Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 163: I’ll Watch Over You

Song Qingya noticed immediately. Her heart clenched as she quickly grabbed his arm. "What’s wrong? Is your wound hurting again? Did it split open?"

Fei Jin furrowed his brow and spoke in a low, strained voice. "Yeah, it’s stinging a little. I moved too suddenly just now and might have aggravated it."

Song Qingya didn’t say much. Her expression grew grim as she quickly got to her feet.

She bent down and pulled the first-aid kit she always carried from her backpack.

Opening the kit, she took out antiseptic, gauze, tweezers, and bandages, then walked back to his side.

Holding her breath, she said softly, "Brace yourself. I’m going to re-dress it for you. I’ll take off the old bandage first, then disinfect it."

Fei Jin sat perfectly still, not daring to move, but his gaze remained fixed on her downcast profile.

As he watched her, his heart softened bit by bit.

Song Qingya carefully examined the wound on his arm. After confirming there were no signs of infection, she said in a low voice, "Good, it’s not festering. But I need to re-wrap it properly. You absolutely can’t get it wet for the next few days, and don’t exert yourself."

"It needs stitches. Otherwise, it could easily get inflamed, and you might even lose the use of your arm."

Song Qingya said grimly, leaning over to inspect the wound more closely.

Fei Jin’s face fell, and a light sheen of cold sweat broke out on his temples, but he kept his back ramrod straight and sat without moving.

Song Qingya looked up at him and pressed her lips together. "But... I don’t have any anesthetic."

"Don’t need it."

Fei Jin’s tone was flat.

Song Qingya froze, her brow furrowing deeply. Her voice trembled slightly. "No anesthetic? How much is that going to hurt?"

He managed a small smile. "I can take it. It’s just a minor injury. I’ve had worse. This is nothing."

He didn’t want to cause a commotion over something like this and let more people know he was back.

The situation was currently unstable. The base was on high alert with dangerous undercurrents, and he had just snuck back in. He hadn’t yet gotten a handle on things.

It was better to keep a low profile. It was the only way to protect himself and provide cover for his next move.

Worry was written all over Song Qingya’s face, and her fingers unconsciously tightened around the suture kit in her hand.

She knew Fei Jin had always been stubborn, but this time, her heart ached for him too much to just let it go.

"Are you really sure??"

she asked again for confirmation.

Fei Jin nodded, his tone even more resolute. "I’m sure. Don’t waste time, just get it done. The sooner we finish, the less risk."

Song Qingya knew she couldn’t change his mind, but she still wanted to lessen his pain somehow.

She didn’t want to watch him grit his teeth and suffer through it.

"How about we have Cheng Peng find a trustworthy veteran to sneak some anesthetic from the infirmary?"

She suggested cautiously in a low voice, "It’ll be quick. It won’t cause any delays, it’ll just take a few minutes."

Fei Jin shook his head, his tone decisive and leaving no room for argument. "No. We don’t know what the situation is on base right now. Wang Kang’s people might have already infiltrated."

"We just got back. We don’t know who we can trust and who we can’t. We can’t just ask anyone."

"If word gets out, it won’t just be you and me—the entire operation will be exposed."

Hearing this, Song Qingya felt even more conflicted.

She understood his concerns and was well aware of the current danger, but looking at that torn-open wound, her heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vise.

Fei Jin saw what she was thinking and shook his head gently, his voice softening. "Qingya, don’t worry. I can handle it."

She bit her lip and finally relented. "Alright... then let’s just stitch it."

The corner of Fei Jin’s mouth lifted into a slight smile. "Go ahead. I’m ready."

Song Qingya gripped the needle and thread, her knuckles turning white from the force.

"This might hurt. Just bear with it."

Fei Jin nodded and casually stuffed a clean cloth into his mouth.

A pang of sorrow hit Song Qingya, but she forced back her tears, and her hands became even faster and steadier.

Fei Jin’s whole body shuddered, his muscles tensing from the intense pain.

He bit down hard on the cloth in his mouth, his jaw clamped shut.

After tying off the final stitch, she finally let out a breath of relief. Wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, she looked up to get a good look at Fei Jin’s face.

Only then did she realize his face was drenched in sweat and frighteningly pale.

"There, all stitched up."

Her heart ached for him. She quickly grabbed the towel she had prepared nearby and carefully wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead.

Fei Jin let out a long breath, his shoulders slumping into the mattress as his breathing gradually evened out.

"Qingya, your skills are really impeccable."

He forced the corners of his mouth into a weak smile.

Song Qingya glared at him, her eyes filled with reproach.

"Still joking at a time like this? Just close your eyes and rest."

Her voice was cold, but it was filled with concern.

"About tomorrow... I can go see Wang Kang by myself."

Fei Jin grabbed her hand. "No. I have to go with you. I can’t let you face that danger alone."

Song Qingya knew she couldn’t persuade him. It was his personality; once he made up his mind, he wouldn’t change it. She could only sigh softly, close her eyes, and finally nod in agreement.

"Fine. We’ll go together."

Fei Jin managed a weak smile. He was about to say something else, but his eyelids were too heavy to keep open and slowly drifted shut.

Song Qingya looked at his exhausted sleeping face, and her heart felt as though a hand had squeezed it violently, the pain so sharp it nearly took her breath away.

"Go to sleep. I’ll watch over you."

she murmured, gently taking his hand that dangled by the bedside and holding it without moving.

Meanwhile, Song Chenglu was lying in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

Her mind was a chaotic jumble of fear, regret, and anxiety.

She didn’t dare to count on Song Qingya coming to save her.

She knew that while her sister was kind, her opponent this time was Wang Kang. A rash move could very well cost her her life.

’Rather than just wait, I should find a way to escape myself.’

She sat up as quietly as she could, trying not to make a sound. Hugging the wall, she inched forward, her body pressed against the cold surface.

Just then, the door in front of her opened with a CREAK. Her entire body went rigid. She quickly shrank back into the shadows of the corner, holding her breath, not even daring to blink.

But the person at the door still noticed her.

"Song Chenglu?"

Wang Kang’s voice reeked of alcohol. His steps were unsteady as he scanned the room with clouded eyes, an empty wine bottle dangling from his hand.

Song Chenglu bit her lip and steeled herself, stepping out from the shadows.

"Brother Wang, why... why are you out?"

’I have to stay calm,’ she thought. ’Even if I have to fake it, I have to keep it together.’

Wang Kang tilted his head, as if trying to see right through her.

"What were you doing hiding over there? Acting all sneaky. Trying to run?"

He said, swaying as he walked toward her.

Song Chenglu frantically waved her hands, denying it repeatedly. "No, not at all, Brother Wang. You’re mistaken."

A fine sheen of cold sweat had already broken out on her forehead.

"I just... came out for some fresh air, took a little walk, and ended up here without realizing."

The moment the words left her mouth, she realized how flimsy the excuse was. It wouldn’t even convince her, let alone the crafty old fox standing before her.

Wang Kang didn’t believe her at all. A cold sneer played on his lips as he shook his head, his tone laced with mockery.

"Just taking a walk? A walk that led you right to my door?"

His voice held an interrogating edge. "This alley is secluded. You’re a young woman, up in the middle of the night, and you just happen to wander all the way to my doorstep?"

He stared at her with a dark expression, then his tone suddenly shifted, becoming ambiguous and flirtatious.