Chapter 159: You've Worked Hard, Daughter‑in‑law

The tiny backyard workshop set out tables; though not lavish, the atmosphere was lively.

Jiang Ran poured a little wine for everyone; Su Ruan and Yaya got juice, and they raised their cups: "Today's first step, we step out! Walk steady, walk loudly!"

"There's a longer road ahead, more Hard Battles! But as long as our hearts stay together, Chongsu won't fall! Come, let's do it!"

"Let's do it!" the crowd echoed in unison, even Master Lao Ma's eyes reddened with emotion.

A simple celebration feast warmed everyone's hearts.

After seeing off the Ma family father and son, and tidying up, the night had deepened.

Su Ruan felt slightly tipsy, not because of the wine, but from the relaxation after the surge of emotions.

She leaned against the counter, watching Jiang Ran make a final check of the doors and windows; the light cast his upright silhouette onto the wall, full of dependable strength.

Jiang Ran locked the door, turned and saw her leaning there, cheeks flushed, eyes a bit hazy as she looked at him, and his heart leapt.

He walked over, stopped in front of her, lowered his head and asked, "Tired?"

Su Ruan shook her head, then nodded, reached out and gently tugged his sleeve, her voice soft: "Jiang Ran, we really did it, didn't we?"

This rare display of dependence made Jiang Ran's heart flutter.

He grasped the hand that tugged his sleeve, enveloping it in his palm; his other hand brushed her cheek, thumb stroking her delicate skin, his voice low and hoarse: "Yes, we did it. This is just the beginning; we'll do even better later."

His touch, thin as a cocoon and a bit rough, made her feel immensely safe and stirred.

Su Ruan lifted her face, closed her eyes, and deliberately pressed her cheek closer to his palm, like a cat seeking affection.

This silent invitation made Jiang Ran's breath catch.

He no longer hesitated, lowered his head, and kissed the two lips that trembled slightly from nerves and excitement.

This kiss differed from the soothing or passionate ones of the past days; it carried the unrestrained triumph and an overwhelming, unbreakable affection.

He kissed deeply and heavily, as if to rob all the air from her lungs, and as if to pour all his joy and pride into her.

Su Ruan, softened all over by the kiss, could only cling to his shoulder, responding awkwardly yet passionately.

The air was still scented with lingering food aromas, fabric smell, and the rising heat from their bodies that quickened the heart.

After an indeterminate time, Jiang Ran finally managed to loosen his hold, their foreheads pressed together, breaths intertwined.

He gazed at her watery, shimmering eyes and swollen lips, his expression dark, his Adam's apple moving.

"Home?" he asked, his voice hoarsely absurd.

Su Ruan's face was so hot it seemed about to burn; she gently nodded and buried her flushed face against his chest.

Jiang Ran let out a low laugh and lifted her sideways in his arms.

This time, Su Ruan didn't gasp, only obediently wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face even deeper.

The street was silent, only their footsteps and intertwined breathing could be heard.

The moonlight overlapped their shadows, making them indistinguishable.

Back in the room, as soon as the door closed, Jiang Ran pressed Su Ruan against the doorframe and kissed her again.

This time, the kiss held more urgency and longing.

His large hand glided along her waistline, igniting clusters of flames wherever it passed.

"Light..." Su Ruan murmured in a daze.

Jiang Ran, panting, swung his large hand and pulled the lamp cord down.

In the darkness, the senses were amplified infinitely.

The faint rustle of clothing, rapid breathing, scorching skin pressed together… everything silently narrated the surging passion and a post‑cataclysmic, intense love.

Su Ruan was exhausted, curled up in Jiang Ran's sweat‑damp embrace, not even wanting to move a finger.

He stroked her smooth back intermittently, sated and lazy.

"Tomorrow…" Su Ruan, drowsy, mumbled.

"Tomorrow I'll serve you until the sun is high." Jiang Ran kissed the top of her hair, his tone both domineering and gentle, "Even the biggest matters can wait until my daughter‑in‑law has slept her fill."

The excitement from the successful forum hadn't fully faded when the gears of real life already began clack‑clack on.

The next day, Su Ruan couldn't sleep until the sun was high as she had hoped.

Before seven in the morning, a familiar pang in her chest woke her.

The spot beside her was empty; Jiang Ran had already gotten up.

She just sat up when the bedroom door was gently pushed open a crack, followed by Jiang Ran's deliberately lowered voice: "Shh… Mom's awake, be quiet."

Then Su Ruan saw Jiang Ran come in holding a child wrapped in a soft blanket, only a small half‑face showing—it was Nian An.

The little one seemed just awakened, his big dark eyes a bit dazed, his little mouth instinctively sucking.

Behind Jiang Ran, Li Huijuan also entered holding her older brother Jinjin, who frowned with his signature little eyebrows, seeming a bit displeased at being carried early in the morning.

"The two little ones woke up early and are looking around; they probably know Mom was exhausted yesterday and missed you."

Li Huijuan laughed, placing Jinjin beside Su Ruan, "RuanRuan, your milk is full, right? Quickly feed them, I'll go bring the warm breakfast."

Su Ruan's heart melted like a puddle; she quickly took the agile Nian An who was being tucked into her arms, and patted the nearby Jinjin who had started whimpering.

When the two children nestled against her chest and began sucking contentedly, that sense of being wholly relied upon and needed instantly dispelled her bodily fatigue.

Jiang Ran sat at the bedside, his gaze almost glued to the mother and two children.

He watched his daughter's pink little face subtly rise with each swallow, his son frowning yet eating earnestly, Su Ruan lowering her head, her long hair cascading, her profile tender beyond belief.

He couldn't help extending his hand, lightly brushing Su Ruan's cheek with the back of his fingers, then patting his son's plump little foot.

"You've worked hard, daughter‑in‑law." His voice was low, husky with the morning's unique rasp and an overwhelming, unbreakable tenderness.

Su Ruan lifted her head, gave him a gentle smile, and shook her head.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, enveloping the family of four, the air filled with warm milky scent and tranquil coziness.

After feeding the two little ones, she handed them to Jiang Nainai, who had come in at the sound, to play with; Su Ruan then washed up and ate breakfast with Jiang Ran.

At the dining table, Jiang Jiaojiao, sporting two dark circles, was nonetheless energetic, constantly exchanging glances with Gu Yanshen.

Li Huijuan watched it and couldn't help asking, "Jiang Jiaojiao, you're making faces so early in the morning—what silent riddles are you playing with Yan Shen?"