Momo's Gradual Change - VOL. 1

C51. The Sibling Bond.

Chapter 51: The Sibling Bond

As he scrolled down the page, a sea of comments greeted him, most brimming with positivity and a striking red hue.

Zhai Muyang quickly discerned the purpose of this forum; it appeared to be a source of income for Yi Mo, though he remained uncertain about how the revenue was divided.

His gaze drifted to the top, resting on the name of the author—BarelyRich—and he fell into contemplation. It seemed he might have stumbled upon a way to ease Yi Mo's burdens.

A restful night passed.

Zhai Muyang opened his eyes to the sight of a stark and unfamiliar ceiling, yet a smile crept onto his face.

How long had it been since he had slept so soundly?

There were no dreams to haunt him, no abrupt awakenings that left him restless; it was a deep slumber that stretched until dawn—a remedy far superior to any sleeping pill.

Tilting his head, he noticed the sunlight streaming through the window, filtering through the aged curtains, casting a warm glow on the dust motes dancing in the air. It was his first encounter with the beauty of dust illuminated by sunlight.

After a moment's reverie, Zhai Muyang kicked off the covers and sat up, his toned physique on full display, clad only in his underwear.

Stretching his arms wide, he glanced at his watch and was taken aback to find it was already nearing nine o'clock.

He sighed, realizing he had indulged in a rare lie-in during his first stay here. Where could he possibly hide his face as an older brother?

Donning yesterday's clothes and slipping into ill-fitting slippers, he opened the door only to find Yi Mo tiptoeing about, diligently cleaning.
Upon hearing him, Song Yi Mo stood

up and set down her cloth. "Dage, you're awake! Would you like some noodles for breakfast? Oh, and—"

She retrieved a pair of fresh cotton slippers from the shoe rack and placed them at his feet. "Wear these; it's a bit chilly now, and those slippers leave your heels exposed."

Zhai Muyang pulled her up to switch shoes, "Noodles for breakfast? Where's Grandma?"

"She went to buy groceries with Grandma Miao. She can't stand staying at home," Yi Mo replied, picking up a bag from the sofa and handing it to him. "I bought some shirts this morning for you. Just make do with them, and if they don’t fit, let me know, and I’ll exchange them."

The embarrassment of buying undergarments for the first time in two lifetimes made Yi Mo blush, especially when discussing sizes. She felt as if she could sink her head into the basin of water she was cleaning with.

"Big Brother, hurry and wash up. I'll start boiling the noodles."

Zhai Muyang peered into the bag and understood her discomfort. He ruffled her hair affectionately and made his way to the bathroom.

As Yi Mo exhaled in relief, she carried the basin to the kitchen.

The toothbrush and towel were brand new, clearly of better quality than the two pairs sitting on the sink. Zhai Muyang chuckled, not quite sure why he felt so compelled to laugh since waking—he simply didn’t want to suppress it.

A large bowl of noodles appeared, topped with a perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg.

Yi Mo placed a small dish beside it, "I made this sauce myself. Big Brother, give it a try and see if you like it. Add as much as you want."

Zhai Muyang picked up the chopsticks and sampled the sauce, pouring most of it into his bowl. "With treatment like this, it's no wonder I was able to achieve my goals with such persistence."

"Of course, a brother's treatment is always special," Yi Mo chimed, retrieving several jars from the fridge. "These are pickled vegetables Grandma made. See if you like them. If you do, take some home; they're perfect for meals. Grandma often relied on these to get by."

Pickled cucumbers, pickled cabbage, pickled radishes—ordinary yet crisp, they awakened his appetite with every bite.

Zhai Muyang polished off three dishes without leaving a trace. Yi Mo, however, refrained from serving him more. "You shouldn’t eat too much of this; it's not good for your stomach. Grandma had too much of it."

"Now it makes sense why Grandma enjoys it so much—it's delicious."

"I'll pack a jar of each for you, but be careful not to rely solely on them. Grandma is a cautionary tale."

Zhai Muyang laughed and nodded, "Should I make a promise?"

"Don’t mock me. I’m just cautious because of Grandma's experiences. It's never wrong to be careful." She picked up her bowl and headed to the kitchen, and upon seeing Zhai Muyang follow, she welcomed him, turning on the tap to wash the dishes while chatting.

"How long can you stay here?"

"I have a return flight booked for seven tonight. I have a meeting early tomorrow morning," Zhai Muyang leaned against the door, arms crossed. "Don’t think about taking me out for fun; I find it quite comfortable at home. There's no rush; I’ll be back."

Yi Mo turned to him, "You’re not just being polite?"

"What reason do I have to be polite with you?" Zhai Muyang smiled, "I've traveled everywhere, seen countless sights, yet nothing compares to the comfort of being in this room."

"You’re just trying to flatter me." Despite her words, Yi Mo's smile was genuine and bright. "I bet Big Brother's home is enormous, maybe even a duplex, with two floors, or perhaps a grand villa with housekeepers and servants."

Zhai Muyang's laughter lit up his features, making him appear younger than his years, like a boy who had just received joyous news.

"After such upheaval, truly storied families in China are either gone or have moved abroad. Those returning are few and far between. Those who hire British butlers merely wish to adorn themselves with prestige; the moment they speak, their lack of substance becomes apparent. What you see on television is merely a fantasy crafted to entertain young dreamers like you."

As Yi Mo wiped her hands, she playfully nudged him towards the door to brew tea for him. "I'm not one to dream of being Cinderella; that's childish. I am my own princess. Big Brother, try this tea and see if you like it. It’s a local variety called 'Smoky Tea.'"

Zhai Muyang looked deeply at the princess before him, then bent to take a whiff. "It smells delightful, though I can't discern any smokiness."

Yi Mo brought the canister to his nose, "You can catch the smoky scent this way."

Indeed, it was there. Zhai Muyang sipped a small amount, savoring it before nodding, "The flavor is subtle, yet it has a sweet aftertaste. Quite good."

"Our locals adore this taste, but outsiders often can't appreciate it, preferring Tieguanyin or Oolong teas, which is why it hasn’t gained popularity."

"You seem knowledgeable; did you learn this from television?"

Yi Mo stood, holding the tea canister. "I’m exceptionally gifted, a natural prodigy."

Zhai Muyang rested his chin in his palm, laughing, "Remarkable! My sister is a once-in-a-millennium genius. You're bound to achieve enlightenment; just remember to take your brother along for the ascension."

"Not a chance; I won't be able to lift you."

As the siblings bantered, Grandma Song entered, followed by Grandma Miao.

"Have you gotten up? Did you have breakfast?"

"I did, Yi Mo made noodles," Zhai Muyang hurried to take the vegetables from the two elderly women and place them in the kitchen.

Yi Mo poured boiled water for Grandma Song and brewed tea for Grandma Miao, handing it to her. "Grandma Miao, I have a few days off at home; please take this time to rest. I’ll be needing your help soon."

Grandma Miao chuckled, "What do you mean by trouble? Having someone to talk to and walk with each day brings me so much joy. Now, don’t you worry about us old folks—just focus on your own matters."