Chapter 40:Morning Tea, Office Talk, and Baby on the Brain

The soft light of early morning poured into Jia Lan's bedroom, gently brushing across pale walls and lace-curtained windows. Birds chirped outside, harmonizing with the clink of distant teacups downstairs. In front of her mirror, Jia Lan adjusted the cuffs of her lavender blouse — delicate plum blossom embroidery gracing the edges — and tucked it neatly into her high-waisted cream skirt.

Her hair was swept into a low bun, secured with a mother-of-pearl clip, and she applied a light dab of citrus oil behind her ears.

> Not too much. Just enough for people to wonder if elegance has a scent.

She picked up her satchel, checked the neatly arranged textbooks inside — history, biology, some notes on composition — and made her way down to the dining room.

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🍵 Morning Tea and the Scent of Change

The kitchen was lively. The aroma of fresh congee and steamed buns wrapped the air like a blanket. Father Jia was reading the paper, glasses sliding down his nose. Mother Lin bustled around the table. Jia Wei — as always — was halfway through his third bun, while Xu Li sat with a soft glow, one hand resting lightly on her belly.

Jia Zhe yawned into his teacup and muttered, "I think she's glowing more every day."

"That's the sesame oil," Jia Wei replied, voice muffled with food.

Xu Li chuckled. "It's not the oil. I'm just happy."

"You're not just happy, you're radiant," Jia Lan said as she entered, her voice smooth as silk.

"Lanlan, come sit," Mother Lin urged. "I saved your favorite chrysanthemum tea."

"Thank you, Mama." She took her seat, folding her skirt neatly. "What's the plan today? Does anyone need me to chase the market uncle for ripe peaches again?"

"Not you," Grandmother Jia called from the doorway, walking in with a decisive stride. "Your sister-in-law is officially on 'No chores, no lifting, and no being polite' orders."

"Mama, I'm not sick," Xu Li tried to reason.

"You're pregnant," Grandmother said simply. "And that's more powerful than any military position."

Jia Lan smiled behind her cup.

> I can't argue with a woman who once ran a battlefield clinic and now commands a kitchen like it's a barracks.

Father Jia finally folded his paper. "Lanlan, still studying your schoolbooks?"

"Yes," she said brightly. "Especially biology. I've decided to prepare for both the university exam and the baby's future questions. One must be versatile."

Jia Zhe rolled his eyes. "The baby hasn't even kicked and you're already preparing for their college entrance exam."

Jia Lan arched a brow. "Wouldn't want them falling behind."

Laughter rippled around the table, but the tone shifted when Grandfather Jia spoke.

"I heard from Old Wu," he said, voice quieter. "More meetings in the capital. Some say the exams will return next year."

Mother Lin looked up sharply. "Truly?"

"Nothing official," he warned, "but it aligns with what we've suspected."

Grandmother gave a firm nod. "It's time, then. We'll prepare. Quietly."

Jia Wei blinked. "Wait. You mean… the national college exam? Like before?"

Jia Lan simply smiled into her cup.

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🗂️ Youth Arts Bureau – Quiet Whispers and Sharper Eyes

Later that morning, Jia Lan sat at her desk at the Youth Arts Bureau. The room was filled with the faint scent of calligraphy ink and drying paper. The calm was soothing — a stark contrast to the buzzing at home.

She was reviewing student art submissions when Sister Li appeared with a paper tin of hawthorn slices. "A little bird told me there's good news at your house."

Jia Lan blinked. "Word travels fast."

Sister Li winked. "It always does when babies are involved."

"Yes, it's true," she replied. "My brother and sister-in-law."

"Double joy! The country's changing, and families are blooming." Sister Li left with a smile, humming softly.

Jia Lan watched her go, then turned back to her work.

> They still don't know about the bigger change. No one here suspects it. Good. Let it stay that way.

Wang Fei walked in moments later, carrying a neat stack of red seal papers.

"We're running low," he said. "Want to help me check the storage?"

Jia Lan stood. "Of course."

They walked together through the hall, their footsteps echoing faintly.

Inside the storage room, surrounded by scrolls and old brushes, Wang Fei leaned against a cabinet and glanced sideways at her.

"I saw you reading a physics book during lunch," he said.

Jia Lan continued scanning the shelf. "It's good to stay sharp."

"Not many people study high school material for fun."

She turned to him with a serene smile. "The world changes fast. When a window opens, I want to be the first through it."

Wang Fei didn't speak for a moment. His gaze lingered on her, more curious now.

"You talk like someone who knows something."

"I just listen," she said simply. "And read the signs."

After a quiet pause, he gave a small nod. "Maybe I should start reading them too."

She didn't reply, but her eyes held an elegant sparkle as she turned back to the paper scrolls.

> Sharp. He won't say it now. But he'll start preparing soon.

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🌙 Evening – Small Threads, Big Dreams

That night, while the Jia household settled into warm baths and quiet conversations, Wang Fei sat at his own desk at home.

He pulled out an old math textbook. One of the last printed before the exam system shut down.

He turned the page and quietly began to read.

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🧵 Later at Home – Auntie Mode Activated

At the Jia household, Grandmother Jia sat knitting on the courtyard bench as the night breeze played with the edges of her shawl. Jia Lan joined her with a book, though she barely looked at the pages.

"You're quiet tonight," Grandmother noted without looking up.

"I've been thinking."

"About the exam?"

"Yes… and the baby. I want to be ready for both."

Grandmother smiled. "You always were good at multitasking."

"Mama…" Jia Lan paused. "If I told you I was already studying… quietly…"

"I know," Grandmother said. "We've all known. The light in your room, your careful words, your posture lately. You move like a girl with a deadline."

"Is that good?"

Grandmother chuckled. "It's excellent. We just didn't want to pressure you. Go as far as you can, Lanlan. And if the door opens, you fly through it."

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📚 Late-Night System Gift

Alone in her room, Jia Lan flipped through her notes, pausing when the system pinged in her mind.

> Ding!

🎁 Daily Check-in Complete

💰 Reward: 2 yuan and a hand-sewn silk pouch

The pouch was small, embroidered with lotus blooms.

She smiled.

> A perfect gift for a future niece or nephew. Or for luck on the day the world changes.