Chapter 103: A Cozy Night Home

The soft winter night had settled like a thick, woolen blanket over the city. Outside, the wind hummed low, rustling bare branches, while inside the Jia household, warm yellow lights flickered in corners and the smell of cedar lingered in the hallways.

Jia Lan sat cross-legged on her childhood bed, her cheeks flushed from laughter. In her arms was Baby Naun, bundled up in a pale pink onesie, cheeks chubby and red like apples. The moment Jia Lan had entered the house that morning, Naun had squealed and reached out for her with those tiny arms, clinging like a koala.

"Naun, say jiejie!" Jia Lan coaxed gently, tapping the little girl's nose.

Naun clapped her hands, babbled a few unintelligible sounds, and finally giggled, "Jie…jie!"

Jia Lan laughed, heart melting. "Smart girl! You didn't forget your jiejie even after so long."

Naun leaned in and planted a wet kiss on Jia Lan's cheek, then nestled into her arms again, sleepy and satisfied.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Mother Jia stepped in with Father Jia trailing behind. Her mother's hair was tied in a loose bun, a cotton shawl around her shoulders, eyes immediately softening at the sight of her two daughters.

"You're still playing with her?" Mother Jia chuckled, stepping closer. "Naun's been waiting for you these past few days, wouldn't even sleep in her own crib some nights."

Jia Lan smiled, "Even after so long, she still remembers me. She's such a baby koala."

Father Jia leaned against the doorframe with a teasing look. "You say that now, but just wait until she pulls your hair at 3 AM."

Mother Jia ignored him and sat beside Jia Lan, stroking Naun's back. "You've grown thinner, ah. Didn't eat properly in the capital?"

"I ate well, Ma. Aunt Li took good care of me." Jia Lan smiled. "And I learned to be more independent."

"You're our youngest," Father Jia muttered. "How independent can you be?"

Mother Jia giggled. "Exactly. We'll spoil you till you're eighty."

They chatted idly—about food in the capital, the girls in her dormitory, how cold the train was, and whether the soups at the station vendors were still bad.

Then, Jia Lan suddenly got up, gently placing the sleeping Naun beside her. She opened her bag and pulled out a small wooden box, carefully handing it to her parents.

"What's this?" Mother Jia blinked, curious.

"Some herbal detox pills I found at a reputable store in the capital," Jia Lan replied calmly, hiding the gleam in her eye. Of course, they were actually given by the system — a rare Toxin Expelling Pill that purged impurities, rejuvenated the body, and even slightly enhanced immunity. "It's supposed to be good for removing toxins, especially with the food and air these days."

Father Jia frowned slightly. "You spent money on this? We're all healthy, aren't we?"

"Still…" Jia Lan held their hands. "Just try it once. Please? If it works for you, give it to Grandpa, Grandma, and the others."

Mother Jia looked at her daughter's pleading face, then nudged Father Jia. "Just humor her. It won't hurt."

"You two promise to take it first, okay?" Jia Lan insisted. "I want to be sure it suits you."

"Alright, alright," Father Jia finally agreed with a sigh. "You're the little empress of this house, who can say no to you?"

After another round of hugs and small talk, her parents finally left to their own room. Jia Lan watched them go with a smile before turning to the sleepy bundle in her lap.

"Let's return you to your mama," she whispered to Naun.

Jia Lan wrapped her gently in a soft blanket and stepped quietly into the corridor, walking to Xu Li's room. She knocked softly.

The door opened, and Xu Li, her eldest sister-in-law, peeked out in pajamas.

"Oh, Lanlan. She finally fell asleep?" Xu Li smiled and took Naun gently.

"She played like a little storm and then knocked out," Jia Lan laughed. "I missed this chaos."

"You're back home now," Xu Li said warmly. "Chaos is part of the package."

After exchanging a few more words, Jia Lan returned to her own room. The familiar warmth of her bed greeted her like an old friend.

Just as she pulled up her blanket, the system's crisp chime echoed in her head.

> [Ding! Daily Check-in Successful!]

Reward: Limited Edition Winter Perfume — "Snow Petals & Amber"

"Ah… so random," Jia Lan mumbled, pulling the virtual bottle into her inventory. "Smells expensive though. Might give this to Second Sister-in-law tomorrow."

She glanced at the pile of beautifully wrapped shopping bags on her table—silks for Grandma, a handmade belt for Grandpa, imported skincare for her mom, shoes for her brothers… Tomorrow, she'd play Santa Claus.

Smiling to herself, Jia Lan curled deeper into the warm blankets. With the quiet winter night humming beyond her window, and her family all near again, her heart felt full.

Finally, sleep tugged at her, soft and slow.

Tomorrow would be a day of joy and gifts.