Chapter 103: A Monumental Joy!

That remark really hit Jiang Ran's soft spot.

He fears neither heaven nor earth, only fears his daughter‑in‑law ignoring him.

When he saw Su Ruan truly angry and even brandished the big weapon of separation, he instantly wilted.

Like a big dog drenched by rain, hanging its head low, it shuffled to Su Ruan's side, pitifully admitting its mistake.

"No, no, no, daughter‑in‑law, I'm wrong, I know I'm wrong… I'm not… I'm just anxious…"

His voice grew softer and softer, laden with deep grievance.

Su Ruan looked at his demeanor, her heart softened again, but the principle could not be shaken.

She sighed, softened her tone: "Jiang Ran, we want a child because we love each other, yearning for love's fruit, not to compare with anyone. Do you understand?"

"Go with the flow; what's meant to come will come. If you keep this up, your body will collapse, which would be worse."

Jiang Ran understood the reasoning, but the competitive urge and the desire to prove himself in his heart were not easy to eradicate in a short time.

He muttered a muffled "hm," barely accepting Su Ruan's prohibition, yet the expression on his face—"I'm very aggrieved but I dare not speak"— lingered for several days, making Su Ruan feel both amused and helpless.

In the blink of an eye, more than two months passed, autumn quickly faded, and now Su Ruan and Jiang Ran have been designing new cotton jackets.

"Ranran, RuanRuan, come out to eat! Your dad went early this morning for soy‑milk and fried dough sticks!"

Li Huijuan called from the living room, and Su Ruan got down from the bed, replying, "Coming right away!"

But the next second, a sudden wave of dizziness blackened her vision, nearly toppling her; fortunately she grabbed the nearby table.

"Daughter‑in‑law! What's wrong?" Jiang Ran, who was getting dressed, jumped in fright, lunged forward to support her, his face full of anxiety, "Are you feeling unwell? Your complexion is so pale!"

During this period, Su Ruan noticed some subtle changes in her body.

Her period was delayed by about ten days and hadn't arrived; she felt constantly sluggish, got nauseous at the smell of oil smoke, and was unusually drowsy.

She harbored a bold conjecture deep down, but thinking that it was still early in the morning and not urgent, she shook her head.

"It's fine, let's go out to eat first."

Jiang Ran was still worried, but seeing his daughter‑in‑law's determined demeanor, he said little more.

But she didn't expect that as soon as she lifted the porridge bowl, a wave of nausea surged, and she hurriedly set the bowl down and covered her mouth.

"RuanRuan, what's happening?" Li Huijuan immediately set down her chopsticks and leaned in with concern.

Jiang Ran, even more nervous, steadied Su Ruan's shoulder: "Daughter‑in‑law, are you feeling unwell?"

Su Ruan eased her breath and said softly, "Just a bit of nausea, maybe I caught a chill."

But Li Huijuan's instinct as a doctor made her keenly sense something.

She carefully examined Su Ruan's complexion, glanced at the barely touched breakfast before her, and her eyes lit up: "RuanRuan, this month… has your period come?"

Su Ruan was startled for a moment, shook her head: "It's delayed by about ten days."

"Oh my!" Li Huijuan's eyebrows rose with joy, and she quickly said to Jiang Jianguo, "Ranran, hurry and take your daughter‑in‑law to the hospital for a check‑up!"

Jiang Nainai also caught on, excitedly slapping the wheelchair armrest: "Yes, yes! Go get checked! This is a big matter!"

Jiang Ran only then realized, so excited he could barely speak: "Mom, Grandma, you're saying… RuanRuan she…"

"What are you still standing around for!" Li Huijuan laughed, giving him a push, "Quickly take RuanRuan to the City Hospital, register at the Obstetrics Department!"

Jiang Ran only then, as if waking from a dream, carefully helped Su Ruan to her feet.

At the City Hospital's Obstetrics Department, after the doctor's thorough examination, it was finally confirmed—Su Ruan was indeed pregnant, nearly two months along.

"Congratulations, you're going to be parents," the doctor smiled, handing the test sheet to Jiang Ran, "The pregnant woman's condition is excellent; go home, rest, and increase nutrition."

Jiang Ran held the thin test sheet, his hand trembling.

He tightly grasped Su Ruan's hand, his eyes reddening, his voice choked: "Daughter‑in‑law, did you hear? We're going to have a child!"

On the way home, Jiang Ran guarded Su Ruan cautiously all the way, fearing she might be knocked by passersby.

As soon as they entered the house, the whole family gathered around.

"How was it? What were the results?" Li Huijuan asked anxiously.

Jiang Ran excitedly raised the test sheet high, his voice booming: "Mom! Grandma! Dad! RuanRuan is pregnant! I'm going to be a dad!"

"Wonderful!" Li Huijuan wept with joy, hugging Su Ruan, "My good daughter‑in‑law!"

Jiang Nainai, wiping her tears, kept saying, "May the ancestors bless us! Our family will have four generations under one roof!"

Jiang Jianguo, the usually steady Factory Director, could not hide his excitement at this moment.

Without a word, he turned and walked out, and shortly after, he returned holding a bunch of bright red firecrackers.

"Dad, what is this…" Jiang Ran looked at the firecrackers in his father's hands, feeling both amused and helpless.

"A joyous occasion calls for a big celebration!" Jiang Jianguo's face wore an unabashed smile, his crow's‑feet brimming with joy, "This is a great family celebration; the neighbors must all know!"

Saying so, he walked himself to the courtyard entrance, unrolled the firecrackers and hung them on a bamboo pole that had been prepared earlier.

Li Huijuan initially wanted to stop him, saying not to scare RuanRuan, but seeing her husband's rare outward joy, she swallowed the words, only smiling and shaking her head, gently covering Su Ruan's ears: "RuanRuan, if it gets too noisy, go inside later."

Jiang Nainai, seated in her wheelchair, laughed broadly, nodding repeatedly: "Let it go! Let it go! This is a grand celebration! It drives away evil, avoids impurity, welcomes auspiciousness and blessings!"

Seeing this, Jiang Ran also got excited, pulling out a match: "Dad, I'll light it!"

"Be careful!" Li Huijuan cautioned, still uneasy.

"Sss—" The match ignited, Jiang Ran carefully lit the fuse, then quickly ran away.

"Pop—pop—pop—!!"

The deafening firecracker blasts erupted instantly, red paper scraps scattering with the noise, and a distinctive smell of gunpowder filled the air—truly a lively scene.

The sudden commotion immediately drew the neighbors on both sides to peek out and look.

"Hey, what's the celebration at Director Jiang's house? Hanging such big firecrackers!"

"It must be a monumental happy event!"

A familiar neighbor, laughing loudly, asked: "Old Jiang! What's the good news at home? So lively!"

Jiang Jianguo stood at the doorway, his face flushed red, his usually stern expression now full of smiles, his voice booming: "My daughter‑in‑law has joy! We're adding a new member to the family!"

When those words were spoken, the neighbors immediately began congratulating one after another:

"Ah! Congratulations, congratulations!"

"Jiang Factory Director is going to be a grandpa! This is a great happy occasion!"

"Ranran is going to be a dad! Time really flies!"