Meng Yan's Transformation

Chapter 659 My sister brought a young guest.

A morning breeze swept through the courtyard, carrying the scents of earth and grass. The cucumbers in the willow basket were vibrant green, with the "top student" cucumber that had sparked the argument lying quietly atop it, its yellow blossom not yet fully withered. A minor conflict over "consumption" versus "accumulation," "instant gratification" versus "long-term planning," coalesced on this ordinary summer morning over a single cucumber. The siblings' gazes met above the basket's rim, one reflecting the willful arrogance of a young boy, the other the unwavering calculation of a mature young woman.

The setting sun bathed the streets in a warm orange-red glow, and Zhan Mengyan's steps were as light as if she were walking on clouds. She gently patted the few coins she had earned from selling vegetables in her pocket, making a soft rustling sound, as if urging her to hurry home. Her father's surprised expression upon receiving the money, and his praise, "My daughter is so capable," had played out countless times in her mind. A smile unconsciously crept onto her lips; she could even imagine the moment her father's rough hands ruffled her hair—this small sense of pride was the sweetest treat of the summer.

Just then, a familiar voice came from ahead: "Xiao Yan!"

Mengyan stopped abruptly, her heart nearly skipping a beat. Wasn't that her sister's voice? But wasn't her sister working at a cannery in another city? She rubbed her eyes, unable to believe her ears.

"Sister... Sister?" she called out tentatively, her voice trembling slightly.

"It's me, Xiaoyan!" Her older sister walked briskly from the street corner, a familiar smile on her face, but a hint of weariness in her eyes.

Mengyan's tears welled up instantly. She almost rushed over and hugged her sister tightly, as if she wanted to melt all the longing of the past few months into that embrace. Her sister still smelled of the factory's distinctive machine oil, but Mengyan felt that it was the warmest smell in the world.

"I thought... I thought I was dreaming..." Mengyan sobbed, her voice muffled on her sister's shoulder.

"Silly girl, I'm back now, aren't I?" Her sister gently patted her back, her eyes glistening with tears.

In the distance, a young man watched this scene quietly. He wore a simple white shirt and jeans, holding a well-worn book in his hand, but he didn't open it. His gaze was fixed on Mengyan, carrying a hint of tenderness that was barely perceptible.

Zhan Yingying suddenly realized something, let go of Mengyan, turned around and waved to the boy: "Jianguo, come here, this is my Xiaoyan. She is in her first year of high school, and she will be in her second year when school starts."

The boy then walked over, a shy smile on his face. The older sister added, "This is Zhang Jianguo, the son of Dad's comrade-in-arms. He's in his second year of high school and will be a senior next semester. Our cannery is on holiday, and Mom told me in a letter that my sister-in-law, who was sent to the countryside, has returned to Jinzhou after the policy was implemented. My older brother's whole family has also returned to Jinzhou. I went to Jinzhou to visit my older brother's family after I came back from the cannery, and I also went to Uncle Zhang's house. Jianguo happened to be on summer vacation, so I brought him to our house as a guest."

Zhan Mengyan then noticed the boy's presence. She hurriedly wiped away her tears, a blush rising on her face, realizing that he must have seen her earlier outburst.

"Hello..." she said softly, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

The boy simply smiled slightly, revealing two adorable little tiger teeth: "Hello, Mengyan." His voice was deep and gentle, like a breeze that softly dispelled the awkwardness in Zhan Mengyan's heart.

Zhan Mengyan secretly observed the boy. His eyebrows were thick and black, like two slender willow leaves; his eyes were as bright as stars in the night sky; his nose was high and straight; and there was always a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. She suddenly felt a strange sense of security from this unfamiliar boy.

"Jianguo, have you ever been to Xinxing Township?" Mengyan asked, mustering her courage, her voice filled with curiosity.