By the time dusk rolled over the city, a hushed chill had settled outside. The windows of the Jia residence glowed golden from the lights within, a beacon of warmth against the frostbitten air.
The evening settled in thick and heavy, the winter air outside biting through the windows. A fine mist of frost clung to the glass panes, and the courtyard was hushed, blanketed in pale moonlight. But inside the Jia household, the atmosphere was the opposite warm, lively, and glowing with the golden hue of lamps. The air itself seemed steeped in the rich aroma of food.
Jia Lan, wrapped in a soft wool sweater, rolled up her sleeves and followed her mother into the kitchen. The big clay stove radiated heat, crackling as firewood burned beneath the iron wok. Pots simmered, steam curling up with the fragrance of ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. Her mother, Lady Jia, was in high spirits today; her hands moved swiftly, plating the last of the dishes.
"Lanlan, go bring the big porcelain bowls. Tonight we'll use the good set your grandfather polished them himself," Mother Jia instructed, smiling warmly.
"Yes, Mother!" Jia Lan answered, her breath misting faintly in the cool air as she hurried to the cupboard. She carefully carried out the patterned bowls, setting them on the polished wooden table in the dining hall.
"Lanlan, place the chopsticks neatly, ah, don't let your brother grab them all crooked later," Mother Jia said with a small smile.
Jia Lan grinned. "If Eldest Brother dares to eat without manners, I'll confiscate his bowl."
Her mother chuckled, shaking her head.
The dinner spread was nothing short of a feast. At the center was a fragrant braised pork belly, its glossy, caramel-colored surface quivering in thick sauce. Beside it lay a platter of steamed fish, garnished with green onions and a drizzle of soy. Dumplings sat in bamboo baskets, the dough plump and steaming, releasing an irresistible fragrance of chives and minced pork. A large bowl of hot and sour soup bubbled invitingly, warming the room with its tangy spice. There were stir-fried greens glistening with garlic, crispy fried tofu cubes, roasted duck with lacquered skin, and small side dishes of pickles and peanuts for snacking.
Even Father Jia chuckled when he walked in, rubbing his hands together against the cold. "Your mother has outdone herself again. This table looks like it belongs to New Year's Eve."
Eldest Brother Jia Zhe, tall and composed, loosened his heavy winter coat, his expression softening as he inhaled the aroma. "Smells like home. No feast in the government halls can compare."
Second Brother Jia Wei clapped his hands with boyish enthusiasm. "Good, good! Just looking at it makes me forget the cold." He winked at Jia Lan. "Lanlan, you helped too, didn't you?"
Jia Lan beamed, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek. "Of course. I'm the official assistant tonight."
"Ah, the table looks beautiful tonight!" Yao Jing exclaimed, already eyeing the chicken.
"Second Brother, don't let your wife steal my portion," Jia Lan teased, quickly taking a seat.
When everyone had gathered, they sat together around the long table, the steam from the dishes curling up and blurring the frosty windows. Chopsticks clicked, bowls were filled, laughter spilled across the room as warm as the food.
"Ah, this pork belly is tender!" Father Jia praised, savoring each bite.
"And these dumplings," Jia Wei said with his mouth full, "they're dangerous. I might eat fifty of them tonight."
"Don't you dare," Jia Lan teased, handing him the soy sauce. "You'll leave none for the rest of us."
"Lanlan, take more dumplings," Eldest Brother urged, piling several onto her plate.
"I can't eat so much!" she protested.
"Don't lie. You always eat the most dumplings," Second Brother teased.
Mother Jia smiled, watching them with fondness. "Eat slowly, no one is stealing from you."
They spoke of small things the news of the neighborhood, rumors from work units, gossip about whose children had done well in school and who was planning a winter wedding.
Xu Li laughed, "Did you hear? Old Zhang's youngest slipped on the ice yesterday while trying to impress a girl. He landed right in the ditch by the roadside!"
Everyone burst into laughter, even Father Jia, who almost choked on his soup.
Their laughter rang in the dining hall, a sound that drove away the chill of winter outside. Stories and gossip flowed freely neighbors preparing for the coming Spring Festival, minor quarrels in the factory, new policies discussed with half-serious nods and half-joking remarks.
Dinner lingered on, a slow, warm affair against the cold night outside.When the meal finally ended, everyone leaned back with satisfied sighs. The cold air seeped back in as the dishes cooled, so Mother Jia quickly served steaming cups of tea. Father Jia held his cup between both hands, savoring the warmth. Eldest Brother preferred strong black tea, while Second Brother laughed over his jasmine brew.
As for Jia Lan, her mother placed a large cup of hot milk in front of her. The creamy scent rose up in soft curls of steam.
"Lanlan's still a child," Mother Jia said fondly. "She doesn't need tea keeping her awake."
"I don't mind," Jia Lan replied with a smile, wrapping her small hands around the warm porcelain. "Hot milk tastes better anyway."
She sat cradling a warm mug, the milk comforting against her palms. The elders sipped tea, while the brothers argued good-naturedly over who could handle the cold better.
The fire crackled in the brazier nearby, casting a rosy glow across their faces. The family talked a little longer, voices slow and mellow, until one by one they began to yawn. The cold night pressed tighter against the windows, urging them all to retreat into the warmth of their rooms.
When the warmth finally sank into her bones, Jia Lan excused herself. "I'm going to bed, or else I won't get up tomorrow."
The family called their goodnights as she padded upstairs.
Jia Lan slipped away to her chamber. The moment she entered, she was greeted by the faint fragrance of lavender sachets her mother had tucked into the bedding. Her room was cozy and neatly arranged, warmed by a small heater. She changed into soft cotton sleepwear and slid under her thick, quilted blankets. The instant warmth made her sigh with relief. She curled up, cocooned like a cat against the chill.
Just as her breathing began to steady, a familiar soft chime rang in her mind.
Ding!Ding! Daily Check-in Successful.
Reward:
Assorted Chocolate Bars.
Packets of Snacks.
Tin of Hot Chocolate Powder.
Jia Lan's sleepy eyes blinked open in delight. "Chocolate again? How perfect for winter," she whispered, hugging her blanket tighter.
She imagined stirring hot chocolate in one of the porcelain cups, the sweet, creamy taste melting on her tongue. Her heart grew light at the thought. With a small, secret smile, she let her mind drift through random thoughts snippets of her day, her brothers' laughter, the warmth of the house.
Hugging her pillow, her thoughts drifted to silly things what she would wear for the New Year, whether the neighborhood girls envied her thick coat, and what surprise the system might give her next.
The warmth of the blanket and the faint sweetness of chocolate in her imagination lulled her into a peaceful sleep, while outside, the cold wind howled over the city.
Before long, she drifted into sleep, the night outside silent and cold, but her dreams warm and sweet, like cocoa.