Chapter 71: Winds of Change and Growing Smiles

Time had a gentle but firm way of marching on, and in the blink of an eye, mid-October arrived.

The golden light of autumn spread gently across the city, casting long shadows and crisp morning coolness over the Jia residence. The once swaddled and tiny bundle known as Baby Naun had now grown into a curious and expressive seven-month-old, full of energy and mischief. Her dark eyes sparkled with intelligence, and she had developed an adorable habit of squealing happily whenever Jia Lan walked into the room.

Most mornings, the family could be found surrounding her cot like worshippers before an altar. Jia Wei had made it his personal mission to get Baby Naun to say "Uncle Wei" first, while Yao Jing bribed her with soft rattles and colorful cloth blocks. Jia Lan, on the other hand, only needed to smile for the baby to giggle and reach out with her chubby hands. There was no doubt among the Jia family: Baby Naun's favorite was still her beautiful and calm Aunt Lan.

"She's going to be walking before the year ends," Jia Mother announced one morning as Baby Naun pulled herself up with the help of her crib bars.

Jia Zhe beamed with pride while handing his daughter a small wooden toy. "She's a fast learner—just like her mother."

Xu Li, now glowing with maternal serenity, blushed lightly but was quick to point out, "She has her father's stubbornness. Try putting her down when she doesn't want to nap."

The entire family shared a laugh. Despite the usual chaos a baby brings, the Jia household had become even warmer. Mealtimes were livelier, daily routines had shifted around the baby's needs, and yet no one seemed to mind.

Meanwhile, Jia Lan's own days were packed and productive. Between her duties at the Youth Arts Bureau, helping Xu Li, and managing her own rigorous study schedule, she had become an expert at balancing grace and grit. Her desk at home was now stacked with annotated mock test papers, grammar notebooks, mathematical workbooks, and summaries from recent system rewards.

What remained a secret to others—but a quiet source of confidence for Jia Lan—was the knowledge she held about the future. She already knew the college entrance exam would be reinstated soon. She had been preparing diligently for months, even when others questioned the intensity of her study routine.

"I just believe in being prepared," she would say with a composed smile.

But the truth was, she had long foreseen the moment that arrived in mid-October.

That afternoon, as a golden breeze rolled in through the Bureau windows, a notice was pinned on the public board. It bore the bright red stamp of the Central Government: The National College Entrance Examination (Gao Kao) Would Officially Resume This Year.

It felt like a thunderclap followed by a downpour of joy.

People crowded around the board, reading the announcement again and again, some with tears in their eyes, others breaking into spontaneous applause. Jia Lan stood a little away from the center, arms crossed, lips curled in a serene smile. She didn't need to rush—she had already been preparing for this day.

Wang Fei, a junior colleague who had taken a liking to studying on the side, turned to her. "Jia Lan, did you hear?! This is huge! I never thought I'd see the exam resume in my lifetime!"

She nodded warmly. "It's the chance many have waited years for."

Later that evening, she returned home to an atmosphere buzzing with news.

"Lan'er! Did you hear?" Father Jia said as soon as she stepped through the door. "It's happening! The exams are back!"

Grandfather Jia held the newspaper high, the headline printed in bold red. "Back when I was young, your great-uncle entered university by studying under the streetlamp! Now it's your turn to make us proud."

Jia Lan smiled as she stepped out of her shoes. "Don't worry, Grandfather. I've been studying for this day."

Xu Li, seated with Baby Naun in her arms, added cheerfully, "I told everyone you'd be the first to pass."

Yao Jing came in from the hallway with a basket of cut fruit. "We should all support Lan'er. From now on, no one bothers her after dinner unless it's life or death!"

"Seconded," Jia Wei said dramatically.

Mother Jia chuckled. "Just don't forget to eat properly while you bury your nose in books."

Dinner that night was more festive than usual. Everyone seemed to talk over each other, ideas flying about future aspirations, dreams reignited, and how different their world might become with university students among them again.

Even Baby Naun seemed to catch the mood, banging her soft spoon against the table and babbling loudly as if declaring her own ambition.

After the meal, as twilight painted the sky a soft lavender hue, Jia Lan returned to her room and lit the desk lamp. She gently laid out her freshly organized notes and opened the newly arrived "College Entrance Exam Intensive Review Booklet."

The system dinged softly in her mind.

System Check-In (Day)

Vocabulary Revision Cards (Advanced Set)

100 yuan added to system wallet

Mental Focus Booster Tea (1 packet)

Jia Lan smiled, pocketing the revision cards and putting the tea aside for tomorrow. She stretched briefly, opened her pen case, and began reviewing literature and history questions.

Just as the hour neared ten, Father Jia gently knocked and opened the door.

"Still awake?" he asked.

"Just one more set, Baba," she said softly.

He came inside and placed a small dish of honey-glazed lotus seeds beside her. "For your brain and your heart. Don't tire yourself too much."

Jia Lan looked up, warmth filling her chest. "Thank you. I won't stay up too late."

He smiled and left her to her thoughts.

As she continued writing, a breeze slipped through the window, rustling the corners of her notes.

With each passing day, Jia Lan was no longer just a transmigrated girl with a secret advantage—she was becoming a young woman with a goal, a family behind her, and a path that she would shape on her own terms.

And somewhere deep inside, she felt ready.