Jia Lan slipped into her bedroom, her shoulders relaxing as the day finally came to a close. The quiet hum of the courtyard outside faded as she closed the door behind her. She moved toward the bath, eager for a long soak. The hot water steamed against the cool air, enveloping her in warmth as she let it ease the tension from her body. She washed her hair slowly, letting her fingers massage her scalp, the faint herbal fragrance of the shampoo curling in the air.
By the time she finally stepped out of the bathroom, a billow of steam followed her, curling around her ankles before dissolving into the cooler air of the hallway. The mirror was so thoroughly fogged that only the faintest outline of her reflection peeked through, blurred and soft like a watercolor painting. Her skin still glowed faintly pink from the hot water, warm to the touch, as though she carried a piece of the shower's heat with her.
She wrapped herself snugly in a thick, fluffy towel, savoring the comforting weight of it against her shoulders. Droplets slid lazily from her hair, leaving a dark trail against the fabric, and the faint scent of her herbal shampoo clung to the air a mix of ginseng and chrysanthemum, refreshing yet calming.
Moving into her room, she slipped into soft, warm home clothes: a loose cotton top the color of milk tea and a pair of fleece-lined pants that felt like a small indulgence against the cool night air. The fabric brushed warmly against her skin, making her sigh in quiet contentment.
Settling before the vanity, she reached for her skincare bottles one by one, the practiced rhythm of the routine almost meditative. Cool lotion spread across her cheeks, followed by a light cream that sealed in the moisture. With each step, her reflection grew smoother, more luminous, the weariness of the day slowly melting away.
Her damp hair clung stubbornly to her shoulders, so she picked up the dryer and worked through it section by section, the gentle hum filling the room. The strands dried into a soft, airy fall, carrying with them the delicate fragrance of soap and steam. She was only halfway done when a voice called from beyond the door, familiar and warm.
"Miss, dinner is ready!"
It was Aunt Li, her tone laced with cheer, as though the meal had been prepared not just for the body but also for comfort.
Jia Lan's lips curved slightly. Her stomach, quiet until now, gave a small rumble at the reminder. Yes, dinner sounded perfect.
Her stomach answered before she did, grumbling in protest. With a smile tugging at her lips, she padded to the dining hall, where Aunt Li had already laid the table. The dishes were steaming and fragrant braised pork belly glistening with sauce, stir-fried greens topped with garlic, tofu soup with bits of mushroom, and a plate of golden fried eggs with scallions.
Jia Lan sat down, chopsticks in hand, as Aunt Li busied herself with the teapot.
"You've worked hard today, Aunt Li," Jia Lan said before taking her first bite.
"Not hard at all," Aunt Li smiled. "Seeing you eat with appetite is reward enough."
As Jia Lan chewed thoughtfully, she let out a small sigh. "You know, Shen Mingrui is not at all like people describe him. They say he's steady, focused, serious but half the time, he can't even form a proper sentence. And when he finally manages to, he doesn't know how to stop. He just babbles on and on."
Aunt Li chuckled, shaking her head. "Is that so? Grandma Mu always said her grandson was very serious. Looks like he isn't quite what even his own grandmother thinks."
Jia Lan rolled her eyes faintly, popping another piece of pork into her mouth. "Serious? He's like a wind-up toy that won't stop once it's started."
The two shared quiet laughter over the table as the warm light flickered across the dishes. After finishing, Jia Lan excused herself to make a phone call home.
The familiar static hum of the landline connected, and soon her father's steady voice answered.
"Lan Lan, how are you? Did you have dinner yet?"
"Yes, Dad, I did. And I'm doing well," Jia Lan replied softly.
There was a shuffle on the other end, and then Mother Jia's warm, slightly anxious voice came through.
"Lan Lan! How are you, child? Did you eat? Don't forget to wear warm clothes the seasons are changing, you'll catch cold if you're careless!"
Jia Lan smiled, her heart softening. "Mom, I ate. And I'll be careful. You should take care of yourself too. Did something happen at home?"
Mother Jia let out a laugh. "Ah, I nearly forgot to tell you your second sister-in-law, Yao Jing, is pregnant!"
Jia Lan's eyes lit up. "Really? That's wonderful news!"
"Yes, yes. The whole family is overjoyed," Mother Jia said. "And not only that your elder sister is also pregnant. Because her husband's mother lives in another city with her younger son and refuses to come help, your elder sister and brother-in-law decided to move back here. It's easier this way everyone can take care of each other. Our home is lively like never before."
Jia Lan's lips curved in a soft smile, though her chest ached faintly with longing. "That's so good… It's rare for two little ones to be on the way at the same time."
"Mm, but still," Mother Jia's tone softened, "we all miss you very much, Lan Lan. The house is bustling, but it feels incomplete without you."
Jia Lan leaned back against the wall, her fingers tightening slightly on the receiver. Her voice dropped, warm but steady. "I miss you all too. Don't worry about me I'm eating well, studying, and taking care of myself. Just… promise me you'll look after yourself too."
They chatted for a while longer, Mother Jia's voice filled with warmth and little updates from home. Eventually, her tone turned soft, almost coaxing.
"Lan Lan, remember to sleep early, hm? Don't stay up studying so hard every night. You should rest your health is more important than anything."
Jia Lan smiled faintly, her voice gentle but teasing. "Don't worry about me, Mama. I'll take care of myself. But you also have to take care of yourself, otherwise I'll be the one who worries."
A soft laugh came from the other end of the line, followed by a few more tender words before the call ended.
After hanging up, the room felt unusually quiet. Jia Lan lingered in the living room, her thoughts drifting back home her mother's laugh, her sisters' chatter, the lively warmth of the household. A pang of homesickness stirred in her chest.
Just then, Aunt Li appeared with a small tray. "Miss, drink this before bed. Warm milk will help you sleep."
"Thank you, Aunt Li," Jia Lan said softly, wrapping her hands around the cup. The gentle heat seeped into her palms, and she drank slowly, savoring the comforting taste.
When she finished, Aunt Li gave her a motherly look. "You should rest early."
"Mm… goodnight," Jia Lan murmured, her voice drowsy.
She padded off to her room, her steps unhurried, each one carrying the quiet heaviness of the day. The faint glow of the bedside lamp greeted her, casting a warm halo across the familiar corners of the room. She walked towards her bed with languid movements, the kind that spoke of both contentment and exhaustion.
The bed, neatly made and inviting, seemed to be waiting just for her. As she slipped beneath the blankets, the cool sheets quickly gave way to warmth, wrapping around her like a gentle embrace. For a moment, she lay still, her gaze wandering over the ceiling as the last fragments of the day replayed in her mind the laughter in Aunt Li's voice, the comforting chatter with her mother, and the bittersweet ache of missing home.
Her lashes grew heavy, weighed down by the quiet drowsiness settling into her body. She let out a small sigh, shifting slightly to burrow deeper into the softness of her pillow. The blankets, snug and cocoon-like, seemed to whisper promises of peace.
Slowly, the world outside blurred, her thoughts melting into dreamlike fragments. The gentle rhythm of her breathing filled the room, steady and calm, until finally, she surrendered completely slipping into the deep, velvety silence of sleep.
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