Chapter 78: Winter Glow and Waiting Hearts

It was the 10th of January, and the winter air had grown sharper. Snow no longer fell, but the chill clung to the skin like silk soaked in frost. Inside the Jia household, a warm fire crackled in the sitting room, but Jia Lan still felt a slight unease settle in her chest.

The college entrance exam results had been announced days ago, but her admission notice had yet to arrive.

Jia Lan sat up in bed, blinking at the thin streaks of pale morning light through her curtain. She wrapped herself in her fluffy winter robe, her slippers soft against the wooden floor. Even though she was anxious, she wasn't going to let the cold or the nerves ruin her elegance. She slipped out of bed and into her fuzzy slippers, the cold floor shocking her into wakefulness. She moved to her vanity and carefully dressed in a warm ivory wool sweater and thick coffee-colored corduroy skirt. Over that, she wrapped herself in a quilted warm ivory coat . Her new woolen socks and brown fur-lined boots completed the cozy ensemble she made her way to the mirror.

Her long hair was styled into a sleek side braid with loose wisps framing her delicate face. She applied the rose-tinted lip balm from the system and dabbed a hint of moisturizing cream to ward off the dryness.

"Let's be my most beautiful self…even while I wait," she murmured, putting on a confident smile.

Still yawning, she trudged into the kitchen where the comforting scent of congee, eggs, and freshly toasted mantou warmed her spirits.

Downstairs, the scent of a hot breakfast made her stomach rumble. Her parents and brothers were already seated.

"Lan'er, you're glowing," Father Jia said, looking up from his tea. "But your brows are wrinkling. What's bothering our proud peacock today?"

Mother Jia leaned closer with a knowing smile. "She's worried. Still no admission notice?"

Jia Lan tried to laugh it off. "No… but it's nothing."

"Nothing?" Father Jia raised an eyebrow. "You're poking at your egg bun like it wronged you."

Mother Jia passed her a bowl of hot millet porridge. "Eat well. If it doesn't come today, it will tomorrow. Or the day after. You've done your best. Let's not let nerves ruin our skin."

Everyone laughed.

Jia Wei chimed in, "Maybe the messenger got distracted by Lan'er's pretty face."

Jia Zhe added teasingly, "Or maybe they're printing it on silk because she's that important."

Jia Lan, cheeks slightly flushed, managed a laugh. The warmth of her family wrapped around her more tightly than her coat ever could.

After breakfast, she headed to the Youth Arts Bureau. Her heels tapped crisply along the corridor as she greeted her colleagues.

"Morning, Sister Jia!"

"Morning."

She stopped by Wang Fei's desk, who was hunched over a ledger.

"Wang Fei, did your admission notice come yet?"

He shook his head. "Not yet. But hey—don't be nervous. If I don't get in, then you're in good company. We normal people can't expect miracles."

Jia Lan chuckled. "You're not normal. You're abnormally dramatic."

"I'm just honest!" he said, grinning.

She worked quietly for a few hours, going through reports, finalizing an event proposal, and helping a junior colleague with layout suggestions. But the tension still lingered in her chest.

By afternoon, she made her way home.

The cold wind nipped at her nose, but her heart felt warmer than before. "What am I so afraid of?" she thought. "I've done everything I could. Now… I should enjoy the moment. Live, not linger."

After arriving home, she greeted everyone warmly. Baby Naun was bouncing in her walker, giggling as Jia Wei made exaggerated faces.

Dinner was served early. A steaming spread of lotus root soup, braised tofu, stir-fried greens, and sweet yam rice warmed the family around the table.

"You've lost some weight," Grandmother Jia observed gently.

"It's the stress," Jia Lan admitted.

"No more of that," Jia Zhe said firmly. "From now on, just skincare and sweet dreams."

That night, Jia Lan changed into a thick cotton robe and entered her room. It was finally time for her long-awaited skincare pampering.

She pulled out the system-given facial kit—an entire set with ginseng serum, soft pearl exfoliant, and a finishing cream that smelled faintly of orchids.

As she massaged her face with warm fingers, she felt the stress melt away. Her skin glowed, cheeks soft like petals.

A gentle knock came at her door. "Lan'er?"

Mother Jia entered with a glass of milk.

Jia Lan grinned mischievously. "Mama, come in. We're doing skincare tonight."

"Me?" Mother Jia blinked. "I haven't done such things since before you were born."

"Well, you're overdue," Jia Lan said, tugging her to sit.

They applied the masks together. After thirty minutes, they peeled them off and gasped.

Soon the two were sitting side by side, giggling like girls at a beauty salon. Jia Lan helped her mother apply each product step by step. When the final cream was patted on, Mother Jia looked at herself in the mirror.

Mother Jia touched her cheeks. "I… I look ten years younger. Lan'er! Your Papa might fall in love with me all over again!"

"You look amazing, Mama," Jia Lan said sincerely.

Jia Lan laughed until tears welled up. "Mama, this is a top-secret product. We can't let anyone else have it."

"I agree!" Mother Jia said dramatically. "This must be kept within the family. No one else deserves to glow like us."

Then her mother narrowed her eyes. "You must never give this to anyone else. This treasure belongs to us."

Jia Lan burst out laughing.

Under the lamplight, the two women looked radiant, their reflections soft and harmonious.

Jia Lan crawled into her warm bed after that, tucking the covers around her.

"Goodnight, Mama," she whispered.

Mother Jia turned off the light. "Sleep well, Lan'er. Tomorrow's another day. And good news always comes to those who shine."

That night, just as Jia Lan fluffed her pillow and slid under the thick floral quilt, the familiar ding of her system echoed softly in her mind.

System Check-In Complete

500 yuan has been added to your system wallet.

✔Traditional Rose-Honey Candies (1 pouch) – good for mood, blood circulation, and tastes delicious!

Jia Lan smiled in the dark, reaching into her system inventory and pulling out a small embroidered pouch. The rose-honey candies had an old-fashioned charm, individually wrapped in wax paper printed with delicate plum blossoms.

She popped one into her mouth and savored the gentle floral sweetness as it melted slowly on her tongue.

"Mmm... Sweet and soft, just like life should be."

Tucking the pouch beside her pillow, she murmured sleepily, "Thank you, mysterious benefactor," before drifting into a peaceful sleep, cheeks still glowing and heart a little lighter.

As the wind rustled gently outside the window and baby Naun's soft coos echoed from the nursery, Jia Lan fell asleep with a glowing heart.