Chapter 79: The Letter

It was early morning on the 15th of January. Frost clung stubbornly to the windowpanes of the Jia household, painting delicate feathers across the glass. The house was quieter than usual, yet underneath that stillness was a crackling anticipation—like the moment before a match is struck.

Everyone knew the admission results were going to arrive today.

Jia Lan sat at her small desk by the window, already washed and dressed in a pale blue knit turtleneck and a long wool skirt. Her hair was braided neatly and pinned with her favorite butterfly clip. She had tried to read the romance novel in her hands, but her eyes hadn't moved past the same paragraph for twenty minutes. Her fingers kept curling and uncurling around the edge of the page.

Downstairs, the family was equally restless.

Mother Jia had made a pot of millet porridge, but she kept forgetting where she'd placed the ladle. Father Jia sat with the newspaper, his reading glasses slipping down his nose, but his eyes weren't really scanning the print. Jia Wei and Jia Zhe loitered near the front gate under the excuse of clearing the snow, though they kept peeking toward the road.

Even Baby Naun had caught onto the mood. She was unusually well-behaved, sitting on a blanket by the brazier with a curious look in her eyes, as if she too was waiting for the knock.

And then it came.

A loud rapping on the wooden gate. Three clear knocks.

Jia Wei sprinted ahead, nearly slipping on the icy path, and opened the gate. A postman stood in his thick winter coat, holding a large envelope with a bright red stamp.

"Letter for Jia Lan," he said, smiling. "This one came from the capital."

Jia Wei took it reverently and ran inside. "IT'S HERE!"

The entire family rushed to the center of the living room. Jia Lan, hearing the shout, ran downstairs, her heart thudding like a drum.

Her brothers stepped aside as Jia Wei handed the envelope to her. Her name was written neatly in black ink, and in the top corner, stamped in bold red, were the words: "Notice of Admission – National Unified College Entrance Examination, 1977."

Her hands trembled as she opened it.

The moment she unfolded the letter and read the words "admitted to the most prestigious arts university in the capital, English major," the world froze.

She looked up slowly.

"I got in," she whispered. "I got in."

Mother Jia was the first to break. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks as she pressed a hand over her mouth. "My daughter... My Lan'er is going to university!"

Father Jia turned away for a moment, clearing his throat and wiping at his eyes. "The best university... She got into the best one."

Grandfather Jia slapped his cane on the floor in triumph. "That's my granddaughter! Not only in—but to the best university!"

Grandmother Jia wiped at her eyes with her sleeve, muttering, "The ancestors must be blessing us…"

Grandfather Jia, normally reserved, let out a hearty laugh. "HA! My granddaughter ,She beat them all."

Grandmother Jia clapped her hands together, her eyes shining. "Aiya, the heavens are truly good. This is a blessing for generations!"

Jia Zhe and Jia Wei hugged her from either side, shaking her gently back and forth.

"You did it, Lan Lan!"

"You're really amazing, did you know that?!"

Xu Li, still seated near Baby Naun, beamed with pride, while Yao Jing brought out candies from the cupboard and tossed them into the air like confetti. "This calls for celebration!"

Baby Naun gurgled and clapped, laughing as the candies fell. Her bright giggles were the soundtrack to the family's euphoria.

Jia Zhe pulled his sister into a tight hug. "We always knew. You were born for great things."

Yao Jing clutched Xu Li's hand, near tears herself. "Wait till the neighbors hear this—they'll explode with envy!"

But just as they were basking in joy, another knock came. This time, it was more official. The housekeeper hurried over.

"Director Xu from the Youth Arts Bureau is here… and the mayor of the city has come along."

Jia Lan blinked. "The mayor?"

They were ushered into the sitting room with warm tea. Director Xu's expression was beaming.

"Comrade Jia Lan," he said, "you've not only passed. You've placed first in the entire province."

A beat of stunned silence.

"What?" Jia Wei choked.

Director Xu smiled even wider. "You're the provincial top scorer. The first since the exams resumed. We're all so proud. The capital university sent early word themselves—your file will be preserved as a historic example. The city is planning a commendation ceremony."

Jia Lan felt her knees give way. "I-I didn't even know…"

Mayor Lin stepped forward with an official commendation certificate and a red envelope. "On behalf of the city, we congratulate you. This is just a small reward—500 yuan now from the city, and more will follow from the province. Your photo will be put in the hall of honor."

Mother Jia wept again, full of pride.

Grandfather Jia laughed so hard he nearly fell off his chair. "My granddaughter! Province champion! Look what kind of tiger our family raised!"

Jia Lan could barely speak, her heart thudding in her chest. "I… I just wanted to do well. I never imagined this."

"Your effort made it happen," Director Xu said gently. "You inspired even the workers and staff at the Bureau. You set an example."

Soon, two formally dressed young journalists entered the courtyard, followed by a photographer lugging a boxy camera with a flash bulb.

"Apologies for intruding," the lead reporter said politely, adjusting his armband. "We're from Southern Morning News. We've been instructed to cover Comrade Jia Lan's outstanding achievement."

Jia Lan instinctively tried to hide behind her mother, cheeks flushing pink.

"She's a bit shy," Mother Jia said, beaming proudly as she gently nudged her daughter forward.

The photographer set up quickly. "May we take a family photo? This moment will be preserved for the provincial archive."

Grandfather Jia insisted they gather on the front steps, Baby Naun bundled up in Jia Wei's arms, still giggling. Jia Lan was gently guided to the center, holding her admission letter, the provincial commendation framed in her other hand.

Click!

The flash burst.

Another angle. Another click.

And then a photo with just Jia Lan and her proud parents. Then one with the director and mayor beside her, the red envelope and certificate on the table.

"She's the pride of our city," the mayor told the camera. "A girl from a good, educated household—modest, hardworking, and brilliant. Let this be an example for every student in the country."

The reporter scribbled quickly in his notebook. "This will go in tomorrow's paper, and the provincial education magazine. Your story is going to inspire many."

As the reporters left, Jia Lan looked dazed. Xu Li chuckled as she held Baby Naun close. "Lan Lan, you're going to be famous."

Jia Lan gave a helpless laugh. "I only wanted to pass and go to university quietly…"

Grandfather Jia patted her shoulder. "You don't just walk paths, child—you blaze t

That afternoon, the news spread fast.

At the Youth Arts Bureau, Director Xu personally announced her achievement with pride during the morning meeting. "Comrade Jia Lan, one of our most promising young employees, has not only passed the 1977 college entrance exam—she has placed FIRST in the entire province for the arts track."

There was thunderous applause. Even the older colleagues, who usually kept to themselves, stood and clapped.

By noon, representatives from the Provincial Department and City Education Bureau had arrived at the Jia home with red banners and framed certificates. Jia Lan was awarded a cash prize of 800 yuan from the provincial office, 500 yuan from the city, and an additional 300 yuan bonus from the Youth Arts Bureau, along with books, a fountain pen set, and two bolts of imported fabric.

Mother Jia stared at the envelopes of money and the high-quality gifts in disbelief. "All this… all this for Lan'er?"

"She deserves every bit," Grandfather Jia declared proudly.

That evening, Jia Lan stood in her room, looking at the red certificate pinned to her wall, the calligraphy bold and official.

Province Champion – Arts Track – 1977

She opened her system interface and saw the check-in reward for the day:

System Check-In Reward:

Title: "Province Champion"

Reward:

1,000 yuan

Custom Tailored School Wardrobe (capital style)

Unlimited stationery pack (lifetime supply )

Her eyes glistened.

She heard footsteps and turned to see her whole family entering her room again. They couldn't seem to stay away.

Grandfather Jia placed a hand on her shoulder. "Lan'er, you've not only brought honor to our family—you've given hope to many others."

Grandmother Jia nodded. "People will see your name in the newspaper and believe again."

Mother Jia reached out and touched her daughter's face. "I always knew my daughter was extraordinary."

Jia Lan smiled, her voice soft. "I just wanted to do my best."

"You did more than that," Father Jia said. "You showed us what was possible."

Baby Naun, in her father's arms, suddenly reached out a chubby hand toward Jia Lan's nose and tugged.

Everyone burst into laughter.

"Even Naun is proud of you," Jia Wei said, wiping a pretend tear.

That night, over a table of hot dumplings, pork ribs, sweet yam soup, and fragrant tea, the Jia family celebrated long into the evening. Jia Lan sat between her parents, basking in the warmth, laughter, and love that only a family like hers could give.

And in her heart, she quietly whispered:

Thank you, to whoever sent me here. I don't need another life—this one is enough.