Momo's Gradual Change - VOL. 1

C175. Yimo's Awakening.

Chapter 175: Yimo’s Awakening

Zhai Muyang walked over to her bed, reopening her suitcase. As expected, she had packed only short-sleeve tops, though she had remembered a sun-protective jacket. He took all her shirts out, placing them back in her wardrobe, and began picking long sleeves instead.

“I’ll find a girlfriend when I actually have one,” he said offhandedly.

Song Yimo lowered her head. Of course, her brother wasn’t averse to marriage—why wouldn’t he get married if he met someone?

But a part of her couldn’t help wondering if his future girlfriend might dislike her, if she’d resent the way he cared for her so much.

After all, who would want their partner to be so close to another woman, even if she was just a sister in all but blood?

A sudden wave of darkness settled over her thoughts. She knew she could never let her own reluctance hold him back from marriage—it would be terribly unfair to the kindness he’d shown her all these years.

And yet, the unease simmered in her heart, impossible to ignore.

Song Yimo moved to stand behind him, watching as he carefully folded light-colored long-sleeved shirts, aware that something felt different, unsettling. She had no idea how to soothe this sudden turmoil within herself.

Zhai Muyang, noticing her quiet gaze, turned and explained, “Dark colors trap heat, and with the intense sun over there, you’d feel miserable. White stains easily, so it’s best to leave those behind. I’ve packed extra long sleeves for you—just toss them in your suitcase once they’re worn. We’ll wash them when you’re back…”

The stream of instructions was abruptly cut off by Song Yimo’s unexpected question. “Dage, do you plan on finding a girlfriend soon?”

He froze, her hesitant tone hinting at something… more. Suppressing the surge of hope stirring within him, Zhai Muyang asked carefully, “Yimo, would you rather I didn’t find a girlfriend?”

Not want him to?

Of course, she didn’t—but how could she selfishly ask that of him?

He’d been so good to her; how could she hold him back from finding someone to truly share his life with?

She would soon be off to university, with its own routines, and though they’d be in the same city, first-year students were usually required to live on campus. Time with her brother would become scarce. And even if they could see each other regularly, a sister wasn’t the same as a wife.

It struck her suddenly: she’d been too wrapped up in herself. Compared to his constant care for her, she’d been a negligent sister, hardly thinking about his life.

Lowering her head, Song Yimo said softly, “I only hope your girlfriend won’t dislike me.”

Her words froze the smile on Zhai Muyang’s face, a pang of disappointment so sharp he barely managed to mask it.

He couldn’t rush things. No, he told himself, Song Yimo was simply afraid of losing him as her brother. She hadn’t yet opened her heart to other possibilities.

He packed her clothes back into the suitcase, composing himself before facing her again with his usual gentle gaze. “No one could ever dislike you, Yimo. If a woman I’m seeing didn’t accept you, I’d simply let her go. You’re the most important person in my life.”

Song Yimo raised her head, her eyes full of uncertainty, and Zhai Muyang felt his heart ache at the sight. He stepped forward, wrapping her in his arms, one hand gently stroking her hair. “Yimo, trust in me. Any man who would neglect you for someone else wouldn’t be Zhai Muyang. No one could take your place in my heart, so stop worrying, alright?”

If she had truly been an eighteen-year-old Yimo, perhaps she wouldn’t have understood her own feelings yet. But inside, she was older, just two years younger than Zhai Muyang. She had weathered storms, survived hardship, and even endured loss of family—her life had been far less smooth than it was now.

Although romance had been absent from those twenty-five years, she wasn’t blind to it.

And suddenly, she understood. The anxious thoughts bubbling within her were not a sister’s worries for her brother—they were the insecurities of a woman who feared losing a man’s affection, not a sibling’s.

She was afraid that the man who had been solely hers would one day shower someone else with the warmth he reserved for her. That he’d stop holding her as his first priority, shifting his devotion to another.

The mere thought made her heart tremble.

All this time, she’d regarded him as nothing more than a dear brother. So when had her feelings changed?

Nestled in his embrace, breathing in his familiar scent, she smiled bitterly. Had she, without knowing, fallen for him after all this time?

Or had his gentle kindness quietly captured her heart, so subtly that she’d only just realized?

No matter how it happened, it was already too late. She couldn’t bear to leave his side, nor could she hope to break free of these feelings. Perhaps she didn’t want to, either.

So, she decided—she would accept her feelings, whatever they might bring.

How likely was it that her big brother could someday become her husband...?

Zhai Muyang had already managed to calm his emotions, turning to a different question. "What about your novel? You haven't written much since the break started, and now you're going away for another ten days. Do you have enough saved up?"

"It’ll be fine. I’ll just need to put in more time when I’m back. I’d like to update faster during the holiday to finish this book soon; it’s been two and a half years, and I can’t keep dragging it out. Plus, once university starts, there’s military training, so I need to prepare updates for that time too."

"When you’re back from Zang City, you’ll still have two months of break left. You can focus on it then. If you can post more often, imagine how thrilled your readers would be."

As the president of Barely Rich’s official fan club, Zhai Muyang knew exactly how low her fans’ expectations were. No matter how many chapters other authors might post in a day, her fans were content as long as she managed two. On those rare occasions she did, the comment section would erupt in cheers.

If she managed double updates for the entire holiday, even the most restrained fans would shower her with gifts like rainfall. After all, it wasn’t like two years ago—her readership had doubled and doubled again, so even if a tenth of them donated, it would make quite an impression. Not to mention, Yi Mo’s fans included a number of generous patrons.

Of course, he was also the leader of that group of generous patrons.

Zhai Muyang felt a secret pride in it all. Protecting her in ways both obvious and subtle brought him a satisfaction beyond words.

They both tucked away their thoughts—one trying to stay calm, the other unsure how to proceed. They decided, for now, to just enjoy the trip, thinking that a little time away might offer clarity. Their time together felt as comfortable as ever.

But Song Yimo knew things weren’t the same. Either she would have to take a step forward, or, if that wasn’t possible, perhaps a step back. She’d need to stop so easily accepting his kindness, stop nurturing thoughts that had no place, and be the best sister she could be.

Though, if she made that choice, she knew it would hurt—deeply.