Meng Yan's Transformation

Chapter 636 My cousin left first.

The summer vacation bells rang, and a lazy yet expectant atmosphere filled the campus. Zhan Mengyan stuffed the last few notebooks into her backpack, the zipper slamming shut, as if marking the end of one phase and the official start of summer vacation. She quietly closed the classroom door, backpack on her back and books in her arms, and walked briskly through the familiar corridor, her steps tinged with a hint of reluctance. She was thinking: staying at school a few more days would make it easier to get a part-time job at the cannery. She was also thinking about her cousin. In previous summers, they always went to the cannery together, chatting as they worked. Her cousin's laughter and the sight of her helping pack the cans made the monotonous work much easier, and the days flew by. This year, she naturally looked forward to her cousin's company. A smile unconsciously crept onto Zhan Mengyan's lips, as if she could already see herself and her cousin bustling about at the cannery, their laughter echoing through the workshop…

Sunlight streamed through the windows into the empty hallway, casting dappled shadows that seemed to tell a story of parting.

Zhan Mengyan walked towards her familiar dormitory. The area in front of the dormitory was quiet, with only the echo of her footsteps. She pushed open the dormitory door, and the hot July wind, carrying the sound of cicadas, blew in, stirring the books that Zhan Mengyan had just tidied up. There was a faint smell of disinfectant in the wind. In the room, most of the beds had their sheets and blankets neatly rolled up, like a silent farewell. Several notebooks and stationery were scattered messily on the desk, and several cardboard boxes that had not been taken away were placed in the corner. A quiet loneliness permeated the air.

Zhan Mengyan's gaze followed the order of her and her cousin's beds. Her bed was as neat as ever, while her cousin's was empty; the blankets and pillows were nowhere to be seen. A strange sense of loss welled up inside her. She went to her cousin's desk and found a sticky note lying quietly on the edge of the drawer. Zhan Mengyan's fingertips traced the paper. Her cousin's handwriting on the note was neat and warm: "Mengyan, happy summer vacation! I'm worried about Mom's health, so I have to go home to take care of her. I can't go to the cannery with you for your part-time job. Remember to pack your things before you leave, don't forget anything. Keep in touch, I miss you." These few short words were like a warm breeze gently caressing Zhan Mengyan's heart. She gazed at the note, a slight smile playing on her lips, a hint of amusement in her eyes, as if her cousin's words were still echoing in her ears.

Zhan Mengyan felt as if a corner of her cousin's company had been removed from her original plan. She sighed, folded the sticky note, and put it in the drawer.

In the quiet of the dormitory, Zhan Mengyan turned around and began to organize her belongings—she needed to get up early for her part-time job, so she had to prepare all the necessities. The sunlight still gently shone into the empty room, adding a warm touch to the beginning of this summer vacation.

A short while later, a heavy knock came from the dormitory teacher at the door. Zhan Mengyan opened the door, and Teacher Zhu stood there, her gaze sweeping across the room before landing on Zhan Mengyan: "Zhan Mengyan, why didn't you go home for summer vacation?"

Zhan Mengyan straightened her back and said in a clear and firm voice, "Teacher Zhu, I have two requests." She took a deep breath and explained one by one, "First, I want to stay at school for a few more days so that I can work part-time at the cannery to earn some living expenses. Second, after my two older brothers finish their college entrance exams, I plan to go home with them so that we can look after each other on the way and save our family from worrying."

Ms. Zhu, the dormitory supervisor, nodded, her eyes showing understanding: "Safety first, remember to report your itinerary in a timely manner."

Zhan Mengyan responded, and after the dormitory teacher Zhu left, she closed the door. Looking at the gradually darkening sky outside the window, her summer vacation journey began, with a touch of regret, but more importantly, the courage to move forward alone.