Momo's Gradual Change

C105. Future Directions.

Chapter 105: Future Directions

It was Zhai Yansong’s first time visiting Xinghu, so Grandma Song pulled out all the stops and prepared a full table of dishes. There wasn’t much heavy meat, just plenty of fresh country produce, which Zhai Yansong thoroughly enjoyed.

Summer evenings held onto the light longer, and after dinner, the sky was still bright.

Zhai Muyang picked up the house key—a spare he’d had for ages. “I’ll go get a room for old man…” Under Grandma Song’s stern gaze, he corrected himself, “for *Grandfather*. Need anything else while I’m out?”

For a moment, a sense of nostalgia washed over Zhai Yansong. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard his grandson call him *Grandfather*.

“Oh, we’re fully stocked! Ever since Junzi opened that fruit shop, he brings a box of something or another every time he visits. There’s always plenty.” Grandma Song pulled out a tray of fruits from under the coffee table. “I’m sorry our home is so small and we have to put you up in a hotel.”

Zhai Yansong waved it off quickly. “Our old place was a cozy one too. I much prefer it to some big empty mansion. It has the warmth of home.”

Seeing the two elders deep in conversation, Song Yimo slipped to the door and whispered to Zhai Muyang as he was putting on his shoes, “Dage, mind if I come with you?”

“No need, you stay and keep them company.”

“Alright, then could you bring me back a pack of pen refills?”

“Got it.” He tapped her on the cheek and headed out.

Song Yimo watched him drive off through the window, then went to the kitchen, pulling out a bowl of cool watermelon from the fridge and slicing it up.

“Grandpa, Grandma, have some watermelon!”

She handed each of them a slice, taking one herself and carefully picking out the seeds.

Zhai Yansong took a bite and chuckled, “It’s funny, they also call grandparents ‘Grandfather (Wai Gong)’ and ‘Grandmother (Wai Po)’ in Mang City. But here in Xinghu, the titles seem to change a little.”

“That’s true! I noticed on TV they also use 'Grandfather' and 'Grandmother', though here in Xinghu, it’s more often 'Grandma (Lao Lao) and 'Grandpa (Lao Gong).” Grandma Song chuckled warmly, glancing at Yimo. To her ears, Grandma had that extra ring of closeness.

As Song Yimo meticulously picked out the seeds, Zhai Yansong found it amusing and took a toothpick to try his hand at it.

“Yimo, have you thought about going into languages someday?”

“Languages? You mean to work as a translator?”

“It wouldn’t have to be just translating. Learning a language is like unlocking a civilization. The understanding you get from the original words, rather than a translation, can be very different. And foreign language studies are a useful skill, not just a passing fad.”

Song Yimo stopped picking seeds, considering. She’d never thought about this before. She imagined leaders on TV, traveling abroad with their interpreters, and it felt…incredible.

And even in everyday moments—if she understood a foreign language, she’d know instantly if someone was insulting her to her face instead of wondering if it was praise!

She nodded; it sounded like a promising direction.

Seeing her interest, Zhai Yansong grew enthusiastic. “I’ve noticed you’re talented with languages. If you’re serious, you could start thinking about which one you’d like to study. But as things stand, English is essential.”

“Got it, Grandpa. I’ll give it serious thought.” She took a bite of the watermelon. Mm, so sweet! “Dage told me you know four languages. Which four?”

“I actually double-majored in college. Can you guess which two?”

Song Yimo pondered. “Judging by Grandpa’s generation, back then, the country needed Russian and English experts, right? Are those your two majors?”

“Smart guess—that’s right. My minor was German, and I taught myself Latin later on. Latin was easier for me than German, probably because I had a phase where I was fascinated by Roman culture. Oh, and I can also read Japanese, but I don’t speak it much.”

Song Yimo gave him an enthusiastic thumbs-up. “That’s more than four! Counting your native language, that’s six!”

“Don’t be too greedy; no one can master them all. It’s better to learn two languages well, rather than spreading yourself thin. Master them, and they’ll always come in handy.”

Song Yimo nodded in agreement, then asked curiously, “So, Grandpa, what do most of your students go on to do? Do they go abroad, or work as translators?”

“There’s a bit of everything. Some go abroad, some switch careers, and others stay within the field.”

Seeing her interest, Zhai Yansong put down his watermelon, ready to share more.

“A good number work as foreign language anchors at TV stations, some start their own translation firms, and others work as simultaneous interpreters. The most talented ones—two of them made it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One of them is on TV now and then. He makes sure to visit me every year. If you’re interested, I could introduce you two someday.”

Song Yimo nodded enthusiastically. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs—such a high-level, national institution felt like a world away for ordinary people.

Seeing the glow in her eyes, Zhai Yansong chuckled softly, picking up his slice of watermelon again and speaking in a slow, steady tone.

“People may not always notice how hard you’re working, but every effort you make becomes yours to keep. And when the right moment arrives, that little extra can make all the difference. Never underestimate what you’re building each day. A dragon rises only when it’s ready—but a serpent must already have what it takes to become a dragon, or else it will stay a serpent forever.”

“I understand, Grandpa.”

“I don’t mean this as a lecture. You’re already diligent in your studies, and I never worry about that.”

After tossing his watermelon rind in the trash and wiping his hands, Zhai Yansong looked at Song Yimo. “You’ve set goals early for Zhiruo, helping her prepare for the future—to, as they say, get a head start in life. This same mindset applies to you as well. The sooner you find your own direction, the more time you’ll have to prepare. Do you understand, Yimo?”

“Yes, I do.”

Zhai Yansong smiled. “Then I won’t say any more. Take your time; no need to rush.”

Seeing they were done talking, Grandma Song sighed, “I haven’t had much schooling myself, so I can’t offer much guidance to Yimo in this area. She’s always been so driven, but there are times I wish there were someone to point her in the right direction. She’s only sixteen, after all, and everyone needs a hand on the helm now and then. Old Zhai, you’re a man of knowledge. Please, help her along as she grows—this old woman would be deeply grateful.”

“Oh, don’t mention it, ma’am. Just hearing her call me Grandpa is enough. Helping her is only natural.”

“It’s Yimo’s blessing.”

Zhai Yansong shook his head, choosing not to dwell on formalities. It was hard to say just who was blessing whom.

Since gaining a granddaughter, his life had felt infinitely brighter, and his old friends teased that he seemed to grow younger every day. As for Muyang, that icy, distant young man had finally warmed up, becoming more human, as it were.

All these changes had come about because of Yimo.

He saw it clearly and held it close to his heart.

———
TN:
• 姥姥 (lǎolao): Maternal grandmother.
• 姥爷 (lǎoye): Maternal grandfather.
• 外公 (wài gōng): Maternal grandfather.
• 外婆 (wài pó): Maternal grandmother.

• 姥姥 and 姥爷 are more commonly used in Northern China.
• 外公 and 外婆 are more prevalent in Southern China.