Momo's Gradual Change - VOL. 1

C186. Continuing the Web.

Chapter 186: Continuing the Web

As the newly crowned top high school graduate, Song Yimo’s life was surprisingly calm. After a few congratulatory calls, everything was back to normal.

Zhai Muyang knew Song Yimo’s personality well; she wasn’t one for grand gestures or social flattery. The moment her results came out, he was ready to spend some time in Mang City with her.

Throwing a celebratory banquet could wait for later.

With no summer homework weighing her down, Song Yimo finally had time to do the things she wanted.

Zhai Muyang loaded two large bags into the trunk, and even Song Yimo was holding one in her hands.

“It’s getting hot. Let’s start with these now, then head out again at four.”

Song Yimo’s back was already damp with sweat, so she readily agreed.

In the car, Song Yimo started counting on her fingers. "I think we have enough summer clothes. This afternoon, we can get shoes, some paper, pens, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. Oh, and socks… I’ll have to come back in November for fall and winter clothes; most stores don’t have them out yet."

“It doesn’t have to be you. I can ask Zhou Xin to send someone to handle it.”

“It’s not the same. I can’t just leave them unattended after taking them on. Taking care of their needs is my responsibility.”

Zhai Muyang looked over at her with a smile. “Then I’ll come back with you.”

Song Yimo softly murmured her agreement, and an unexpected thought popped into her head—the image of the two of them, husband and wife, returning home together. Embarrassed, she looked away to the window.

Then her phone rang, sparing her further awkwardness.

The number looked familiar, but she couldn’t place it right away. She answered, bringing the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

“Yimo? It’s Xie Fei.”

“Sister Fei?” Yimo exchanged a glance with Zhai Muyang. “Hello, Sister Fei.”

Xie Fei chuckled through the phone. “So, you’re back now? Busy with something? Do you have time to visit my place?”

“Yes, I got back yesterday. I’m in the car now. I just went to the market with my brother to buy clothes for the kids. I might not have time to visit anytime soon.”

Her thorough answers pleased Xie Fei, who warmed even more toward her.

“Clothes for kids? I know a few places with good fabric at fair prices. How about we go together sometime?”

Good fabric and fair prices?

Song Yimo latched onto the idea. The market Mama Miao recommended had decent prices but average quality. She didn’t want the kids to suffer from poor-quality fabric, especially with winter approaching.

"Really, Sister Fei? I need clothes and shoes for thirteen kids, from age three to about six or seven. We’ve got the summer clothes covered, but I still need to get everything for fall and winter."

Xie Fei gasped. “Why so many? Where did you get so many kids?”

Song Yimo, slightly embarrassed, fiddled with a strand of hair. "You could call it a kind of sponsorship."

Sponsorship usually meant covering tuition, not a head-to-toe wardrobe, Xie Fei thought with amusement. But she refrained from asking further. “Don’t worry; the prices are fair, and though it’s not a big brand, the quality is good. My nephew always wears clothes from there.”

“Great! I’ll arrange a time with you.”

“No problem. Just let me know. Do you need anything else for the kids? Like milk powder?”

“Milk powder… Probably?” Song Yimo said, uncertainly. She wasn’t exactly experienced with children.

Xie Fei laughed on the other end. “Are the kids in Mang City now? I’m free at the moment. Why don’t I drop by and bring a few cans of milk powder? I have plenty at home.”

“Oh, they’re still in Zang City. It’ll be a couple of days before they arrive.”

So they were from there, Xie Fei thought, raising her eyebrows. She remembered Yimo mentioning her graduation trip to that area. She knew the conditions there; was Yimo bringing a small group back to care for?

Song Yimo wasn’t exactly a match for Xie Fei in conversational skill. Within minutes, Song Yimo had let slip nearly everything. Zhai Muyang watched with quiet amusement, making no effort to intervene. In Mang City, the Fang family had powerful local connections; their support was worth far more than others'.

And indeed, just as Zhai Muyang had anticipated, that very evening, Xie Fei casually relayed the information to Fang Zhen, who was immediately intrigued. He considered calling Zang City to verify but was quickly stopped by Xie Fei.

“Is there any need? Yimo wouldn’t joke about something like this.”

Working long missions had left Fang Zhen with a guilty conscience toward his wife, so he tended to follow her lead. Reflecting on her words, he realized she was right; that girl wasn’t one to joke about serious matters.

“She said the kids would arrive in Mang City in a couple of days. I’d like to check on them then. Our stockpile of milk powder will finally find a purpose. It’d be a shame to let it go to waste.”

"Sure, I'll go with you. Is there anything else you need?"

"We need food, supplies…everything, really. Thirteen kids aren’t easy to look after."

Fang Zhen hugged his wife and sighed. "Well, at least we don't have to worry about money. Zhai Muyang makes money faster than most people could dream of. His earnings put everyone else to shame. The two people in Minister Yang's family together are no match for this one."

Xie Fei gave him a light slap on the arm. "Who’s worried about money? Think about it—thirteen kids are a huge responsibility. They’ll need more than just food and clothes. They'll need guidance. I’m at least a decade older than Yimo, and even I don't feel confident I could handle it all. She’s just graduated high school; who knows if she’s thought it through?"

Fang Zhen sighed quietly, not saying more. Both he and Xie Fei knew the problems in the system; until those at the top made a move, nothing would change. Song Yimo was admirable for what she was doing. If only there were more people like her…

He shook his head, brushing off the thought. "Stay in touch with her and keep an eye out. If she runs into anything she can't handle, help her out where you can. From one soldier to another, I’m grateful for what she's doing."

"I know," Xie Fei replied, leaning into his embrace. She patted his back. "I'll keep an eye out."

*

The house-hunting process went smoothly.

As they stepped out of the car, He Yi pointed proudly at the two-story house in front of them. "Here it is. What do you think?"

Song Yimo nodded enthusiastically; she didn’t need to go inside to know it would be perfect.

The house was on the border of Mang City's new and old districts. The area had these cozy, self-built family houses from decades ago—each with a small courtyard and a round gate. Many had vines and flowers climbing up the walls, adding a natural charm.

Waiting inside was a middle-aged man around forty. Miao Jun greeted them with a smile. "How long have you been waiting? Why so early?"

"I was clearing out some things to bring over; it’s been a while since I’ve been here."