Chapter 178: Should We Finally Keep Our Promise?

The next morning, Jiang Ran and Chen Mingyuan's meeting proceeded unusually smoothly.

Chen Mingyuan presented a detailed cooperation plan.

The Association will, within a month, organize two small-scale professional promotion events, inviting designers, buyers, and media from the Provincial Capital.

At the same time, it will assist Chongsu in connecting with the purchasing heads of two boutique department stores.

As an exchange, Chongsu will become the Association's Annual Recommended Brand, and Su Ruan will need to do a Design Sharing for the Association each quarter.

"Boss Jiang, Boss Su, these are the most favorable terms we can offer," Chen Mingyuan adjusted his glasses and said sincerely, "What I value is Chongsu's design philosophy and development potential; I hope we can cooperate long-term."

Jiang Ran carefully flipped through the contract clauses, while Su Ruan added a question beside him: "Mr Chen, regarding the specific format of the Design Sharing…"

"It can be a lecture or a workshop, depending on Boss Su's schedule." Chen Mingyuan replied immediately, "Most of our Association's members are young designers and greatly need practical experience sharing like yours."

The meeting lasted two hours. By the end, both sides had essentially reached an agreement, awaiting the drafting of the formal contract.

After seeing Chen Mingyuan off, Jiang Ran let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair: "The Provincial Capital move is now set."

Su Ruan was organizing the meeting notes, and upon hearing that, looked up: "Do you think Mr Chen is reliable?"

"So far, he seems quite straightforward," Jiang Ran said, standing up, walking behind her, hands on her shoulders, "The plan is concrete, the terms reasonable. Most importantly, he values our stuff, not looking to take advantage."

"That's good then." Su Ruan relaxed, leaning on his hand, "By the way, you mentioned yesterday the provincial exhibition and sales fair…"

"We'll start preparing next week." Jiang Ran bent over, his chin resting on her head, "But before that—wife, shouldn't we fulfill the promise?"

"What promise?" Su Ruan didn't react right away.

Jiang Ran straightened up, pulled her from the chair, standing face to face, a smile in his eyes: "Take the whole family out for a trip!"

"Didn't we say yesterday we'd arrange it after the preview event ends?"

Su Ruan only then remembered. The success of the preview event had pushed this matter to the back of her mind.

"But… the shop…"

"The shop has Wang Shifu and Sun Shifu watching over it, and Douzi Yaya can handle it alone," Jiang Ran interrupted her, "Besides, we've been busy for so long, we should rest. Dad, mom, and Jiang Nainai should go out. Jinjin and An'an haven't really gone far before."

He sounded reasonable, and Su Ruan was swayed.

"Then… where to go?"

"Xishan Gongyuan!" Jiang Ran had already decided, "The peach blossoms are in full bloom, not too far, we can return the same day or stay a night."

"I've already inquired; there's a guesthouse next to the park, clean, and the price is reasonable."

He even arranged the lodging, clearly having planned this for a while.

Su Ruan couldn't help but laugh: "You've already planned everything, yet you ask my opinion?"

"Of course I have to ask." Jiang Ran said seriously, "Major family matters need Mrs Jiang's approval."

"You're cheeky." Su Ruan scolded him, though sweetly inside, "Alright, set it for this weekend? I need to tell dad, mom, and Grandma."

"No need for you to tell them, I'll tell!" Jiang Ran said with vigor, "I'll make sure the whole family is mobilized!"

Lunchtime, the Jiang Family Courtyard was especially lively.

Jiang Ran specifically had Douzi go to the restaurant to buy several hearty dishes, setting a whole table.

After everyone was seated, he cleared his throat and stood up.

"Dad, mom, Jiang Nainai, sister, brother‑in‑law," he scanned his gaze, finally landing on Su Ruan's face, "I have an important announcement today."

Everyone looked at him.

Jiang Ran grinned: "This weekend, the whole family is going out! To Xishan Gongyuan to see the peach blossoms! I've already arranged it—depart early Saturday, return Sunday. The guesthouse is booked, we'll stay one night!"

As his words fell, there was a few seconds of silence at the table.

Then—

"Really?" Jiang Jiaojiao was the first to react, eyes sparkling, "The whole family is going? Yan Shen too?"

Gu Yanshen smiled and nodded: "I'm free this weekend."

Li Huijuan hesitated a bit: "Everyone's going? Then the shop…"

"Mom, there are people in the shop." Jiang Ran interjected, "Wang Shifu and Sun Shifu can watch for two days, no problem. You and dad have worked hard half your lives, you should go out. Jiang Nainai hasn't been out for a long time either."

Jiang Nainai twirled her Buddhist Beads, smiling: "Me? With these old bones, can I still climb a mountain?"

"No need to climb, Grandma." Su Ruan said softly, "The park is flat, we'll walk slowly, sit when we're tired. The peach blossoms bloom on the ground, and they're beautiful."

Jiang Jianguo, who had been silent, spoke up: "What about Jinjin and An'an? With such young kids, is it convenient to go out?"

"Convenient!" Jiang Ran, already prepared, "I've thought of everything."

"We'll rent a van, drive straight to the park entrance. Bring the stroller too; when they're tired, let the two little ones sit in the vehicle. Food and drinks will be ready, just treat it as an outing!"

He spoke methodically, clearly having thought it through.

Li Huijuan and Jiang Jianguo exchanged glances, each seeing excitement in the other's eyes.

"Then… go?" Li Huijuan asked tentatively.

Jiang Jianguo lifted his glass, took a sip, and nodded: "Go, the whole family goes, it'll be lively."

"Yay!" Jiang Jiaojiao clapped joyfully, "It's been ages since I've gone out to play! Yan Shen, let's bring a camera and take lots of photos!"

Gu Yanshen responded gently: "Okay."

Jiang Nainai laughed broadly: "Go, go. I'll also go see the peach blossoms, soak up the spring air."

The matter was settled like that.

The next few days, the Jiang Family Courtyard was filled with excitement and busyness before the trip.

Li Huijuan began packing luggage.

The two children's clothes, diapers, bottles, baby food, and the adults' water bottles, towels, change of clothes filled two large bags to the brim.

Jiang Jianguo inspected the home's doors, windows, water and electricity, and also specially reminded Wang Shifu and the others at the old shop.

Jiang Jiaojiao took Gu Yanshen to buy snacks and fruit, and also bought a new camera.

Su Ruan was busy arranging the shop's work.

She processed the orders for the next few days in advance, and held a small meeting with Douzi Yaya to go over the precautions.

"Sister Su, you can rest assured!" Douzi pounded his chest and guaranteed, "The shop is in our hands, absolutely no problem!"

Yaya also nodded: "Exactly, you and Brother Jiang should have a good time, and spend time with the kids and the elders."

The busiest one is still Jiang Ran.

He not only has to coordinate the shop matters, but also arrange chartered cars, confirm the guesthouse, plan the itinerary, and even went ahead to Xishan Gongyuan to scout the spots.

On Thursday night, Jiang Ran, holding a small notebook, called the whole family to a meeting.

"Everyone, listen to me." He stood in the center of the Main Hall like a commander on the battlefield, "We set off at seven o'clock sharp on Saturday morning, the chartered car will arrive at the gate at half past six. We'll have breakfast at home, bring dry rations for lunch, and eat dinner at the restaurant next to the guesthouse."