Morning in the capital was clear and serene, the kind of gentle brightness that made even the air feel crisp and new. In Jia Lan's courtyard, soft sunlight filtered through carved windowpanes, warming the rosewood furniture and casting golden patterns on the polished floor.
The morning sun filtered gently through the gauze curtains, waking Jia Lan with a quiet warmth. Today was the day before college started her first step into true independence.
She stretched lazily and got up, feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep. After her morning routine cleansing her face with the system-provided skincare, brushing her long hair.Jia Lan stood in front of the mirror, her hair neatly tied with a silk ribbon. She had washed up early and changed into a soft cream-colored blouse tucked into a pleated skirt,she stepped into the dining area.
Aunt Li had already laid out a neat breakfast on the table: white congee, boiled eggs, sautéed green beans with garlic, and freshly squeezed orange juice.
"Miss, come eat before it gets cold," Aunt Li smiled warmly, wiping her hands on her apron.With a kind smile, placing a pair of chopsticks beside the bowl.
Jia Lan walked over and sat down gracefully.
Jia Lan smiled back, "Thank you, Aunt Li. You're a lifesaver."
As she ate, Aunt Li chatted, "You'll be starting college tomorrow. Time passes so quickly.
Jia Lan laughed lightly, "Aunt Li, if you keep talking like that, I'll start feeling ancient."
While eating, Aunt Li chatted warmly. "Are you going to college today? Just to look around before classes begin?"
"Mhm," Jia Lan nodded, sipping her soy milk. "But I'll go shopping for some daily-use things first. I'll probably stay over in the dorm sometimes, so I need some spares."
"Smart girl," Aunt Li nodded approvingly. "Be careful on the road. You haven't ridden your new bicycle too far yet."
After breakfast,Jia Lan double-checked her essentials, grabbed her small shoulder bag, and unlocked the women's bicycle Father Jia had gifted her before leaving. Sleek, cream-colored with a wicker basket, it suited her elegant image perfectly.
She had made up her mind to meet her dorm mates before classes started. But first, she needed to buy a few things. She grabbed her canvas bag and hopped on the bicycle.
The ride to the State Department store was breezy. The capital streets were wide and lively, with trees lining the roads and a gentle bustle in the air. Jia Lan parked and went inside, picking out a set of new toiletries, clean towels, hair oil, extra undergarments, and a small lockable cabinet box.
The place buzzed with students and parents doing last-minute shopping. Jia Lan bought daily necessities: toiletries, a mosquito coil, towel sets, a portable mirror, and a tin lock for the dorm cabinet.She paid with ease, loaded everything into the bicycle basket, and made her way to the college dormitory.
Once done, she pedaled gracefully toward the college dormitory. The air smelled of sweet osmanthus and petrol — a strange but not unpleasant mix in the capital.
At the dorm, she was greeted warmly by several girls already gathered in the shared space.
When she arrived, the girls' dormitory was buzzing with light chatter. Inside their shared room, four of her dorm mates were already present, smiling when they saw her.
"Jia Lan, you're here!" the chattiest girl, Qiao Mei, grinned.
"There she is!
"You finally came!"
"Hello, everyone." Jia Lan greeted them warmly, setting her things in the cabinet she had locked. "Did I miss anything fun?"
"We were just talking about majors and which professors are nice," another girl, Tang Hui, said. "Guess what—we found out you and Bai Xue from the capital are in the same English major."
Jia Lan raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing. She put away her things neatly, organizing her cabinet and locking it with a satisfying click.
Jia Lan blinked. "Really?"
The girls exchanged knowing glances. Bai Xue, the aloof capital girl, was lying on her bed with a book, barely looking up. She had barely said a word since day one and hadn't mingled at all.
"Well," Jia Lan said lightly, "I guess I'll see her in class too."
She finished organizing her space and locked her cabinet, turning back to chat with the others. They talked about professors, dorm rules, and canteen food rumors—Jia Lan found herself genuinely enjoying their company.
"Let's go to the cafeteria!" one of them suggested. "Our treat today."
Jia Lan grinned, "Oh no, don't do that. I already have enough people spoiling me back home. If you start too, I might forget how to be a normal person."
The girls laughed.
"Such a graceful way of refusing!" Qiao Mei teased. "Fine then, but next time you're treating!"
Together, they headed to the cafeteria, where Jia Lan ordered a light set meal.The group howled with laughter as they shared dumplings, buns, and tea eggs at the college canteen. After lunch, they strolled around the campus, chatting about majors, professors, and which dorm building had the best gossip.
They chatted and laughed while eating, and then strolled around the campus, admiring the beautiful green lawns and architecture. It was a simple, happy afternoon.
As the sun began to dip, Jia Lan said goodbye and got on her bicycle.Jia Lan waved goodbye. "I'll see you all tomorrow. Try not to miss me too much."
"Impossible!" they replied.
Riding back to her courtyard alone, the wind brushing past her cheeks, she couldn't help but smile. The capital, in its early autumn light, felt vibrant and full of promise.
As she cycled back through the wide capital streets, the breeze fluttered her skirt and filled her lungs with cool air. She passed by a bookstore, a flower shop, and even a small park where kids played. The capital looked golden in the fading light, like a painting full of promise.
Aunt Li greeted her at the door. "Welcome back, Miss! How were your dorm mates?"
"They're lovely," Jia Lan replied, "Loud, warm, and nosy. In the best possible way."
"And what about dinner? What would you like tonight?"
"Something light, but filling.Jia Lan replied thoughtfully. "I've walked quite a bit today."
"Leave it to me," Aunt Li beamed, vanishing into the kitchen.
While Aunt Li went to prepare dinner, Jia Lan headed to the bath. She washed her hair with scented shampoo.Jia Lan took a long bath. She shampooed her hair with system-provided rose-scented cleanser, applied a nourishing mask, and gently massaged hair oil into her soft strands. Her skin glowed—literally. After finishing her skincare routine, she changed into a pale lavender lounge set and curled up with an English literature book in preparation for class tomorrow.With a book from her English major in hand, she sat by the window. The last rays of the sun peeked through the curtains. Her mind absorbed the text easily — grammar, literature, poetry. Everything made sense, flowing like water.
Soon, Aunt Li called her to dinner. The meal was warm and comforting—millet congee, braised tofu, and greens stir-fried in sesame oil.
After eating, Jia Lan made a long-distance call home. Everyone was there—Father Jia, Mother Jia, both sets of grandparents, her brothers, her sisters-in-law, even little Nuan babbling in the background.
Lan Lan!" her mother's voice sounded both relieved and emotional.
"Did you eat well?" Mother Jia asked worriedly.
"I did, Mama," Jia Lan smiled. "Aunt Li takes great care of me."
"Daughter, how's everything?" Father Jia chimed in.
Then came Grandpa Jia's chuckle, Grandma Jia's fussing, her older brothers arguing over the phone line, and even little Baby Nuan shouting into the receiver, "Jia Jia Jie Jie!"
It was loud. Chaotic. Full of love.
"I'm doing well. Don't worry. I have Aunt Li, and I even rode my new bicycle today."
They talked until the food got cold, and even then Jia Lan didn't want to hang up.
"Take care of yourself. If anything happens, call us immediately," her parents said.
"I will."
The call was full of chaos and laughter—her brothers teasing her, the baby's squeals, her father reminding her not to skip meals. It made her chest ache with love.
After the call, Aunt Li warmed her a glass of milk. "Here. For sweeter dreams."
"Thank you," Jia Lan said softly.
Jia Lan returned to her study, a small antique-style desk bathed in the glow of a desk lamp. She flipped open her English notes and studied a bit more. Everything felt oddly familiar — almost like she had studied it before.
"Could it be… part of the system's memory enhancement?" she wondered.
When the clock struck eleven, she stood up, yawned lightly, and went to her vanity.
Her gaze landed on the system reward from yesterday: a sleek amber bottle labeled "Purifying Essence – Detox Tablets (50 tablets)".
She took one and swallowed it with warm water.
Within minutes, she felt a strange but pleasant warmth spreading through her limbs. Her skin tingled slightly. And then—she sniffed the air.
"…What's that smell?"
Looking down, her eyes widened.
Her skin had started to secrete a faint, greyish substance. Without hesitation, she darted into the bathroom and scrubbed down three times from head to toe, including her hair. The water ran murky the first two times, then finally clear.
She stepped out in a fresh pair of pajamas, her skin practically glowing, her limbs light, her breathing open and easy.
Touching her cheek, she gasped. "So smooth…"
Her reflection shimmered in the mirror—she had always been beautiful, but now there was a radiant clarity to her skin and eyes, a healthy flush in her cheeks, and her hair… soft, glossy, and fragrant like it came from a beauty commercial.
"I'll keep the rest for my family," she thought, smiling gently. "They deserve to feel this good too."
Feeling clean, calm, and light as air, Jia Lan climbed into bed.
Ding!Ding! System Check-In Successful
Reward:
-200 yuan
-Snacks Assortment Box (includes red bean cakes, honey walnut puffs, and dried persimmon slices)
Satisfied, crawled into bed with soft sheets and the faint smell of jasmine in the air. Her eyelids fluttered shut.
Tomorrow would be the beginning of something new.
Hey guys join me on discord server
https://discord.gg/wNHnHMt8