He couldn’t even see Song Qingya’s face clearly.
"Qingya, then... can I just go see her? Just for a moment? I won’t talk to her, I won’t get close, and I won’t let her know it’s me. I’ll just look from a distance, make sure she’s okay, and then I’ll leave."
"I also brought some things, food and other stuff she usually likes. Can... can you take them in for me? Even if she won’t see me, at least let her know someone is still thinking about her."
As he spoke, he bent down and carefully took out a few items from an old string bag he’d brought.
There were two jars of malted milk powder, three cans of fruit, and a few unwrapped bars of soap.
Song Qingya looked down at the items, then back up at him, and gently shook her head.
"It’s no use. I’ve tried before. The food and clothes I brought in, she just threw them in a corner, untouched. She won’t even lay a finger on them."
The light in Wei Yongde’s eyes dimmed instantly.
But he quickly clenched his jaw, his eyes flying wide open.
"No, I have to see her myself! Even if she doesn’t acknowledge me or look at me, I have to know how she’s really doing!"
Song Qingya was silent for a moment, her brow furrowed slightly.
She knew she couldn’t stop him, and she understood how he felt.
Finally, she offered a suggestion in a low voice.
"You can go if you want. But you have to make sure she doesn’t recognize you."
"You could pretend to be a stranger. Just make up an excuse, like you’re a colleague from her workplace sent to drop something off, or an acquaintance a relative asked to pass on a message. In short, find a cover that won’t make her suspicious, and just go take a look."
Wei Yongde froze for a second, his expression confused at first, then gradually brightening with hope.
He looked down and nodded heavily.
"Okay, I get it. Thank you, Qingya. Really, thank you."
In the shadows in a corner of the courtyard, Mrs. Song had been quietly listening to their conversation.
Wei Yongde left, his back hunched as he stumbled through the small gate of the courtyard.
Song Qingya watched him go and let out a soft sigh.
’She knew some things had finally reached their end.’
Mrs. Song slowly walked over and stood before her daughter.
"Qingya, I heard everything you two were just saying."
She paused, her gaze lowered as if she were gathering her thoughts.
Then, she slowly raised her eyes and looked directly at her daughter’s face.
"I know she’s done many things wrong. The way she’s turned out... it’s my fault."
"All these years, I’ve been in a daze. I was sick, and I was pretending, but deep down, I’ve known for a long time that something was wrong."
"But I chose to turn a blind eye, letting her run wild and letting you suffer in silence."
As she spoke, her eyes began to redden.
"I’ve just been so confused, I didn’t understand anything."
"I’m sorry, Qingya. Mom has let you down."
Song Qingya looked at the mother before her—a woman who had once been numb, biased, and overly protective of her other child—now bowing her head and taking the initiative to admit her mistakes.
Her own eyes couldn’t help but well up with tears.
"Mom, I..."
She started to speak, wanting to say, "It’s okay," wanting to say, "I don’t blame you," but found she couldn’t get the words out.
"My good girl, you’ve been through so much."
"Having to deal with Cheng Lu, and with me on top of that... your life hasn’t been easy."
"You’re at an age where you should be enjoying life, but instead, you’ve been worrying about the family, shielding us from the storm."
"How much you’ve been wronged, how much you’ve suffered... I haven’t forgotten any of it."
"I’m well aware of all the foolish things Cheng Lu has done. I don’t blame you."
Her tone suddenly became firm.
"This is a mess of her own making! No one can bear the consequences for her!"
"I gave birth to her and raised her, but I can’t keep blindly favoring her and making you give in because of that."
"That was wrong. It’s been wrong for a long time."
Song Qingya felt the warmth from her mother’s hand, and all the long-suppressed feelings of injustice and confusion suddenly vanished.
She finally understood. Her mother hadn’t truly been confused; she had chosen to escape.
But now, she had come back. She was lucid and willing to face everything.
"Mom, let’s let the past be the past."
Song Qingya squeezed her mother’s hand in return.
"What matters most is that you’ve come to terms with things and your health has improved."
"How have you been feeling lately? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"
She studied her mother’s complexion, her voice full of concern.
"Is your appetite good? Are you sleeping soundly? Have you been feeling dizzy again?"
Mrs. Song shook her head, her expression much more relaxed.
"I’m fine. I feel completely refreshed. I’ve never felt so clear-headed."
"The doctor said my illness was mostly psychological. Now that the knot in my heart is untied, my body is naturally getting better too."
"It’s all thanks to you, your father, and Ajin and the others for taking care of me and staying by my side."
"Especially you, Qingya. You were the one who kept running to the hospital, talking with me, and giving me my medicine."
"If you weren’t my daughter, you would have stayed far, far away."
She paused, her gaze suddenly dropping, a hint of pleading in her eyes.
"Qingya, Mom knows that Cheng Lu has wronged you."
"But she’s still my own flesh and blood..."
"She made a mistake. She should be punished and pay for what she’s done. I accept that."
"But when she... when she gets out, please don’t be strangers for the rest of your lives, okay?"
Her voice grew softer, almost a whisper.
"I know she hurt you deeply, but she’s still your sister."
"The palm and the back of the hand are both flesh. As a mother, I can’t bear to see my two daughters hurting each other."
"If you don’t interact for a lifetime, she’ll be in pain, you’ll be in pain, and I’ll be in even more pain."
Looking into her mother’s pleading eyes, Song Qingya’s heart softened.
She knew her mother was right. The bonds of blood couldn’t be broken.
Even though Cheng Lu had treated her so badly, even though the pain of that betrayal still ached in her heart.
But they were sisters, after all. They had grown up under the same roof, shared laughter, and relied on each other.
"Mom, I understand,"
she responded softly.
"I won’t ignore her."
"If she truly repents, I’m willing to start over."
"But if she relapses into her old ways, then I’ll have no choice but to keep my distance."
"We’ll wait for her to come back."
Song Qingya’s gaze was firm, her tone serene.
