Momo's Gradual Change

C139. Deciding the Future.

Chapter 139: Deciding the Future

Song Yimo brought over the tea. “How’s your recovery going? Will it affect school?”

“No problem with school,” Zuo Chun replied, glancing at her mother. “But I might need a little more time to pay back what you covered.”

Mother Zuo quickly chimed in, “Yimo, I know it’s shameful to say, but with high school and middle school expenses, plus a long-term illness in the family… It’s truly hard for us right now.”

“Auntie, please, don’t push yourselves. Pay it back whenever you can. Zuo Chun and I are classmates, friends even—we have a bond for life. Would I abandon a friend over a bit of money?”

“Yimo…” Zuo Chun’s voice was thick with emotion. To have been pulled back from the brink, all thanks to the money Song Yimo had advanced, was a shock she hadn’t fully absorbed.

Although she walked to and from school with Yimo every day, deep down, she had always felt they were from different worlds. Everyone else enjoyed walking with Yimo, and she liked the sense of prestige it gave her, so she’d tagged along.

But now, she realized that Song Yimo—someone she hadn’t even treated wholeheartedly—had saved her life. Without Song Yimo’s help, her mother would’ve been left helpless, unable to gather the money needed for the surgery, no matter the tears.

Looking back, her past attitude made her feel mortified.

“Don’t get all serious on me,” Song Yimo said, lifting her arm to show off her goosebumps. “Look, I’m covered in them!” Sure enough, every hair was standing up.

Laughing, Zuo Chun lightly slapped her hand down. “Where’s your grandma and your big brother?”

“Grandma went out for groceries, and Zhai Dage’s been busy. He left early to catch up on work.”

After a pause, Zuo Chun asked, hesitantly, “We’ll be picking our academic tracks soon—are you choosing sciences or liberal arts?”

“I’ll probably go with sciences.”

“But you’re excellent in liberal arts too.”

Song Yimo picked up two freshly washed pears, handing one each to Mother Zuo and Zuo Chun. “But I’m not bad in sciences either, right?”

Zuo Chun gave a mock glare. “Are you just humble-bragging?”

“Just stating facts.” Song Yimo smiled. “Miaomiao wants to go to a military academy, so she’ll be taking sciences for sure. If I choose sciences too, she won’t complain, plus I won’t have to memorize as much.”

Zuo Chun looked conflicted. She was terrible at math and science, always barely keeping up. Choosing sciences would mean two exhausting years ahead.

“What’s with that face? You don’t have to be in the same class to be friends. With your grades, I think liberal arts would be a better fit.”

“So… have you thought about which university to aim for?”

Song Yimo had thought this over for a while. “Unless something changes, I’m planning on applying to the Foreign Languages University in S City.”

Zuo Chun looked surprised. “But our homeroom teacher expects you to aim for the top two universities!”

“They are top-tier schools, no question, but many universities have standout programs. It’s really about finding the right field, not just the biggest name.”

Taking that in, Zuo Chun nodded. “I’ll give it some more thought then.”

“Take your time—there’s no rush.”

Watching Song Yimo sit up straight, nibbling her pear thoughtfully, Zuo Chun wondered if Song Yimo would be shocked to know that she had decided to follow in her footsteps. Hmm, maybe she’d check with Wu Ting later—oh, and also Hu Xuehong. After what they’d been through together, it felt like they were bound together now.

A knock sounded at the door. Song Yimo got up to answer it, stepping aside as her guests entered.

“You’re all here! Uncle Hu, Auntie Hu, come in, please.”

Though Hu Xuehong’s leg was still in a cast, she moved nimbly with her crutch. Song Yimo turned to steady Wu Ting instead.

“Shouldn’t you be home resting?”

Wu Ting explained softly, “My grandma insisted I come along. She has some things to settle. When we were in the hospital, she mentioned wanting to have my stepmother’s family live separately. This is probably about that.”

Song Yimo nodded, sensing it was better not to pry.

Once everyone was seated, Song Yimo went to the kitchen to prepare tea. Soon, Auntie Hu followed her in, pulling a thick red envelope from her bag and pressing it into Song Yimo’s hand.

“After everything that’s happened, I can’t put the blame on anyone. Thank goodness we got off as lightly as we did, especially with Hu Xuehong. I know it was your brother who covered the hospital bills. Yimo, please, accept this. It’s not much, but it’s from my heart.”

Feeling the weight of the envelope, which had to contain at least five thousand, Yimo’s heart swelled. The amount might not mean much to her now, but the kindness behind it mattered. Later, she found out Auntie Hu had prepared a similar envelope for Wu Ting and Zuo Chun, making Song Yimo respect her even more.

Without trying to avoid responsibility or rushing to complain, and instead offering a heartfelt gesture—that’s truly rare.

“All right, Auntie, I’ll accept it with gratitude.”

“You’re such a good child,” Auntie Hu said, her smile finally relaxed. “Our Hu Xuehong is lucky to have such a friend in you.”

“Hu Xuehong is wonderful too.” Finding her words a bit generic, Song Yimo added, “She’s loyal, and she’s always been good to me.”

“Yes, yes. May you all stay well, and may your friendship last a long, long time.”

“It will.”

After this successful gathering at Song Yimo’s, the adults stayed for a short chat before taking their leave, leaving the young ones behind to strengthen their bond.

Song Yimo led the three of them to her room, where her beautiful space, with cozy spots to sit or lie down everywhere, drew endless admiration and envy.

Wu Ting, careful not to strain herself, lay down on the bed and said, “Yimo, I’m registering tomorrow. Don’t forget your promise to help me catch up.”

“Catch up?” Zuo Chun immediately raised her hand. “Count me in, too!”

Not wanting to be left out, Hu Xuehong raised her hand the highest, taking advantage of the fact that she was still standing. “Me too! After that car hit me, I think I lost a few brain cells.”

Wu Ting and Zuo Chun both rolled their eyes at her.

Song Yimo hugged her heart-shaped pillow and nodded. “All right. I’ll make my notes extra detailed. I’ll copy them for you all, and if you don’t understand anything, just ask me.”

“Yimo, you’re amazing!” they all shouted in unison, looking at each other before breaking into laughter.

Song Yimo watched them with a smile, knowing that from that day on, she had three true friends by her side.

Zhai Muyang, just stepping out from the parking garage below, heard the laughter and couldn’t help but glance up, a smile softening his lips. His steps up the stairs were a bit lighter.

This summer had brought its share of wounds and pain, anger and regret, but these three girls had become a steadfast, protective trio around Song Yimo. And for many years to come, they would be a constant presence in her life.

For many, many years.