Chapter 104: Winter Morning, Family Warmth

The pale golden light of early winter morning peeked in through the frosted glass windows of Jia Lan's room. The air was crisp, chilled with a soft bite of snow that hadn't fallen but lingered in the clouds, waiting to dust the city. Steam curled up from her copper mug as she sat on the edge of the bed, wrapping a wool shawl around her shoulders. Her long, black hair was neatly combed, and the scent of rose shampoo still lingered faintly.The soft golden light of the winter sun filtered through the paper windows, casting gentle patterns across Jia Lan's quilt. The cold had settled deeply into the air, making everything outside seem quiet and still, but inside, the mansion was warm and peaceful.

Her cozy room, decorated with soft-colored curtains and thick blankets, held a quiet warmth—a stark contrast to the cold outside.

Jia Lan slowly blinked awake beneath the thick cotton quilt stuffed with goose feathers. Her cheeks were slightly pink from the warmth, and the faint smell of sandalwood lingered in the room from the incense her grandmother liked to burn. A misty fog clung to the frosted glass panes, and the breath she exhaled was visible for just a moment in the chill of the early room air.

She stretched languidly, her white silk pajamas rustling as she moved, then slipped her feet into soft embroidered slippers. The floor was cold, but her steps were light. She walked over to the vanity and began her morning routine washing her face with warm water, brushing her teeth with the floral toothpaste she'd brought back from the capital, and applying a thin layer of moisturizing cream.

After that, she lit a small heater and sat by it to comb her hair. Her black tresses gleamed in the morning light, and she tied them into a soft ponytail with a sky-blue ribbon. She chose a thick wool dress in muted peach, paired with fluffy socks and a warm scarf.

Just as she finished adjusting her collar, there was a soft knock at the door.

"Lanlan, are you awake?" her mother's voice came gently.

"Yes, Mama. I'm just coming out."

Mother Jia entered with a smile, dressed in a deep burgundy winter coat with fur lining. "Come down for breakfast. Everyone's already gathered."

Jia Lan smiled and nodded, slipping her hand into her mother's arm. "Let's go together."

The two walked down the hall, the sound of their soft slippers echoing. Outside the windows, thin wisps of fog curled in the air. The trees were bare, and frost glazed the edges of the courtyard tiles like crystal embroidery. The smell of freshly steamed mantou and congee wafted from the dining hall.The corridor smelled faintly of rice porridge and roasted peanuts. As they descended the stairs, laughter echoed faintly from the dining hall.

When they entered, the whole family was already seated Father Jia sipping tea, Grandma patting Baby Naun who sat with Xu Li, and the two brothers discussing something playfully.

"Ah, the stars have descended," Second Brother teased. "Our Jia Lan graces us with her presence."

Jia Lan rolled her eyes dramatically. "Excuse me for wanting to look cute even at breakfast."

"Lan'er is finally awake," her eldest brother joked. "We thought we'd have to send in a search party with hot buns to lure you out."

"Hmph, do you want me to go back to the capital?" Jia Lan teased, taking her seat beside her mother.

Everyone chuckled as she took her seat.

The breakfast table was filled with warmth congee, steamed pork buns, pickled vegetables, stir-fried greens, and golden soy milk. The steam from the food curled into the air, creating a cozy cocoon in the frosty morning.

As the bowls clinked and chopsticks moved, the air was warm with laughter.

Grandma looked around fondly. "Everyone looks much healthier these days, don't they?"

Second Sister-in-law Yao Jing grinned, "Must be because of those magical detox pills Father brought."

Grandfather Jia, dressed in a thick quilted robe, smiled as he sipped his tea. "These past few days, I've felt like I'm twenty years younger. My bones don't creak, and my joints don't ache. Must be that man you saved, ah. What a miraculous pill he gave."

Xu Li added smoothly, "Yes, how lucky that the person Father helped gave them in return."

"Yes," Father Jia nodded with a faint smile. "Didn't expect such a reward for helping someone on the road. Shows good deeds do bring blessings."

Jia Lan glanced at her father, who winked at her. She smiled inwardly so that was the story they'd agreed on. Smart choice. No need to attract unnecessary attention.

Jia Lan smiled to herself quietly. She was fine with the excuse. It was better this way. Some secrets were meant to be kept, especially in a world where jealousy brewed in hidden corners.

"They were effective, that's for sure," said Father Jia as he reached for another helping of turnip cake. "Felt like ten years of tiredness drained out of me."

"Even Grandma is glowing," said Xu Li playfully.

"Speak for yourself," Grandma shot back with a mock glare. "I've always been glowing."

Everyone burst out laughing.

"It really worked," Xu Li added, her skin noticeably brighter. "I've had no headaches, and even my appetite is better. That man our father saved must have been a miracle doctor in hiding."

Grandmother nodded sagely. "We should find him again and offer thanks."

Jia Lan coughed lightly to change the subject. "Mama, you mentioned something about shopping?"

Amid the warm family chatter, Mother Jia suddenly said, "Oh yes, Lanlan. Tomorrow, you, me, your sisters-in-law, and your grandmother will go shopping for the Spring Festival."

Father Jia perked up, mock offended. "Why just the women? Why wasn't I invited? Don't I get a say in New Year's décor?"

Jia Lan giggled. "Papa, what would you even buy?"

"I can buy firecrackers and peanuts!"

"Exactly my point," Mother Jia quipped with a grin. "The men in this house think New Year's prep is about snacks and noise."

Grandma chuckled, "If we left it to them, our house would be decorated with salted fish and lanterns shaped like pigs."

"Hey now!" Second Brother laughed. "I quite like the pig idea."

"Pig lanterns for the men," Xu Li declared. "Elegant red silk for the women."

"Fair division," Jia Lan added, raising her tea cup. "To pig lanterns and graceful shopping."

"To pig lanterns!" the brothers shouted in unison, and the whole dining hall roared with laughter again.

"Don't worry, Father," Yao Jing giggled. "We'll bring you back some roasted chestnuts. That's all you care about anyway."

Even Grandfather chuckled. "Let the women take care of the shopping. They're sharper than us when it comes to spending money wisely… or wildly."

"I heard that!" Xu Li grinned. "I plan to get a new pair of fur-lined boots."

"Make sure to buy those candied hawthorns," Jia Lan said. "I want to snack on them while we decorate the courtyard."

"Just candied hawthorns? I remember you used to eat five skewers in a row!" her second brother teased.

Jia Lan pouted dramatically. "I'm older now. I have elegance."

"Since when?" Both brothers said in unison, and the entire room echoed with laughter again.

The morning continued with little jokes, second and third helpings of breakfast, and Baby Naun trying to feed Xu Li a steamed bun half her size. The cold outside was forgotten entirely in the warmth of family.

And as Jia Lan sipped her sweet soy milk, she thought quietly this, this was the life she wanted to protect. And tomorrow, she would shower them all with little surprises from the capital.

After breakfast, the family didn't disperse immediately. Instead, they sat around the heaters, sipping tea and chatting about the neighbors, upcoming festivals, and which family had gotten engaged.

Yao Jing leaned in. "I heard the Chen family's youngest is bringing home a city girl from Shanghai. She wears trousers, smokes, and doesn't even know how to steam rice."

Xu Li tsked. "Another one who thinks fashion is more important than food. That poor boy."

Jia Lan smiled but stayed quiet. Compared to others, her own life was wrapped in blessings, secrets, and golden threads. But this ordinary laughter, in this cozy house filled with love that was what made her feel rich beyond measure.

Author notes:

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let you know that I won't be uploading new chapters for the next few days. I need a bit of time to go back and edit the chapters I've already posted to improve the quality and consistency.

Thank you so much for your support and understanding—it really means a lot to me 💖

Please bear with me for a little while. I promise I'll be back soon with better chapters! 🥰✨