Meng Yan's Transformation

When Zhan Mengyan saw Zhang Xincheng coming, she picked up her book and walked away.

"Zixun, what's going on? Zhan Mengyan is still angry? She avoided me when she saw me. I came to apologize, but she didn't even give me a chance. She treated me like the plague."

Zhang Xincheng was talking to Zhan Zixun, but turned around to look at Zhan Mengyan's departing back. He wanted to call her but didn't dare to say it out loud.

"Zhang Xincheng, don't bother with Zhan Mengyan. If she wants to act like a spoiled brat, then let her. The more you care about her, the more she'll act. If you ignore her, she'll figure it out in a few days and calm down naturally. Besides, it was your dad who said that when he was drunk, not you. As the saying goes: every wrong has its perpetrator. It's wrong for Zhan Mengyan to take her anger out on you because of your dad. You have to hold on, and don't apologize every time she gets angry. You'll spoil her bad habits! Come, let's do the exercises together."

While Zhan Zixun was speaking, he handed the exercises to Zhang Xincheng.

Zhang Xincheng took the exercise book and gave an awkward smile.

"This matter is still my father's fault. He always likes to talk nonsense when he drinks and is annoying. Zhan Mengyan is a little girl, so naturally she doesn't like to deal with drunkards. I am also the son of an alcoholic, so it is only natural that she takes her anger out on me. It is only natural that the son pays the father's debts."

When Zhang Xincheng spoke, his eyes were full of loss and self-blame.

"Oh, it's not a big deal. Don't worry, Zhan Mengyan will be fine in a few days. She's stuck in a rut now. Just give her some time. The more you rush to pull her out of this rut, the more she'll get stuck in it. Ignoring her is the best way."

While Zhan Zixun was speaking, he continued to do his exercises without raising his head.

"Where's my fourth uncle? When I came out, my dad was still sleeping. Wasn't he drunk yesterday? My dad came home from your house last night and vomited several times, so my mother didn't get a good rest all night. I wanted to apologize to you and then study with you and Zhan Mengyan for a while. Now Zhan Mengyan is still angry, and I can't act as if nothing happened and do exercises with you here. I'd better go home and help my brother manage the blacksmith shop. Like you said, I'll come to your house again after Zhan Mengyan calms down."

While Zhang Xincheng was speaking, he stood up and left.

"Oh, Zhang Xincheng, why are you acting like a little girl? A real man should be able to bend and stretch. Don't worry about trivial matters. My father didn't vomit last night, he just slept soundly. He woke up once, drank some water, and went back to sleep. He got up early this morning and went to the township government again. He was in a hurry to find his files."

While Zhan Zixun was speaking, he pulled Zhang Xincheng to sit down.

"No, I really have to go home. I'm afraid my father will get drunk and go to the township government office. Yesterday he kept scolding Ai Jinhua, who manages the archives. He even said he used an axe to chop up the drawer where she locked the archives, and then used the axe to chop Ai Jinhua. It took me a lot of effort to calm Dad down. I'm leaving now, and I didn't tell you. I think he should be awake by now."

As Zhang Xincheng spoke, he broke free from Zhan Zixun's hand and hurried towards the door.

"Okay, then I'll go with you. I'm going to the township government office to look for my dad. He left without breakfast this morning, saying he wanted to get in line early. He's used to waiting in line when he petitioned in Baotou. There aren't that many people looking for files at the township government office. I guess the staff haven't started work yet."

While Zhan Zixun was speaking, he walked into the yard with Zhang Xincheng.

"Mom, where's our bicycle? Did Dad take it away?"

While Zhan Zixun was talking, he was looking for his bicycle in the yard.

"Your father didn't ride a bicycle. He walked to the township government. Zhan Mengyan took the bicycle. She used it to carry bags of peanuts to the supply and marketing cooperative. She said she would carry them home and shell the peanuts for the supply and marketing cooperative to earn some labor fees. Xincheng, why are you leaving right after you arrived?"

As Yunqing spoke, she stood at the door, wiping the water off her hands with her apron.