Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 25: Favorability Increases

"What a terrible memory. What is she even good for?! I have no idea how she got this job!"

A middle-aged woman couldn’t help but exclaim, her voice dripping with scorn.

"I saw that girl when she first came in. She was so busy staring at the other customer’s clothes, she probably didn’t even hear what they wanted to buy."

Another customer chimed in.

Xiao Chen’s face instantly flushed red. She lowered her head, desperately trying to recall what had just happened.

But she couldn’t remember a thing.

"Could you please say it again...? I’ll be sure to remember this time!"

she pleaded, her voice trembling.

Song Qingya could only sigh in resignation and repeat her order.

Squeezing his way out of the crowd, Luo Fuman couldn’t help but exclaim, "Sister-in-law, you’ve bought so much today! Those bags look heavy. Can you manage?"

Fei Jin, standing beside her, smiled faintly and cut in, "I’ll carry them."

Before the words were even out of his mouth, he had already taken most of the bags from Song Qingya’s hands.

Staring at the two large bags overflowing with food and daily necessities, Luo Fuman couldn’t help but ask, "Can your family really eat all of that? This must have cost over a hundred. Don’t let it go to waste."

"It’s fine. I have a big appetite," Fei Jin replied.

’Truth be told, he also thought they had bought a bit too much.’

’But he had given his entire stipend to Song Qingya.’

’So he had no right to comment on how she spent it.’

Song Qingya was very pleased by her husband’s permissive attitude.

She then turned to the waiting salesclerk, Xiao Chen, and said with a smile, "Xiao Chen, is it clear now? We can absolutely afford this. Could you please weigh our items for us?"

At these words, Xiao Chen’s face burned, turning bright red.

Just as she reached for the brown sugar to weigh it, Luo Fuman suddenly stopped her.

"That’s enough, Comrade Xiao Chen. Why don’t you take a break?" 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

he added.

"And when you get back, I want a self-criticism report on my desk."

Xiao Chen froze at his words, then hurried to explain, "Director Luo, please, let me explain..."

But there was still an hour left until the end of her shift.

Xiao Chen had never been in a situation like this. Flustered, she couldn’t stop herself from bursting into tears.

"Director, you’re not actually going to fire me, are you? I know I was wrong! Director Luo, you can’t do this to me just because he’s your old comrade!"

Xiao Chen sobbed, gasping for breath.

Luo Fuman’s expression was terrifyingly grim.

’He could see that everyone around was furious with Xiao Chen.’

’Some were so worked up they were spraying him with spittle as they spoke.’

’If she stayed here any longer, the out-of-control crowd might attack her, and that would be a huge mess.’

’But he never imagined that after he’d done his best to cover for her...’

’...Xiao Chen would not only be ungrateful but would repay his kindness with malice.’

’This employee had to be fired immediately!’

’As soon as he got back, he’d have to write a report detailing all of Xiao Chen’s recent behavior.’

’Never mind anything else, the fact that she’d secretly taken those bags of milk candies and peach pastries...’

’...was reason enough to fire her on its own!’

Song Qingya stood to one side, listening quietly to Xiao Chen.

’She might not care what people said about Luo Fuman, but she would absolutely not stand for anyone dragging Fei Jin into it.’

Song Qingya had always been fiercely protective of her own and wouldn’t allow anyone to harm those she cared about.

She turned unhurriedly to the people around her.

"Ma’am, please, listen to her. Is what she’s saying reasonable? My husband came here today simply as an ordinary citizen to do some shopping. He didn’t even use his military status to cut in line, so where exactly is this ’special privilege’ she’s talking about? Miss Xiao Chen, you’ve gone too far. You need to apologize to my husband!"

Hearing this, Fei Jin’s heart felt wonderfully warm.

’She was always so gentle and considerate.’

’But now, because of a single accusation, she was defending him in front of everyone.’

Looking into her determined eyes, he felt a warmth he had never known before.

System Notification.

[Favorability +10 points.]

[Alert: Affection progress has reached 11%!]

The crowd grew agitated, their murmurs boiling into a clamor.

"That’s right! How can we let her run her filthy mouth and slander them?"

a middle-aged man said indignantly, waving his arms.

"Her causing such an unreasonable scene is just intolerable."

"I saw it too! The comrade waited in line for a long time, and he even helped the old woman in front of him carry her basket of eggs!"

a young woman exclaimed.

"Director Luo isn’t scolding her because of who that man is. He’s doing it because it’s the fair thing to do."

"Such a nice couple, to be bad-mouthed by her like that," an old woman lamented, shaking her head. "I want to go up there and rip her mouth off so she can’t say another word."

Just as Luo Fuman had feared, the out-of-control crowd took action.

Something suddenly flew from the furious crowd, striking Xiao Chen squarely on the forehead.

It was a potato, and it hit her hard.

Xiao Chen cried out in pain. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she hastily apologized to Fei Jin and Song Qingya before scrambling into a back room and slamming the door shut.

Song Qingya put on an innocent expression and asked the crowd softly,

"Was I too harsh just now? Oh, it’s all my fault."

Her voice was tinged with guilt.

A wave of comforting voices rose from the crowd.

"You’re too kind, young lady! After how she treated you, you’re still worried you hurt her feelings?"

"You’re as kind as you are beautiful, but don’t be too soft-hearted," someone added.

"A person like that has a wicked heart. She’s probably already plotting her revenge. Don’t you dare trust her."

As soon as those words were spoken, many others chimed in.

"That’s right, that’s right. You need to be careful, little lady."

Everyone voiced their agreement.

Fei Jin comforted her softly, "Qingya, don’t blame yourself. This isn’t your fault."

"Mm."

Song Qingya nodded slightly, her delicate brows furrowing as if she were deep in thought.

Then, with a small cough, she ducked behind Fei Jin, looking as frail as a willow in the wind.

Seeing this, Fei Jin immediately took her hand to comfort her.

Luo Fuman, standing nearby, couldn’t help but marvel.

’The affection between this young couple was truly enviable.’

’Although he also thought his friend’s wife was good-natured and soft-hearted...’

’...he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.’

’This sister-in-law was perhaps much cleverer than she let on.’

’And his comrade-in-arms, Fei Jin, seemed completely oblivious!’

’Wasn’t this a classic case of the fish willingly taking the bait?’

Luo Fuman thought to himself but decided not to say anything more, simply smiling at the happy young couple.

「That evening.」

「At the state-run restaurant.」

Luo Fuman raised his glass, looking a bit sheepish.

"Ajin, Sister-in-law, I’m so sorry. I really didn’t expect things to get so out of hand. I’m truly sorry. I won’t say any more—I’ll down this drink as my apology!"

With that, he downed the alcohol in his glass in one go.