Momo's Gradual Change - VOL. 1

C198. Big Brother's Fury.

Chapter 198: Big Brother's Fury

Song Yimo took a deep breath before answering the call. "Hello, Teacher Chen."

"I saw the newspaper, Yimo. You need to prepare yourself—this will keep escalating," Chen Biling’s tone was calm and measured. "You’ve stayed out of the public eye, haven’t even been to school. People can’t help but think you’re aloof. Even some teachers have formed opinions. News like this can really harm your reputation."

"Teacher Chen, that’s not my intention. I just don’t want to be on TV, or to have my life twisted in reports. Every year, the top scorers get pestered about their study methods. If I say it's just paying attention in class, no one would believe me. I just wanted to avoid all this... I didn’t expect things to get out of hand."

"I’ve been your homeroom teacher for three years—I know what kind of person you are. No need to worry about that. I didn’t call to scold you, just to give you a heads-up. As our province’s top scorer, the press will be interested. This isn’t going away anytime soon. Stay calm, alright? The school will back you up."

Warmth flooded Song Yimo’s heart, and she made a soft sound of agreement.

"This isn’t a big deal, but it isn’t nothing either. To control the impact, the Education Bureau may send someone to investigate, and provincial media might get involved. Unlike local tabloids, they won’t make up stories. In fact, they might already be investigating quietly in town. You’ve always been level-headed and polite; there’s nothing for them to find fault with. Let them check—what we don’t want is for them not to check. Just stay home and stay calm, alright?"

"I understand, Teacher Chen."

After a few more words, Chen Biling ended the call, hurriedly reaching for another number. She hesitated, then set down the receiver, grabbing her keys as she left. This needed to be handled in person.

Meanwhile, Song Yimo lowered her head, pulling up her brother’s number but hesitating to call. Just seeing the name "Dage" stirred a wave of bitterness in her heart.

Listening in, Hu Xuehong had gathered most of the situation. Hearing the school's stance, she relaxed. "Teacher Chen’s right. Nothing to fear from them looking into this; we’ll wait and see. Let’s see if they find proof of that family’s shamelessness, or if they paint you as cold and unfeeling."

Song Yimo pressed down on the power button, turning off her phone and throwing it into a drawer. Reporters had a knack for finding numbers; this was the safest option.

"Xuehong, could you go by Zuo Chun’s food stall and give her a heads-up? The classmates know you’re close to me, and Zuo Chun’s easy to track down. They’ll probably try to reach her."

"I’d love it if they did," Hu Xuehong said, pulling Song Yimo into a hug. "Don’t worry—we’re not scared of anything."

"Right." Song Yimo patted her friend’s back. "With you guys here, I’m not afraid."

The room quieted to just the hum of the air conditioning. Song Yimo climbed up to sit by the window, unmoving for a long time.

No, she wasn’t afraid.

In her eighteen years, there were only two secrets she couldn’t share with anyone. The first was that she had somehow returned to being fifteen; the second, her love for her elder brother. Neither had anything to do with the accusations from Song Zhi's family. She wasn’t afraid of scrutiny.

And she had her brother.

As thoughts of him filled her mind, her expression softened. He would protect her, no matter what.

In the office of the sanatorium, Zhai Muyang stared at the newspaper Zhou Mo had brought him. His hands shook with rage as he nearly tore the page in half. He slapped it down on his desk, dialing the direct line to the secretary’s office, his anger fierce and unrestrained.

"Secretary Ren, this is Zhai Muyang. How can the Xinghu Daily, as Xinghu County's mouthpiece, publish such a reckless article? They launched a personal attack on my sister based on one-sided claims—I demand an explanation."

Secretary He, still sweating from a scolding by the Party Secretary, felt an immense relief upon taking this call. With Zhai Muyang’s current standing, he could easily call the Secretary directly. If that happened, the Secretary would be furious, and who would bear the brunt?

Naturally, it would fall on him, the primary assistant. He’d remember this favor.

Everyone knew how much Zhai Muyang cared for his ‘adopted sister.’ He’d even said more than once that if it hadn’t been for Song Yimo, he wouldn’t have invested in Xinghu County at all.

And it wasn’t just about the added tax revenue from the tourist areas; the state-of-the-art sanatorium alone had brought countless benefits to the county’s leadership, benefits that no one would discuss openly.

Profiting from someone and then undermining them?

That simply wasn’t how things worked.

"Rest assured, Mr. Zhai," Secretary He replied smoothly. "The Secretary has made it clear that Miss Song, who has brought such honor to Xinghu County, will receive a fair and proper explanation."

Zhai Muyang slammed down the phone, but his anger still simmered, uncontainable.

Zhou Mo, who had been waiting nearby after bringing his mother in for a check-up, flicked the ash from his cigarette. "What’s there to get angry about? A few petty clowns like that will only end up in their own trap."

Zhai Muyang agreed—he had no doubt these troublemakers would ruin themselves. But seeing anyone disparage Song Yimo was more than he could tolerate. Ignoring his other business, he snatched his car keys and headed for the door.

"Wait, wait." Zhou Mo had predicted this reaction; he’d seen it too many times to even bother teasing him about it anymore. "Give me two more minutes. Some investors changed their minds and want in on the project now, with a substantial sum. Are you open to it?"

"No." Zhai Muyang’s answer was curt and final, his foul mood leaving no room for negotiation. "When I approached them earlier, they acted like I was there begging for money. Let them keep their pride intact—I’ll see them out from where I stand."

Zhai Muyang shot Zhou Mo a glance. "You knew I wouldn’t accept, so why bother bringing it up? Is this a personal favor or something to do with the You family?"

Zhou Mo shrugged. "Neither. I was just swayed by the amount of funding they were offering."

"We have enough funding. More won’t make a difference now. Keep an eye on things—if anyone messes up and the stock market crashes prematurely, everyone will bleed. Wu Mu is still new in this field. If something like that happens, they’ll be in trouble."

The person most at risk would be Yang Shusheng. Zhou Mo wisely left this unsaid. Lao Zhai might not be close to Yang Shusheng, but he hadn’t forgotten that Yang Shusheng had come through for Song Yimo. That was the real way to win Zhai Muyang over; the old fox would understand this.

Perhaps this was for the best. Yang Shusheng’s invaluable network was wasted on the two inept heirs of the Yang family. In Zhai Muyang’s hands, those connections would be truly effective.

Seeing Zhai Muyang nearly out the door, Zhou Mo called after him, "Wu Mu’s schedule is packed; they won’t be able to come tomorrow. Ma Bo is already in Mangshi; he’ll join me there."

Zhai Muyang turned back, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "Aunt likes Yimo. Bring her along; it’ll make her happy."

"Of course. She’s already picked out a gift in advance."

Zhai Muyang nodded, dialing Song Yimo’s number as he walked out. The automated voice informed him that her phone was turned off. Muttering a curse, he quickened his pace toward his car.

Song Yimo rarely turned off her phone; she must have seen the article.

He wouldn’t forget that reporter. He’d bide his time—after this blows over, they’ll see the consequences.