Chapter 102: Returning Home

The cold winter morning lingered with a soft mist curling around the station as the train gradually screeched to a halt. It was barely past seven, but the platform was already bustling with travelers wrapped in thick coats, mufflers, and padded gloves, each hurrying towards family, duties, or home. Steam hissed softly from under the train wheels, merging with the fog that hovered low above the ground.

Inside the train, Jia Lan blinked awake at the gentle jerk of arrival. She quickly straightened her coat and smoothed her hair, a touch of nervous excitement pulsing in her chest. Her belongings were neatly packed beside her—carefully organized with the gifts she'd brought for everyone back home.

As the train slowed to a complete halt, a conductor's voice echoed down the corridor, "Provincial Station! Passengers for the Provincial Station, please alight!"

As the doors slid open, she stepped off, her leather boots tapping softly on the icy platform.Jia Lan stepped off onto the platform, a warm breath clouding in front of her face. The station was bustling despite the early hour. Porters shouted over carts, families reunited in tight hugs, and sharp whistles cut through the wintry air.

Before she could look around, a familiar, powerful voice rang out over the crowd.

"Lan Lan!"

Her heart skipped. That voice—her father's.

She turned and spotted Father Jia striding through the crowd in his dark woolen overcoat, scarf trailing slightly behind him. His eyes were fixed only on her, his dignified face softened with emotion.

"Dad!" she called out with a beaming smile, breaking into a trot.

Without hesitation, he enveloped her into a strong hug. Despite the layers of winter clothing, she felt the warmth in his arms, steady and sure.

"You didn't need to come so early in this cold," she mumbled into his coat, smiling.

"How could I not? My daughter is coming home after so long," he said, voice thick with affection. "You think I'd let anyone else pick you up?"

"You've grown thinner," he said, his voice gruff as he pulled her into a warm hug. "The capital is good, but it doesn't feed people properly, huh?"

Jia Lan chuckled and hugged him tighter. "I missed you too, Dad. I thought you'd already be back at work."

"I told the unit I'd be late today," he said proudly. "How could I not pick up my baby girl myself?"

She chuckled softly, her nose reddened by the cold. "I'm happy you're here."

He gently patted her head and took her bag before leading her to their car parked just outside the station.

Once loaded into the black sedan, they drove home. The city roads were dusted with snow and slush, the streets already busy with pedestrians and cyclists bundled in cotton coats and gloves. The smell of steamed buns and fried dough wafted through shopfronts as the world slowly came alive.

The black city car hummed as it drove smoothly through the quiet morning streets. Snow from the previous evening still lined the edges of the roads. The sky was a pale blue, brushed with sleepy hues of sunrise.

"Your mother barely slept last night," Father Jia said, glancing at her with a smile. "She kept asking if the train would arrive safely."

"I'm fine. Aunt Li packed everything perfectly," Jia Lan replied, looking out the window at the familiar yet missed city.

As they pulled into their grand home—a sprawling traditional courtyard house with a modern edge—the warmth of the family's welcome was already spilling through the carved wooden front doors.

By the time they reached home, golden sunlight was cascading over the rooftop of the Jia family residence. As soon as the car door opened, the front door was flung wide open—and out rushed her two older brothers and both sisters-in-law.

"Our little ancestor is back!" Second Brother shouted with a grin, pretending to wipe fake tears.

"You even remembered the way home, huh?" Eldest Brother teased, taking her suitcase with ease. "We thought you'd stay there and forget about us commoners!"

"I brought you gifts, but I can take them back to the city if you keep teasing me," Jia Lan raised an eyebrow, pretending to snatch her bags back.

"She's here! Our Lan Lan is here!"

Grandmother Jia's voice echoed through the halls before Jia Lan even stepped over the threshold. Her grandmother stood at the entrance, clutching her shawl, eyes already watery.

Grandfather Jia stood tall beside her, a rare emotion trembling on his usually stoic face. Jia Lan bowed respectfully and rushed forward to hug them both.

"I missed you so much, Grandma, Grandpa," she whispered.

"You've lost weight! Are you eating properly?" Grandma Jia scolded softly, holding Jia Lan's face with both hands.

"I am! It's just the lighting," Jia Lan replied playfully, smiling.

"Lan Lan! Our beauty has returned!" cried her second brother, teased her again with a smirk .

"Little sister!" teased her eldest brother, flicking her forehead gently. "Capital wind didn't blow you away, huh?"

"Of course not. I'm practically rooted like a peony," she said, laughing.

"Aiya, you dare say that? What if your head gets big with pride!" Yao Jing giggled, hugging her.

Xu Li, elegant as ever, stepped forward with a smile and pulled her in for a softer hug. "The house feels complete again."

"Where's Baby Naun?" she asked after looking around.

"She's still asleep," said Second Sister-in-law gently. "It's too cold for the little one to wake up this early."

Then came the soft wailing of a baby from the upper floor.

"That must be little Naun," Jia Lan said, eyes lighting up.

"She'll see you after breakfast. We didn't want to wake her in this cold," Mother Jia said as she descended the stairs, eyes already misty.

Jia Lan turned to her mother just in time to catch her in a tight embrace.

"Mom..."

"My baby girl," Mother Jia whispered, brushing a kiss to her forehead. "Never again should you be away this long."

Tears rolled down her cheeks before she wiped them with a laugh.

"Alright, let's not cry. Let's eat. Everyone's been up since dawn preparing your favorite breakfast," Father Jia announced.

Everyone soon ushered her inside. The house was filled with warmth—the fire was crackling, the heaters in the room were on, and the dining table was already set.

"We made all your favorites," Eldest Sister-in-law said, proudly removing the lids from the serving dishes.

In the grand dining hall, the long table was lined with warm dishes: steaming pork buns, golden sesame pancakes, delicate shrimp dumplings, stir-fried seasonal greens, red bean congee, and a variety of sweet pastries all crafted with love and precision.

"This this is a royal feast," Jia Lan gasped, eyes wide.

"Only the best for our treasure," Grandmother Jia said with pride.

"I'm going to gain ten pounds," Jia Lan laughed, taking a seat.

"Let's eat first, worry later," Jia Yu joked, already handing her chopsticks.

Jia Lan's eyes sparkled. "I haven't even had this kind of spread at the State Guest House!"

Everyone laughed again.

Second Brother placed a bowl in front of her. "Come, Empress. Please bless us humble servants with your gracious appetite."

"Fine, I'll spare you today," Jia Lan said haughtily, lifting her spoon with flair. "You're lucky I'm in a generous mood."

She took her first bite. "Mm—Mother, this pork belly is so soft it melts!"

Madam Jia beamed. "Only the best for my daughter."

As the family ate, laughter echoed through the hall. Each bite was a taste of home, of love, of reunion. Jia Lan's heart swelled with warmth. No matter how beautiful the capital was, no matter how luxurious the shops or how dazzling the streets, nothing could match the comfort of being with her family.

All morning, laughter filled the Jia household. Eldest Brother brought out the coal-stove foot warmers for her. Second Sister-in-law combed her hair and gushed about her glowing skin. Her grandparents kept smiling at her over their tea, as if unable to believe she was real and in front of them again.

In that moment, surrounded by warmth, the scents of home-cooked food, and the laughter of her loved ones, Jia Lan felt a sense of wholeness and peace that no system reward could ever match.

She was home. And here, she was loved endlessly.