Chapter 151: We

Jiang Ran felt a warm feeling in his heart, knowing that the Chen Family was paying attention to them.

He didn't hide anything either, briefly recounting the Industry and Commerce Bureau's surprise inspection and the rumors, and ending with a hearty laugh: "No problem, Mr. Chen, it's already resolved."

"Big trees attract wind, we know that in our hearts."

"Perfect timing—let's use the excellent quality of our Co‑branded Series to strike back hard at those false statements!"

"Good! That's ambition!" Chen Qiwén praised, "Product quality and market response are the best retaliation."

"Then we'll proceed as planned! The first batch ships next week; watch for it!"

After hanging up, Jiang Ran still felt his ears buzzing, his excitement obvious.

He turned and swept Su Ruan into his arms, spinning her half a turn on the spot: "Wife! Did you hear? It's done! The first batch arrives next week! Our 'Southern Breeze, Northern Rhythm' is about to make its official debut!"

Su Ruan, dizzy from being twirled, gave him a light tap, her face unable to hide a smile and radiance: "Put me down! Douzi and Yaya are watching!"

Sure enough, behind the counter Douzi and Yaya were covering their mouths and giggling.

"Just watch!" Jiang Ran set her down, swaggering as he waved his hand, "Douzi, Yaya, get ready!"

"When the Guangzhou goods arrive, Chongsu will launch a spectacular comeback battle! Let those envious people see what real strength looks like!"

A few days later, the Co‑branded Series arrived and went on sale.

As Su Ruan and Jiang Ran had expected, the fine workmanship, unique designs, and the story of North‑South Cooperation quickly captured the core customers' hearts.

Orders poured in, even attracting out‑of‑town customers.

That evening after closing, Jiang Ran hummed a little tune while tallying the day's revenue, and said to Su Ruan, who was locking the safe: "Wife, did you see that older lady from Linshi today? She ordered three pieces in one go and said she'd bring friends back. Our reputation is slowly spreading."

Su Ruan locked the cabinet door, turned, and leaned against the counter, her brows curved: "Hmm. But this is just the beginning. Our cooperation with the Chen Family and our own Art Realm Series both need to stay steady."

She paused, her voice softened: "Dad is right—when things go smoothly, we must be extra careful. The eyes in the shadows probably haven't closed yet."

Jiang Ran set the ledger down, walked to her, took her hand, dropped the joking tone, and looked resolutely at her: "I know. As long as we, as a couple, are of one mind, have real skill in our hands, walk the right path with our feet, no matter the overt or covert attacks, we'll handle them as they come!"

The ripple sparked by the hot sales of the Co‑branded Series was broader than expected.

That afternoon, a young woman with a fresh face entered the shop, about twenty‑seven or eight years old, wearing a crisp khaki trench coat, short hair styled in fashionable curls, and carrying an apparently expensive leather briefcase.

As soon as she stepped in, her gaze scanned the shop like radar, lingering long over the "Southern Breeze, Northern Rhythm" and Art Realm Series sections, her eyes showing a professional appraisal rather than casual curiosity.

Douzi was about to greet her when the lady walked straight to the counter, gave Su Ruan, who was checking orders, a professional smile, and handed over a business card: "Hello, may I speak with Su Ruan, Boss Su? Sorry to intrude, I'm an editor from the Provincial Capital Fashion Life Magazine, my name is Shen Man."

Su Ruan was a bit surprised, took the card.

The high‑quality card printed the magazine's address and phone number, and indeed listed the title editor.

"Editor Shen, hello, I'm Su Ruan. How may I help you?"

Shen Man's smile deepened, her tone carrying just the right amount of praise: "Boss Su, long admired."

"Actually, our magazine is currently planning a feature on 'Local Design Power Rise'."

"A writer of ours happened to purchase a 'Southern Breeze, Northern Rhythm' trench coat from your store a few days ago, raved about it, and strongly recommended your shop to us."

"I've come all the way from the Provincial Capital especially to see it in person; may I have the honor of doing an exclusive interview with you and Boss Jiang?"

An exclusive interview? A fashion magazine from the Provincial Capital?

The news quieted the shop for a moment.

Even Jiang Ran, who had come out from the back courtyard hearing the commotion, was taken aback.

Su Ruan quickly composed herself, glanced at Jiang Ran, saw surprise and a hint of excitement in his eyes, and warmly smiled at Shen Man: "Editor Shen, you're too kind; we're just a small‑town clothing shop, it's an honor to be noticed by your esteemed magazine."

"But for an exclusive interview… we're afraid there isn't much worth writing about."

"Boss Su is too modest."

Shen Man clearly came prepared; her eyes swept over the shop's elegant décor and those uniquely designed garments.

"For Chongsu to exist in a city like this, creating a stylish, design‑forward shop that successfully launches a high‑end Co‑branded Series is already a very representative story."

"We focus not only on scale but also on uniqueness and growth," she paused, her tone inquisitive, "especially, I heard Chongsu is also involved in some… local turbulence? Persistence and breakthroughs in adversity would resonate more with readers."

She phrased it politely, but the meaning was clear—she likely even heard about the recent Industry and Commerce Bureau investigation and saw it as a hook.

Jiang Ran's brows knit imperceptibly, while Su Ruan kept a proper smile: "Editor Shen, you're really well‑informed."

"However, Chongsu's success today rests on solid design work and heartfelt garment making; everything else is fleeting and unremarkable."

"If you're interested in the clothes themselves and our business philosophy, we'd be happy to talk."

Her reply both accepted the lead and neatly set the interview's boundaries—talk about the professional, not the gossip.

A hint of admiration flashed in Shen Man's eyes, and she went with the flow: "Of course! Our fashion magazine naturally focuses on design and the brand itself."

"Then, Boss Su, Boss Jiang, are you both available now? We can find a quiet place to chat."

Su Ruan and Jiang Ran exchanged a glance, nodded, and led Shen Man to the back VIP Room.

The interview lasted a little over an hour.

Shen Man's questions were highly professional, covering design inspiration, fabric selection, craftsmanship control, Chongsu's brand positioning, the cooperation model with the Chen Family of Guangzhou, and future development ideas.

Su Ruan answered clearly and calmly, her warmth underscored by confidence.

Jiang Ran added many concrete ideas on market expansion and customer service, his words full of drive, occasionally laced with blunt humor.

Shen Man recorded quickly, nodding now and then, clearly very satisfied with the interview.

"Finally, I have a small, unexpected request," Shen Man said as the interview drew to a close, closing her notebook and smiling, "Besides the text, this feature also needs some high‑quality photos. May we take a few working shots of you two?"

"Preferably in your workshop, where the atmosphere is richer."

Su Ruan hesitated briefly, looking at Jiang Ran.

Jiang Ran grinned: "Sure! It'll let the people from the Provincial Capital see how our good clothes are stitched stitch by stitch!"

So Shen Man's accompanying photographer was invited in.

With Wang Shifu's and Sun Shifu's consent, the camera captured Su Ruan sketching at the desk, discussing details with the masters, Jiang Ran inspecting fabrics, and Douzi Yaya arranging the shelves.

Shen Man also specifically had Su Ruan and Jiang Ran stand side‑by‑side under the Chongsu sign for a group shot.

Sunlight fell on the two, Su Ruan's smile warm and firm, Jiang Ran's posture tall, eyes bright, producing a picture of partners fighting side by side, full of hopeful companionship.

After sending off Shen Man and her party, the sky was already close to dusk.

"Provincial Capital's magazine… daughter‑in‑law, are we about to become famous?"

Jiang Ran stroked his chin, still excited with a touch of disbelief.