Momo's Gradual Change

C52. The Joy of Having an Older Brother.

Chapter 52: The Joy of Having an Older Brother

Grandma Song chuckled, "She’s always meddling in everything! All the dishes I made have been hidden away by her. If I want to take a bite, I have to get her approval. Ever since I got out of the hospital, all I've done is catch a whiff of what she's been cooking."

Zhai Mu Yang winked at Song Yi Mo, his face alight with mirth.

Song Yi Mo pretended not to hear, knowing that if she followed Grandma's lead, she'd soon have funds ready for her next surgery.

"I'm going to do some homework. Dage, you can use the computer for work," she announced.

Zhai Mu Yang rose to follow her. "I have some matters to attend to. Grandma, Grandma Miao, you two enjoy your chat."

"Go on, go ahead and be busy. Don’t mind us," they urged.

The desk was spacious, half occupied by the computer, while the other half was where Song Yi Mo usually did her homework. She cleared the clutter away and stacked her textbooks and exercise books on the desk. Today would not be a day for writing; she intended to finish all her assignments, saving the last two days of vacation for stockpiling her work.

They worked diligently without disturbing each other until nearly noon, when the faint sound of cooking wafted in from outside. Song Yi Mo closed her workbook and stretched, glancing at the person who had been busily typing on the computer for as long as she had been working. "Got a lot on your plate?"

Zhai Mu Yang quickly typed the last few words and hit send. "Replied to a few emails. Are you done with your assignments?"

“Not that quickly! Our teachers assign so much homework. If I can finish it in a day, I’d consider myself fast." Thinking of her old teacher, a shadow passed over her mood.

Zhai Mu Yang, ever perceptive, shut the computer and asked softly, "Is there trouble at school?"

"No, it's just..." Song Yi Mo hesitated, unsure whether to share her concerns.

“Remember what I said? As your brother, I can handle any issue you face.”

“It’s not my problem; it’s... our homeroom teacher’s.” Saying it aloud made it feel lighter.

Song Yi Mo organized her thoughts before continuing, “When Grandma was in the hospital, I saw our homeroom teacher’s husband. He was with another woman at the obstetrics and gynecology clinic, and they were acting very intimate. What kind of good could come from a man bringing another woman there?”

In today’s world, such occurrences were too commonplace, and Zhai Mu Yang didn’t think it was a monumental issue. Deep down, he believed Yi Mo was too smart to involve herself in such thankless matters.

Zhai Mu Yang interlaced his fingers over his stomach. "Yi Mo, this is someone else's family issue. It's rare for outsiders to meddle in a couple's affairs and come out unscathed."

Song Yi Mo pursed her lips defiantly. "I don’t want to fabricate a lie to tell you. I can only say that Teacher Chen is my benefactor. I can’t just stand by and watch her being bullied, especially when she’s innocent and still gets blamed."

"Is it that severe?" Zhai Mu Yang raised an eyebrow. "What outcome do you want?"

"I don't know," she sighed, laying her head on the desk. "It doesn't matter what I want; the decision isn't in my hands."

“Then why interfere?”

“As long as I bring it to her attention, Teacher Chen won’t be kept in the dark and might avoid a bigger loss. Whether it leads to a fight or a reconciliation, that’s their affair; it shouldn’t be only the man performing while Teacher Chen bears all the consequences."

Zhai Mu Yang leaned forward and ruffled her hair. "Aren't you worried about incurring Teacher Chen's wrath?"

"Yes, a bit," she admitted, wrinkling her nose. “Not so much fear as I don’t want her to dislike me. If she finds out I know, she might feel uncomfortable and request a transfer. I really like her, and I don’t want to change teachers.”

"Then don’t let her know you’re aware of it."

Song Yi Mo lifted her head.

Zhai Mu Yang smiled and tousled her hair again, noticing it had become a bit disheveled. "It’s not a difficult matter. Do you have any evidence?"

"I do! I took a picture with Miao Mama's phone."

"Perfect! Just send me the photo, and I’ll find a way to get it to Teacher Chen’s email. After that, it’s up to her whether she forgives that man or not. Like you said, just ensure she knows about it; the decision is hers to make."

Song Yi Mo nodded, a smile breaking through her earlier worries. "Having an older brother is the best."

Zhai Mu Yang laughed heartily. "Now that’s more like it!"

She had never experienced such support before. No matter what happened, no matter how low her spirits sank, she had never thought to rely on anyone because she had no one to lean on.

She only had Grandma, and she felt a deep responsibility to uphold the sky above them both; she couldn’t allow Grandma to worry about her.

So, the comfort of having an older brother was something she truly felt for the first time. This feeling was wonderful, she thought.

Zhai Mu Yang pulled her up and headed towards the door. "Let’s eat first. Afterward, you can take me to Miao Uncle’s house to get those photos."

Song Yi Mo glanced at the clock and quickly nodded. "We need to hurry; Miao Mama has to work in the afternoon, and she won’t be home long for lunch."

Just as Grandma Song was about to knock on their door to call them for lunch, it swung open. Hearing this conversation, she assumed they were just off to visit the Miao family and felt pleased. "We’re closest with the Miao family. Mu Yang, you should go visit them more often."

*

The Miao family lived just a ten-minute walk from the old neighborhood.

The streets were not particularly clean, and one could occasionally catch an unwelcome scent, but Zhai Mu Yang felt none of it as he walked with his hands in his pockets, his steps light and cheerful.

On the roadside, there was a vendor selling candied chestnuts. Song Yi Mo bought two bags and handed one to Zhai Mu Yang while she took a few pieces to enjoy as they walked. "This stall has been here for years, and their chestnuts are better than anywhere else."

As she spoke, she offered him a neatly peeled one. "Try it! Our little place may not have the variety of a big city, but these snacks have their charm."

Zhai Mu Yang popped it into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully before nodding. "Sweet! This is tastier than the ones I’ve had before. Are they wild?"

"Yes, they only sell wild chestnuts here." Song Yi Mo stuffed one into her mouth, savoring the taste that had been absent from her life for years.
They shared a couple of chestnuts, and by the time they knocked on the Miao family’s door, only a few remained.

The door swung open to reveal Miao Zhiruo, who beamed upon seeing them, her smile reaching from ear to ear. "Mo Mo! I was just about to come find you! Mu Yang Dage, hello! I heard from Grandma that you came last night."

Song Yi Mo handed her the other bag of chestnuts. "Where’s Miao Mama?"

"Right here!" He Yi emerged from the bathroom, tying up her hair. "Mu Yang’s here too! Have you eaten?"

"Yes, I have, Miao Auntie," he replied.

He Yi invited them in, playfully scolding her daughter, who was engrossed in peeling chestnuts. "Aren’t there pomelos at home? Go cut a few."

Song Yi Mo pulled Miao Miao over to sit with her. "Let’s eat later. Miao Mama, do you still have the photos I took the other day?"

"Of course! Such an important thing can’t just go missing. I had Miao Jun put them on the computer, and I still have them on my phone. Do you need them?"