Momo's Gradual Change

C155. An Unexpected Visitor.

Chapter 155: An Unexpected Visitor

Choosing a college path is no trivial matter, but for those who had already made their plans, it was little more than a formality. They soon gathered at Song Yimo's house to plan the next big thing—a joyous graduation trip.

Hu Xuehong placed a line of ice cream in front of Song Yimo. "Yimo, we narrowed it down to three options: the seaside, an ancient town, and a Tibetan city. Which would you pick?"

Song Yimo scooped a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth, savoring it with closed eyes. "I'm open to any of them. Is there one you all feel strongly about?"

Miao Zhiruo, with a hint of mischief, commandeered a quarter of Yimo's ice cream and said decisively, “Pick one.”

"How about the Tibetan city? I've always wanted to visit a place filled with devotion."

"Then, to Tibet it is," Wu Ting announced, marking a check on her notepad under "Tibetan City." "Now, when should we leave, and how long are we staying?"

"The resort opens to the public on the fifteenth. My brother’s hired a professional team to help promote it, and with his own network, there should be a good turnout—not like a bustling tourist hotspot, but certainly not empty either. We should wait until the fifteenth at least."

Zuo Chun let out a quiet sigh of relief; thanks to Yimo, her mother had secured a food stall at the resort’s market area. With her father unable to help and her younger brother still in school, if she left now, her mom would be overwhelmed.

Everyone seemed to sense Zuo Chun's concerns. Seizing the moment, Miao Zhiruo took another sneaky scoop of Yimo's ice cream and muttered contentedly, "So, the seventeenth it is."

"We can check our scores on the night of the twenty-third. Shouldn’t we wait until then?" Wu Ting asked.

"We can check them on our phones while we're away. Yimo, just don’t forget to bring yours," Miao Zhiruo said, laughing.

Cradling her ice cream cup, now reduced to a small dollop, Song Yimo shifted positions, casting a wary eye on Miao Zhiruo while hastily polishing off the last bites.

"This is the perfect window to go. Zhiruo, you're aiming for a military academy, which means you'll have an interview, medical exam, and background check once your scores are confirmed. Since military school starts early, you’ll need time with your family before then. Leaving on the seventeenth, we could enjoy ourselves till the twenty-sixth or twenty-seventh. Maybe even come back a bit sooner. What do you all think?"

“No complaints here,” everyone agreed.

“So it’s settled, then.” Reluctantly, Song Yimo put down her spoon after the last bite. She hardly ever got to indulge in these treats, not with her grandma and older brother both frowning on anything cold. Just as she’d been gifted some, half of it had disappeared into Miao Zhiruo’s hands. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for herself.

With their plans decided, everyone went their separate ways. As Miao Zhiruo lingered by the door, she turned back. “I’m heading to my parents’ place. Want to come along for a few days?”

Tempted, Song Yimo considered it. “I’ll call my brother first to check if he’s scheduled anything for me.”

Zhai Muyang had just taken Song Yimo to submit her college preferences before heading off to work. He’d received a call from his higher-ups, informing him that someone would be contacting him soon, and indeed, the person had already phoned, setting a meeting time for half-past ten. Just on time, he arrived—only to find a visitor who caught him off guard.

He gave a brief nod and a faint smile to Zheng Senlin before sitting down comfortably in an open chair. “Didn’t expect to see Mr. Yang here for something so ‘trivial.’”

Yang Shusheng’s eyes glowed with unmistakable delight, his tone warm enough to catch the attention of the guards at the door.

“This is no small matter. A single misstep could cause a massive economic shock across the country. As the one responsible for this area, if there were truly no other options, I’d handle the aftermath with full force. But since we have a way to prevent it, we must give it our all. Anything to reduce the loss is worth the effort.”

“My methods are rather crude. I’m sure you have talent aplenty under your wing, Mr. Yang—wouldn’t they have already proposed solutions? I can’t help but wonder why action wasn’t taken earlier, and yet, here you are now, personally stepping in.”

Yang Shusheng’s smile broadened, and his response was refreshingly candid.

“Indeed, others have suggested similar solutions—perhaps even more refined ones. However, the internal debates were intense, particularly regarding the use of private capital. Trust between the government and the public is fragile. Even if we aim to control the crisis within safe limits, people may still resist. Other approaches have been tried, with poor results. Your solution may not be perfect, but you represent private enterprise. Your actions in City S have shown your genuine intent to stabilize the market, as is our intent. So, why shouldn’t I be here?”

Zhai Muyang listened intently, then nodded in agreement. “Our goals align, so a collaboration is feasible. However, I have one question for you, Mr. Yang.”

“Go ahead.”

“I’d like to know how much authority I’ll truly have in this. If the state only needs a puppet, I’m afraid you’ll have to look elsewhere.”

Yang Shusheng raised his teacup, taking a thoughtful sip. “The tea’s quite good.”

“It’s a local blend. If you like it, I’ll have some sent to you.”

“Thank you; I’d be delighted.” He inclined his head and returned to the topic. “I majored in economics, so I understand how even the smallest miscalculation can lead to disaster. Rest assured, I won’t tie your hands. This is your operation—you wield as much authority as you’re able to shoulder. If you can make those foreign disruptors bleed and prevent our citizens from facing bankruptcy, you’ll have earned yourself a special commendation.”

Zhai Muyang smiled wryly. “I’m not in the military; what would I do with a commendation?”

Yang Shusheng’s gaze lingered, contemplative. “I know you’re usually averse to getting involved in others’ business. When I learned that you were leading this initiative, I was surprised. After seeing your network mobilizing behind the scenes, I began to understand your motives. But I can’t help feeling there’s more to it. May I ask why?”

Zhai Muyang lowered his gaze to hide a hint of emotion. “Consider it a moment of compassion. But that’s irrelevant to our business here, Mr. Yang. Shall we continue discussing the matter at hand?”

His phone rang. Apologetically, Zhai Muyang excused himself and moved to the window to take the call. “Yimo, what’s up? You want to go to Mangshi with Zhiruo? Sure, go and have fun. I’ll be busy these days. Just stay safe…”

Seeing his son transformed by a simple phone call, Yang Shusheng found himself piecing things together. So it’s that young lady, he mused, that’s stirred his son’s sudden “moment of compassion.”

———TN:
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