Meng Yan's Transformation

Chapter 621 Zhan Yingying Goes to Take Work Photos

Zhan Mengyan lowered her head, tightly grasping Zhan Yingying's scarred hands, holding them for a long time. A wave of intense heartache and pain washed over her, her throat tightening. What she couldn't say was that in those rough palms, she felt far more than just hardship; it was a heavy, silent sacrifice and love. These hands deeply connected her to her hometown, to the resilience of her family. In the years to come, wherever she went, she would remember that summer afternoon, when she held her sister's entire youth and unwavering devotion.

"It's alright. My hands are naturally suited for farm work, and yours are naturally suited for holding a pen—look! Your hands are slender and long, while my fingers are short and thick. Come on, stop looking, let's go to the photo studio."

As Zhan Yingying spoke, she pulled her hand back from Zhan Mengyan's.

"Sis, look, there are still quite a few people in the photo studio. Let's wait here for a while. We'll go in when it gets less crowded. What do you need a photo taken at the photo studio today?"

As Zhan Mengyan spoke, Zhan Yingying looked up and saw the tightly packed crowd inside the photo studio through the glass window.

"Okay, I'll stay a little longer before going in, as you say. I... I took this as a work photo. My sister is leaving; she's going to work in another city... I'm going to work at a cannery in Yi'an County..."

When Zhan Yingying spoke, her gaze drifted into the distance, and her voice was as soft as a leaf falling to the ground.

Zhan Mengyan's heart sank. Yi'an County? That's a very far-off place.

"Why so suddenly..." Zhan Mengyan's throat tightened.

Zhan Yingying gave a bitter smile, her eyes slightly red: "The factory is hiring, saying it includes room and board, and I can earn a hundred yuan a month. But then there's Zixun's tuition... Mom's medicine money... and my relationship with Zhang Defu broke up. He didn't want it to end, and he kept harassing us at our house. My cousin's wife also came to our house demanding compensation. I wanted to date Zhang Defu so we could help and support each other, but after I finished planting our own land, I was busy with Zhang's land. I'd just finished weeding our land when I had to go and hoe Zhang's. I was so exhausted. Zhang Defu is a rich kid; he can't do the farm work. I'm so busy with both families' land... sigh, Zhang Defu's parents are reluctant to use their own sons and daughters, but they're willing to let me, their fiancée, help them hoe the fields. They think I'm free labor... I should go work in another city; I can earn money and get rid of Zhang Defu's harassment..."

Zhan Yingying didn't say anything more, but just ruffled Zhan Mengyan's hair with a clumsy but gentle touch, like when she was a child coaxing her younger sister to sleep.

"Let's go take pictures. When your sister has saved enough money, she'll buy you new clothes and delicious food."

Zhan Mengyan looked up at Zhan Yingying. Suddenly, she felt a lump in her throat, but she forced herself not to let the tears fall. She just nodded hard, her nails digging deep into her palms, leaving crescent-shaped marks.

The summer sun, like melting honey, thickly coats the glass doors of the photo studio, while the wind chimes above the door tinkle softly, creating a tapestry of light and shadow.

Zhan Yingying and Zhan Mengyan pushed open the door and came in. The stray hairs on their foreheads were soaked with sweat and stuck to their skin.

Zhan Yingying took out a faded handkerchief and clumsily wiped the sweat from Zhan Mengyan's forehead. When her fingertips inadvertently traced Zhan Mengyan's cheek, she felt a slight chill—was it a tear stain? She didn't dare to ask.

The two sisters sat side by side in front of the camera, Zhan Yingying's old cloth shoes brushing against Zhan Mengyan's brand new sandals, like two leaves from different seasons accidentally touching.