Momo's Gradual Change - VOL. 1

C48. In the Hospital.

Chapter 48: In the Hospital

When they arrived at Boren Hospital, it was precisely half past one.

Song Yimo saw Song Yi pacing back and forth at the hospital entrance from a distance, still very conspicuous in the bustling entrance.

Her hair was styled in big waves, wearing a tight-fitting skirt underneath a dark green coat, and a pair of high-heeled boots. Anyone passing by her would take a second glance.

With such exquisite attire, no one would ever suspect that she had a gravely ill son.

Perhaps not knowing from which direction she would approach, combined with her older brother intentionally or unintentionally blocking her from behind, Song Yi didn't notice her until the two of them walked up to her.

Her opinion of Zai Muyang was not good, but now he was irrelevant. She only wanted Song Yimo's bone marrow, and everything else could be compromised.

"Yimo, you're very punctual."

Song Yimo nodded slightly at her, as if she was greeting a familiar stranger, "According to the procedure, today should just be blood typing."

"Yes, the results should be out in about a week." Song Yi moved her mouth slightly but decided not to press on with any questions, leading them upstairs to the blood draw room.

Zai Muyang never let go of Yimo's hand, especially now. Watching the blood flow from her thin wrist, his brows furrowed tightly. He didn't let her walk much after the blood draw, guiding her to sit on a chair outside while he rubbed her shoulder.

"I'll go get you some hot water, just relax for a bit."

"Okay."

Song Yi brought the blood back and saw her slim daughter sitting alone, feeling uneasy. As if on impulse, she sat down beside her.

After a moment of silence, she asked, "Yimo, do you hate me?"

Song Yimo leaned back to make herself more comfortable, "What good would hating you do for me? Will it make my life better?"

Song Yi was at a loss for words, unsure of how to converse with this seemingly intelligent and perceptive daughter.

"I have something to ask you."

Song Yi looked over, "Go ahead."

Looking back at her, Song Yimo asked, "Do you know that the donor during a bone marrow transplant may die?"

"I... " Song Yi wanted to say she didn't know, but she couldn't bring herself to say it when faced with her daughter's gaze.

Song Yimo smiled and nodded, "It seems like you do know. Do you also know how painful the process of bone marrow extraction is?"

"I really don't know about that." Song Yi knew she was being excessive, but for the sake of her son, she had no choice but to be ruthless with herself and others, hoping to find a way out for her son.

"I will compensate you if we match. Yimo, for the sake of a mother, if we match, please come. No matter how much you hate me, I will endure it. I will accept any request you make as long as you are willing to save Zhuo'er."

"I do have a request, but you will never be able to fulfill it."

Song Yi grasped at this lifeline, "What is the request, tell me."

With a smile that wasn't quite a smile, Song Yimo said, "I want a mother who loves me, who won't abandon me at the age of three, who will care about my life and death, who won't be a stranger to me. We will rely on each other, be close, and affectionate."

Looking at the woman with tears covering her face and shoulders shaking, Song Yimo softly asked, "How can you give me that?"

"I'm sorry..."

Song Yimo chuckled, "To borrow a phrase from a TV show, apologies are useless. Why would the police be needed? What I just said was a desire from many years ago. Now, I no longer need it."

"Yimo, please..."

"Worried that I will deliberately seek revenge, or regret after the match?" Song Yimo didn't know whether to pity herself or the woman in front of her who had put on makeup.

"Perhaps it's because my other half of blood is too righteous, I won't do something as unethical as you. If we match, bring the paperwork for me to sign, and you can make preparations. I will come as soon as I have a break."

"Do we have to wait until the break? There's still over a month until the break!"

"Are you saying that as long as we match, I have to drop everything and come over to cooperate with you? Song Yi, do you know how long I have to lie in bed after the bone marrow extraction, how long it takes to recover, and whether I can recover at all? What are you relying on by making these demands?"

Song Yi became anxious, "Saving a life is urgent, how can we wait?"

"If you don't want to wait, then Mrs. Song, find someone else." Zai Muyang handed a disposable cup to Yimo, his voice filled with coldness.

"This is a matter between mother and daughter..."

"My big brother can make decisions on my behalf." Yimo interrupted her, leaning against Zai Muyang as she drank the hot water, but the restlessness in her heart made it impossible for her to sit still.

Checking the time on her brother's watch, Yimo got up, "Let's go, we might miss the bus."

"Yimo!" Song Yi grabbed her hand, "How do you want me to say it? Can't you have pity on Zuo'er? He's your half-brother!"

"Don't talk about a brother I've never met, even if you had more, it has nothing to do with me." Yimo soothed her brother's hand and looked at her other hand that Song Yi was gripping tightly, "Song Yi, are you sure you want to break our relationship right now? If we don't match, it's fine, but if we do match and I don't come, what can you do to me?"

Song Yi instinctively let go of her hand.

"Instead of arguing indecorously with me here, why don't you ask the doctor if this timing works? Do you think you can have the surgery immediately after a match? Your precious son also needs some preliminary preparations before the surgery, Mrs. Song Yi." Yimo lightly mocked before turning to her brother, "Dage, let's go."

Song Yi was stunned, only able to watch as they walked hand in hand down the stairs.

It was the first time Yimo had directly called her by her name, Song Yi.

Even though she had never cared about this daughter before, for some reason, hearing her call her name directly made her heart ache as if her breathing had become painful.

It's okay, Song Yi comforted herself, it's okay, she has Zhuo'er, she still has Zhuo'er.

Ignoring her ruined makeup, Song Yi straightened her back, disregarding the stares of others as she walked away in her noisy high heels.

Meanwhile, the siblings had already hailed a taxi at the hospital entrance and headed straight to the bus station.

"Feeling dizzy at all?" Zai Muyang noticed Yimo's faint complexion and his mood also turned somber, "We still have time, let's go drink something warm to warm up later."

Song Yimo softly acknowledged, her emotions not high.

Under normal circumstances, Zhai Muyang would have been delighted that Yimo wasn't being overly polite in front of him, but now, all he felt was heartache.

"Don't overthink it, those people are irrelevant now, close your eyes and rest."

Song Yimo leaned on his shoulder and shook her head, "I'm not overthinking it, I just can't understand why she has to do things so ruthlessly if she wants to love her son. Couldn't she have just loved her son without going to such extremes?"

———
TN:
Despite the bitter past and the potential life-saving situation, Yimo remains composed and empathetic. She understands her mother's desperation but refuses to be manipulated or exploited.