The soft warmth of sunlight spilled across Jia Lan's bedroom, weaving golden threads through the sheer curtains. The morning air was calm, touched with the distant chirping of sparrows perched among the courtyard trees. Slowly, Jia Lan blinked her eyes open, letting herself stretch lazily against the sheets.
For days she had poured her energy into her studies, into her family, into keeping everything and everyone around her balanced. But today, she thought, she would do something different....she would do it just for herself. A day to slow down, to breathe, to pamper, to feel.
She swung her legs off the bed, padding over to the washbasin. The cool water on her face, the fresh mint of her toothpaste....simple but awakening. Still in her soft cotton pajamas, she made her way to the dining hall, the smell of food pulling her forward.
In the kitchen, Aunt Li was bustling about, her apron neatly tied as usual. She glanced up and smiled warmly the moment she saw Jia Lan.
"Good morning, Miss. The breakfast is just about ready," Aunt Li said, placing the last dish on the table.
"Good morning, Aunt Li," Jia Lan replied with a little smile, her voice still drowsy but bright. "Alright, I'll wait."
Before sitting, she wandered toward the garden door, letting the sunlight kiss her face. She inhaled deeply...the mingled scent of fresh leaves and blooming flowers was gentle, like a caress. Standing there, she closed her eyes, letting the moment sink into her chest, a soft reminder of how beautiful ordinary mornings could be.
"Miss, come! Breakfast is ready," Aunt Li called from the hall.
"Coming!" Jia Lan replied, laughter in her voice as she turned back inside.
The dining table had been neatly set with dishes of steamed buns, golden-fried spring rolls, a plate of sliced boiled eggs drizzled with soy sauce, and a small bowl of pickled vegetables. A pot of fragrant jasmine tea steamed gently at the side.
Jia Lan sat down, resting her elbows lightly on the edge of the table. Aunt Li, ever watchful, asked while pouring her tea, "Miss, do you have plans today? Are you going out?"
Jia Lan shook her head softly, smiling. "No, today I'm focusing on myself. A little self-care, a little pampering. I think I deserve that, don't you?"
Aunt Li chuckled, the wrinkles at her eyes deepening kindly. "That is a very good thing. Miss should always take time to nourish herself too, not just others."
With that, Jia Lan enjoyed her breakfast slowly, savoring each bite, sipping her tea until her body felt both nourished and light.
When she finally returned to her room, she was already excited for what lay ahead. Opening her cabinet, she pulled out the collection of oils, creams, and powders gifted by the System. Each bottle was delicately labeled, each jar filled with rich, fragrant textures that promised care.
She set everything neatly on her vanity, then slipped off her pajamas, draping herself in a light cotton robe.
First, she poured a little warmed oil into her palms....its fragrance was soft, a blend of lotus and sandalwood. Starting with her shoulders, she massaged the oil gently into her skin, kneading away the tiny knots of tension. Slowly, she moved down to her arms, her wrists, her hands, pausing to stretch her fingers wide as though letting go of invisible burdens.
The strokes were unhurried, meditative...she inhaled as her hands pressed, exhaled as she released, her breath falling into rhythm with her movements.
Then came her legs...she smoothed the oil down her calves, circling her ankles, tracing along the arches of her feet until a sigh of relief left her lips. The warmth seeped in, leaving her body light, her skin glowing with a soft sheen.
When her body felt supple and renewed, she reached for the small glass jar of hair oil. It smelled faintly of jasmine and rosemary. Scooping some into her palms, she warmed it between her fingers before threading them gently through her hair. Her scalp tingled as she massaged in circles, the tension of the past week melting beneath her fingertips.
She closed her eyes, leaning into the sensation....the quiet scratch of her nails, the soothing slide of her palms, the earthy fragrance wrapping her like a lullaby. Strands of her hair gleamed as the oil coated them, heavy yet luxurious.
Not rushing, she braided her oiled hair loosely, tucking it aside. Then she turned back to her vanity, reaching for the small porcelain bowl of herbal powder. Mixing it with rosewater, she made a cooling paste and spread it gently across her face, down her neck. The mask hugged her skin, cooling, refreshing, a quiet reminder to pause.
She sat back in her chair, eyes closed, palms resting lightly on her lap. Outside, the faint rustle of trees joined the birdsong, as if the world itself was keeping her company in her ritual.
After massaging oil into her skin and hair, Jia Lan prepared her face. She placed a porcelain bowl on her vanity, poured in warm water, and let a few drops of the System's floral essence swirl into it. Leaning over, she draped a towel around her head, letting the fragrant steam envelop her face. The warmth opened her pores, the delicate notes of chamomile and lotus calming her mind.
When her skin glowed faintly pink, she applied a smooth herbal mask, cool and soothing against her cheeks. Settling by the window, she closed her eyes, breathing slowly while the mask worked its magic. Outside, the garden hummed with life.....birds chirping, leaves rustling softly in the breeze. It felt less like a beauty step and more like meditation, a way of reconnecting with herself.
Once the mask dried, she rinsed it away and patted her skin with a soft towel. A fine mist of rosewater from the System cooled her face, leaving behind a dewy glow and the faintest fragrance of petals. She smiled at her reflection....it was as if the weariness of the past weeks had been swept away.
But she wasn't finished yet.
Gathering her bath things, Jia Lan padded into her bathroom. Steam soon rose again as warm water filled the shower. She stepped inside, the spray washing over her, rinsing away the oils she had massaged earlier. The water glided down her skin, carrying with it not just the residue of oil but also a heaviness she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
She reached for a fragrant scrub, rubbing it gently over her arms, legs, and shoulders in slow circles. The grains smoothed her skin, leaving behind a silky softness and a faint herbal scent. Her body felt lighter with every rinse.
Turning her attention to her hair, she worked in a foamy, herbal shampoo, her fingers massaging her scalp in careful, soothing motions. The earlier oil melted into the suds, nourishing her strands as the warm water cascaded through. She rinsed thoroughly before applying a creamy conditioner, combing it gently through her hair with her fingers. The whole process felt indulgent, almost ceremonial....like washing away yesterday and stepping into a fresher version of herself.
By the time she finished, her skin was supple, her hair soft and fragrant, and her entire being refreshed.
Stepping out of the shower, Jia Lan wrapped herself in a fresh towel, her skin warm and pink from the steam. She padded softly across her room and reached for a small porcelain jar the System had gifted her. Inside was a silky body lotion infused with jasmine and almond oil. She took her time, smoothing it over her arms, legs, and shoulders, each stroke leaving her skin soft, supple, and faintly perfumed. The act itself felt like a continuation of her meditation....slow, deliberate, and wholly for herself.
Once finished, she slipped into a light cotton dress, soft against her freshly pampered skin. Her damp hair fell loosely down her back, releasing a subtle fragrance of the herbs she had washed with. Instead of reaching for a towel to dry it further, Jia Lan decided to let nature finish the work.
Carrying a cup of warm chrysanthemum tea, she stepped into the garden. The late morning sun filtered gently through the leaves, casting playful patterns of light and shadow across the courtyard. A soft breeze stirred, brushing against her damp hair and carrying with it the earthy freshness of grass and blooming flowers.
Jia Lan settled into her favorite wicker chair beneath the old tree. She tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and let the sunlight warm her face while the cool air kissed her damp strands dry. Birds trilled lazily from the branches above, and somewhere in the distance a neighbor's child laughed. Everything felt peaceful, unrushed, and whole.
Her body was light, her mind even lighter. She sipped her tea, savoring the floral sweetness, and smiled to herself. For the first time in weeks, she wasn't thinking about studies, responsibilities, or the endless expectations of others. Today belonged to her soft, simple, and utterly serene.
Today was hers alone, and she let herself sink into it fully.
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