Momo's Gradual Change - VOL. 1

C168. He Yi's Wrath.

Chapter 168: He Yi’s Wrath

Song Yimo tugged at Zi Yi’s sleeve, her voice soft and pleading. “Miao Mama, it was my mistake. Please don’t be angry at Miao Dad.”

“Of course you were wrong. Did you really think you were in the right?” He Yi brushed her hand away, her expression hardening as her voice choked slightly with anger. “Everything has its limits. Sure, I’ve never said a word when you throw a little money around now and then. But this time—did you have to throw yourself in, too?”

Song Yimo reached out again, her tone turning girlish, almost coquettish. “Miao Mama, I really know I was wrong. I swear I won’t do it again…”

“Another time?!” He Yi’s voice rose, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“No, no! There won’t be another time.” Seeing Miao Mama’s hands trembling, guilt washed over Song Yimo. She thought to herself that if Miao Mama would just forgive her, she would do anything to make up for it.

Miao Zhiruo threw Song Yimo a glance before stepping in. “Mom, Yimo knows she was wrong. Please, forgive her just this once.”

With her eyes reddening, He Yi swatted Song Yimo’s arm once more, then wiped her eyes and sat down on the couch.

Miao Dad gave Song Yimo’s shoulder a gentle pat.

Seeing how much she’d hurt Miao Mama, Song Yimo’s heart ached with remorse. In a low voice, she murmured, “Miao Dad…”

"She was just terrified. When she got Mu Yang's call, she nearly fainted. Yimo, you were too reckless this time. But it wasn't wrong—you saved a life."

He Yi shot her an angry glare, wanting to say something, but held back. Yimo wasn’t entirely wrong; her intentions and the outcome were good, and any outsider would have commended her bravery.

But she wasn't an outsider!

She was Yimo’s Miao Mama, called so for years. To her, Yimo was no different from her own daughter.

Just thinking of the danger Yimo had put herself in made He Yi’s heart ache. To imagine how close she’d come to being caught—perhaps even losing her life—was unbearable.

Song Yimo hadn’t expected Miao Jun to speak up for her. Everyone had scolded her, so she thought he would too…

Miao Jun sighed, "Parents hope their children grow up to be kind and courageous, to help others. But every parent also hopes this is done safely. This time, you escaped unharmed, but luck won't always be on your side. Once the summer is over, you'll be leaving for college out of town. If you ever face a situation like this again, you must think carefully. It’s one thing to help, but another to help safely."

"I understand, Miao Dad."

As he had when she was little, Miao Jun gently patted her head. “Don’t let this become a burden in your heart; it’s over now. We haven’t mentioned this to Aunt Song, and you shouldn’t either—it would only make her worry.”

“Yes, Miao Dad.”

The room was small, and Miao Jun hadn’t tried to lower his voice, so He Yi heard every word. She felt a surge of frustration; even now, he had to lecture her on principles. As much as it annoyed her, she couldn’t argue with what he said…

Miao Jun ignored his wife’s irritation and turned to Zhai Muyang, who had been silent. “Do you have any food here? Even uncooked will do—I can prepare something.”

“No one’s eaten yet?” Zhai Muyang checked the time, realizing it was almost eight o’clock. When he had called earlier, it had been just after six, right around dinnertime. Clearly, they had all rushed out without thinking of food.

“No one’s lived here before, but I can have the hotel deliver something.”

Song Yimo sat with He Yi, wrapping herself around her arm in silent affection, unable to find the right words to ease her.

He Yi huffed but didn’t respond.

Song Yimo shot a pleading look at Miao Zhiruo, who merely ignored her, slicing an orange and eating it herself.

Out of options, Song Yimo took matters into her own hands.

"Miao Mama, I really know I was wrong. Please don’t stay mad.”

He Yi glanced at her sideways. "You know you were wrong?"

Song Yimo nodded earnestly.

“Then, can you change your university choice to somewhere local? Our college here isn’t bad.”

“He Yi, stop trying to make decisions for her,” Miao Jun said disapprovingly, coming to sit beside her. “Yimo has already decided her path. Don’t disrupt her plans.”

“She’s not ready to be off on her own. Here, in Mang City, I can at least keep an eye on her.”

“She can’t stay under your watch forever. Are you going to follow her everywhere? And didn’t this happen right here in Mang City?”

He Yi fell silent, unable to find a comeback.

Zhai Muyang, overhearing their conversation, chimed in, “S City is my area, Aunt He; Yimo will be safe there. And I’m sure she’s learned a valuable lesson. There’s no need to worry.”

“How could I not worry?” He Yi gave a rueful smile. “I used to think Zhiruo was my only concern, and she at least listens to Yimo, so there’s less risk of trouble. But now, even Yimo is giving me heart palpitations. And soon, they’ll both be somewhere I can’t reach… How can I be at ease?”

“Mom, I’ll be at a military academy—I won’t even be allowed outside the gates. Nothing will happen.”

He Yi glared. “Even Yimo, who never causes trouble, managed to make my heart skip a beat today!”

Miao Zhiruo rolled her eyes. “What a comparison. None of this even makes sense.”

After this exchange, the tension in the room lightened, and Song Yimo let out a silent sigh of relief, noticing that Miao Mama no longer looked so stern.

Now that her anger had ebbed, He Yi’s concern rose to the surface. She pulled Somg Yimo close, inspecting her, even rolling up her sleeves. “You’re really not hurt?”

“No, not at all.” Song Yimo obediently let her fuss, but when He Yi reached her hip, she kept a straight face, hiding the soreness there. She’d gotten a swat on her bottom earlier—how embarrassing if Miaomiao saw. She’d never hear the end of it.

Not an option!

Zhai Muyang raised an eyebrow, amused, but said nothing. When the doorbell rang, he went to answer it.

The person outside wasn’t the food delivery as expected, but another family member.

“Mr. Zhai, sorry for intruding,” spoke Fang Zhen, the only one he recognized. “This is my father, Fang Wei, and my wife, Xie Fei.”

Zhai Muyang nodded politely. “Commander Fang, Captain Fang, Mrs. Fang, please come in.”

The others rose to greet them as they entered.

The child in Xie Fei’s arms had been calm, but as soon as he saw Song Yimo, he stretched his arms toward her.

Song Yimo, remembering this child she’d shared a life-threatening moment with, felt a wave of relief to see he seemed unharmed. She reached out and gently squeezed his hand, though she didn’t take him in her arms.

“He remembers you—he should,” Xie Fei said, her eyes welling with tears as she handed him over. “I’m not here to thank you, because words are nowhere near enough. I just needed to see you—to know who saved my son, to know what you looked like.”

The chubby, rosy-cheeked little boy planted a wet, slobbery kiss on Song Yimo’s cheek. She laughed, playing with him, and responded, “Fang-ge already thanked me. You don’t need to do this, Mrs. Fang. The boy felt a bit warm then, though—is he alright?”

"It's a minor thing, really," she replied, her impression of the woman improving as she heard her concern for the child. "But the doctor said to keep a close eye on him tonight. He's worried the fright might bring on a fever."

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TN:
Why don't you put him on the bed after what happened?