Chapter 182: We

Su Ruan leans in his arms, feeling the warmth of his chest: "Mm."

"Yesterday at the pavilion…" Jiang Ran's voice drops, carrying a hint.

Su Ruan's face flushes, she turns to face him: "All you can think about is this?"

"I've been thinking about it for a long time." Jiang Ran says confidently, lowers his head to kiss her, "Since I saw you standing under the flowers on the lake, I've wanted this."

This kiss is more urgent than any before, bearing a day's worth of suppressed longing.

Su Ruan's legs go weak from his kiss, her hand climbs onto his shoulder.

Kiss after kiss, the two stumble into their own room. Jiang Ran kicks the door shut with his foot.

"Wait…" Su Ruan whispers between breaths, "The door isn't locked…"

"No one's coming." Jiang Ran can no longer care, presses her onto the bed, his fingers deftly undo the Frog Button on her collar, "Dad's at the shop, Mom's in the kitchen, Grandma's resting… no one will come."

Even so, Su Ruan is still nervous.

This intimacy that could be interrupted at any moment at home carries a different thrill.

Jiang Ran holds Su Ruan, both drenched in sweat, breathing heavily to steady themselves.

"My daughter‑in‑law…" Jiang Ran whispers in her ear, his voice hoarse with satisfaction.

"Mm?"

"Next time… shall we try it at the shop?"

Su Ruan's face reddens more, pushes him away: "Don't even think about it!"

Jiang Ran chuckles low, pulls her tighter: "Can't even think about it?"

"No." Su Ruan says firmly, though the corners of her mouth can't help but lift.

The two linger a while longer, then get up to tidy up.

Once dressed and the door opens, the courtyard already carries the aroma of food.

Li Huijuan calls from the kitchen: "Ranran, RuanRuan, dinner's ready!"

Lunch is simple: reheated leftovers, a stir‑fried green veg, and a pot of noodles.

Yet the family sitting together eats especially deliciously.

"Home‑cooked meals still suit the palate best," Jiang Jianguo says.

"Exactly." Li Huijuan serves each a bowl, "When you're away, nothing beats a hot bite of home."

After the meal, Jiang Ran and Su Ruan voluntarily clear the dishes.

Jiang Jianguo goes for a nap, Li Huijuan, also tired, returns to her room to rest.

In the kitchen, the two stand side by side at the sink.

Jiang Ran washes dishes, Su Ruan dries them.

"Starting tomorrow, we'll be busy again," Jiang Ran says, "the exhibition fair, the Provincial Capital partnership, and the shop's daily matters."

"Mm." Su Ruan places the dried plates into the cabinet, "One thing at a time. First, get the exhibition fair samples ready."

"I've already decided." Jiang Ran hands her the last bowl, "Ren Series will feature three flagship items, South Wind North Rhythm and Art Realm Series each select five Premium pieces. Booth design… I drew a Sketch, I'll show you tonight."

He's always like this, saying he's not in a hurry, while already having a plan in mind.

Su Ruan feels reassured, tiptoes and kisses his cheek: "Boss Jiang, you've worked hard."

"Mrs Jiang works even harder." Jiang Ran smiles, returns the kiss, "After this busy spell, we'll go out again. No kids, just the two of us."

"Okay."

The dishes are washed, the kitchen tidied. The two return to the Main Hall, the sunlight just right.

Jiang Ran actually pulls out the booth design Sketch.

He drew it on the back of a cigarette pack, lines simple yet very inventive.

"Place the Ren Series here, using cool light. Put the other series here, using Warm Light. Leave a passage in the middle…" he explains earnestly.

Su Ruan listens carefully, occasionally offering revision suggestions.

The two brainstorm head‑to‑head, just like countless past days of side‑by‑side effort.

In the courtyard, the old locust tree's shadow stretches slowly. Time slips by unnoticed.

Evening, Jiang Jiaojiao and Yan Shen come over again, bringing ready‑made food bought outside.

"Celebrating the family's successful trip!" Jiang Jiaojiao holds up a roast chicken, "More dishes!"

Dinner becomes lively again. Jinjin and An'an are also awake, sitting in their own high chairs, waving tiny spoons.

"Mom, Huahua…" An'an still remembers the peach blossoms.

"Is Huahua pretty?" Su Ruan picks a piece of chicken for her.

"Pretty!" An'an nods vigorously, "Want to see more!"

Jiang Ran smiles: "Alright, next spring, Dad will take An'an to see it again."

"I'll go too!" Jinjin suddenly says, her little face serious.

Everyone laughs: "Okay, Jinjin's going too."

At the table, conversation shifts from travel anecdotes to upcoming plans.

Jiang Jiaojiao hears about the exhibition fair and instantly shows interest: "Can I help? My department's not busy lately anyway."

"That works." Jiang Ran says, "We're short on hands. Brother‑in‑law coming too?"

Yan Shen smiles and nods: "Weekends work. Weekdays I have to work."

"It's settled then." Jiang Ran finalizes, "The exhibition fair starts the 15th of next month; we'll begin preparations a week early."

"Sister, you and brother‑in‑law handle promotional materials and on‑site reception. Yan Shen and RuanRuan handle the exhibits and explanations."

The family now has a new shared goal, the atmosphere even more lively.

After dinner, Jiang Jiaojiao and Yan Shen say their goodbyes. Li Huijuan takes the children to wash up and sleep.

Jiang Jianguo and Jiang Nainai are watching TV in the Main Hall.

Jiang Ran and Su Ruan return to their own room.

They close the door, cutting off the outside world.

"Tired?" Jiang Ran embraces Su Ruan from behind while she is combing her hair.

"A little," Su Ruan leans into his arms, "but happy."

"Me too." Jiang Ran takes the comb, helps her brush her hair, "Today on the car, watching you fall asleep, I kept thinking… this life, it's been worth it."

Su Ruan looks at him from the mirror, "Why so suddenly sentimental?"

"Not sudden." Jiang Ran gently brushes her long hair, "It's because today, seeing the whole family together, seeing you and the child, I feel that all the past hardships and fatigue were worth it."

He puts down the comb, hand on her shoulder, looks at her from the mirror, "Su Ruan, we'll keep being like this forever, right?"

Su Ruan turns, grasps his hand, "Yes. We'll keep being like this."

Outside the window, night drapes low, and stars begin to appear.

Inside, the embracing couple casts a warm reflection in the mirror.

Tomorrow, life will go on. There will be busyness, challenges, and the unknown.

But as long as this home remains, as long as they are beside each other, they have the courage to face everything.

And today's warmth and happiness will become the firmest confidence in their hearts, supporting them toward a farther future.

Night deepens, the lights go out.

The two, embraced as they fall asleep, both have a reassuring smile at the corners of their mouths.

Tomorrow, it's a new day again.