Chapter 186: Sending You Off to School

When the morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains into the bedroom, Su Ruan was already awake.

She lay on her side, watching Jiang Ran still sleeping beside her.

In the morning light, his outline appeared especially gentle; the usual swagger was restrained, making him look like a big boy.

Su Ruan's fingertips lightly brushed his high, straight nose bridge, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily lifted.

Last night's conversation rang in her mind again—

"Douzi and Yaya are still young; they still have to keep going to school."

"I think so too! The two of us really have a telepathic connection!"

Indeed, we have a telepathic connection.

This year, busy with expansion, Douzi and Yaya—the two youngest followers—had poured almost all their time into work.

Douzi handled sales and managed the warehouse, while Yaya dealt with clients and reception; both grew quickly, but their studies were indeed delayed.

It's time to make long‑term plans for them.

Su Ruan was thinking, when Jiang Ran's eyes flickered and he slowly opened them.

Seeing her, he grinned, leaned over and kissed her forehead: "Good morning, Mrs Jiang."

"Morning," Su Ruan returned the kiss, "Get up now that you're awake; we have a lot to do today."

"Just five more minutes..." Jiang Ran clung to her tighter, his face buried in her neck hollow, "I'm still tired from last night..."

Su Ruan's face flushed as she pushed him away: "Who told you... not to hold back?"

"Blame me?" Jiang Ran looked up, a mischievous smile in his eyes, "Someone clearly offered to share the load last night..."

"Shut up!" Su Ruan covered his mouth, her ears turning red.

The two bickered for a while longer, then finally got up to wash up.

For breakfast they kept it simple—fried eggs, warm milk, bread.

Sitting in the dining room, Su Ruan ate while saying, "I'll talk to Douzi and Yaya about this in the next couple of days. But... what do you want them to study?"

Jiang Ran took a sip of milk, thought for a moment, "Douzi is quick‑witted and capable; business administration or marketing would suit him. Yaya is meticulous and communicative; accounting or human‑resources management would be fine."

"I think the same," Su Ruan nodded, "Then the tuition..."

"The company will cover it," Jiang Ran said without hesitation, "They've stuck with us since the toughest times; now the company is thriving, we can't shortchange them."

"Tuition and living expenses, the company will pay everything. As long as they're willing to learn, the company will support them to whatever level they reach."

Those words sounded grand and heart‑warming.

Su Ruan looked at him, her gaze gentle: "Jiang Ran, sometimes I feel you resemble a boss more than I do."

"I was always the boss," Jiang Ran raised an eyebrow, "But... I'm a boss who listens to his wife."

After breakfast, the two went to the company together.

The Saturday office was quieter than usual, though the design and production departments still had overtime staff.

The product launch was approaching, and time was tight.

Su Ruan headed straight to the pattern‑making room on the fifth floor.

Wang Shifu and Sun Shifu were both there, discussing revisions to a Sample Garment.

"RuanRuan's here," Wang Shifu looked up, "Perfect timing. Look at this sleeve cuff; we made it according to your new drawing, but the fit on the body feels a bit..."

Su Ruan walked over, took the Sample Garment and examined it closely: "Here... should we tighten the curve a bit? Adding 0.5 cm might be just right."

"Let me measure," Sun Shifu picked up the flexible ruler.

Su Ruan spent the morning in the pattern room, adjusting details of three Sample Garments together with the two master craftsmen.

When they were finally satisfied, it was already past twelve noon.

"Wang Shifu, Sun Shifu, have lunch first," she glanced at the time, "We'll continue this afternoon."

"Alright, you go eat quickly too," Wang Shifu waved his hand, "Don't always be glued to work; health matters."

Su Ruan smiled and nodded, then went downstairs to find Jiang Ran.

Jiang Ran was in the second‑floor office, staring at a spreadsheet on his computer.

Hearing the knock, he didn't look up: "Come in."

"President Jiang, it's time for lunch," Su Ruan said deliberately in a formal tone.

Jiang Ran finally looked up, saw her, and smiled: "President Su comes personally to urge me; I can't disobey."

He shut down the computer, stood up: "Let's go, a new Hunan restaurant opened downstairs, I've heard it's good."

The Hunan restaurant near the company was indeed packed; even on a Saturday noon it was almost full.

The two found a corner seat and sat down.

After ordering, Jiang Ran poured Su Ruan a cup of tea: "How was the morning?"

"We basically finished adjusting the three Sample Garments," Su Ruan took a sip of tea, "The fabric supplier is coming this afternoon to check the new batches of material."

"Douzi stopped by this morning," Jiang Ran said, "He said the department store placed an additional order; the pre‑sale of the autumn line is better than expected."

"Good news," Su Ruan nodded, "By the way, is Yaya here? I want to discuss the schooling matter with them today."

"She's here, handling a client in the downstairs showroom," Jiang Ran glanced at his watch, "She should be done soon. After we eat, I'll call them to the conference room."

The dishes arrived: stir‑fried yellow beef, chopped‑pepper fish head, and lightly sautéed seasonal vegetables.

They ate and chatted, the conversation ranging from work to home.

"Mom called yesterday and said Jinjin grew taller again," Su Ruan added a piece of fish, "An'an has recently become obsessed with painting and has messed up the house walls."

Jiang Ran laughed, "Whatever, they have artistic talent. When we go back this weekend, I'll take them to buy proper drawing boards and paper so they don't ruin the walls."

"You even said that last time you taught Jinjin to kick a ball, you broke the neighbor's window and paid fifty bucks,"

"That was an accident..." Jiang Ran chuckled, "Boys need to be active, after all."

The two finished their meal, still laughing and joking.

Back at the company, Jiang Ran told the receptionist to summon Douzi and Yaya to the third‑floor conference room.

The conference room wasn't large, but it was arranged very warmly.

When Douzi and Yaya entered, they were both a little nervous.

The boss and the boss's wife summoned them together; it was the first time.

"Brother Jiang, Sister Su, do you have business for us?" Douzi asked.

"Sit down," Su Ruan gestured to the chair. "Don't be nervous; it's a good thing."

After the two sat down, Jiang Ran got straight to the point: "Douzi, Yaya, how long have you been following me and Su Ruan?"

Douzi thought for a moment. "Two years and three months. I've been here since the Hu Tong Store first opened."

Yaya nodded. "Me, about the same."

"Over two years," Su Ruan said softly. "You two went from knowing nothing to being able to handle things on your own; both Jiang Ran and I have seen it."

She paused, looking at the two youngsters. "But you're still young; the future is long ahead."

"Jiang Ran and I have discussed it; we hope you can continue your schooling and systematically study professional knowledge."

The words made Douzi and Yaya both freeze in shock.

"Go—go to school?" Douzi stammered, "But… the shop is so busy…"

"The company now has a team, unlike before when we couldn't be without people," Jiang Ran continued. "We plan to send you to Xue. Tuition and living expenses will be fully covered by the company."

Yaya's eyes widened. "All covered?"

"Right," Su Ruan nodded. "As long as you're willing to study, the company will fully support you. Class times can be arranged flexibly, without affecting regular work—weekends or evenings for classes, daytime for work."

Douzi's eyes were a bit red. "Brother Jiang, Sister Su… this… this is too…"