Momo's Gradual Change - VOL. 1

C196. A Public Confrontation.

Chapter 196: A Public Confrontation

Song Liang was fifteen years old this year, that age when beauty starts to matter and first crushes blossom.

Usually, she would throw a fit if her mother exposed her secrets like that. But today, after sneaking yet another quick glance at Zhai Muyang, she managed a smile for Song Yimo, saying, “Cousin.”

Song Yimo looked genuinely surprised. “It’s rare for Song Liang to even call me cousin.”

“She was just young and impulsive before, but she’s matured now and knows who her family is,” her mother, Yu Mei, chimed in, eager to slip in a few flattering words on behalf of her daughter. “You don’t know how proud she is to have a cousin like you, Yimo. She asks me every day when she can see you again. Actually, I must be bold and ask: could you lend her your study notes?”

“Aunt, you’re asking too late. I already gave them away.”

“To whom? Not even one left?”

“If I tell you who I gave them to, Aunt, are you planning to go and get them back?”

Yu Mei actually was. She’d ask for them back without a second thought—after all, those were Song family notes, so why shouldn’t they go to a Song family member?

By now, Song Yimo could see her aunt’s true intentions all too clearly. Feeling disgusted, she spoke even more bluntly, “Aunt, if you and Uncle Song Zhi had ever shown me the slightest kindness, I would’ve willingly left anything they needed for Song Liang and her brother. But unfortunately, there’s been no family loyalty from you.”

Ignoring Yu Mei’s frozen expression, Song Yimo went on, “Or did you think I’d let you push me around after you egged Uncle on to try and take Grandmother’s house? Where does your confidence come from?”

Yu Mei stayed silent, but Song Liang couldn’t hold back. “Song Yimo! How can you talk to my mom like that?”

“Like this—standing up, speaking plainly. Why shouldn’t I call you out on what you did? Song Liang, how long has it been since you visited Grandma? Do you even remember what she looks like?”

Song Liang lifted her chin. “If she wanted to see me, I wouldn’t have missed her.”

“Why don’t you ask your mother about what she’s been doing? She gladly accepted the gifts, took the money, but wouldn’t let you see Grandma. Do you think she’s not capable of that?” A cold smile crept onto Song Yimo’s face. Every tear her grandmother shed, every hardship endured, the pity she felt for her grandmother—all of it boiled over, causing her voice to tremble.

Zhai Muyang gently patted her back, imagining the countless struggles Yimo and her grandmother must have faced together in her childhood.

“How often do you and your brother see Grandma and Grandpa each year? How many times do you see your other grandmother? Do you even remember her birthday? Let me tell you—every year, she remembers you and Song Zixin’s birthdays, always sending you red envelopes and a hundred eggs. Do you really think she’s ever neglected you?”

“I… I didn’t know. I never received anything,” Song Liang turned to her mother, who now looked visibly shaken. “Mom, is it true that Grandma sends me red envelopes for my birthday every year?”

Forcing herself to stay calm, Yu Mei muttered, “It’s not as if she sends much anyway.”

“Mom, how could you do that? And you always say that Grandma only cares about Song Yimo and doesn’t remember us, that visiting her just for New Year is enough?”

Song Liang’s voice rose, drawing the attention of passersby. Yu Mei, who always prided herself on her reputation, was now visibly embarrassed. “What nonsense are you spouting?! I never said any such thing. Yimo, don’t believe her! Speaking of which, is the venue booked for your celebration? Where is it? I’ll tell your uncle, and we’ll come to help.”

In two lifetimes, Song Yimo had never liked this aunt of hers. If Yu Mei had any sense of propriety, Song Zhi wouldn’t have turned out the way he had. And now, for her to lower herself like this and try to talk to her civilly—clearly, there were two reasons. One, she wanted Yimo’s high school notes, as any relative would want the notes of a top student.

And two, it was because of her elder brother.

Secrets didn’t exist in small towns. When the scenic area was first developed, her brother had interacted with several government officials, something widely known. Yu Mei, well-connected in the county, was no exception. Over the past year, they had repeatedly tried to approach her grandmother, who, deeply hurt by their actions, had cut off contact. Now, they were hoping to use Song Yimo’s post-graduation banquet to rekindle their connections. How convenient. But that would require her to follow their script.

“It’s at a hotel, and there’s really no need for extra help. Thanks, Aunt. I have other things to do—goodbye.” With a polite smile, Song Yimo linked arms with her brother and walked away.

Yu Mei was stunned by such an outright rejection, feeling her face burn as humiliation rushed through her veins. She blurted, “So rude! How did your grandmother raise you?! Don’t you know that a mother’s family is everything?”

Her grandmother was Song Yimo’s only vulnerable spot—especially against this family of Yu Mei’s.

Song Yimo spun around sharply, her face and gaze icy. Though it was August, her voice seemed laced with frost. “You’re absolutely right—I don’t know that. Because I don’t have a responsible mother or a kind uncle, only an aunt who encourages her husband not to take care of his own mother. All these years, you’ve only taken advantage of my grandmother because she had no one to stand up for her. If my mother had been there for her family, would you dare treat her that way? Would Song Zhi? Before, you wanted me gone, but now that you see some advantage in me, you want to act close? You think I’m that gullible?”

The people passing by stopped in their tracks, whispering amongst themselves.

Song Yimo couldn’t care less whether someone in the crowd knew her or not; she couldn’t keep this bottled up. If she didn’t confront them now, she’d suffocate.

“Grandma tries to bring things over, and you won’t even let her in the door. If you have that much pride, then why don’t you stop taking what she brings? Stop eyeing the little bit of savings she has! You act like you’re doing her a favor just by giving her a chance to give you money whenever you come up with an excuse. Is that the ‘family values’ of the Yu family? You’ve been married into the Song family for over a decade. Have you ever cooked a single meal for Grandma? Bought her a single piece of clothing? Given her a single cent or done anything remotely filial? No, but you’ve bullied us plenty.”

Ever since that clash with Song Yimo two years ago, Yu Mei no longer dared underestimate her. But she hadn’t expected Song Yimo to air all of this dirty laundry in public. For things she’d done for years and taken as her due to be called out like this—it rattled her enough that her bluster slipped, her voice harsh but uncertain. “Song Yimo, stop making things up!”

“You know whether I’m making things up or not. You can say whatever you want about me, but don’t you dare say a word about Grandma. She raised Song Zhi, helped him marry, and didn’t do it all so you could make her life miserable.”

Anger coursed through her, making Song Yimo’s whole body tremble. Zhai Muyang simply held her close, letting her lean into him. With family matters like this, he remained an outsider; he could stand by her side, but it wouldn’t be right to intervene with words.

“From a distance, I thought I recognized your voice,” came a deep voice. Song Zhi pushed through the crowd, with Song Zixin trailing behind him, his face darkening at the scene. “Song Yimo, is that any way to speak to your elders?”

Yu Mei’s face instantly brightened, and she clung to Song Zhi’s arm as tears sprang to her eyes, playing the role of the wounded, delicate victim.

Watching her, Song Yimo thought, 'As soon as I get home, I’m writing a new story with a throwaway character named Yu Mei—may she never find peace.'