Meng Yan's Transformation

Zhang Defu hesitated for a moment, then tried to flee the scene. Zhan Mengyan grabbed him and pulled him to the table, saying, "Defu, why don't you sit next to your sister?"

Zhang Defu smiled bitterly, not knowing what to do, and looked at Zhang Xiaojuan with pleading eyes.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Just sit wherever your sister Mengyan tells you to sit."

As Zhang Xiaojuan spoke, she rearranged the dishes on the table and gave an awkward smile.

The two sisters ate lunch at Zhang's house a little late. They stood up several times, but were "warmly persuaded" to stop, which made the mealtime longer, and lunch turned into dinner.

After dinner, Zhang's mother, Li Fengzhen, and the whole family urged Zhan Yingying to stay at Zhang's house for the night.

"Sister Yingying, it's been a long time since we had a heart-to-heart talk. Let's have a good chat tonight."

Zhang Xiaojuan also tried to persuade them to stay.

When Zhan Yingying got up to say goodbye for the third time, Li Fengzhen grabbed Zhan Yingying's hand once again.

"What's the rush? Sit a little longer and have some fruit."

Li Fengzhen, holding a plate of freshly cut fruit, stood in front of Zhan Yingying with a beaming smile. "Look, it's still early. Having some fruit after dinner helps with digestion. Let's chat for a while longer."

A fleeting look of embarrassment crossed Zhan Yingying's face. She subconsciously glanced back at the wall clock; the hour hand had already passed eight o'clock in the evening. Her lips moved slightly, trying to find another excuse, but her voice remained polite yet dry and weak: "Auntie, it's really late. Tomorrow... I have to get up early to take my sister to school."

A familiar, sticky awkwardness hung in the air. Zhang Defu sat in his chair, hesitant to speak, while his father fiddled with his teacup, as if it were a work of art requiring complete concentration. This overly enthusiastic attempt to persuade him to stay had become a regular feature at the end of Zhan Ying's visits, well-intentioned but exhausting.

Just then, Zhan Mengyan, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, stood up. She picked up her sister's coat, walked briskly to her sister's side, and naturally took her sister's arm.

“Auntie, we are really touched by your kindness.” Zhan Mengyan’s voice was clear and crisp, with just the right amount of apology and affection. “However, just before we left, Mom specifically told us to go to Auntie’s house, saying that there was an emergency at home and that my sister must go back to help deal with it.”

As Zhan Mengyan spoke, she subtly draped a coat over her sister's shoulders, smoothly and imperceptibly drawing her sister away from Li Fengzhen's grasp.

This sudden "family emergency" was like a pebble thrown into clear water, instantly breaking the deadlock.

Li Fengzhen was taken aback for a moment, then showed an understanding expression: "Oh dear, is there an emergency at home? Then we really can't delay you. Be careful on the road, and come visit us again next time!"

"Of course, thank you so much for your hospitality, Uncle and Aunt. The food was especially delicious."

Zhan Mengyan smiled and agreed. She nodded to Zhang Defu and his family, then gently put her arm around Zhan Yingying's shoulder, turned around and pushed open the door.

"Sister Mengyan, may I borrow some comic books from you?"

As Zhang Defu spoke, she walked towards Zhan Mengyan with several comic books in her hand.

Seeing Zhang Defu's longing eyes, Zhan Mengyan couldn't refuse: "Okay, then I'll borrow one. I'll read the rest with you next time I come."

As Zhan Mengyan spoke, she took a copy of "Nezha Conquers the Dragon King" from Zhang Defu's hand and patted Zhang Defu's round head.

The cool evening breeze dissipated the heat and heaviness inside the room.

Only after leaving the Zhang family compound and reaching the main road did Zhan Yingying finally let out a long sigh of relief. Her tense shoulders relaxed.

"What urgent matter could possibly happen at Third Aunt's house?" Zhan Yingying asked in a low voice, her tone filled with a complex mix of relief and unease.

Zhan Mengyan winked mischievously: "Psychological matters are also urgent matters. I think if you go down there any longer, you'll dig a hole in Old Zhang's house with your toes."