Momo's Gradual Change

C107. Song Yimo's Resolve.

Chapter 107: Song Yimo’s Resolve

Final exams felt no different from any ordinary test for Song Yimo, who breezed through them effortlessly. This earned her a few playful pinches from a jealous Miao Zhiruo.

The group walking home afterward had grown noticeably larger, yet no matter how many joined, Miao Zhiruo and her bike always remained the center of attention.

With a bit of maneuvering, Wu Xing ended up beside Yimo, trying to seem casual. “Got any summer plans?” he asked.

“Maybe a trip to City B, but I haven’t decided yet.”

“Sightseeing?”

Song Yimo pushed her now longer hair behind her ear. “Sort of. Grandma’s never traveled far, and I want to take her on a little trip.”

Miao Zhiruo looked back at her. “Since when? You never mentioned it. When would you go?”

“Dage mentioned it a few days ago. I’m still considering it. Grandma’s getting older, and a long trip might be too tiring. But if she really wants to go, I’d like to make it happen for her.”

Song Yimo was unsurprised that Grandma’s chosen destination was City B. Though Dage’s initial plan was for S City, Grandma’s generation held a certain reverence for City B, seeing it almost as a pilgrimage.

“I’d love to go too. Yimo, let me tag along!” Miao Zhiruo chirped.

Hu Xuehong snorted, “You’re taller and stronger than Yimo, and you’re still acting spoiled? Have you no shame, Zhiruo?”

Miao Zhiruo pedaled ahead with a grin. “Jealous, huh? Not worth arguing with you!”

The others responded with a synchronized scoff, while Miao Zhiruo laughed and sped off, gaining a head start the rest couldn’t close.

Wu Xing trailed behind leisurely, smiling.

Once they arrived, Miai Zhiruo steadied her bike and looked at Song Yimo. “Think you could talk to my parents? I’d love to visit City B. I’ve never been.”

“It’s not likely they’d all go; business at the store is booming. Your dad’s working on opening a second location—he’s already secured a space, so there’s no way he can leave right now. But I could suggest they let you and Grandma Miao go. With Dage along, they’d be at ease.”

Miao Zhiruo’s face lit up at first, but her excitement faded. “I didn’t even know they were opening a new store.”

"I didn’t know either," Song Yimo replied, leaning close to Miao Zhiruo. "It’s only because Miao Dad called to let me know he’d need more time to repay me—he’s pushing to open another shop now, before anyone else jumps into the market." She grinned mischievously. "Jealous?"

"Pfft. Competing with you would only end in heartbreak." Miao Zhiruo rolled her eyes, hopped on her bike, and started pedaling away.

"Hey, wait! How did your finals go?"

"Pretty good. I think I’ll improve my score a bit."

Song Yimo nodded and reached out, rolling down Miao Zhiruo’s haphazardly cuffed sleeves and folding them neatly. "Keep it up! At this rate, you could qualify for military college in either arts or sciences."

"Oh, right. Are you choosing arts or sciences? Has the teacher talked to you about it?"

"Yep. I’m going for sciences, and she’s fully supportive."

Without missing a beat, Miao Zhiruo said, "Then I’ll go for sciences too."

"Getting into a military college in sciences has its advantages. Just keep pushing, and make sure you aim for one of those top five comprehensive military universities. If that doesn’t work, I’d recommend looking into a defense program instead."

Miao Zhiruo gave her hair an affectionate tousle, hiding the emotion in her eyes. She knew Song Yimo wasn’t interested in military studies, so she must’ve looked up all this information for her sake. With a quick push of her pedal, Miao Zhiruo was off, waving as she called over her shoulder, "I’ll definitely make it!"

Song Yimo watched her go, a smile playing on her lips. The setting sun bathed her in a gentle light, softening her features into an almost ethereal beauty.

But the moment she stepped into her house, that smile vanished.

The living room, already small, felt cramped with an unexpected family of four seated there.

Yu Mei greeted her warmly. "Yimo, you’re back."

Song Yimo responded politely, offering a courteous smile as she set her school bag on a chair. She sat beside her grandmother, whose expression was troubled, and took her hand gently. "Grandma, what’s wrong?"

Grandmother’s eyes reddened at the question, finding a sense of comfort and calm in her granddaughter’s presence.

"Song Zhi brought his family back, claiming that as the only son, he’s entitled to this house."

Song Yimo looked at her uncle, Song Zhi. "So, you’re saying my grandma and I should move out and hand the house over to you?"

Song Zhi smiled. "No, not at all. I just want her to transfer the title to me. We don’t need to live here right now; we already have a place."

"And I suppose we’re expected to thank you for that?" Without sparing him another glance, Song Yimo turned to Yu Mei, her tone cool. "This was your idea, wasn’t it?"

Yu Mei feigned innocence. "I did try to stop your uncle, but he insisted on coming. I really had no choice."

"It’s not entirely impossible to give you the house." Song Yimo’s gaze grew distant, as though she were looking at strangers, stripping away even the last shred of politeness.

"Yimo!" Grandma cried out in surprise.

Song Zhi took a step closer. "Just say what you want."

Song Yimo ignored him, her attention fixed solely on Yu Mei.

Yu Mei looked back, somewhat startled. This niece had changed a lot.

With a calm air, Yu Mei brushed back a stray strand of hair and slipped two ten-yuan bills from her purse, pressing one into each of her children’s hands. "Go on and get yourselves something to eat. Play around a bit before you come back."

"No need to send them away," Song Yimo interjected. "They’re part of the Song family too, and this is a Song family matter. They have every right to hear it."

Pouring herself a glass of water, she continued, "Or are you afraid they’ll pick up on your example and bring this back on you one day?"

"Song Yimo!" Yu Mei shot to her feet, her usual gentleness shattering into a sharp tone that startled her own children, who instinctively took a step back. Even Song Zhi, married to her for years, seemed taken aback.

Yu Mei bit her lip, putting on a hurt expression as she tried to compose herself.

Song Yimo, unmoved, took her time finishing her glass of water before pouring another for her grandmother, urging her to drink. She maintained her silence, making it clear that if Yu Mei wanted answers, she’d have to ask first.

After a moment’s hesitation, Yu Mei signaled to Song Zhi, who understood and pulled out twenty more yuan, holding it out to his kids. "Go buy something to eat."

The children took the money but didn’t budge.

Xiao Liang, pointing at Yimo, piped up, "She’s right. I’m a Song too. Why can’t I hear? Dad, I’m twelve. I can understand."

Xinxin, curling up against his father’s side, nodded. "Dad, I understand too. I’m not going."

Setting down her glass, Song Yimo looked at the family with a smirk, as if watching a circus performance.

Under Song Yimo’s gaze, Yu Mei felt a sudden wave of embarrassment. She knew she should leave, but Yimo’s words had her caught in a net she couldn’t untangle.