Meng Yan's Transformation

Chapter 581 Drinking Brown Sugar Water

"What funny thing happened? You seem so happy!"

As Zhan Yu spoke, he returned from a house call with his medicine box on his back.

"Fourth Uncle, you're finally back! We've been waiting for you."

As Zhang Defu spoke, he stood up, poured Zhan Yu a glass of water, and handed it to him as naturally as if he were the master of the house.

"Didn't I already tell your fourth aunt not to wait for me? I'm never back from a house call on time, and I can't let your parents worry at home. Let me wash my hands first, and then we'll head out together?"

As Zhan Yu spoke, he took a sip of water and put down the cup. Zhang Defu hurriedly poured water into the sink for Zhan Yu. His movements were so smooth and natural that everyone was stunned. Everyone except Zhang Defu glanced at him knowingly.

Zhan Mengyan reluctantly followed her family to Zhang Defu's house for a "small meal." Along the way, Zhang Defu talked incessantly, and Zhan Mengyan, walking at the back, felt particularly awkward looking at Zhang Defu's bell-bottoms. She followed silently.

When we arrived at Zhang Defu's house, we saw that the courtyard had been cleaned and tidied up.

The kitchen in Zhang Defu's house was bustling with activity, as "Big Sister-in-law" and four other women were working diligently.

When "Big Sister-in-law" saw Zhan Yu arrive with his whole family, she hurriedly put down what she was doing and joined Zhang Defu's parents in greeting them.

As everyone entered the main room, Zhang Defu's fingers trembled slightly with nervousness. He opened the sugar jar three times before finally scooping out just the right two spoonfuls. The brown sugar cubes melted in the boiling water, making a soft, crackling sound, like a frozen river thawing in spring. This sugar was something Zhang Defu's mother, Li Fengzhen, had traded for with soybeans last year and had kept hidden deep in the cupboard, waiting for this important moment. When Zhang Defu poured warm water into the porcelain bowl and stirred it with chopsticks, the sweet aroma filled the entire room with the swirling eddies.

When Zhang Defu carefully placed the brown sugar water on the octagonal table, the rising steam shimmered into a golden mist in the sunlight. The rough porcelain bowl had a faint glaze on its rim, and the sugar that had settled at the bottom of the bowl slowly swirled in the hot water, turning the clear water a translucent amber color.

Zhan Yingying sat on the bench with her eyelids lowered, her flushed cheeks echoing the sugar water in her bowl. She heard the soft sound of the bowl hitting the table, and when she looked up, she met Zhang Defu's uneasy gaze. Zhang Defu's sleek, parted hair gleamed, and the collar of his newly changed white shirt under his leather jacket was stiff from starching; every detail exuded an awkward solemnity.

The people gathered at the door suddenly fell silent, all staring at the bowl of sweet soup—this sweet soup was not only a courtesy to guests, but also an unspoken code.

Zhan Yingying's fingers encircled the warm bowl, her fingertips gently tracing the rough porcelain texture. She saw undissolved sugar crystals at the bottom of the bowl, like shattered stars sinking into an amber-colored river.

When Zhan Yingying finally lowered her head and took her first sip, the children watching cheered softly. The sweet soup slid down her throat and into her heart. She looked up and smiled faintly at Zhang Defu, who was holding his breath nervously. This smile made the spring willow catkins seem to land on his brow. The matchmaker, "Big Sister-in-law," slapped her knee, and the two sets of parents exchanged relieved glances. The sunshine and the anticipated sweet soup became the prelude to the young couple's romance.

The matchmaker, "Big Sister-in-law," poured sweet soup for everyone. She smiled broadly, her mouth almost curving to her ears, revealing her neat teeth. It was as if sunlight filled the entire room. Her eyes were also squinted into slits, with fine wrinkles at the corners, like crescent moons, sparkling with satisfaction. Apple cheeks rose, and fine wrinkles of joy rippled on both sides of her face. She looked exceptionally energetic. This smile was full of a sense of accomplishment, as if she had completed an important mission, and even the surrounding air was filled with a warm atmosphere.