Meng Yan's Transformation

Chapter 610 Retention

Zhan Yingying stood there, watching her mother's back, which seemed much more relaxed. Zhan Mengyan quietly approached. She took her arm and gently squeezed it with her fingers. Everything was understood without words. Outside the courtyard gate, the night deepened, gently concealing the unspoken words and the unyielding expectation.

The next day, Zhan Mengyan, Zhan Yue, Zhang Xincheng, and Zhan Zixun went to school together.

Since Zhan Yue has returned to school, Zhan Mengyan wants to make room for her and decides to take over the dormitory service herself. Zhan Yue repeatedly tries to persuade her to share a bed with her, but Zhan Mengyan refuses.

"Zhan Mengyan, why don't you share a bed with Zhan Yue? Running around to the dorms is too tiring. Let's all squeeze in and wait until the school assigns you a bed before you leave."

The dormitory head also tried to persuade Zhan Mengyan to stay.

"Yes, yes, Zhan Mengyan, don't go to the hotel anymore. I've been living with you for so long, I'm already a little reluctant to see you leave..."

"It's so good to be together with you, how can you bear to leave us?"

"..."

Her roommates all chimed in, urging Zhan Mengyan to stay.

Zhan Mengyan smiled as she looked at the slightly cramped dormitory-style bed—the mattresses were close together, and her own space was simply divided by a curtain or a stack of books. She had been staying in her cousin Zhan Yue's bed for nearly three months. This slightly narrow bed in the corner was Zhan Yingying's warmest haven since starting high school.

"This dormitory is already very crowded. I'm sorry to have bothered you all during this time. Thank you for taking care of me."

As Zhan Mengyan spoke, she continued tidying up her things—gathering the books scattered on the bedside table, folding the quilt, and stuffing her toiletries into the basin under the bed. Her roommates returned one after another, and seeing Zhan Mengyan tidying up her things, they all stopped what they were doing.

"Zhan Mengyan, what are you doing?" asked Li Caihong, who was sleeping in the next bunk, holding a freshly washed apple in her hand.

"My sister is back, so I have to make room for her in bed," Zhan Mengyan explained, continuing to tidy up.

The dormitory was quiet for a moment. Li Linlin, who was sleeping on the middle bed, put down the notes she was organizing and walked over directly, pressing down on Zhan Mengyan's hand as she rolled up her bedding: "Who said you disturbed us? Your sister is back, so she's back. You've lived in this bed for several months and it's already half full. Where are you going if you leave? Running away from home is absolutely not allowed. It's not safe for a girl like you to walk alone at night."

“Exactly,” Li Caihong chimed in, “Zhan Mengyan rides the No. 20 bus after evening self-study, running to the dormitory every day. It’s tiring and unsafe. Now that your sister is back, we can squeeze into this big dormitory. It’s not like we can’t fit everyone. The liveliness of this dormitory is different whether there’s one more or one less person, but we’ve never chosen the width.” Her words drew quiet agreement from several other female classmates.

Cousin Zhan Yue stood to the side, her eyes slightly red. She took Zhan Mengyan's hand, her voice trembling slightly, "Mengyan, I'm really touched that you made room for me, but you should respect the kindness of your classmates. You're leaving as soon as I get back? Then I'll just go home and continue taking care of my mom." Her eyes were full of gratitude, as if to say: Family ties and the community are equally precious.

"Sister, you've fallen behind on so much schoolwork. Studying is important, but you need to rest well. I'll find a place to stay soon..." Zhan Mengyan tried to make her tone sound relaxed.

Zhan Mengyan hesitated, struggling internally. She wanted not to burden her cousin Zhan Yue, but she was also reluctant to leave this familiar little home.

The first spring rain started falling outside the window, and it grew heavier and heavier, but it couldn't dampen the warmth inside the dormitory.