Momo's Gradual Change

C6. Borrow One, Repay Ten.

Chapter 6: Borrow One, Repay Ten

Pulling her backpack to the front, Song Yimo took out all the money inside and counted it, trembling with a bit of pain as she handed it over, "Here, this is extra for a boxed meal. It's all yours."

The man was surprised but relieved at the same time. In his current situation, he couldn't turn to savvy adults for help. He could only seek assistance from less wary elderly people or those with filial piety. He had thought that one person would not be enough, as who would carry hundreds of dollars on them. However, his luck was good, as the first person he approached had enough money for him to return.

"I'll give you a phone number. If your family asks about the money, have them call this number. I will explain to them, and I will also arrange for the money to be sent back soon. Or, you can give me a bank account number."

"Ten times?"

The man was taken aback, but then he smiled, "Yes, ten times."

"Give me your phone number, and I'll give you my bank account when I get it. Most of this money is what I saved myself, and a little is leftover from today's tuition fee. You must remember to repay me, my family is very poor."

As she spoke, Song Yimo looked up and was surprised to see a noble and kind face. This person did not seem like a ruthless or deceitful person in need of money. This gave her more confidence in getting the money back.

The man was surprised by her honesty. Chinese people value face, even if their family is in dire straits, they would not openly admit it to others for fear of being looked down upon. It was rare to see a young girl with such a good attitude.

In fact, even without her saying it, he could tell that her family was not well off. There were several patched-up spots on her backpack strap, her clothes were old and faded, and her white shoes, though clean, were worn out and slightly too big, with the possibility of bursting at the seams soon.

But the girl stood straight-backed with a calm expression, showing no embarrassment.

Rare.

"What's your name, little girl?"

"I'm surnamed Song." Thinking that she had no ID and her bank account had to be under her grandmother's name, she added, "My grandmother is named Song Chunxiang, don't forget that."

"I'm called Zhai Muyang. Thanks for your help today, I'll thank you properly in the future."

*

By the time Song Yimo arrived home, it was almost 8 p.m. Although Song Grandma occasionally peeked out the door, she knew her granddaughter was not a naughty child and did not worry too much. Nevertheless, when she saw her, she couldn't help but nag a few more times.

Song Yimo just nodded and agreed. She quickly served the meal from the pot without even looking at the portion, knowing Grandma had probably not eaten yet.

After dinner, the two of them squeezed into the small kitchen, with Song Yimo washing dishes and the old lady rummaging for the bag of green beans to make soup to cool down in the heat.

"Grandma, can you help me get a new bank card?"

"Why do you suddenly want to do this? Have you saved up some spare change?" Grandma smiled and raised her head, "High school is stressful and demanding, don't worry about saving money for Grandma. If the nutrition falls short later, we'll cut back then. I've saved the money you need for studying, just let me know if you want to buy something, don't worry, okay?"

Song Yimo's heart swelled with sourness, but she composed herself and said, "Grandma, I have a plan. I'll tell you when it succeeds. Just help me get a new bank card."

Wiping her forehead, Grandma stood up with the bag of green beans. "Will it affect your studies?"

"No, I promise it won't. Grandma, you can trust me. I will definitely get into a good university."

"Alright then, I'll get it for you tomorrow."

Song Yimo was not surprised that her Grandma agreed so easily. Perhaps she had always impressed her Grandma, who never worried that she would go astray. In fact, she had never once disappointed her, even after her death.

But she didn't mention buying a computer yet. She hoped that the man had good character and would return her the money tenfold, so that she could lessen her Grandma's burden by a third.

If nothing happened in a few days, she would bring it up with Grandma. Regardless, she was determined to buy the computer.

The next day, Grandma went early to get a new bank card and came back with a pair of shoes. "I heard these shoes are trendy and good-looking, the ones you're wearing to school will make people laugh at you."

Song Yimo knew the price of these shoes, over eighty yuan, and that one of her classmates was wearing them. In today's prices, they were indeed not cheap. The ones on her feet were only ten yuan.

"Grandma, where did you buy them? I'll return them and get a pair of white shoes."

Handing the shoes to her, Grandma squinted and smiled. She had always been proud of her granddaughter. "You're in high school now, you can't let people look down on you. Grandma can afford these shoes. I was planning to buy you two more outfits, but Liu aunty said your school requires uniforms, and you won't have many chances to wear your own clothes. We'll get you a nice down jacket when it gets cold."

The refusal was on the tip of her tongue, but Song Yimo swallowed it back. She kissed Grandma on the cheek, looking overjoyed as she sat down to wear the new shoes and took a few steps before saying, "Grandma, they fit perfectly."

"Of course they do, Grandma knows your size." There was a reason why expensive things were expensive, and Grandma felt that her granddaughter looked immediately different in these shoes, even better than before. She regretted not insisting on buying a good outfit as well.