The winter morning sunlight struggled through the thick curtains, spilling a faint golden glow across the plush quilt on Jia Lan's bed. The coal heater in her room hummed softly, making the air deliciously warm. Outside, the cold was biting, but inside her cozy little haven, it felt like she could stay wrapped up forever.
Jia Lan curled deeper under the quilt with a lazy hum, stretching her toes against the soft lining.
Knock, knock.
"Lan Lan, wake up," Mother Jia's warm voice came from the door. "Get up quickly. We have breakfast, then we're going out to shop for the New Year."
Jia Lan groaned dramatically. "Mama, it's too cold to move."
"Cold? Hmph. When you see the clothes and snacks, you'll run faster than anyone," Mother Jia teased, opening the door. She came in holding a thick wool sweater in one hand. "Come on, wear this today. You'll thank me later."
Reluctantly, Jia Lan pushed back the quilt, the cold air instantly nipping at her cheeks. She shuffled to the vanity, rubbing her arms. First, she washed her face with warm water that the servant girl brought in, the steam making her cheeks pink. She brushed her hair, parting it neatly, and tied it with a red ribbon that matched the season's cheer.
Next came her outfit: a high-neck cream cashmere sweater tucked into a dark pleated wool skirt, thick black tights underneath, and a tailored navy winter coat with a fur-trimmed collar. On her feet, soft leather boots lined with rabbit fur. A spritz of her floral perfume completed the routine.
By the time she walked into the dining hall, the warm fragrance of breakfast made her smile. The long dining table was lively
Grandmother Jia and Mother Jia sat at one end, going over a handwritten shopping list, while Father Jia sat opposite, reading the newspaper and discussing the new business policy changes with her two older brothers, Jia Zhen and Jia Wei.
Grandfather Jia was eating slowly, occasionally nodding at something Father Jia said.
Father Jia sat at the opposite end, newspaper spread open, discussing some recent policy changes with her two older brothers.
"This new regulation—they're saying private businesses might get more leeway next year," Jia Zhen remarked, sipping his tea.
Jia Wei grinned. "If that happens, it'll be a good year for traders. I heard Old Wang is already dreaming of opening a tea shop."
"Mm," Father Jia nodded. "But we'll see how it's implemented. One step at a time."
Xu Li, the eldest sister-in-law, was perched gracefully on her chair, holding baby Naun and trying to feed him a small spoonful of mashed egg. Yao Jing, the second sister-in-law, was sipping soy milk while glancing at Jia Lan's outfit.
"Lan Lan, do you think this coat looks fine for shopping?" she asked, pulling at the lapels of her bright red wool coat. "Too festive? Not festive enough?"
"It's perfect," Jia Lan replied, smiling as she took her seat. "If you wear anything brighter, people will mistake you for a walking lantern."
The table burst into laughter, including Yao Jing herself, who swatted playfully at Jia Lan's arm.
"Lan Lan, is that what you're wearing to the shopping spree?" Yao Jing asked with a smile. "Looks nice, but… are you sure it's warm enough for running around the whole day?"
"I have layers," Jia Lan replied, sliding into her seat. "And besides, I'm not planning to run around, you two are. I'll just follow Mother and Grandma."
"Hah, you wish," Xu Li laughed. "Once we start shopping, no one is spared."
Breakfast was hearty steaming bowls of congee with minced pork and preserved egg, delicate bamboo baskets of fluffy pork buns, golden fried crullers, pickled vegetables, and a plate of pan-fried turnip cakes. The warmth of the food made everyone chatter even more.
"Remember to get more red paper for the couplets," Grandmother Jia reminded.
"And don't forget the sweets for the neighbors," Mother Jia added.
After breakfast, the men reluctantly handed over baby Naun to babysit for the day. "Don't spoil her too much!" Xu Li warned, pointing a mock-threatening finger at Jia Wei, who was holding the baby naun like a priceless treasure.
"Relax, we're not amateurs," Jia Wei said, puffing his chest.
The women headed straight to the city's largest department store, which was packed with people. It was a bustling wonderland that day, with streams of people wrapped in thick coats and scarves, their breath visible in the cold air.Outside, rows of red lanterns swayed in the cold wind, and vendors shouted their wares.
The store's high ceilings echoed with the sounds of chatter, the rustle of bags, and the occasional squeal of children spotting toys. Counters overflowed with colorful goods—silk scarves, embroidered jackets, stacks of neatly wrapped candies, and tins of delicate tea. Inside, the store's polished floors gleamed under the bright lights, with every aisle buzzing bolts of silk, racks of coats, shelves stacked with candy tins and gift boxes.
Xu Li and Yao Jing were immediately drawn to the clothing section, eyes sparkling like children in a candy shop. "We need coats, qipaos, boots, scarves"
"Don't forget the handbags!" Yao Jing added.
Mother Jia had given each of them a thick envelope of money and purchase tickets.
"Go, shop to your heart's content. Don't come back with regrets."
That was all the encouragement they needed they vanished between racks of padded jackets and wool skirts like hunters in the wild.
Meanwhile, Jia Lan followed Mother Jia and Grandmother Jia through the home goods section, selecting boxes of assorted sweets, jars of candied fruit, dried seafood, decorative couplets, and plush red cushions for the New Year. They also picked elegant scarves and tea sets for relatives, servants, and neighbors, carefully crossing each item off the list.
They filled baskets with traditional New Year snacks—sesame brittle, candied lotus root, sugar-coated hawthorn skewers—and decorative items like red paper cuttings and gold-trimmed lanterns. There were also silk scarves for relatives, boxes of tea for neighbors, and even festive tins of cookies for the household staff.
Hours passed in a whirl of bargaining, examining, and selecting. They even stopped at the jewelry counter to buy a set of jade hairpins for Jia Ruiyu, along with fine wine for Zhou Heng's family.
After hours of shopping, their arms were weighed down with packages. Jia Lan checked her watch. "It's been four hours. If we leave Xu Li and Yao Jing here any longer, they'll probably buy the store."
By the fourth hour, Jia Lan's arms were sore from carrying parcels, and her patience was thinning. Xu Li and Yao Jing were still nowhere in sight.
"They could open a shop with the clothes they've picked out," Jia Lan muttered.
When she finally tracked them down, they were both still debating over two nearly identical skirts.
Sure enough, they found the two still buried in racks of clothes.
"No," Jia Lan cut in. "If we don't leave now, the sun will set, and we'll be sleeping in the store."
Xu Li pouted. "But"
"No buts! Home. Now." She herded them away like wayward ducks, ignoring their half-hearted protests.
"Five more minutes!" Yao Jing pleaded.
"No!" Jia Lan grabbed them both by the arms. "If I let you 'five more minutes,' the sun will set and we'll still be here!"
They laughed their way out of the store, everyone exhausted but satisfied. The winter sun was already dipping low, painting the streets in soft gold.
At home, the male family members were waiting at the courtyard gate.
"Did you buy the whole department store?" pJia Zhe teased.
"Maybe," Xu Li replied smugly, hugging her bags.
Jia Wei whistled at the mountain of packages. "Where are we going to store all this?"
"In your room," Yao Jing teased back.
The family spilled inside, voices warm and cheerful, the scent of coal heat and home-cooked dinner wrapping around them like a blanket.
Grandfather Jia chuckled, shaking his head. "Women and shopping… an unshakable tradition."
Mother Jia rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "If you men had been with us, you'd have begged to come home after the first hour."
The hall filled with laughter again as everyone began sorting the purchases. The warmth of the house, the lively teasing, and the scent of dinner drifting from the kitchen made it feel like the perfect end to a long, bustling day.