The first morning after the Chinese New Year dawned later than usual. Winter sunlight filtered weakly through the frosted windows, pouring a golden sheen across the courtyard tiles still glazed with a thin layer of frost. Outside, the neighborhood buzzed with life the crackle of firecrackers echoed in the distance, children's laughter floated in the cold air as they chased each other in their padded cotton jackets, and the faint sound of vendors calling out about hot steamed buns mixed with the occasional bark of dogs.
Inside the Jia household, warmth and merriment spilled out like a constant current. The fragrance of food had already seeped into every corner the thick, rich aroma of pork bone soup, the sweetness of sticky rice cakes frying in sesame oil, the crisp fragrance of scallion pancakes, and the faint tang of pickled vegetables stewing together in a clay pot. The house smelled like joy itself, like tradition and festivity knitted together.
The golden light of winter sunlight streamed gently through the embroidered curtains, falling across the thick cotton quilt.
Jia Lan stirred awake beneath the soft quilt, blinking at the brightness of sunlight streaming through the thin curtains. She stretched lazily, still warm from sleep, before reluctantly slipping her feet into the furry slippers placed neatly at her bedside.The air outside was cold, but her room was warm thanks to the brazier placed the night before.
"It's so noisy outside already…" she muttered, hearing another round of firecrackers pop.
Stretching like a spoiled cat, she muttered, "Ah… how comfortable. I could sleep another hour." But the faint aroma of food drifting in from the kitchen was too tempting.
She slipped into her slippers, after splashing cold water onto her face, she carefully brushed her teeth, humming under her breath, the minty foam filling her mouth. Once done, she patted her face dry with a clean towel, then laid out her skincare items in order. Even though it was winter, her skin was dewy and flawless, thanks to her system rewards. She dabbed on toner, smoothed cream onto her cheeks, patted lightly until absorbed, and finally added a layer of nourishing balm to keep her lips rosy and soft.
Satisfied, she fixed her hair neatly and slipped into a festive red sweater embroidered with golden thread along the collar a subtle yet elegant nod to the new year.
By the time she entered the main hall,laughter and voices already filled the air, the table was already crowded with dishes, steaming and glistening invitingly. There was a large plate of dumplings stuffed with pork and cabbage, their edges neatly pleated by Xu Li's skilled hands; golden fried dough sticks stacked tall; bowls of chicken congee simmering with ginger; braised fish glistening in soy sauce; sticky rice cakes cut into neat slices and fried to a crisp on the outside yet chewy inside; and even candied lotus roots that gleamed like amber.
The entire house was alive with chatter and laughter. Father Jia and Mother Jia sat at the head of the table, their smiles warm and content as they watched the family gather. Grandparents Jia were already nibbling on dumplings, happily observing the younger generation.
"Ah, the sleeping beauty has finally graced us!" Jia Wei teased, raising his cup of soy milk.
"Don't bully your little sister so early," Mother Jia scolded gently, though her lips twitched with amusement.
"Ah, Lan'er is finally awake," Grandmother Jia chuckled, waving her chopsticks. "We thought you were going to sleep through the first morning of the new year!"
Jia Lan stuck out her tongue playfully. "I wanted the new year to start with beauty sleep. Doesn't that sound proper?"
Her eldest brother, Jia Zhe, burst out laughing. "Proper? More like lazy!"
Xu Li, her eldest sister-in-law, swatted his arm. "Don't bully Lan'er. She's the one who brightens up the house."
Jia Lan giggled as she sat down, reaching for a dumpling. "Thank you, sister-in-law. You're my favorite today."
Her second brother, Jia Wei, snorted. "Ha! That's because she knows you're generous with snacks."
Yao Jing, his lively wife, added quickly, "Of course Lan'er knows who the true ally is. Snacks speak louder than words."
Jia Lan plopped into her chair beside Baby Naun, who was dressed in a tiny red jacket and looked like a round little dumpling. "I wasn't sleeping late," she defended with mock seriousness, "I was making myself beautiful for everyone. Don't you see?" She gestured dramatically at her glowing face.
Yao Jing burst out laughing. "Lanlan, you'd look pretty even if you rolled out of bed with messy hair!"
"Exactly," Jia Zhe agreed, sipping tea. "But still, she's right. Look at that face it's practically shining."
Everyone erupted into laughter as the family dug into breakfast.
Breakfast began with everyone passing dishes around, the chatter and clinking of porcelain creating a cheerful atmosphere.
Once the meal was nearly finished, the much-anticipated tradition began. Halfway through, Grandmother Jia cleared her throat with a smile. "Today is the first day of the New Year, and according to tradition…" She reached into her sleeve and brought out red envelopes.
"The red envelopes are here!" Jia Wei cheered dramatically.
Grandfather Jia cleared his throat, smiling knowingly as he pulled out a thick red envelope from his sleeve. "Come here, Lan'er," he said warmly. "This is your new year's blessing."
Jia Lan hurried over, bowing properly with a wide grin before accepting it with both hands. "Thank you, Grandfather!"
Grandmother Jia followed suit, slipping another envelope into her hands. "May your days be smooth and bright."
Her parents handed her theirs next, the bright red packets feeling warm in her palms. "Be healthy and happy this year, Lan'er," Mother Jia said, gently patting her cheek.
Even her brothers joined in. Jia Wei teased, "We're adults now, but where are our envelopes? Surely the rules have changed!"
"Yes, yes," Jia Zhe in with mock seriousness, "eldest sons and hardworking brothers should also get rewarded, don't you think?"
Everyone laughed, and to their delight, both parents good-naturedly handed them envelopes too, scolding lightly: "You two still think you're children?"
"Always!" Jia Zhe declared shamelessly, waving his envelope.
"Eh, Father gave me a smaller envelope than Lanlan!" Jia Wei joked. "Unfair!"
"Maybe it's because Lanlan is cuter than you," Jia Lan teased mercilessly, hugging her envelope to her chest.
"Then we brothers also demand fairness!" Jia Zhe said solemnly, reaching into his pocket. He dramatically pulled out two red envelopes and handed one to Xu Li and one to Jia Lan.
"Here, from your big brother."
"Then I'll do the same!" Jia Wei copied, handing out his own envelopes.
The table erupted into laughter.
"Look at this! Brothers giving their sister envelopes, what a rare sight," Yao Jing clapped her hands.
"I'm rich!" Jia Lan grinned, collecting her envelopes into a small embroidered pouch.
Xu Li and Yao Jing were also given envelopes, the couple exchanging delighted smiles.
"Mother, Father, you shouldn't…" Xu Li began modestly, but Grandmother Jia waved her hand.
"You're all daughters of this family now. How can you not receive envelopes?" she said firmly, pressing them into their hands.
Finally, Jia Lan, eyes twinkling, toddled over to baby Nuan, who sat happily in Yao Jing's lap, babbling incoherently. She bent down and gently pressed a small red envelope into his tiny hands.
"Here you go, baby Nuan. This is your lucky money from Auntie Lan."
The baby squealed and slapped the envelope against the table, making everyone laugh.
"See?" Jia Wei said proudly, "She already knows money is important!"
Yao Jing rolled her eyes. "Or she just wants to chew it."
"See? Even Baby Naun knows I'm the best auntie," Jia Lan said proudly.
"Careful," Jia Wei chuckled. "She might just eat it."
Sure enough, Baby Naun tried to put the envelope in her mouth, causing everyone to burst into laughter.
The room filled with laughter again, echoing against the frosted windows, blending with the sounds of festivity outside.
The festive mood carried on as they finished their breakfast, chatting about neighbors visiting, decorations, and which relatives would come later in the day. The house buzzed with energy, filled with warmth, laughter, and the clinking of teacups the perfect start to the new year.