Chapter 100 : Journey Home

The air was still hushed with dawn's silence when Jia Lan stirred awake. Outside, the winter morning lay blanketed in a soft frost, and a pale silver mist floated lazily beyond the windowpane. It was just past six o'clock, and the capital city still dozed, but Jia Lan's mind was alert with anticipation — today, she would be heading home for the Chinese New Year.

She stretched under her thick quilt for a moment, savoring the coziness of her heated blanket, before finally slipping out of bed with a gentle yawn. The floor was cold, and the air outside her room sharper than she liked — winter was in full swing. She padded toward the sink and brushed her teeth, her breath puffing in visible clouds, then returned to her wardrobe to dress.She padded softly into the washroom, where her toothbrush had already been set beside a thermos of hot water courtesy of Aunt Li, who always took care of small details. As she brushed her teeth, steam rose gently in the air, curling around the frosted windows. The mirror was slightly foggy from the bathroom warmth battling the biting winter air outside.

For the long train journey, she chose something practical yet stylish: a soft cashmere turtleneck sweater in creamy beige tucked into warm, tailored wool trousers in chestnut brown. Over it, she layered her new dark green padded coat — a recent reward from the system — with a delicate fur-lined hood. A matching scarf was wrapped around her neck, and she slipped on her sleek leather boots, perfect for cold weather travel.

The moment she opened her door, the scent of steaming millet porridge, pickled vegetables, and pan-fried dumplings wrapped around her like a loving embrace.

Aunt Li was plating breakfast. "Come, come. Eat while it's hot. Don't keep your stomach empty before a long journey," she said, wiping her hands on her apron.

"Aunt Li, that smells amazing," Jia Lan called warmly as she walked toward the kitchen.

Aunt Li, who had been bustling at the stove in her usual neat apron, turned around with a smile. "You're up already? Good girl. It's cold this morning — come, come, eat while it's hot. You'll be on the train for hours."

Jia Lan sat down at the little round table. Aunt Li placed a tray before her, the steam curling gently upward — the dumplings were golden and crispy, the porridge thick and soothing. On the side was a small dish of stir-fried greens with garlic and sesame oil.

As Jia Lan ate, Aunt Li gave her usual lecture in a fond tone.

Aunt Li beamed. "Be careful on the train. Don't talk to strangers. Keep your bag near you. And call me as soon as you reach home."

Jia Lan nodded obediently. "Yes, yes. Don't worry. I've taken trains before."

"A sleeper berth has been booked for you, right?" Aunt Li asked while sitting down beside her with her own bowl.

"Mn. Baba booked an upper berth for me—he said it's safer," Jia Lan replied with a smile.

Aunt Li sighed, wiping her hands on her apron. "Your father spoils you. Good thing he managed to get a proper ticket."

After breakfast, they both checked the luggage — one large suitcase and a smaller travel bag. Inside were her winter clothes, gifts for her family, and the essentials for the two-day train ride. Jia Lan had even packed her latest check-in reward: a box of imported chocolates, which she planned to share with her family as a small treat.Aunt Li had even packed a stainless-steel tiffin of home-cooked lunch, wrapped securely in a cloth bundle.

By 10:00 AM, it was time to leave. Aunt Li insisted on carrying the smaller bag as they walked to the station together, bundled up against the wind. The roads were bustling, everyone seemingly traveling for the holiday. Outside, people were layered in thick coats, gloves, and scarves. The streets were lined with red lanterns, and the buzz of the upcoming New Year filled the air with a festive kind of warmth despite the chill.The train station was already bustling a tide of people carrying heavy bags, children clinging to parents, vendors selling hot tea in thermoses, and long queues of tired travelers with red noses and flushed cheeks.

"It's the rush for New Year," Aunt Li muttered, eyeing the crowd. "Everyone's going home."

The train rumbled into the platform, long and rumbling like a steel dragon.At the station, the loudspeakers echoed with announcements. Once they located her carriage, Aunt Li helped her load her suitcase, huffing as they lifted it onto the train and slid it beneath the lower berth. Jia Lan had the upper sleeper berth, her ticket neatly folded in her coat pocket.

Inside the compartment, three passengers were already settled.

Aunt Li lingered on the platform, peeking in through the window to check once more if her Jia Lan was safe. Jia Lan crouched at the open window of the lower berth for a moment.

"Aunt Li, you should go now — it's too cold out here."

"You be good. Call me when you arrive. And don't forget to eat the lunch I packed."

Jia Lan smiled, touched. "I will."

"Jia Lan, listen to me again, don't eat food from strangers. If anything feels wrong, just leave your seat and go stand with the conductor. Be alert," Aunt Li reminded, eyes slightly moist.

Jia Lan smiled gently and hugged her. "I'll be fine, Aunt Li. You go back now before the crowd gets worse."

With one last wave, Aunt Li disappeared into the crowd as the train gave a sharp whistle. Inside the train, Jia Lan found her cabin. It was already filled.Jia Lan sat quietly, her cheek resting on the windowpane for a moment, watching the snow-slicked platform move away.

The system chimed softly in her head.

Ding! Ding! Daily check-in complete.

You've received:

Box of Swiss Chocolate Winter Special Edition.

On the lower sleeper berth sat a gentle-looking couple and their toddler daughter, no more than two years old. Across from them, on the upper sleeper, was a man in military uniform an army officer. His luggage was neatly arranged, and his posture straight even while seated.

"Hello," Jia Lan greeted with a polite smile.

The couple smiled back. "You must be the student occupying the upper berth?" the woman asked kindly.

"Yes," Jia Lan replied, nodding. "It's nice to meet you."

"You too," the man replied. "This is our daughter, Dou Dou."

Going home for the New Year, young lady?" the woman asked with a warm smile.

"Yes," Jia Lan answered politely. "To city A"

The little girl peeked at Jia Lan from behind her mother's arm. Her round eyes blinked curiously, her cheeks puffy and flushed from the cold.

"She's adorable," Jia Lan said warmly, digging into her coat pocket and pulling out a small, beautifully wrapped chocolate bar she'd received from her daily system check-in.

"Would you like this?" she asked, holding it out to Dou Dou.

The mother quickly shook her head, "Oh no, no, she's already had too many sweets."

Jia Lan crouched slightly and said with a twinkle in her eye, "It's New Year soon. A little sweet from the capital is a lucky token, not just a treat."

The couple hesitated, but seeing her sincere smile, the mother relented. "Alright, just one."

Dou Dou reached out shyly, grabbing the chocolate with both her tiny hands. "Xie xie jie jie~" she said in a high, sweet voice.

Jia Lan chuckled. "You're welcome, little dumpling."

From the top bunk across from hers, the army officer chimed in, "She's got good manners for such a little one."

Jia Lan glanced up. He had a clean-cut look, probably in his late twenties, and wore a green winter uniform with a wool hat resting on his lap.

"Where are you headed?" he asked.

"Going back home to spend New Year with my family," Jia Lan replied, adjusting her scarf slightly. "I study here in the capital."

"Ah. Must be nice, to return home during the holidays," he said with a touch of warmth.

Jia Lan smiled politely. "Yes. I am lucky to have them …" Her thought trailed silently in her mind. This life gave me everything I missed before. A family. Warmth. People to come back to. I must cherish them.

The army officer spoke again, "We're all lucky to have someone to return to."

She nodded softly, and the train's engine rumbled beneath them as the journey began.

Outside, the city slowly gave way to snow-covered fields and villages. Red paper decorations could be seen fluttering in windows as people prepared for the most heartfelt festival of the year.

Jia Lan leaned back in her lower berth for now, watching Dou Dou play with her chocolate wrapper. The couple chatted quietly with her, and the army officer pulled out a book.

Everything felt peaceful.