Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 164: Coaxing

"Putting on airs during the day, saying you look down on me, only to serve yourself up on a platter at night?"

Song Chenglu’s heart sank. She knew her previous explanation was now completely useless. If she didn’t turn the situation around, this wouldn’t end well.

"You’ve really misunderstood. I genuinely admire you."

Her voice trembled, but she forced herself to lift her head.

"I was too rash today. I shouldn’t have talked back to you like that. You’re a bigger man than that, please don’t hold it against me."

She spoke quickly, afraid he would interrupt her. "I just... I think you’re a real man. You’re decisive, and your words carry weight. Who in the neighborhood doesn’t show you some respect?"

She paused, bit her lip, and threw caution to the wind. She plastered a look of adoration on her face, deliberately making her gaze soft and mesmerized.

The suspicion in Wang Kang’s eyes slowly faded, replaced by the smug satisfaction of a man who’s been flattered.

He looked her up and down a few times, from head to toe.

Suddenly, a lecherous smile spread across his lips.

"Oh? Really? You admire me?"

Song Chenglu nodded desperately. Her cheeks twitched with nervousness, but she still managed to flash a brilliant smile.

"Of course! Brother Wang, you’re so commanding, a man of your word, impressive in every way! Who wouldn’t be completely convinced after meeting you?"

Her voice trembled slightly, but she deliberately added a delicate, coy tone. "I’ve secretly admired you for so long, I just never dared to show it. I was afraid you’d think I was being frivolous..."

Hearing this, Wang Kang’s smile grew even more self-satisfied.

He puffed out his chest and paced a few steps with his hands behind his back, his pride practically overflowing.

Meanwhile, the lust hidden in his heart spread through him like wildfire.

He reached out and seized her wrist. Song Chenglu winced in pain but didn’t dare struggle, letting him yank her forcefully toward him.

"Since you’re praising me so much, why not have a couple of drinks with me?"

Song Chenglu dug her nails deep into her palm, using the pain to keep herself clear-headed.

’Drink with this crude man who reeked of alcohol?’

’She would rather die than suffer this humiliation.’

"Brother Wang, I don’t think this is appropriate."

Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz as she tried to evoke a shred of pity from him.

But seeing her frail and delicate appearance only made his heart itch with desire.

Not only did he not let go, but his eyes burned with a wicked fire, like a hungry wolf spotting a lamb. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The hand gripping her wrist tightened, as if terrified she would escape.

"What’s not appropriate about it? If you didn’t like me, would you have come all the way here?"

Song Chenglu’s stomach churned, and she wished for nothing more than to rip her hand away and bolt for the door.

But she couldn’t.

She suppressed her revulsion, forced a shy smile, and played along.

"Brother Wang, you’re such a kidder. I just respect you."

Her voice was so soft it sounded as if it were being squeezed from between her lips, making her seem exceptionally docile.

Wang Kang squeezed her hand while giving her a flirtatious look, his lips parting to reveal a row of yellowed teeth.

"Don’t go. Stay here tonight. From now on, you’ll be with me. Be my woman."

His tone was domineering and left no room for refusal, as if the matter was already decided and he was just waiting for her to agree.

Song Chenglu nearly lost her composure on the spot, so angry she felt she was about to explode.

’A man like him? Shifty-eyed and reeking of the streets, and he had the audacity to think she’d serve him?’

’In his dreams!’

"Brother Wang, isn’t this a little sudden?"

She yanked her hand back, a look of panic quickly appearing on her face as if she were truly caught off guard.

Her acting was incredibly convincing, as if she were overwhelmed by the sudden confession.

’She absolutely could not let this kind of man have his way.’

’Not only that, she had to make him let her go willingly.’

Seeing that Wang Kang was about to get physical, Song Chenglu’s mind raced. She immediately grabbed his hand back, her movement decisive, as if driven by an irrepressible attachment.

The corners of her lips curved into a bashful smile, her cheeks flushing slightly as she said softly:

"Brother Wang, I really do like you, but... now isn’t the right time."

Wang Kang’s face fell, his brow furrowing into a knot. He was clearly displeased.

He narrowed his eyes, staring at her, as if trying to judge whether she was telling the truth.

Song Chenglu took the opportunity to lean against his shoulder, the movement so natural it was as if she’d done it a thousand times before.

"Brother Wang, my sister’s situation hasn’t been resolved yet, have you forgotten? You even asked me to mail a letter earlier today."

Wang Kang’s brow furrowed, his mood clearly ruined, and a hint of irritation appeared on his face.

Song Chenglu quickly continued, her voice tinged with a sob:

"Brother Wang, once this is all taken care of, I promise I’ll stay with you for good and never leave."

She deliberately emphasized the words "stay with you," drawing out the last syllable with an ambiguous tone, the implication of her words unmistakable.

As long as it was done, she would be his woman.

The moment Wang Kang heard that, his expression changed. His earlier suspicion vanished in an instant, replaced by smugness and excitement.

"Alright. We’ll do it your way."

He patted the back of her hand, his tone relaxing as if he’d already accepted this "delayed promise."

Seeing him relent, Song Chenglu finally let out a silent sigh of relief.

"Thank you for being so understanding, Brother Wang. It’s getting late, I should be heading back."

She rose slowly, feigning a sense of reluctance, as if she truly didn’t want to leave.

Wang Kang, still pleased with himself, was in no mood to let her go.

He grabbed her wrist, his grip so strong it nearly made her stumble.

"Go back for what? Stay here tonight."

His tone was harsh and commanding, and the fiery desire in his eyes rekindled.

Song Chenglu quickly explained, "Brother Wang, I need to go back and pack some things. I can’t just move in empty-handed, can I?

Besides... I’ve never..."

She lowered her head, letting her hair fall to hide one side of her face, skillfully concealing her look of utter disgust and revulsion.

Her voice trailed off, the unfinished sentence hanging in the air, a silent hint that left plenty to the imagination.

"Oh, alright, alright. Go pack. I’m not in a hurry."

At this, Wang Kang’s face was all smiles, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes crinkling together.

His big, greasy hand shamelessly patted the back of Song Chenglu’s hand, a sickeningly intimate gesture.

"I’ll have someone escort you back. Safety first, safety first."

Song Chenglu’s heart clenched. She fought the urge to snatch her hand away, forced herself to remain calm, and gave a slight nod. Her voice was barely a whisper. "Then... I’ll have to trouble you, Brother Wang."

Seeing her compliance, Wang Kang grinned smugly and immediately waved a hand behind him.

A burly underling in a black jacket immediately trotted over.

Wang Kang gave him a few quiet instructions in a tone that brooked no argument: "Take her back. Make sure nothing goes wrong on the way."

The underling nodded, then walked over to Song Chenglu’s side. "Let’s go," he said in a cold tone.

"Sir, if you don’t mind me asking, is there a back door to this place?"

She asked as she walked, trying to make her tone sound as casual and natural as possible, as if it were just an idle question.