Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting

Chapter 246: Great Benefactor

Yang Meiling stomped her foot, her face flushed red with anger.

’Song Qingya!’

’You just wait!’

After finishing some paperwork, Song Qingya locked her office door and headed toward the inpatient wards.

As she passed through a seldom-used corridor behind the inpatient department, she suddenly paused.

The corridor was remote and quiet, with sunlight spilling onto the floor through the mottled windowpanes.

The faint smell of disinfectant mingled with the scent of osmanthus blossoms wafting in from outside.

Her steady pace faltered for a moment, and her brow furrowed slightly.

Her gaze fell on a stooped figure at the corner up ahead.

’Old Liu?’

In a corner not far away, Old Liu stood with his back to her, slightly hunched. One of his hands was stuffed into the pocket of his work uniform while the other gesticulated as he spoke.

Across from him stood a middle-aged woman in a janitor’s uniform.

The woman tightly gripped a mop, its wooden handle polished smooth from years of use.

She couldn’t help but laugh out loud as she listened to Old Liu speak.

Old Liu was smiling too, the muscles in his face relaxed.

But to an onlooker, the smile looked a bit goofy.

Song Qingya had a vague impression of the female janitor.

Her face wasn’t particularly striking; she had a sallow complexion, and her hair was tied back casually in a ponytail.

She was the custodian for this area, and her name was Liu Yu.

Normally, she was always silent and reserved, keeping her head down as she worked and moving as quietly as a shadow.

Whenever she mopped the corridor floors, she came and went without a sound.

’To think she’d be laughing and chatting with Old Liu today.’

The atmosphere between them held an indescribable sense of closeness.

Seeing how absorbed they were in their conversation, Song Qingya decided not to interrupt.

She had planned to just go around the corner and head straight for the elevators.

After all, Old Liu hadn’t been here long, and he wasn’t exactly young. The fact that he was so quickly building good relationships with his colleagues was a good thing in her eyes as the dean.

Harmonious relationships among staff made work go more smoothly.

Besides, although Liu Yu was a woman of few words, she was always earnest and responsible, never one to slack off.

For someone like her to get along with Old Liu might just be a wonderful thing.

But just then, Old Liu seemed to sense the slight movement behind him.

He abruptly stopped talking and instinctively turned his head.

As his gaze lifted, it met Song Qingya’s quiet stare.

In that instant, his smile froze on his face.

His previously relaxed features instantly tensed, and his lips parted slightly.

Then, his entire face flushed crimson, right to the tips of his ears.

Liu Yu followed his gaze and saw Song Qingya as well.

"B-Brother Liu, I... I’m going to get back to work."

With that, she abruptly pushed her cleaning cart, its wheels letting out a CREAK as they started to roll.

She practically fled the scene.

Old Liu remained standing there, his mouth slightly agape, looking as if he wanted to explain something but ultimately said nothing.

He gazed in the direction Liu Yu had gone, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.

Finally, he just let out a silent, heavy sigh.

He turned to face Song Qingya, his movements slow and stiff.

After a moment, he managed to raise his head, his voice dry and faint.

"D-Dean Song."

Song Qingya nodded, her expression unchanged and her tone even.

She asked casually, her tone as steady as ever.

"Brother Liu, what were you and Liu Yu talking about? You two seemed to be hitting it off."

It was meant as an idle question.

But to Old Liu’s ears, it sounded like a clap of thunder.

After a few seconds of silence, he finally took a deep breath, his voice low and seemingly squeezed from the depths of his throat.

"N-Nothing important. It’s just, Dean Song, there’s something... I’d like to ask for your help with."

Hearing this, Song Qingya raised a slight eyebrow, her unreadable gaze settling on his face.

She felt a flicker of doubt.

’Old Liu was usually a steady and dependable man, methodical in his work and never one for idle chatter.’

’Why was he so nervous today?’

Sensing her patience, Old Liu paused again before continuing in an even softer voice.

"It’s... it’s about Liu Yu."

His tone softened noticeably when he mentioned her name.

"I think," he continued in a low voice, "Liu Yu is a really good person. She’s a quick worker, never shirks her duties, and always volunteers for the dirty, tiring jobs. She has a good heart, too. If anyone’s in trouble, she’ll quietly lend a hand... As for me, well, I’m getting on in years. I’ve been single for a long time, my relatives keep nagging me, and to be honest, my heart feels a bit empty... So I was wondering if... maybe..."

He lifted his eyes and snuck a glance at Song Qingya.

The next second, he quickly lowered his head again and wrung his hands.

Finally, with all his might, he managed to squeeze out the last sentence.

"Could I trouble you to... ask her how she feels?"

"I’m clumsy with words and not much of a talker. I’m always afraid of saying the wrong thing and upsetting someone. I’m cautious when I interact with people, and I get hopelessly nervous around women... But you’re different. You’re a leader here, with status and authority. Plus, you’re a woman, so your words carry weight, and your tone is gentle. It’ll be easier for her to listen to you, more... receptive..."

’Old Liu wants to find a partner?’

’And he has a secret crush on Liu Yu?’

The thought was so unexpected that even Song Qingya herself was a little surprised.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, carefully studying the burly yet flustered man before her.

His head was lowered, his hands tightly gripping the hem of his shirt, and his shoulders were slightly hunched.

Seeing this, she couldn’t suppress a small smile.

’It makes sense. When you live alone for a long time, you come home to a cold, empty house. There’s only one place setting at the table. When you’re sick, there’s no one to bring you water and medicine. There’s no one to share your joys and sorrows with...’

’Who wouldn’t want a companion who could offer them warmth and understanding?’

She didn’t answer right away, just watched him quietly for a few seconds.

Finally, she smiled softly.

"Alright, Brother Liu. I understand what you’re asking."

Old Liu jerked his head up.

His lips trembled.

Then he broke into a grin so wide he couldn’t close his mouth, all the wrinkles on his face bunching together.

"Oh! Oh, my! Thank you so much, Dean Song! You’re such a wonderful person! A true benefactor! I... I just want to know what she thinks. If she’s willing, that would be my greatest fortune. If she’s not, I absolutely won’t push it! I mean it! It’s all up to her! I swear!"

He was so tongue-tied he could barely speak clearly.

Seeing his earnest and sincere expression, the corners of Song Qingya’s mouth turned up in a private smile.

’A man like him might not know any sweet-talk, but his heart is full of genuine affection.’

’Playing matchmaker for two people who might be in love would be a good deed, too.’

As they were talking, the atmosphere had just begun to ease.

Suddenly, a piercing voice exploded from nearby.

"Song Qingya!"

Song Qingya and Old Liu whipped their heads around in unison.

They saw Mrs. Yuan, her hair a mess with a few strands stuck to her sweaty temples, her eyes bloodshot.

Gritting her teeth, she took long strides as she rushed straight toward them.

The moment Old Liu saw the spectacle, his heart skipped a beat, and a cold sweat broke out instantly.

’Crap!’

’She’s not here to talk, she’s here to fight!’

He instinctively took half a step back, wishing he could shrink into a crack in the wall.

Mrs. Yuan closed the distance in a few long strides, raised her hand, and with five fingers splayed, swung with all her might to slap Song Qingya across the face!