Chapter 177: The Door Was Unlocked…

Jiang Ran chuckles lowly, scoops her up in one arm and places her on the clean workbench.

The tabletop is cold, causing Su Ruan to shiver, and she is immediately enveloped by his scorching body.

"Jiang Ran... the door wasn't locked..." Su Ruan whispers softly.

"It doesn't matter," Jiang Ran kisses her neck, his hand slipping into her collar, "I've held back for a day..."

The workbench isn't spacious, so both of their movements are somewhat constrained.

Yet this cramped closeness makes the intimate sensations sharper and more maddening.

Su Ruan bites the back of her hand, daring not to make a sound.

Jiang Ran insists on teasing her, whispering in her ear: "Wife... say it out loud... today you're the biggest... you can have anything..."

In the end they both break into a sweat, hugging each other to steady their breathing.

Jiang Ran strokes Su Ruan's damp back intermittently, his voice full: "Once we finish here, we really have to take you out for a trip, just the two of us."

"Hmm," Su Ruan leans into his chest, her fingers absentmindedly drawing circles on his chest, "Mr Chen's side... how do you plan to negotiate?"

"No rush," Jiang Ran says with his eyes closed, "Let him present a concrete plan first. Cooperation's fine, but the initiative must stay with us. The Provincial Capital market is huge, but the waters run deep. We won't be greedy; we'll take it step by step."

He always is like that—outwardly carefree, yet his mind is crystal clear.

Su Ruan closes her eyes with relief: "I'll follow your lead."

The two linger in warmth a while longer before getting up to tidy up.

By the time the studio is back in order, evening has already fallen.

Back home, Jinjin and An'an are playing in the courtyard.

Seeing Mom and Dad, the two little ones immediately rush over.

"Mom! TV!" An'an points at the Main Hall, his face full of excitement, "Mom! Turn it on!"

Jinjin also nods seriously: "Mom, it's beautiful."

It turns out Jiang Nainai took them to watch a TV replay that afternoon.

Though the kids don't understand, they recognize their mother.

Su Ruan's heart melts like a puddle of water; she crouches down, cradling one in each arm: "Miss Mom yet?"

"Miss!" An'an answers brightly, planting a kiss on her cheek.

Jinjin, more reserved, simply buries his little face in her neck hollow, gently rubbing.

Jiang Ran, sounding sour, says: "Only miss Mom? What about Dad?"

An'an turns his head, stretches a small hand toward Dad: "Dad! Hold me!"

Jinjin also glances at Dad, whispering: "Dad... also looks good."

That's probably the highest praise a son can utter.

Jiang Ran laughs, scoops both children up at once: "Come! Dad will take you soaring high!"

The courtyard erupts again with children's laughter and Jiang Ran's exaggerated shout of "Taking off!"

Su Ruan stands at the doorway watching; the sunset stretches the silhouettes of the three of them long. In that moment, all fatigue and pressure evaporate, leaving only a deep, solid happiness.

After dinner, Jiang Ran indeed receives a call from Mr Chen.

The two have arranged to discuss details the next afternoon at Chongsu Old Shop.

At night, after Su Ruan finishes her shower, she sees Jiang Ran leaning against the headboard, calculator in hand, scribbling and drawing on a small notebook.

"What are you calculating?" she asks, wiping her hair as she walks over.

"Just accounting," Jiang Ran doesn't look up, "Today's preview event expenses, and roughly how much budget we'd need if we cooperate with the Provincial Capital."

Su Ruan sits beside him, leaning in to look. The notebook is filled with dense numbers, yet orderly.

"If we set up a boutique in a Provincial Capital department store, rent, renovation, staff... the upfront investment isn't small," Jiang Ran frowns, "But Editor Wang told me privately today that at least three media outlets have confirmed they'll do a feature on the Ren Series."

"That level of exposure, if converted to actual sales, should cover the costs."

Su Ruan listens quietly. She knows Jiang Ran may seem careless, but in business his mind is sharper than anyone's.

"And the Association cooperation on Mr Chen's side," Jiang Ran continues, "If they can truly organize a special promotion event and connect resources, it would greatly help us break into the Provincial Capital designer circle and high‑end client base."

He puts down his pen and turns to Su Ruan: "Wife, what do you think?"

Su Ruan ponders: "I think... we can try, but not roll it out everywhere."

"We'll pick one department store first, set up a small boutique to test the waters. At the same time, cooperate with Mr Chen to hold a few small‑scale promotion events."

"If the response is good, we'll expand."

"Great minds think alike," Jiang Ran smiles, draping an arm over her shoulders, "We won't chase big gains; we'll advance steadily. Once the Ren Series officially launches, we'll see the market feedback before deciding."

He pauses, his fingers twirling a strand of her half‑dry hair: "If we really need a base in the Provincial Capital, you'll probably have to go often. Jinjin and An'an are still young..."

"We can bring them along," Su Ruan replies without hesitation, "At worst it's a bit tougher. Or... we could rent a small place in the Provincial Capital, go there on weekends as a family. Mom and Dad and Grandma could take turns staying, just as a getaway."

She thought of everything, even her family.

Jiang Ran feels warmth in his heart, leans down to plant a kiss on her forehead: "My wife is amazing, she can arrange everything."

"Stop it," Su Ruan scolds, pushing away his face that leans in, "My hair isn't dry yet."

"I'll help," Jiang Ran takes the towel from her hand, kneels behind her, and carefully dries her hair.

His movements are gentle; his fingers glide through her damp strands, rubbing and drying them bit by bit.

Su Ruan closes her eyes contentedly, savoring this rare moment of tranquility.

"By the way," Jiang Ran suddenly remembers, "Editor Wang said there's a light‑industry product expo in the province next month, asked if we're interested in joining."

"If we can get a booth, that's a great promotional chance."

"An expo?" Su Ruan opens her eyes, "We'd need a lot of samples, right?"

"Yeah, we'd have to prepare specially. But we have time; it's a little over a month away."

Jiang Ran finishes drying her hair, drapes the towel aside, but his hand stays, absent‑mindedly smoothing her long hair.

I think we can select a few Premium pieces from South Wind North Rhythm, the Art Realm Series, and the Ren Series, then make a simple exhibition booth design.

Su Ruan turned around, facing him: "Then we have to start preparing. Design the booth, prepare samples, train the presenters…"

"Got it, got it." Jiang Ran pulled her into his arms, "One piece at a time. Tomorrow first talk with Mr Chen to finalize the Provincial Capital matters. The exhibition sale, start planning next week."

He kissed her forehead: "Now, we should go to sleep. Boss Jiang still has a Hard Battle to fight tomorrow."

The lights went out. Moonlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains.

Su Ruan faced away from Jiang Ran, being wrapped entirely in his arms from behind.

His arm rested across her waist, his palm against her lower abdomen, his warm breath brushing her nape.

"Jiang Ran." she whispered.

"Hmm?"

"Today… thank you."

Thank him for his unabashed pride before everyone, and for his unreserved support all along.

Jiang Ran smiled softly, his arms tightening: "Silly words. You're my daughter‑in‑law; if I don't support you, who else would I support?"

He paused, his voice dropping lower: "Besides, you're already wonderful. I just… want everyone to know."

Su Ruan's nose tingled, she turned in the darkness, found his lips, and kissed him deeply.