Momo's Gradual Change

C144. The Coming Storm.

Chapter 144: The Coming Storm

The door across the hall opened, and Zhai Yansong stepped out. “Still here?”

“No, my brother said five-thirty,” Song Yimo replied, stepping aside to let him in. Noticing his door was left open, she quickly asked, “Grandpa, did you bring your keys?”

“Yes, I have them.”

Relieved, Song Yimo moved to close the door, overhearing her grandfather call out cheerfully to her grandmother, “Sister, Yimo told you, right? She and that boy are going out for dinner tonight. Just make enough for the two of us.”

“I know, I didn’t make any for them.” The voices trailed off, but as Song Yimo stepped inside, she caught her grandmother hurriedly hiding something behind her back. She decided not to mention it.

While she herself wasn’t picky about food, Director Ni had advised her grandmother to keep a light diet for her health. Knowing that convincing her directly wouldn’t be easy, Song Yimo had quietly let her believe she preferred light dishes. Whenever she was home, her grandmother would thoughtfully cook meals that were mild and healthy.

Thanks to this habit, Yimo hadn’t had a single breakout through her teenage years.

Though her grandmother had grown used to a blander diet over the past two years, she occasionally got cravings—especially with her grandfather, who adored meat, particularly sausages and pork hocks. When she and her brother were out, the two would seize the opportunity for a treat. Judging by today’s secretive behavior, it seemed they’d have a feast tonight.

As long as they didn’t indulge too often, she didn’t mind.

“Grandma, Grandpa, I’m going to change my clothes.”

“Go on, go on,” her grandmother called, “And remember, dear, you’re meeting Muyang’s friends, so be on your best behavior.”

Once Song Yimo had closed her door, her grandmother took out the hidden dish—a plate of gleaming, succulent pork hocks, fragrant and inviting. Zhai Yansong swallowed in anticipation.

Grandma Song cut off a small piece and offered it. “Just out of the brine. Tell me how it tastes.”

As he chewed, Zhai Yansong gave her a thumbs-up. “Perfect chew, just the right salt. Could use a little more chilli, though.”

Grandma Song took a taste herself and nodded. “A little weak on the spicy.”

The two headed off into the kitchen, not noticing that Song Yimo’s door had only now clicked shut. Imagining her grandparents sneaking bites, Song Yimo couldn’t help but chuckle to herself.

A while back, she had secretly pondered with her brother whether Grandma and Grandpa might be more than friends. She’d entertained the idea of a sweet twilight romance, but after observing them for some time, she realized they had no such thoughts. Instead, they were like old comrades looking out for each other.

Though she found it a bit disappointing, their companionship was still a beautiful thing. Far better than when her grandmother had to go visiting door to door just to have someone to talk to.

“Yimo, ready to go?” Her brother’s voice brought her back to the moment, and she hurried to finish dressing, slipping on her shoes and opening the door.

Zhai Muyang looked her over briefly. On anyone else, such a simple outfit might only pass for “presentable,” but on his sister, it was effortlessly elegant—even with her hair a bit tousled.

He gently nudged her back inside to fix her hair, grabbed her bag with one hand, and extended his other hand to her. “Let’s go.”

Song Yimo took his hand as naturally as ever, and they walked out together, bidding farewell to their grandparents.