Meng Yan's Transformation

Chapter 572 Steamed Buns in the Cafeteria

"Sister Wang, stop looking at this and get back to work!"

As the young man spoke, he handed Sister Wang a pen and placed the three-part receipt book in front of her.

"Zheng Huaiyong, you're quick on your feet! You came to my office and brought me all my office supplies in no time. You must have seen this pretty girl and want me to process her paperwork quickly, right?"

As Sister Wang spoke, she glanced at Zheng Huaiyong with a teasing look.

"Sister Wang, what are you saying? I was just trying to save you time. After I finished the paperwork for this student, you can have a nice breakfast. You don't appreciate it, and you're even making fun of me. What good does it do you to make me look bad?"

Zheng Huaiyong's face turned red as he spoke.

"You've got some conscience, kid. Now go to my office again and get the official seal from my desk drawer. I'll start working right here in the cafeteria."

As Sister Wang spoke, she tossed a key to Zheng Huaiyong.

Zhan Mengyan took out her grain coupons and placed them on the table in front of "Sister Wang".

Just as "Sister Wang" finished writing the invoice, Zheng Huaiyong brought over the official seal and inkpad.

After completing the formalities, Zhan Mengyan thanked "Sister Wang" and Zheng Huaiyong before leaving the cafeteria.

Zheng Huaiyong caught up from behind and stuffed a steamed bun into Zhan Mengyan's hand.

"You must not have had breakfast yet, have a steamed bun first, see you at noon!"

When Zheng Huaiyong spoke, he sounded like a shy little girl running back to the cafeteria.

Before Zhan Mengyan could react, Zheng Huaiyong had already disappeared when she turned around.

"Why is this girl only now going through the procedures to transfer her meal tickets? She's from Xinxing Township, which is more than 20 miles away from our high school. I heard that this girl used to run to the dormitory every day, which must have been very hard."

Through the window, I could hear "Sister Wang's" voice coming from the cafeteria.

"This girl is so beautiful, she's completely mesmerized by our brother Zheng Huaiyong."

"What nonsense are you talking about? I wasn't staring at her."

"What's wrong with that? Even I, a woman, was staring at her. She's so beautiful, even prettier than the beauties on calendars. Everyone loves beauty, what's wrong with admitting it?! If you didn't see someone this beautiful, you'd have wasted your eyes."

"This is what they call 'beauty is often accompanied by hardship.' Her family must be poor, otherwise why would she only come to make a meal reservation now and have to run around every day?"

"She only orders meals, not dishes. She's a Hui girl, right? Last semester there was a Hui girl who only ordered meals from our cafeteria, not dishes. She transferred to another school later."

"..."

Holding the steamed bun, Zhan Mengyan felt a warmth in her heart.

The steamed buns were plump and round, the dough smooth as satin as it came out of the steamer, exuding a pure wheat aroma. Holding them in her hands, she could feel their solid and moist warmth, a warmth that spread through her palms to her whole body, reminding her of the moment when her mother would lift the lid of the steamer in front of the stove during the Lunar New Year when she was a child, the same white steam rising, the same fragrance of grains...

"I miss my mom so much! When will she come back?"

Zhan Mengyan snapped out of her thoughts, carefully broke open the steamed bun, and the delicate honeycomb structure inside was exposed to the morning light. The rising steam blurred her vision. When she took the first bite, the sweet wheat aroma filled her mouth. This simple food was suddenly given a deeper meaning - it was not only food to fill her stomach, but also the most genuine care between people.

Zhan Mengyan carefully wrapped the remaining steamed buns and put them in her pocket. The lingering warmth was like an invisible embrace. On this chilly spring morning, the kindness from the cafeteria chef made her realize that the warmest moments in life are often hidden in the most ordinary daily routines, providing enough warmth for a lifetime.