Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 32: No Good Thing

Before she became famous, she spent most of the money she earned on food.

Once she started gaining fame, she never missed an opportunity to sample the fine cuisine at the various banquets she attended. Reporters even caught her sneaking snacks on several occasions, capturing quite a few amusing photos.

Now, she was completely absorbed in the cookbook she held.

One dish in particular, named Jade Dew Steamed Pearl Paste, caught her eye.

But its main ingredient was napa cabbage, the most common vegetable in Ning City!

Legend had it that Jade Dew Steamed Pearl Paste was the first meal a woman named Yu Chef cooked for the Empress Dowager right after arriving in the capital.

Even the Empress Dowager, who had seen the world and tasted countless rare delicacies, was deeply moved by this simple plate of cabbage.

She immediately promoted her to a key post, making her a Dining Officer.

A smile crept onto Song Qingya’s lips as she thought about it.

「Early the next morning, as dawn broke.」

Song Qingya had repeatedly reminded him to get to bed early so they could wake up on time, worried he might stay up too late.

Finally, thanks to her constant reminders, Fei Jin actually managed to get up early.

However, she had underestimated Zhou Huaihua and Fei Zhenwu’s determination to humiliate her.

It wasn’t even noon.

It was just after nine in the morning, but the areas in front of and behind Song Qingya’s house were already packed with people.

Not only had many of the Fei Family’s friends arrived, but Zhou Huaihua had also enthusiastically invited people Song Qingya didn’t even recognize.

The small courtyard was swarming with people, all chattering at once. The lively, chaotic scene instantly resembled a bustling market day.

Seeing this scene, Fei Jin frowned and asked, "Uncle, Aunt, why did you invite so many people? Qingya can’t possibly handle all of this by herself!"

"Oh, dear. Your uncle so rarely gets to come home. It’s only natural for the village folks to want to get together."

Zhou Huaihua, feigning illness, gave a soft cough and pretended to be unwell as she spoke.

"Ajin, don’t you worry about all this. Hurry up and sit down, keep your uncle company for a bit."

"That’s right, Ajin. Come, have a drink or two with your uncle first,"

Fei Zhenwu added.

Fei Jin shook his head. "No, I should go help Qingya."

Hearing this, Fei Zhenwu suddenly got angry, slamming the cup in his hand down on the table. The sharp BANG echoed through the small courtyard.

"Ajin, you have to drink this cup with me no matter what. Otherwise, you’re looking down on me!"

"I really can’t, Uncle. I already promised Qingya I’d quit drinking."

Fei Jin handed Fei Zhenwu two exquisitely packaged bags of tea.

"This is a specialty tea from Su City that one of my army buddies sent me. Please accept it."

Fei Jin’s army buddies had specially selected this top-quality tea.

He knew his uncle Fei Zhenwu was quite knowledgeable about tea.

A gift like this was sure to please him.

He was so polite and thoughtful that no one could find fault.

Fei Jin’s words and actions were always impeccable.

No one could ever find fault with him, no matter the time or place.

Unable to force Fei Jin to drink, Fei Zhenwu felt aggrieved but didn’t dare show his anger.

After all, his nephew had just given him such fine tea.

Fei Zhenwu had planned to use all sorts of tricks to make Fei Jin give in.

But in the end, he could only let out a helpless huff and reluctantly accept the situation.

Seeing the vibrant green tea leaves, Zhou Huaihua, who was standing to the side, knew it was top-shelf stuff and quickly took it.

"Thank you, Ajin. You’re so thoughtful. All these years, you never forget about us whenever you get something good."

"It’s nothing."

Fei Jin replied with a smile.

He had always believed it was his duty to show respect to his elders.

"He’s so sensible,"

Zhou Huaihua remarked with a sigh.

...

The crowd of onlookers perked up their ears.

After listening to the entire exchange, they began to whisper among themselves.

"Looks like Fei Village Chief really listens to his wife. He said he wouldn’t drink, and he’s sticking to it,"

a young man whispered.

"You think everyone’s like you? Glued to a bottle all day. You said you’d quit the other day, but then you were back to sneaking drinks in the middle of the night,"

a middle-aged woman next to him couldn’t help but retort.

"What’s wrong with a man having a few drinks? Move along, don’t talk nonsense,"

another man interjected.

"Quiet! Why isn’t Aunt Zhou in the kitchen yet? Who’s cooking today?"

Someone suddenly changed the subject.

"You don’t know? Zhou Huaihua said she’s not feeling well, so the Fei Village Chief’s young wife is cooking today,"

another person explained in a low voice.

Everyone’s eyes went wide at this.

"What? She’s cooking?"

Many people cried out in surprise.

"Is her cooking even edible? This is just a waste of food!"

someone asked doubtfully.

"I wouldn’t dare eat it. That sickly thing is in bed all day. What if we eat her food and catch whatever she has?"

a voice said worriedly.

"Oh, hearing that, I’m not eating either. I’m very particular about hygiene. Besides, I heard that Song woman is no good. They say she wasn’t ’pure’ before she got married,"

another person agreed, a look of disgust on their face.

"Who told you that? Tell us."

"Yeah, yeah, tell us! I’ve never heard that before..."

A group of gossipy old aunties gathered together, chattering away about Song Qingya.

They added one comment after another, their gossip growing more and more animated.

They were convinced their words were credible.

Because it all came straight from the mouth of Fei Jin’s aunt, Zhou Huaihua.

The group grew more and more excited, even pulling over a passerby to fish for more information.

One of the aunties had just tried the jerky Song Qingya gave out two days ago and couldn’t help but step up and retort, "What are you talking about? Xiao Song’s jerky is delicious! I just had a bag the day before yesterday, and the texture was excellent. I think she must know how to cook."

However, someone soon expressed a different opinion.

"No, no, didn’t she run to the supply co-op and buy a bunch of things last time? She must have bought it ready-made."

Another auntie chimed in, "Mhm, I remember there are many shops in town that sell jerky. She most likely bought it from one of them."

"Did she really buy it? That must have been so expensive,"

an auntie with a puzzled look on her face asked.

Another person picked up the thread.

"What’s money to them? Her husband earns a huge stipend every month and gives it all to her. Their family is so well-off, buying a few snacks is nothing to them."

"What a fine wife, so good with money. Look at Fei Village Chief working his fingers to the bone, while she’s at home spending his money without a care in the world. A wife like that is truly something to be ’envious’ of,"

an auntie said with a sigh.

"How did Fei Village Chief end up with a wife like that?"

Another auntie shook her head, expressing her disapproval.

Suddenly, someone chimed in, "You don’t know the half of it. Fei Village Chief was forced to marry her."

She added mysteriously,

"I hear there’s a whole story behind it."

Just as they were getting into the thick of their chat, they saw Fei Jin walking over.

Everyone immediately fell silent, clamping their mouths shut.

It wasn’t because they didn’t want to gossip.