Meng Yan's Transformation

Chapter 619 Walking on the Street Back to School

Before visiting her great-aunt, Zhan Mengyan was filled with lingering worry. Her great-aunt's sickly state in her dream made her constantly concerned about her health, especially given her advanced age; she worried that if she were to fall ill, recovery would be difficult. However, upon actually seeing her great-aunt, her anxiety finally subsided. Her great-aunt was in good spirits, with a rosy complexion, moving freely and enthusiastically recounting recent events. She inquired about Zhan Mengyan's school life with concern, displaying her usual loving kindness. Seeing her great-aunt's good health, most of Zhan Mengyan's previous worries instantly vanished.

Leaving my great-aunt's house and embarking on my journey back to school, my steps unconsciously became lighter. The streets of Northeast China in April and May are a whisper of winter and spring, a contest between cold and warmth. The northern wind still carries a hint of reserved coolness. The trees lining the streets are the protagonists of this seasonal change. Poplars and willows awaken first, their branches sprouting new green buds like countless tiny hands swaying gently in the wind. The poplar leaves are pale yellow, covered with a layer of down, like newborn babies timidly observing the world. The willow branches are soft as silk, hanging down as thousands of green curtains, swaying in the wind like… Along the girl's skirt, one can occasionally see a few old locust trees, their branches thick and their bark cracked like the wrinkles of an old man, yet each tree sprouts a few new leaves at its tip, stubbornly proclaiming the continuation of life. In the roadside flowerbeds and green belts, wildflowers and cultivated flowers intertwine to create a vibrant tapestry. Dandelions are the earliest harbingers of spring, their yellow blossoms like tiny suns scattered on a green carpet. In a few days, the dandelion flowers will turn into white fluffy balls, drifting in the wind, as if telling a story of a distant place. Cultivated forsythia branches are covered with bright yellow flowers, like strings of tiny bells. The flowering plum blossoms are in full bloom, their pink petals layered upon each other, like clouds fallen to earth. Occasionally, one can also see a few lilac bushes, their purple blossoms emitting a faint fragrance, attracting passersby to stop and admire them. In the corners of the streets or at the base of walls, there are often some inconspicuous but vibrant little lives. Moss spreads on the moist soil, forming patches of green carpet. Wild grass sprouts from the cracks in the bricks or stones, and its tender green leaves are like small mirrors that can reflect people's images. Occasionally, you can also see a few ants or butterflies flitting among the grass. Their busy figures add a touch of liveliness to the quiet streets.

Zhan Mengyan looked up at the sky again—the sky was exceptionally blue, the clouds were as white as cotton, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the street. Occasionally, elderly people sat on benches along the roadside, basking in the sun with contented smiles, seemingly enjoying this rare warmth. Children, dressed in light clothing, ran and played in the street, their laughter echoing like a string of silver bells in the air. Zhan Mengyan's mood at that moment was perfectly aligned with this. Worries about schoolwork and the future seemed to temporarily recede, and her heart felt as clear and bright as a polished pane of glass. This visit to her great-aunt was like a soothing balm; seeing her aunt's health firsthand was more powerful than any comforting words. Zhan Mengyan walked through the familiar streets and alleys, seeing every tree, every flower, every blade of grass, each telling a story of life's resilience in its own way. Walking on these streets, she seemed to hear the breath of the seasons and feel the passage of time.

With the school gate in sight, Zhan Mengyan felt a sense of peace and warmth, and was calm about everything that was to come.