Momo's Gradual Change

C117. The Debt of Kindness.

Chapter 117: The Debt of Kindness

Song Yimo didn’t like hospitals. Whether in her past life or this one, the smell of antiseptics always made her feel uneasy.

But she never showed it. Often, a hospital was the only place that could hold onto a fragile life—like now.

Stepping out of the car, she followed the stretcher down the hall to the emergency room. As the surgery light blinked on, she stared for a long moment before realizing she should sit and wait.

Glancing down, she saw bloodstains on her pants and hands, though she couldn’t remember when she’d gotten them.

“Yimo.” Zhai Muyang hurried over, putting a comforting arm around her. “Don’t worry; now it’s up to the doctors.”

Just then, an older nurse approached them. “Are you related to the patient?”

“I’m her classmate,” Song Yimo replied.

The nurse frowned. “Someone needs to take care of her admission paperwork. You…”

“I’ll handle it.”

The nurse’s curt, almost debt-collector attitude, rubbed her the wrong way, but Song Yimo’s expectations were low; that the hospital had prioritized treatment over paperwork was already more than enough.

“I’ll go,” Zhai Muyang said, patting Song Yimo’s shoulder and standing up. His piercing look silenced the nurse without another word.

And then, it was just Song Yimo, alone in the long corridor.

The heat of the day clung to her, yet she felt a chill, so she stood and paced the hallway.

'Zuo Chun, you have to hold on. If anything happens to you, it won’t just destroy one family—it’ll ruin three. For Hu Xuehong’s sake alone, you have to survive.'

“Yimo!” Yu Xi came jogging over. “How are things?”

Song Yimo shook her head. “The doctors haven’t said anything yet. Are Zuo Chun and Hu Xuehong both here?”

“Yes. They’re in Operating Rooms Four and Five.” Yu Xi’s voice softened. “I’ll stay here. Why don’t you go wash your hands?”

Song Yimo looked down at her hands, slowly rubbing the dried blood between her fingers. “It’s fine.”

Yu Xi wanted to say more, but the words died in his throat. Instead, he stayed beside her, feeling grateful he’d been able to be there for her at this critical moment.

When Zhai Muyang returned from handling the paperwork, he slowed his steps at the sight of Yu Xi. This wasn’t the first time he’d seen the young man, and he could tell that beneath that youthful appearance, Yu Xi had ambition and a touch of capability. Normally, he’d appreciate someone like that, maybe even try to bring him under his wing. But not this time. Now, instead of a useful ally, Mu Yang felt an instinctive repulsion.

Which older brother would ever want a man pursuing his little sister?

Especially when his sister was only sixteen. He hadn’t even had enough time to dote on her himself, let alone let someone else into her life.

He had half a mind to haul Yu Xi away from her.

Clenching his fists, the cracking of his knuckles barely audible, Zhai Mu pyang composed himself and walked toward Song Yimo.

Yu Xi stood respectfully as Zhai Muyang approached, greeting him with a polite, “Mr. Zhai.”

Zhai Muyang nodded, naturally seating himself between Song Yimo and Yu Xi and gesturing for him to sit as well. “Did you see what happened when they crashed?”

“Yes, they were at the intersection of First Ring Road and Jiao Road. I’d just left the office there and happened to see them. Hu Xuehong was carrying Zuo Chun and Wu Ting on her bike. A gravel truck turned onto First Ring Road from Jiao Road, moving fast. Although the light was green, the truck driver might only be two-thirds at fault. They’d still bear a portion of the blame; First Ring Road is sloped, and they were cycling pretty fast. Many witnesses saw it.”

Mu Yang understood. The traffic lights in Xinghu County were often ignored, especially by motorcyclists, but in a court of law, fault would rest on official rules—and unfortunately, the light had been green…

“Was Wu Ting sitting on the front bar?” Song Yimo asked.

“I didn’t see clearly if it was Wu Ting or Zuo Chun, but from what I recall, it should have been Wu Ting in front.”

“Wu Ting is tall and thin; a slight movement would’ve blocked Hu Xuehong’s view. Sometimes, they cycle to school like that. Senior Yu, do you know any doctors at this hospital? Is anyone influential?”

Yu Xi leaned forward, glancing briefly at Song Yimo before Zhai Muyang’s presence, answering, “I know a few. I can take you to them now.”

“Not me,” Song Yimo shook her head. “Bring the families once they arrive. Have the doctors give them a frank assessment. If the doctors aren’t confident, they should transfer to the city hospital, especially Zuo Chun; she seems badly hurt, likely internal injuries.”

Without hesitation, Yu Xi agreed. “Got it. I’ll go make a few calls now.”

As Yu Xi stepped away, Zhai Muyang frowned. “Why rely on his connections? I know all the county officials. Isn’t your brother’s help better?”

“If you step in, it’ll cause more waves than necessary. With the county’s leadership involved, things might get even more complicated.”

Song Yimo rested her head on her brother’s shoulder, her arm looped around his. “The Yu family has quite the sway in this county. Besides, I’m already indebted to Senior Yu for today, so a little more assistance won’t hurt. We’ll split the favor among the four families.”

“Four families?” Mu Yang looked down at her. “You’re here to help. Why are you counting yourself in?”

“Not accepting someone’s goodwill doesn’t mean I don’t understand it. Whether it was notifying me or helping arrange things, Senior Yu did it all because of me. It’s one thing to refuse his interest, but using him without acknowledging it would be shameless.”

Zhai Muyang couldn’t help but laugh. “Who says that about themselves?”

“If I didn’t feel this way, I wouldn’t be me.” She gazed at the doors of the operating room. “A debt of kindness can be repaid as long as people survive. So long as they live, everything can be set right.”

Zhai Muyang squeezed her hand and looked toward the operating room.

Only in the face of life and death were people truly equal. No matter his influence, he was powerless here.

The two sat in silence, side by side.

Standing by the window, Yu Xi finished his calls and turned to watch them, brows furrowing slightly. Yimo and Mr. Zhai weren’t blood siblings—wasn’t this a bit too close?

Zhai Mu Yang held his phone, and as soon as it rang, he glanced at the caller ID and quickly handed it to Song Yimo.

“Miao Miao. Hello? Yes, it’s me. Are Uncle and Aunt there yet? Good. Zuo Chun is in the ER—bring Uncle Zuo over to the emergency department. Hu Xuehong and Wu Ting are in Operating Rooms Four and Five. Yes, let them ask the doctors for an update.”

After ending the call, Song Yimo stood up. “They’re here.”

Moments later, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Miao Zhiruo appeared, helping a woman in her early forties into view.

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TN:
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