Meng Yan's Transformation

A gust of wind blew by, and Zhan Mengyan tightened her grip on her sister's arm, her voice clear and strong: "Sister, if you're not satisfied, don't be awkward or force yourself. Go home and talk to Mom and Dad clearly, and ask them to break off the engagement. It's not a big deal. You deserve someone who truly understands you and has light in their eyes, not just a 'suitable marriage partner'."

Zhan Yingying turned her head and looked into Zhan Mengyan's bright, encouraging eyes. The heavy weight pressing on her heart seemed to dissipate somewhat in the evening breeze. She took a deep breath of the cool air, slowly exhaling, and her tightly pursed lips finally relaxed, revealing a relieved yet bittersweet smile. She didn't answer immediately, but instead gripped Zhan Mengyan's hand tightly and continued walking forward. The moonlight overlapped their shadows. This time, Zhan Yingying's steps seemed lighter than before. The road ahead was still long, but at least she wasn't facing it alone.

As dusk deepened, Yunqing had been waiting at the courtyard gate for a long time. Upon seeing Zhan Mengyan and Zhan Yingying, an expectant smile immediately appeared on her face, and she quickly went to greet them.

"You're finally back!" Yunqing grabbed Zhan Yingying's hand, her eyes eagerly searching her face, her voice filled with barely suppressed joy. "Tell Mom quickly, how did the trip go? What did you think of Zhang Defu...? Were you satisfied? Did you get along well?"

The courtyard was dimly lit, reflecting the fine wrinkles around Yunqing's eyes and illuminating the almost overflowing anticipation in them—a light that was a mixture of years of longing and fleeting hope, burning and heavy.

Zhan Yingying opened her mouth, but the awkwardness and silence of the blind date welled up in her throat. Zhang Defu's closeness made her uncomfortable, and she wanted to escape. They just couldn't talk to each other. Most of the time, there was a suffocating silence, and it was only thanks to her sister's cleverness that she was able to smooth things over.

Zhan Yingying was eager to reveal the whole truth.

Zhan Mengyan, who was standing at the back, suddenly coughed softly.

Zhan Yingying glanced at Zhan Mengyan subconsciously, only to see Zhan Mengyan frowning slightly, shaking her head almost imperceptibly, her eyes directed at Yunqing—at her mother's face, which was bright with expectation, and at her mother's hand, which was unconsciously gripping the corner of her apron, her knuckles turning white. It was a pause full of implications.

Zhan Yingying felt a lump in her throat. Her gaze returned to Yunqing's face as she studied it closely. Her mother's smile was so genuine, and the light in her eyes almost reminded her of the bright radiance her mother had shown when she talked about her youth many years ago. This joy was so concrete yet fragile, like glass that would shatter at the slightest touch.

When Zhan Yingying's words were about to come out, those honest confessions about "not being suitable," "having nothing to say," and "feeling something was wrong" were swallowed back silently after a few turns of time. They turned into a soft sigh and disappeared into the cool air of the early spring evening.

"He's...quite honest." Zhan Yingying heard her own voice ring out, more peaceful than she had imagined, even carrying a gentleness she herself hadn't noticed. "His parents are also very welcoming, and their house is very clean."

The light in Yunqing's eyes suddenly shone even brighter, as if her heart had finally settled back into a sense of peace. She repeatedly said, "That's good, that's good. As long as my daughter is satisfied, that's all that matters!" Yunqing turned and walked into the house, her steps seeming lighter. She began to chatter on about how to interact with her daughter and what she should pay attention to.