Chapter 96: A Day Just for Me

The golden sun filtered softly through the delicate gauze curtains of Jia Lan's bedroom, casting a gentle, warming hue across the elegant, feminine room. Her quilt—embroidered with pale pink peonies—rose and fell as she curled further into its embrace. For once, there was no rush to rise. No lectures to attend. No textbooks demanding her attention.

It was the weekend.

And that meant indulgent, unapologetic self-care.

Jia Lan lazily turned in bed, her long dark hair fanning across the pillow like silk. She gave a little sigh of contentment, blinking slowly at the sunlight peeking in from the window. Her porcelain skin was dewy from rest, her lips naturally pink against her soft white sleepwear. She stretched slowly, like a spoiled cat, her movements graceful and unhurried.

She finally sat up, wrapping herself in her fluffy house robe—a rare imported piece Aunt Li had laundered just for the weekend. Slipping her feet into warm slippers, she padded across the polished wood floor toward her ensuite bath.

Aunt Li had already warmed the water in the vintage clawfoot bathtub, filling it with gentle steam. Inside the cabinet, hidden in a carved lacquer box that looked like it held herbs or perfume bottles, lay her real treasures—her system-granted skincare collection. It was a sacred stash.

She chose a rose and ginseng bath salt mix today. Pouring it in, the water turned a delicate blush pink. The aroma was faintly sweet, relaxing. Her next choice: the hair mask. It smelled of honey, lotus, and something faintly foreign—like an imported essence. She wrapped her hair up gently in the treatment, letting the steam do its magic.

Sinking into the bath, Jia Lan closed her eyes.

What a week.

Lectures, introductions, whispers behind her back, girls who envied her family background, boys stunned by her presence, and her first encounter with Zhao Cheng... It had all been so much.

And yet now, the world was quiet. Just the sound of water lapping at porcelain and the occasional breeze brushing the windowpane.

She applied a face mask, a system gift called the "Silken Glow Essence Sheet." It cooled her skin instantly. Jia Lan sighed in comfort.

Nearly an hour later, she emerged from the bathroom glowing—her skin flawless, her cheeks rosy. She wore a soft cream-colored lounge dress, embroidered lightly with peach blossoms, and tied her damp hair back with a wide satin ribbon.

By the time she walked into the sun-drenched sitting room, Aunt Li had laid out a simple but nourishing late brunch: soft congee with century egg and pickled vegetables, warm soy milk, a side of sesame pancakes with a light crisp, and slices of papaya on a porcelain plate.

"Lanlan, you must be starving," Aunt Li said warmly.

"Mm, I am," Jia Lan smiled. "You're the best, Aunt Li."

"Of course I am. Only the best for our Miss Jia." She chuckled and went back to arranging some fresh peonies into a vase.

After eating slowly and stretching on the chaise lounge for a bit, Jia Lan moved to the garden courtyard for a bit of sunlight. The weather was perfect—crisp autumn air, with a soft breeze rustling the golden ginkgo leaves. Birds chirped above. Her courtyard walls were tall enough to create a private haven, yet the sky above felt endless.

Later, in the afternoon, Jia Lan ventured out through the quiet stone path that led to the nearby street. She wore a soft jade-green qipao cardigan over her long skirt and kept her hair in a single braid. The streets outside bustled softly—women cleaning their storefronts, elderly men playing chess under shade trees, children laughing as they kicked around a ball.

A few people turned to look at her as she walked by—partly because she was stunning, but mostly because she exuded grace. She smiled back politely, buying a small sesame bun from an old vendor and wandering slowly.

She passed the bookstore where her English professor was said to shop, and stopped to browse the window. She noted a translated novel from Russia and made a mental note to ask Aunt Li to help her buy it next week.

As the sun began to set in shades of gold and apricot, she made her way back home, the scent of autumn wood smoke drifting in the air.

That evening, the kitchen in her courtyard glowed with warm lamplight.

Aunt Li was in high spirits, and Jia Lan, wearing a pale peach knit top and cotton trousers, helped roll dumpling wrappers. They laughed and chatted as they worked. The filling was rich with minced pork, mushrooms, and green onions.

"I put in some chestnuts too this time," Aunt Li said with pride.

"Oh, then they'll be extra fragrant!"

Together they made wontons, spring rolls, and even sweet red bean buns. Aunt Li had also made a pot of chicken soup with goji berries and ginseng.

When the table was finally set, it looked like a New Year's feast.

"Why are we celebrating?" Jia Lan asked with a teasing grin.

"Because our Lanlan finally has her weekend, and because I heard from Aunt Chen in the market that a certain someone caught the attention of a very handsome boy yesterday."

Jia Lan choked on her soup. "Aunt Li!"

"Well, he's polite, isn't he?" Aunt Li teased, eyebrows raised.

"…He's nice," Jia Lan replied softly. "Very different from the book version. I think... he's suffered a lot."

Aunt Li gave her a wise look but didn't press further.

After dinner, Jia Lan stepped into the courtyard garden again, her soft slippers brushing the stone path. The moon was high, and the wind carried the scent of osmanthus blossoms. She took a moment of quiet and gently activated her system.

Ding!Ding! System Check-in complete.

Reward:

150 yuan

a small bag of hawthorn candies.

She smiled to herself. Tucking the candies into a silk pouch, she went inside.

Aunt Li handed her a warm mug of milk. "For your complexion."

"Thank you," Jia Lan said, curling up on the divan.

Her bed was already warmed with a heated stone pan wrapped in cloth. She slipped in, soft sheets and plush blankets wrapping her in warmth. The sound of the courtyard wind and the faint hum of the heater was all that remained.

She closed her eyes with a little smile.

A cozy day. A peaceful night. No pressure to be perfect. Just rest.

She whispered softly, "Thank you, system."

And drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.