Chapter 86: Enrollment and Dormitory Drama

The soft morning light poured through the wide bay windows of the newly renovated courtyard residence in the capital. Warm sunlight danced across the smooth, lacquered wooden floors, casting delicate patterns from the sheer lace curtains. The entire house exuded a sleek, modern elegance, blending traditional architecture with contemporary luxury.

Jia Lan stepped out of her room, her embroidered slippers padding softly against the freshly waxed floor. The clean lines of the walnut furniture, the glass-topped side tables, and the subtle artwork on the cream-colored walls reflected the understated wealth of the Jia family.

"Miss, breakfast is ready," the housekeeper's voice came politely from the dining room.

Jia Lan nodded, adjusting the sash of her silk floral robe as she entered the dining area. The long polished table was already set: neatly folded cloth napkins, white porcelain dishes, and a steaming breakfast spread — scallion pancakes, soy milk, glutinous rice rolls, and delicate fruit slices arranged like a painting.

Father Jia was already seated, browsing the capital newspaper. Mother Jia was sipping her morning tea, her appearance as refined as always.

"You didn't sleep too late?" Father Jia asked as he passed her a small bowl of congee with goji berries.

"Not at all, I woke up early to get ready," Jia Lan replied, her tone calm and sweet.

Mother Jia looked her up and down with quiet satisfaction. "You look like a little lady of the capital. When others see you at college today, they'll wonder which film actress arrived."

Jia Lan smiled modestly and took a sip of the warm soy milk. "Let's not exaggerate, Mama

"Lanlan," her mother said with a faint smile, "the driver will be ready after breakfast. Let's not be late to the university."

"I've packed everything—admission notice, medical check, and forms," Jia Lan replied lightly, her voice elegant and unhurried. "The only thing left is to charm my way into the dorms."

Father Jia chuckled. "With your mouth, you'll have the dormitory staff wrapped around your finger in minutes."

The housekeeper silently refilled their tea, then stood aside, hands clasped. There was no noise, no scrambling — only smooth, practiced efficiency.

This was the life of an elite capital family. Everything polished. Everything in place.

After breakfast, they departed for the college. A black car with an official-looking number plate had been arranged in advance. The housekeeper bowed slightly as they left, closing the gates behind them.

By the time they reached Capital University, the sun had risen higher, casting a golden warmth over the wide campus gates. Cars were lined up, students and families bustling around in well-dressed excitement. Despite the crowd, there was order — and beneath it all, a subtle sense of hierarchy.

At the college's enrollment building, the energy was brisk. Students and their families bustled around with documents, luggage, and excitement buzzing in the air.

Jia Lan walked through the gates, her slim figure drawing attention like a magnet. She held her admission notice with both hands, walking beside her parents, her posture upright and confident.

At the enrollment desk, a young man barely a few years older than her was flipping through documents. He looked up and momentarily froze, color rushing to his face.

"Ah—uh, welcome! Can I see your enrollment form?" he stammered, eyes flicking to her parents before nervously returning to Jia Lan's face.

Jia Lan handed over the documents with a polite smile. "Here you go."

The young man's ears were burning red as he processed the paperwork, stammering slightly as he explained the procedure. His hands nearly fumbled the stamp.

Behind him, an older staff member chuckled. "You're scaring the poor boy, student Jia."

Jia Lan simply gave a soft, graceful laugh and accepted the forms with both hands. "Thank you."

From there, the three of them headed to her dormitory building. The stairwell still smelled of fresh paint, and new linoleum floors gave off a clean, polished look.

Inside Room 502, four girls were already moving in. Luggage sat beside beds, some neatly made and others in disarray.

"Someone's coming," one girl whispered as they turned to the doorway.

When Jia Lan stepped in, there was a brief silence. Her aura was calm yet radiant, her steps light, and her complexion nearly glowing. The girls blinked.

"She's so pretty," one murmured under her breath.

Another girl greeted her. "Hi! We just moved in too. These beds are taken—only the top bed on that corner is left."

"I'll take that one," Jia Lan replied pleasantly. "Top bunks are fine. That way no one will put their feet near my pillow."

There was a small laugh from one of the village girls. "Smart!"

Jia Lan introduced herself and smiled at the girls. She quickly noticed one girl in the room who seemed stiff, avoiding eye contact. She had neat bangs and was dressed in a city-style blouse, her mother fussing beside her, helping arrange her bedding.

"That's the girl from the capital," one of the others whispered quietly to Jia Lan. "She's been acting a bit high and mighty since morning."

The fifth girl, who had been arranging her books with her parents, turned and narrowed her eyes at Jia Lan. She was also from the capital and had been boasting about it earlier.

Her mother gave Jia Lan a once-over, clearly assessing her expensive outfit and the air of refinement around her. She pursed her lips but said nothing.

The atmosphere in the room was lively, except for the capital girl and her mother, who kept glancing at Jia Lan and whispering.

When they saw Jia Lan's parents walk in, tall and poised, dressed in understated elegance, the room quieted slightly. Even the city girl and her mother visibly shrank a little, sensing the obvious difference in status.

The fifth girl forced a smile. "You're from the capital too?"

"No," Jia Lan answered easily. "But my family has a residence here."

That single sentence made the air thicken. Her tone was light, but the implication was clear. Not from the capital — they owned a home here.

The fifth girl's face stiffened.

The other girls, sensing the shift, quickly stepped in. Two girls from smaller towns and one from a village immediately warmed up to Jia Lan, helping her clean the top bunk and organize her limited luggage.

"Is that all you brought?" one girl asked.

"I didn't bring much. Since my home is nearby, I can go back if I need anything."

The other girls blinked. "Oh wow... that must be nice."

Meanwhile, the fifth girl and her mother continued arranging her things, speaking more quietly now.

Once Jia Lan was settled, Father Jia clapped his hands. "Why don't we all have lunch together?"

The four girls looked surprised, then politely declined. "Thank you, Uncle, but we can pay for ourselves—"

Mother Jia shook her head with a smile. "We insist. You're all young girls far from home and same age as my daughter. Let us treat you just this once.

The warmth in her tone made the girls lower their heads shyly as they thanked them.

With that, the whole group (minus the fifth girl and her parents, who muttered something about having other plans) headed to the campus cafeteria.

The best meal was ordered: red-braised pork, spicy tofu, stir-fried greens, fluffy white rice, a light soup, and soft steamed buns. Father Jia paid without hesitation.

At first, the girls felt awkward, but Mother Jia chatted with them like they were family, asking about their hometowns and praising their courage in coming to study in the capital. The girls slowly relaxed and smiled as they ate.

"Your mother is so nice," one whispered to Jia Lan.

"She's just like that," Jia Lan replied with a laugh.

The meal was filled with laughter, a few jokes, and stolen glances toward Jia Lan who looked as if she'd walked out of a magazine.

After lunch, Jia Lan and her parents strolled around several capital landmarks. Her father had bought a new camera just for this trip and kept taking photos of his daughter, getting her to pose under old archways, beside stone lions, and on bridges overlooking lily ponds.

"Lan Lan, look here!"

"Again?"

"One more—now with your mother!"

Laughter rang out as the camera clicked away, each frame capturing not just a beautiful girl but the love her parents had for her.

"Smile," he said, snapping a photo. "No—don't fake smile like that!"

"Fine, fine!" Jia Lan laughed, twirling slightly for the camera.

Her parents watched with fondness as their daughter, poised yet playful, glowed under the capital sun.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Jia Lan slipped away for a moment near a quiet garden path.

Just as the breeze stirred her hair gently, a faint chime echoed in her mind.

That night, after they returned to the courtyard and Jia Lan finally got a moment to herself, the system's familiar voice echoed gently in her mind:

Ding! Daily check-in successful

You have received:

- imported a silk handkerchief.

- a vintage brooch, and

- a pair of lace gloves

Jia Lan looked at the neatly packaged items that appeared in her suitcase with a faint smile.She tucked them away carefully.