Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting

Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly spotted someone in the distance.

It was Ye Yuan, walking toward them with a grim expression and a hurried pace.

"It’s Ye Yuan! It must have been him who told you! He knew I had the medicine all along, didn’t he?!"

"Dean Song! You knew I had it, didn’t you?! You set this whole thing up!"

"You had him come back and report to you first, then you pretended not to know anything, asking me for details one by one, just so you could humiliate me in front of all these people! You’re so cruel! You’re backing me into a corner!"

Ye Yuan had only taken a few steps closer when her words reached his ears, and he stopped short.

He froze on the spot, his brow deeply furrowed.

Song Qingya stood her ground, her face as cold as frost, her voice dropping instantly.

"Yang Meiling, at a time like this, you still dare to deny it? You still dare to make false accusations and shift the blame to someone else?"

"Stealing hospital medicine is not only a violation of our rules, it’s against the law. You took that medicine for private deals, deliberately spread rumors to frame your superiors, and tried to sow discord among your colleagues. Even worse, you incited a crowd to blockade the hospital and create chaos! Is there a single one of those offenses that isn’t grounds for your dismissal?!"

"I have given you more than enough time to repent, but you’ve done nothing but lie!"

"Where did this medicine come from? Tell the truth! Who gave it to you? Or did you steal it all by yourself? Speak!"

"If you dare to tell one more lie, you can pack your things and get out right now! You won’t stay a minute longer!"

Yang Meiling was scared out of her wits by that piercing gaze.

"No! Don’t make me leave! Please, Dean Song! I really can’t go! What will I do if I leave?!"

"I’m an orphan. The hospital is my home. Please give me one more chance... I... I’ll confess..."

Fear completely shattered her last shred of hope. Her body went limp, and she nearly crumpled to the floor.

"I... I’ll tell the truth... I’ll tell you everything..."

"The medicine... I did take it... I stole it from the warehouse..."

Song Qingya stared at her without blinking, then pressed her coldly.

"Just you? No one helped you? You think you could open the warehouse’s double lock by yourself? And avoid the security cameras?"

"How did you get into the pharmacy warehouse? That batch of special medication is under strict control, managed by specific personnel. Every entry and exit is logged, and security is extremely tight. So how exactly did you get in?"

"And how did you sneak the medicine out? Who gave you the key? Who helped you cover your tracks?"

Yang Meiling was trembling all over, cold sweat beading on her forehead, her teeth chattering.

Qi Yuanyuan’s heart leaped into her throat, and she almost stopped breathing.

Just as everyone held their breath, waiting for the answer...

Yang Meiling grit her teeth as if she was putting it all on the line.

"It... It was Sister Lu Mei!"

"Yes! She’s the one who helped me get the medicine!"

"It was her! She stole the medicine and stuffed it in my drawer to frame me!"

"She... She’s had it out for you for a long time, Dean Song! She’s always so passive-aggressive, and she’s said plenty of bad things about you behind your back!"

"That’s why she gave me the medicine, to make me the scapegoat so she could take you down! That way, she could seize the opportunity to get promoted and climb up by stepping on you!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire conference room fell silent.

Everyone was dumbfounded, looking at each other in utter shock.

Lu Mei froze on the spot, her body rigid, her face instantly turning deathly pale.

"I did not! Yang Meiling! Are you crazy? What nonsense are you spouting?! When did I ever take any medicine? And when did I ever frame you? Have you lost your mind?!"

She was both furious and frantic, her chest heaving violently.

"You’re spouting malicious slander! Do you have any idea what you’re saying?"

Yang Meiling stiffened her neck, staring straight ahead, clenching her jaw, refusing to back down.

"I’m not lying! It was you!"

"You even told me in private that if you could take down Dean Song, you could get promoted... You said the dean’s position should have changed hands long ago, that you were sick of being held down!"

Song Qingya quietly watched the two confront each other.

Her gaze slowly swept over Yang Meiling’s flushed face.

"Doctor Qi."

Qi Yuanyuan’s heart jolted. Her fingertips curled involuntarily, but she forced a calm expression, took a deep breath, and looked up to answer, "You called for me, Dean Song?"

"Mm."

Song Qingya nodded lightly, her tone even.

"You and Yang Meiling are usually quite close. What do you make of what she just said?"

"Do you think... she’s telling the truth? Do you believe her?"

Qi Yuanyuan’s heart skipped a beat.

Her throat went dry, and her heart suddenly began to race.

She couldn’t help but swallow, the tips of her fingers turning cold.

"This... Dean Song, I..."

Her voice trembled slightly, and tiny beads of sweat formed on her temples.

"I... I do interact with Yang Meiling often, and we communicate frequently for work..."

"What... what she said... maybe... maybe it’s the truth?"

She forced the words out, her tone hesitant.

"After all... you can never truly know what’s in someone’s heart... Some people seem kind on the surface, but they might not have good intentions underneath..."

"You!"

Hearing this, Lu Mei felt as if she had been slapped in the face in front of everyone.

She whirled toward Song Qingya, her voice trembling as she cried out, word by word, "Dean Song! I really didn’t do it! I can swear on it!"

"I’ve worked at this hospital for five years and have never made a single mistake! Every time I requisitioned, registered, or stored medicine, I checked it myself. The warehouse ledgers are perfectly clear, without a single discrepancy!"

"Why would I be jealous of you? You’re the one who’s capable! You’re exceptionally talented, recognized by the leadership, and trusted by everyone! I... I respect you from the bottom of my heart!"

"I never thought about going after your position! I wouldn’t even dare to think it! You know what kind of person I am!"

As she spoke, her emotions completely spiraled out of control, and tears began to stream down her face.

Song Qingya slowly walked forward.

She raised her hand and patted Lu Mei’s shoulder.

"Lu Mei."

"I trust your character."

With that, her gaze once again fell on Qi Yuanyuan’s somewhat pale face.

"Doctor Qi, I suggest you open your eyes and see the situation clearly."

"Everyone here knows what kind of person Lu Mei is."

She looked around, her eyes sweeping over the face of every person present.

"By so easily jumping to conclusions and backing up such a flimsy lie, aren’t you afraid..."

She paused briefly, her voice dropping a little, yet it sounded even colder.

"...of tarnishing your parents’ good name?"

She deliberately stressed the word "parents."

The moment she said the word "parents," the color drained from Qi Yuanyuan’s face.

Her pupils contracted sharply, her fingers curled involuntarily, and her heart felt like it was about to burst from her chest.

’Song Qingya knows!’

’She must know something!’

Her lips trembled slightly, her throat tightened, and her legs felt as if all their strength had been drained away.

She was about to open her mouth to explain, even just to cry out "I didn’t," but it was too late.

"Wait!"

Yang Meiling suddenly shouted again.

Her face was beet red, and fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead.