Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 184: Own Up to Your Mistakes

"What? How could this happen? She... what on earth did she do?"

She asked, her voice trembling, her fingers gripping Song Qingya’s arm tightly.

Song Chenglu was a bit willful, but she had never done anything malicious. Liu Li never imagined it would come to this.

Song Qingya only said that Song Chenglu had altered medical records without authorization, falsified drug consumption reports, and colluded with external pharmaceutical suppliers for profit. She mentioned nothing else.

Liu Li was so angry she was gasping for air, yet she couldn’t believe it. In the end, she just squeezed Song Qingya’s hand forcefully.

"Sigh! That girl, why is she so thoughtless!"

"Qingya, you did the right thing. When you make a mistake, you have to admit it. No one is an exception."

Father Song stood in the center of the living room, his steady gaze falling on Song Qingya.

His gaze held both reproach and a hint of approval.

Song Qingya sat on the sofa with her head down, her fingertips rubbing the fabric on her knees.

Her emotions were a turbulent pool, with guilt, a sense of being wronged, and self-blame churning endlessly.

But she knew she couldn’t let her emotions take over.

She had made her choice, and she would have to bear the consequences.

Just then, the door to one of the rooms opened, and Mrs. Song peeked her head out.

Her hair was a bit messy, and there were faint dark circles under her eyes.

"Qingya’s back?"

She walked out slowly, her gaze lingering on Song Qingya’s face for a moment before she subconsciously glanced toward the entrance.

"Where’s Cheng Lu?"

Song Qingya looked at her, her expression calm.

"She has something to attend to."

Mrs. Song just said, "Oh." Her lips moved as if she wanted to say more, but in the end, she said nothing.

She lowered her head, slowly turned, and walked back into her room, her steps unsteady.

At dinner, the family sat down at the table. The atmosphere was much more somber than usual.

No one said much. People would occasionally take some food, only to lower their heads and eat in silence.

Father Song put down his chopsticks.

"Is everything in the city taken care of?"

Fei Jin nodded.

"Yes, Yang Kai has taken over."

He set down his bowl and placed his hands on his lap, his back ramrod straight.

"Yang Kai is experienced and reliable. Qingya and I both trust him. The handover checklist has been verified, and the files, supplies, and patient records have all been archived."

Father Song hummed in acknowledgment, picked up his teacup, and took a sip before continuing.

"By the way, Old Yuan from the hospital... his health has been failing recently. He’s going to retire and recuperate."

When he mentioned "Old Yuan," his tone held a note of regret.

That old department head had dedicated himself to the hospital’s front lines for years. He was a veteran respected by the entire hospital staff.

"With him gone, things at the hospital are sure to be a mess for a while."

"We’re already short-staffed, and with the hospital director’s position vacant, it’s hard to get anything done."

He sighed softly, his tone tinged with helplessness.

The hospital had suffered a serious brain drain in recent years, and there were fewer and fewer people capable of taking the lead.

And with the hospital director position remaining unfilled for so long, many decisions had been brought to a standstill.

Father Song’s gaze casually swept over to Song Qingya.

He didn’t say it outright, but his meaning was perfectly clear.

The dinner table fell silent for a moment. Song Qingya put down her chopsticks, raised her head, and looked at Father Song and Liu Li.

"I want to go back to work at the hospital."

"I left last time for personal reasons, but I’ve been constantly thinking about my work at the hospital. That’s where my patients are, where my colleagues are, and where there are things I still want to accomplish."

Upon hearing this, Father Song’s brow immediately relaxed, and a relieved smile spread across his face.

"Good! That’s wonderful! The hospital is in desperate need of a good doctor like you right now!"

He sounded thrilled, and it was obvious he had been holding in these words for a long time.

Liu Li quickly put a piece of food into Song Qingya’s bowl with her chopsticks, saying enthusiastically,

"That’s right! Qingya, with skills as good as yours, you’ll be a huge help!"

"Our girl is so capable!"

She patted the back of Song Qingya’s hand, her tone full of pride and affection.

Fei Jin sat beside her, his eyes never leaving her face.

He knew what this step meant to her.

It wasn’t just about returning to her post, but about finding herself again.

He gently squeezed her hand.

No matter what difficulties lay ahead, he would be right behind her, her steadfast support.

Father Song frowned slightly and added,

"If you’ve really decided to go back to the hospital, remember to find time to visit Old Yuan."

"He’s worked at that hospital his whole life, from the time he was young until now. For decades, it’s been the same thing day in and day out—working shifts, making rounds, saving patients—and he’s never complained once."

"Now he’s lying in a hospital bed, and his old department is still what’s on his mind. He’s had a long, hard road."

Song Qingya’s expression grew more serious as she listened, and she nodded lightly.

"Mhm."

After dinner, the night wind was cool. The leaves on the trees outside the courtyard rustled, their shadows swaying.

As usual, she picked up her medical kit and walked toward Old Liu’s room.

The light in the room was dim and yellow. In a corner, a small bundle of mugwort was burning, emitting a faint, clean fragrance.

Old Liu was lying on the kang, his head propped on an old cotton pillow. His complexion was much ruddier than a few days ago.

Song Qingya sat down, gently lifted a corner of his clothing, and took out her silver needles.

"Uncle Liu, how are you feeling today? Are you still in any pain?"

She asked casually as she prepared her needles.

Old Liu grinned, revealing a row of crooked teeth, his face radiating contentment.

"So much better! It’s like all the rust has been cleaned out of my old bones. I feel so much lighter!"

He gave a thumbs-up, his tone full of admiration.

"Young lady, your skills are the real deal! These old aching legs haven’t felt any better for decades, but after just a few of your needles, I can actually feel a difference!"

He glanced around, and once he was sure they were alone, he lowered his voice.

"Listen, I’ve got something to tell you. You’ll want to pay close attention."

"There’s this young girl who keeps coming to see me lately."

"She’s pretty enough, and a real sweet-talker, calling me ’Uncle Liu’ so warmly."

He clicked his tongue, his brow furrowed, and a flash of unease crossed his eyes.

"But... there’s something about her eyes. They’re shifty. You can tell she’s not here because she’s concerned about me."

"She’s always asking about neighborhood gossip, and she gets really specific, like she’s digging for something."

Song Qingya’s hand paused, and she looked up at Old Liu.

"A young girl? What does she look like?"

Old Liu tilted his head and thought for a moment, raising his hand to gesture.

"She’s not tall, maybe a little over five-foot-three. Fair skin, big eyes... she looks pleasant enough."

"But when she looks at you, you can see the wheels turning in her head, like she’s plotting something. I’m sure she’s up to no good."

"She seems like trouble."

Song Qingya’s heart dropped, and an image of someone instantly flashed through her mind.

’Yang Meiling.’

Her expression tightened slightly, and her tone became more serious.

"Uncle Liu, you must remember this: if she comes again, just tell her you need to sleep. Don’t pay her any mind, and don’t tell her anything."

"No matter how friendly she acts, don’t go soft."

Old Liu nodded repeatedly as he listened.

"I thought she seemed sketchy!"

He hunched his shoulders a bit and warned her in a hushed voice.

"That girl is a sweet-talker, but the moment I see her, a chill runs down my spine."

"You be careful, too. Don’t let her sweet-talk you into saying something you shouldn’t and end up in trouble."

The corner of Song Qingya’s mouth lifted slightly as she reassured him.

"Don’t worry, Uncle Liu. I have it under control."

She closed her medical kit, picked up her jacket, and prepared to leave.

Just as she reached the doorway, the door curtain was suddenly thrown aside with a SWISH.

Fei Jin stood at the entrance. His gaze swept over the two people in the room, and then he slowly walked in.