Meng Yan's Transformation

Chapter 615 Guidance from the Class Representative for Chinese Language

When Fan Yingying spoke, she appeared confident and composed.

"Then I wish our class representative all the best in winning the championship for today's composition, so that the Young Swallows Literary Society will look at our Class 1, Grade 1 with new respect!"

When Zhan Mengyan spoke, she respectfully cupped her hands in a respectful gesture.

"I don't care about winning the championship, but we can't let our literature class lose face anymore. Our Chinese teacher, Xu Hongtao, is getting embarrassed. So, as the class representative, I'm determined to win this time and be selected to join the 'Young Swallow' literary society. Let me tell you a secret: under our Chinese teacher's guidance, I've written several compositions, and I'm handing them in today. I'm sure one of them will be selected..."

As Fan Yingying spoke, a smug expression appeared on her face.

"Zhan Mengyan, I've read your essay from last week carefully," Fan Yingying said, placing a stack of papers on the desk. Her voice was clear and caring, "The imagery is good, but the word choice and sentence structure could be more refined. For example, the image of 'whispers in spring' is a bit too common."

Zhan Mengyan looked up from a thick literary magazine, smiled gently, and said nothing. The back cover of the magazine in her hand was printed with the list of winners of the latest issue of the school's "Young Swallow Literary Society" in the city. Her pen name "Mengshi" was prominently listed, but the magazine was currently lying closed on the corner of the table.

Fan Yingying's silence was interpreted as a sign of humbly accepting instruction. She leaned closer, pointing to the words on the workbook: "And here, the transitions between paragraphs could be more subtle. You know, the literary society has very high standards for submission techniques." She lowered her voice, her tone sincere. "But don't worry too much. My friend knows a senior editor at the literary society. I'll talk to her and ask her to take a closer look at your manuscript. Maybe you'll become a member of the literary society soon. Good luck!"

A barely perceptible look of surprise flashed across Zhan Mengyan's eyes, which quickly turned into calm gratitude. She was certain that she had passed the literary society's rigorous anonymous review a month earlier and become a newly promoted member. However, she had always disliked being ostentatious and had never mentioned it to anyone. Faced with this proactive and well-intentioned "guidance" and "paving the way," she chose to remain silent, not wanting to put her classmate in an awkward position.

"Thank you so much, class representative," Zhan Mengyan replied politely, her tone sincere.

"Why are you being so polite with me?" Fan Yingying, having received the feedback she expected, seemed even more motivated. "I'm going to meet Liu Susu this weekend. You should prepare well, bring your work to her, and we'll revise it together to make a good impression on her." Fan Yingying began to elaborate on her insights into metaphor and rhythm, citing classical texts with focused concentration.

Zhan Mengyan listened quietly, occasionally nodding and jotting down notes in her notebook. Sunlight swept across the cover of the magazine she was holding, and also across Fan Yingying's freckled face, which was slightly flushed from the sunlight. In this scene, she silently accepted the situation based on careful consideration, until someone called out at the classroom door: "Fan Yingying..." Only then did Fan Yingying leave with her manuscript paper and composition book, completely satisfied.

Zhan Mengyan gently opened the journal, her gaze sweeping over her own name, then closed it again and placed it in the innermost layer of her schoolbag, as if guarding a secret that needed no words. Throughout the entire process, not a single word was uttered to break through that thin layer of paper. Discretion and kindness achieved a delicate balance in this spring classroom.