Chapter 99:Winter Shopping Craze

The morning sun filtered through the curtains in soft, golden streams, illuminating the delicate floral patterns of Jia Lan's warm cotton quilt. Wrapped in layers of fluffy blankets, her breath made faint clouds in the air. Winter in the capital was no joke. The cold was biting, and the frost laced the edges of her windowpanes like intricate lace embroidery.

But today was different there were no books to open, no translations to submit, no notes to review. Today was for her family.

Jia Lan stretched lazily in bed, her long sleeves slipping down her pale wrists. She took her time getting ready, donning a thick dark wool coat with toggle buttons, lined inside with warm rabbit fur. Underneath, she wore a high-neck cream sweater and a burgundy plaid skirt that reached just below her knees, paired with fleece-lined tights and sturdy leather ankle boots. She wrapped a soft gray scarf around her neck and pulled on a knitted hat—one that her grandmother had made and mailed from home last winter. Her cheeks flushed pink from the cold even before she stepped outside.

After a hearty lunch of rice, braised tofu, and sweet potato soup, Jia Lan set off toward the famed Capital State Department Store, nestled in the bustling heart of the city. The streets were alive with the spirit of the upcoming Chinese New Year. Crimson lanterns were strung across shopfronts. Gold foil decorations shaped like fish and dragons glinted in the sunlight, and every other passerby carried bright red paper bags and wrapped parcels.

The capital had embraced winter like an old friend. Snow crunched softly underfoot as the cold kissed cheeks pink, and the air carried the faint smell of roasted chestnuts and new year's ink. Jia Lan stood before the grand entrance of the State Department Store, her dark wool coat fluttering slightly in the breeze, her cashmere scarf tucked just right beneath her chin.

It was the largest shopping destination in the city five stories of marble floors, chandeliers hanging from carved ceilings, and endless shelves of the best the capital had to offer.

Inside, the store was alive with color and motion. Crystal lights shimmered from above. Red banners for the Lunar New Year fluttered across displays of imported chocolates, satin cheongsams, and perfume. The hum of the crowd mingled with soft music from the speakers. Sales attendants in pressed uniforms bowed politely as she passed.

Jia Lan's eyes sparkled like someone who had just stepped into a candy palace.

"Let's start," she whispered with a grin, eyes scanning the luxurious aisles like a connoisseur.

The store was massive, its glass doors constantly swinging open and closed with the stream of customers. The air inside was filled with warmth and chatter, and the scent of pine, perfume, and new fabric.

Jia Lan took her time. This wasn't just shopping it was selecting pieces of love.

First, the silk and fabric section. Rolls of embroidered satin shimmered in lotus pink, plum purple, and moonlight silver.

"For Mother," she said, fingers gliding across a plum blossom silk scarf as the assistant carefully folded it into a gold-stamped gift box. She added a hand-painted fan and a box of herbal skincare creams she knew her mother would love.

"For Father," she chose a woollen sweater in iron grey, a limited-edition tea box, and a black leather-covered diary imported from Shanghai.

Then came the men's luxury section. Her eldest brother would look perfect in this charcoal overcoat with a hidden silk lining. "Box it," she told the attendant.

For Xu Li, she tested perfumes on delicate tester strips before selecting an imported French fragrance with soft notes of rose and sandalwood. She matched it with a pair of dark red leather gloves, the kind only sold in elite circles.

The second brother got a mid-range wristwatch with a refined design. Jia Lan raised an eyebrow as the assistant hesitated over the price tag.

"Add it. And wrap it well."

For Yao Jing, she found a dreamy pink wool cape coat, decorated with embroidered flowers at the collar. Jia Lan laughed imagining her sister-in-law's over-the-top reaction.

"She'll squeal loud enough to shake the windows," she murmured fondly.

She wandered through the children's section next. A snow-white bunny coat caught her eye fluffy, with round ears stitched onto the hood. She couldn't resist holding it up.

"Naun will look like a steamed bun in this," she giggled.

For her grandparents, she selected embroidered indoor slippers that came with heating pads, plus a rare health tonic blend the shopkeeper insisted would strengthen the body and calm the heart.

And then, Aunt Li she could never forget her. At a traditional crafts counter, Jia Lan picked a lotus-crane embroidered table runner, and a small jade door charm to bless the house. She added a pouch of aged pu-erh tea, fragrant and dark.

Each gift was chosen with purpose. Each a little ribbon tied to her heartstrings.

As her arms filled with gift bags and boxes wrapped in gold ribbons, a few people stared. Jia Lan, with her tall posture, glowing skin, and designer leather purse, looked like a movie star's daughter on holiday.

"Is that from the ministry family?" someone whispered.

"She's the spoiled daughter of a powerful household," another murmured, eyeing her boots.

Jia Lan pretended not to hear. She walked with grace, her chin slightly lifted, her eyes calm and amused. After all, shopping was one of her skills now — unlocked through the system, of course.

At the payment counter, two young sales clerks carefully tallied her purchases. The register beeped softly, and the final total was enough to make most people's eyes water.

But Jia Lan didn't even blink.

She opened her red leather wallet and handed over the sleek high-value worker's shopping coupon booklet, along with crisp bills. Behind her, the customer line went quiet for a moment.

The cashier gave a tiny bow. "Everything is packed and ready for delivery to your courtyard, Comrade."

"Good." She smiled.

Outside the store, the street was even more crowded now. Hawkers called out from carts, selling roasted chestnuts, candied hawthorn skewers, and paper cuttings. The wind carried the scent of spice and pine resin. Children in puffy coats ran past, their laughter ringing out like wind chimes. Jia Lan's arms were heavy with red bags and gift boxes, but her heart felt light and full.

She paused at a corner, watching the way the winter light caught on the frost-covered rooftops, her breath curling like white smoke. Her cheeks were rosy, and a few stray snowflakes landed on her scarf.

Before leaving, she treated herself to a warm sweet potato snack from the street cart outside and munched quietly as she waited for her car. The sky above turned a deep shade of honey-orange, and the capital's grand avenues lit up with winter lanterns.

It had taken her three hours to finish her gift shopping, and by the time she reached her courtyard, the sun was dipping low in the sky, casting long amber shadows on the ground.

She placed the gifts neatly in a box she would pack and seal later for her trip home.

This wasn't just shopping. It was love, wrapped in silk, wool, and thoughtful choices.

She looked at the gift list again and ticked each name with satisfaction. Then she giggled to herself.

"Who says spoiled daughters don't know how to shop for others?"

Later that evening, she'd write a note for each family member to slip into their gifts. Nothing too dramatic—just a line or two. Thoughtful. Gentle. Hers.

She didn't need the system to tell her this was happiness.