The bright morning sun filtered gently through the lace curtains of their elegant courtyard home. Jia Lan stood in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting the red satin belt on her waist. She wore a white dress sprinkled with delicate embroidered flowers, the hem brushing lightly against her calves. A red hairpin shaped like a blooming camellia adorned her soft black hair, clipped neatly to the side. Her red kitten heels added just the right pop of color, giving her an air of youthful charm and gentle elegance.
Everything in their temporary capital residence sparkled with newness — polished wooden floors, freshly painted walls, and elegant furniture. The housekeeper had already prepared a delicate breakfast by the time Jia Lan stepped out of her room.
Her mother smiled as she entered the room, holding a matching small handbag. "You look like you've stepped out of a painting," she said, softly smoothing down a crease on Jia Lan's sleeve. "Perfect for today. Let's make beautiful memories.You look like a little blossom," she said warmly, adjusting a stray wisp of hair behind Jia Lan's ear.
Father Jia, already sipping tea, chuckled as he picked up his camera.
"We won't even need to visit any famous gardens today. Our family brought its own flower."
Jia Lan covered her face, laughing. "Dad!"
After a light but sumptuous breakfast of congee, steamed buns, and marinated cucumbers prepared by the housekeeper, the family set off for their day of sightseeing.
"Where are we going first?" Jia Lan asked with a soft smile, her excitement barely hidden.
Father Jia's voice rang from the front courtyard, "We're starting with lunch—your mother and I have been planning this since before we left home. Let's eat our way through the capital!"
The trio left the house, the wooden floors of their home echoing softly behind them as they stepped into the waiting car. Their housekeeper handed them umbrellas just in case of sudden drizzle, though the skies looked clear and hopeful.
The capital was bustling, full of life and stories. Every corner seemed to hum with the weight of history and the thrill of progress. Father Jia had the camera hanging proudly from his neck and acted like a professional photographer for the day.
The restaurant they visited was renowned in the capital for its timeless charm and rich flavors—an old establishment with brand-new renovations. Though the building had a history of over 50 years, every chair and table gleamed with fresh polish, and the golden menu boards caught the sunlight like treasure.
As soon as they entered, the aroma of braised duck, stir-fried lotus root, and freshly steamed buns teased their senses. Their private room was on the second floor, with a wide open window that looked over the nearby willow-lined canal.
Father Jia took his camera out almost instantly. "Come, come! Jia Lan, sit here. Shunhua, next to her. That's perfect—smile!"
"Don't forget to eat," Mother Jia chided him gently, even as she leaned in to pose with Jia Lan. The three of them laughed together, enjoying the ease of this rare family moment in the bustling city.
The dishes arrived one by one—colorful, fragrant, and exquisitely plated. Sweet and sour pork ribs glistened under the lights, spicy tofu sizzled in clay pots, and little sesame-studded pastries were served with fragrant tea.
"Capital food really lives up to the name," Jia Lan said as she took a bite of roasted fish, the spices dancing on her tongue. "We should try everything!"
"You'll gain weight if you eat like this every day," her father teased, handing her another pastry.
"I don't mind," Jia Lan laughed. "It's worth it."
After lunch, they strolled through the capital's famous historical streets. Cobbled pathways led them past quaint bookstores, flower shops, and a hand-fan stall where Jia Lan tried on different styles for fun. Her white dress fluttered lightly in the breeze, the little red belt tied into a neat bow at her waist. She looked radiant—like a character from an old film, walking with light steps through the heart of the city.
Father Jia captured everything—her laughter while feeding pigeons in the plaza, the moment she looked up at the towering red gates of the old palace, and the way sunlight caught her hair while she looked at calligraphy on the museum wall.
"You look like the doll of our family," Mother Jia whispered, fixing her hair again. "Your grandfather will be so pleased when he see these photos."
Their another stop was a famous teahouse with classic architecture and calligraphy plaques hanging at the entrance. Jia Lan posed by the carved wooden doorway, one hand resting on the frame and the other slightly lifting her skirt. Click. The camera shutter caught her smile perfectly.
Then came the food street, alive with sizzling sounds and savory aromas. They tried the capital's famed roasted duck, hand-pulled noodles, sesame cakes, and a seasonal almond tofu dessert that melted on the tongue.
"Take a bite of this one," Father Jia said, lifting his bowl of noodles toward his daughter like a proud chef.
Jia Lan slurped a strand and blinked in surprise. "It's spicy! But… it's good!"
Mother Jia wiped her daughter's mouth with a napkin and sighed. "Don't get your dress dirty. This dress is too pretty to be ruined by chili oil."
They laughed all the way down the street, popping into souvenir shops, old bookstores, and traditional candy stalls. At a small square near the bell tower, a street musician played a sweet melody on the erhu. Jia Lan paused, mesmerized by the tune, and Father Jia, ever the sentimental man, snapped a photo of his daughter with the soft music in the background.
By afternoon, they made their way to a famous park filled with lotus ponds and red wooden bridges. The sunlight dappled through willow trees, creating a picturesque scene. Jia Lan posed gracefully under an arched bridge while her father crouched on the other side, trying to get the perfect angle.
"Smile! No, wait — hold the hem of your dress a little. Yes, that's it!"
Mother Jia stood nearby with her parasol, fanning herself and laughing, "He's going to open a photography studio at this rate!"
They ended their day at a famous dessert stall known for its rose-infused jelly and almond milk sweets. Jia Lan carefully held the delicate dessert bowl, laughing when a small bit of jelly slipped and nearly fell on her dress.
"Careful, careful," Father Jia said, snapping one last photo.
As they sipped tea and tasted jelly, Father Jia raised his cup in a light toast.
"To new beginnings," he said softly. "And may our Lan'er bloom wherever she goes."
Jia Lan's eyes sparkled. "And may you always be my personal photographer."
They all laughed again, the lightness of the day lingering even as the stars began to peep above the skyline. When they returned home, their camera was full of moments — but even more, their hearts were full of joy.
That evening, back in their warm courtyard home, Jia Lan sat by the large open window in her room, flipping through the photos her father had taken. Her cheeks were slightly pink from the day's walking, but her heart was full.
Ding!
The familiar chime echoed softly in her mind.
Ding!Ding System Check-in
Reward:
- a hand mirror
-a carved sandalwood comb
-a silk fan embroidered with moonflowers.
Jia Lan gently opened the small gift box that had appeared in her system space. The items were delicate, beautifully crafted, and perfectly matched her current aesthetic. She ran her fingers along the fine embroidery of the fan, smiling to herself.
"Another treasure," she murmured. "How lucky I am."
As night fell, golden lanterns glowed gently in the courtyard, casting soft light over the wooden floors. Her parents were discussing tomorrow's plans in the sitting room, their laughter drifting toward her.
Jia Lan leaned back, the fan in hand, her eyes bright with contentment. She didn't know what the future would bring, but with a family like hers and a system that sparkled with surprises, she knew she would never walk this new world alone.