Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 191: You Can’t Keep Being Wrong

She knew that for Mrs. Song, this was more than just a promise.

It was a ray of hope, illuminating a heart that had been sinking into darkness these past days.

The moment Mrs. Song heard this, her eyes lit up.

She gripped Song Qingya’s hand tightly, her voice trembling with excitement.

"Good! Good! I knew you were the most understanding! I knew you still remembered her and were willing to help her!"

As she spoke, tears were already uncontrollably rolling from the corners of her eyes.

"Qingya, so... can we go see Cheng Lu now?"

She kept wringing her hands, her gaze shifting, revealing an irrepressible anxiety.

"I can’t stop worrying about her. I just want to see with my own eyes if she’s doing okay."

"She’s my own flesh and blood. No matter what she’s done wrong, she’s still a part of me. Even if she’s done something terrible, I have to know if she’s eating well, sleeping soundly, and if anyone is bullying her."

Song Qingya’s brow furrowed, her expression hesitant.

"Mom, I’m afraid now isn’t a good time."

She paused before continuing to explain.

"The detention center is very strict. Without a prior appointment, they might not arrange a visit. Besides, Cheng Lu hasn’t been in there for long. Her emotions are still unstable. Seeing her at a time like this might just make her more agitated and upset."

But Mrs. Song wouldn’t have it. She shook her head, her lips trembling slightly.

"Even just seeing her from a distance would be enough! I’m not afraid of her losing her temper, and I’m not afraid of her cursing me! As long as I can see her, know that she’s alive, that she’s still breathing, I... I’ll be at ease."

Her voice grew quieter and quieter as tears streamed continuously down her wrinkled cheeks.

Song Qingya knew she couldn’t win against her.

She heaved a deep sigh, her gaze complex as she looked out at the darkening sky, and finally nodded.

"Fine. But I have to go with you."

"I can’t rest easy if you go alone. Besides, if something were to happen, I couldn’t bear the responsibility."

A smile immediately blossomed on Mrs. Song’s face. She nodded vigorously, her voice becoming cheerful.

"Thank you, Qingya! You’re such a good daughter!"

The two were just about to leave.

Mrs. Song stopped her.

She looked left and right, confirming no one was around, before lowering her voice.

"Qingya, about me being better now... let’s not mention it to Aunt Liu and the others for now, okay?"

Song Qingya was taken aback for a moment, her brow knitting slightly as she asked in confusion.

"Why? Mom, you’ve recovered. That’s a good thing. Why would you want to hide it?"

"I... I don’t want too many people to know."

"When I was sick before, they either avoided me or gossiped behind my back that I was crazy and pitiful. Now that I’m better, they’ll just come around spewing insincere words of comfort."

She paused, her eyes turning a little red again.

"I just want to live a quiet life now. I don’t want anyone gossiping about me anymore."

Song Qingya understood.

She looked at Mrs. Song’s stubborn yet fragile profile, a pang of bitterness in her heart.

"Okay, Mom, I understand. I won’t say a word."

"This is your business. You can live however you want to. I won’t tell anyone, and I won’t let anyone disturb you."

「By the time they reached the detention center, the sky had completely darkened.」

Song Qingya followed a staff member, explaining their purpose over and over again.

"We just want to see her. Just one look is enough. We won’t take up too much time. Her mother is old and can’t stop worrying."

As she spoke, she glanced back reassuringly at Mrs. Song.

The staff member was eventually moved by her persistence and led them through the security gate toward the visitation area.

Before long, Song Chenglu was brought out.

She first swept her gaze over Song Qingya, her eyes full of cold indifference.

But when her eyes fell upon Mrs. Song, her once vacant and numb eyes suddenly lit up with life.

"Mom! Mom!"

She lunged forward, slamming her hands hard against the glass with a loud BANG.

Seeing her daughter in such a state, tears immediately began to stream down Mrs. Song’s face.

"Cheng Lu! My child!"

She cried out, reaching out as if to touch her. Her trembling fingertips pressed against the cold glass, meeting only empty air.

Song Chenglu suddenly turned her head and stared daggers at Song Qingya, her eyes bloodshot.

"It was you! Song Qingya! You did this on purpose!"

"You wanted her to see how miserable I am, didn’t you? You’re gloating inside, aren’t you!"

Her voice grew louder.

"You won! Seeing your sister rotting in jail, seeing your mom crying her eyes out for her—you must be so proud of yourself, right?"

Hearing this, Mrs. Song’s temper instantly flared.

"Cheng Lu! What nonsense are you talking about?!"

"I was the one who wanted to come! She was kind enough to accompany me. How can you treat her like this?!"

Song Chenglu was stunned by the yelling.

’Why? I’m her real daughter!’

Seeing her expression, Mrs. Song’s heart ached all over again.

But she knew that no matter how much it hurt, she couldn’t indulge her.

’Wrong is wrong. You can’t escape it, and you can’t hide it.’

"Cheng Lu, don’t be like this."

Her tone softened.

"Mom knows you feel wronged, but what’s done is done, and you have to accept it. Listen to Mom. Behave yourself in there, reform properly, and come back soon."

"Mom... Mom will definitely treat you well. Everything I owe you, I’ll make it all up to you."

As she spoke, her voice grew quieter until it finally choked off.

Seeing her mother crying like this, Song Chenglu finally couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst into loud sobs.

"Mom!"

A heart-wrenching cry that seemed to pour out all her remorse and pain.

"Mom! I really understand everything now!"

"I’ll change, I promise! I’ll be a better person and get out as soon as I can! Wait for me! I will get out!"

Her heart aching, Mrs. Song nodded repeatedly.

"Okay, okay, Mom will wait for you."

"You have to be responsible for yourself. Don’t do anything stupid again. In life, you can turn back after one wrong step, but you can’t keep going down the wrong path."

When the visitation time was up, a staff member came over and reminded them gently.

Crying, Song Chenglu was led away. With every step, she looked back, her gaze fixed on her mother.

Her figure grew more and more distant until she turned the corner of the hallway and disappeared from sight completely.

Mrs. Song’s legs went weak, and her head spun.

It was only because of Song Qingya’s quick reflexes, catching her with a steadying hand, that she didn’t collapse right then and there.

On the way back, she slowly calmed down a bit.

"Qingya."

She suddenly spoke, her voice hoarse.

Song Qingya turned her head and looked at her quietly.

"I heard that Dean Yuan is thinking of having you take over for him?"

Song Qingya hadn’t expected her to bring this up. She was slightly taken aback, then nodded.

"There’s been some talk, but nothing’s been decided yet. The Dean is still considering candidates."

Mrs. Song acknowledged with a hum, gazing out the window. She was silent for a good while before continuing.

"Qingya, if it really is your turn to become the Dean, you absolutely must stay grounded."

"That position is too conspicuous; so many eyes are watching. Some will hope you do well, but others will be waiting to see you fail."

"One wrong step, and you could fall hard."

"You have to remain level-headed. Don’t get carried away by a little success and forget who you are or where you came from."

She had seen too many people change the moment they rose to power, forgetting their original intentions and their duties.

In the end, they were abandoned by everyone.

She didn’t want her daughter to walk down that same path.

A warmth spread through Song Qingya’s heart, and her eyes, too, began to feel moist.