Chapter 52:Threads of Care and Winter tea

The wind outside carried a biting chill, but the sky was clear—crisp blue above the rooftops dusted in white. Jia Lan stepped into the Youth Arts Bureau with quiet poise, her padded coat brushing lightly against the old wooden doorframe.

Inside, the air was laced with the subtle aroma of wolfberry tea and dust. Sister Li sat near the heater with a thermos, peeling roasted chestnuts and humming a winter tune. Director Xu muttered over paperwork, his glasses slipping down his nose.

Jia Lan greeted them with a graceful nod and slipped into her seat. As she reviewed forms and copied drafts in her elegant, flowing script, even Zhao Meiling paused to say, "You make these official notices look like art scrolls."

Wang Fei passed by quietly and noticed the corner of a history reference book tucked beneath her form pile. He said nothing, but his gaze lingered, thoughtful.

During her break, Jia Lan poured herself a cup of warm tea and leaned over her textbook, her fingers swiftly flipping through chapters. She made mental notes of key concepts, her memory sharp thanks to her sign-in perks. Her lips curved slightly as she marked a particularly tricky math problem she'd solved just last night.

A soft shuffle of feet signaled Wang Fei approaching with a clipboard. "You're always so focused," he remarked casually. "Don't you ever get tired?"

Jia Lan didn't look up. "Sometimes," she replied with a small smile. "But there's always something more to learn, isn't there?"

Wang Fei gave a short chuckle. "You're right. Makes me feel lazy in comparison." He walked off with a quiet flicker of admiration in his eyes.

---

By early afternoon, Jia Lan returned home. The house, warm and lively, echoed with voices from the sitting room. Her second brother Jia Wei waved her in excitedly.

"They arrived just now," he whispered.

In the center of the bustle stood Yao Jing's parents:

Yao Father, broad-shouldered with a boisterous laugh, clapped Jia Lan on the shoulder and declared, "Here's the real jewel of the Jia household!"

Yao Mother, a soft-faced woman in a cherry blossom pink scarf, beamed as she handed Jia Lan a box of sesame flatbreads. "I brought your favorite, Lan Lan. Jing said you love them."

Trailing just behind them was Yao Xiulan, Yao Jing's cousin—slightly older, lips curled in a faint smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Oh, so you're Jia Lan," Xiulan said, her voice sweet but sharp. "Everyone talks about you back home. Always helping here, working there… so capable."

Jia Lan smiled politely. "Just doing my part. You must be tired from the journey."

Yao Jing raised an eyebrow. "Cousin Xiulan, don't pretend you didn't ask ten questions about Lan Lan during the entire train ride."

Xiulan gave a brittle laugh. "Well, it's only natural to be curious about someone so... admired. You too, Jing. Everyone says you're so lucky. A job in the city, married into a good family."

Yao Jing scoffed, "It's not luck. I worked hard and got lucky. There's a difference."

Jia Lan added cheerfully, "Plus, she's charming. You can't teach that."

The barb was gentle, but Xiulan's expression stiffened. "Not everyone gets such chances handed to them."

Yao Jing's eyes narrowed. "And not everyone knows how to use them well when they do."

The tension crackled until Jia Wei strolled in, oblivious, arms full of oranges. "Sister-in-law brought winter citrus! Who wants some?"

---

In the dining room, the family sat down for a hearty meal. Stewed duck, spicy green beans, and roasted sweet potatoes filled the table. Laughter bounced off the walls.

During the meal, Yao Father began a light-hearted conversation about future plans.

"I was telling Wei, we've got a neighbor girl back home who's good at embroidery. Maybe she could work at one of those cloth cooperatives. Hard to find work for quiet girls like that."

Grandfather Jia nodded, sipping his soup. "If she has talent, opportunities always find a way."

From across the table, Yao Xiulan interjected, "Of course, talent is good, but connections matter more." Her gaze flicked to Jia Lan.

Before anyone could respond, Jia Lan tilted her head and asked innocently, "Then how lucky you are to be sitting at our table today."

Jia Wei choked on his tea. Xu Li elbowed him, trying not to laugh.

Yao Jing smirked. "You're so polite, cousin."

After dinner, Yao Xiulan tried once more. "You know, Lan Lan, if you ever get tired of all this responsibility, you can always return to being a girl at home. It suits some people better."

Jia Lan responded with a smile as sharp as polished jade. "Maybe, but I enjoy doing things that suit me—even if they make others uncomfortable."

---

That evening, Jia Lan retreated to her room, shrugging off her coat and hanging it neatly by the heater. Snow had begun to fall again, frosting the windows.

She poured herself a cup of warm tea, then sat at her desk and resumed reading her notes. Her progress was steady; her mind clear. Almost half her textbooks were behind her now.

Just as she was preparing her notes for the next topic, Yao Jing peeked into her room with a grin. "Lan Lan, guess what? Tomorrow, Mama and your mother planned a shopping trip. You, me, my mother, your mother—and yes, cousin Xiulan too. Mama says your mom wanted to pick out something nice for her son-in-law, my husband, to show appreciation. You're coming, right?"

Jia Lan blinked, surprised, then smiled. "Sounds like an expedition. Alright, I'm in."

Yao Jing chuckled. "Brace yourself. Between my mother's bargaining skills and your mom's eye for quality, we might end up buying the whole market."

As the door clicked shut behind Yao Jing, Jia Lan chuckled softly and turned back to her books.

The system chimed softly:

> [Daily Sign-In Complete. Reward: Snow Lotus Herbal Tea + Enhanced Immunity (3 Days)]

She smiled, tucked the tea pouch into her drawer, and took a small sip from today's cup.

With a stretch, she leaned back, gaze drifting toward the falling snow. Her thoughts didn't linger on Xiulan or the barbed comments. Her world was bigger than small minds.

"Work, study, family, and tea," she whispered. "That's my kind of balance."

She reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a stack of neatly organized notes. The pages were filled with summaries, definitions, and colorful margin scribbles. A crisp, unopened practice paper sat on top, and she unfolded it with a determined flick.

Outside, the snow had thickened, muffling the world in soft silence. Her lamp cast a warm golden pool over the table, and her pen danced across the paper with smooth ease.

"Okay," she muttered to herself. "Let's tackle this history essay first. The rise and fall of dynasties… no problem."

Her brow furrowed slightly in focus, lips moving as she silently tested a sentence structure before committing to it. Every so often, she paused to sip her tea, a calm rhythm to the night.

Time passed unnoticed until the room clock chimed softly. She leaned back, reviewing what she had written. A sense of pride glowed gently within her. There was still much to cover, but each page was a step forward.

Downstairs, the faint murmurs of her family preparing for bed added to the homely atmosphere. Jia Lan exhaled slowly and closed her notebook for the night.

The world outside was cold, but her heart was steady and warm.