Chapter 54: Preparations in Full Swing

The morning frost had barely melted, yet the Jia household was already alive with laughter, sweeping brooms, and the sharp scent of vinegar-soaked paper used to paste new couplets. Red, everywhere red—lanterns dangling from wooden eaves, new red clothes drying in the winter sun, red banners fluttering in the breeze. The arrival of the Chinese New Year was imminent, and it showed.

Jia Lan stood in the courtyard with a broom in one hand and a mandarin in the other, nibbling on the sweet fruit while watching her older brother Jia Zhe get scolded—again—by Grandmother Jia for trying to carry a basket Xu Li clearly insisted she could manage.

"Let her breathe, Jia Zhe! She's not made of glass, she's pregnant, not porcelain!" Grandmother clicked her tongue, placing her hands on her hips.

Xu Li, wrapped in a soft beige woolen shawl, chuckled gently. "I told him the same thing, Grandma. He treats me like I'll shatter if I sneeze."

Jia Lan snorted quietly. Her inner monologue flared up with glee. Honestly, Xu Li could lift the basket and him both if she wanted. The pregnancy glow didn't dull her sass one bit.

Inside the house, Mother Jia and the household's old auntie—a cheerful retired helper from the village, who now lived with the elderly couple and helped manage the home—were busy sorting out embroidered tablecloths and family heirloom chopsticks.

As Jia Lan finished her fruit, she walked to the garden corner where the plum tree stood tall, dusted in a soft coat of white frost. She smiled to herself and pressed her hand against the tree's trunk. The check-in system chirped in her mind.

> Daily Sign-in Complete!

Rewards: • 3,000 yuan • A custom-made red qipao with golden embroidery • A traditional recipe book: "Spring Banquet Delights" (system exclusive)

Jia Lan almost laughed out loud. A qipao! System, are you trying to make me the belle of the New Year ball?

She blinked down at the red silk fabric that materialized in her room minutes later. Intricately stitched with delicate phoenix and cloud patterns, it shimmered like fresh fire under candlelight. Jia Lan held it up with reverence.

"Oh, I'm definitely wearing this for the reunion dinner," she whispered, pressing the fabric to her cheek.

Back in the courtyard, her second brother Jia Wei groaned as he dodged a falling garland.

"Why do we invite all the relatives? Just once, I'd like a quiet Spring Festival without hearing Aunt Feng's son compare himself to me because he 'almost got into a city university ten years ago.' Almost!" he grumbled.

"That's the festive spirit," Jia Lan called with a grin. "Now help me hang these paper lanterns or I'll tell Grandma you were slacking."

Jia Wei narrowed his eyes. "You're evil. But festive."

Laughter echoed.

The scene shifted to the kitchen where steam hissed from the pots. Jia Lan entered with the recipe book in hand and flipped it open. "Alright, tonight, I'll surprise everyone. Stir-fried longevity noodles with a spicy peanut twist."

"You better not poison us," Jia Wei called from the hall.

"One day, you'll regret underestimating me," she said with faux solemnity. "Maybe not today. But someday. Probably while you're begging for seconds."

Evening fell, and the house glowed like a lantern itself. The auntie whistled as she strung more banners, her energy belying her age. Everyone's cheeks glowed from cold and joy. In the warmth of the kitchen, pots of sweet rice wine simmered while pickled vegetables were packed into jars.

In her room, Jia Lan tried on her qipao. As she turned before the mirror, she couldn't help but beam. Modern taste meets tradition. Now if only the makeup system reward had eyeliner that didn't freeze in winter.

She wrote in her diary:

> "New Year's Eve tomorrow. Jia family chaos and comfort both feel like old friends now. I still remember the silence of my hospital room in my previous life… this noise is better. This noise is home."

Later that night, as the family gathered around the charcoal brazier, sipping warm tea and munching on sunflower seeds, Grandfather Jia spoke up.

"I ran into Old Li today. He mentioned his grandson is returning from the army early. Looks like more families will be back together this year."

Father Jia nodded. "These reunions remind us how precious time is. We've been fortunate this year—Zhe and Wei are home, Lan'er is glowing, and Xu Li... well, we'll have a little one next year."

Everyone beamed.

Xu Li blushed and leaned into Jia Zhe, who looked smug and proud.

Jia Wei teased, "Hope it inherits Xu Li's brains and not your stubbornness."

Grandmother huffed, "As long as it doesn't inherit your sharp tongue."

Jia Lan laughed so hard she nearly spilled her tea. She leaned back, her head resting lightly on her mother's shoulder. Outside, firecrackers could be heard in the distance.

As everyone prepared to disperse for the night, Jia Lan quietly placed the qipao back in its box and arranged her study corner. She pulled out her notebook and flipped through the pages she had filled with vocabulary and math problems.

She stretched and whispered, "College entrance exam, you better watch out. Jia Lan is coming."

The wind outside whispered through the plum tree branches, but inside, everything was warm, golden, and alive.

---

The next morning dawned bright and biting. The sun glinted on icy rooftops and rooftops echoed with the shrill sounds of spring cleaning. Jia Lan woke early, her breath puffing out little clouds in her room. She bundled herself in her favorite brown overcoat lined with soft lambswool and stepped out to the family study.

Father Jia sat there with Grandfather, both sipping hot tea and reviewing some old files. Mother Jia entered with a tray of fresh steamed buns and said, "Lan'er, finish your food. You've been running around like a little bee!"

Jia Lan sat with them and recounted her cooking experiments from the recipe book. "Today, I'll try osmanthus flower dumplings," she declared.

"I don't care what you cook," Jia Wei entered dramatically, "as long as it's edible."

"You mean delicious," Jia Lan corrected him sweetly.

"Hmph. That's what we say before going broke," Grandmother huffed, but her smile lingered.

It was noisy. It was chaotic. But Jia Lan wouldn't trade it for the world.

And tomorrow? Tomorrow would bring even more stories, more smiles, and perhaps a few unexpected guests...