Chapter 187: Regret?

"Stop fussing about." Jiang Ran waved his hand broadly, "It's settled like this. You study well, and once you master it, the company will have even more important tasks to give you in the future."

"Us…" Yaya's voice choked, "We will definitely study hard and not disappoint Brother Jiang and Sister Su's expectations."

"That's right." Su Ruan smiled, "Starting next week, go learn about the schools; once you've chosen, tell me and I'll enroll you."

Coming out of the conference room, Douzi and Yaya were still excited.

The two walked while whispering about which major to choose, their eyes sparkling.

Jiang Ran and Su Ruan stood in the corridor, watching their backs.

"Now it's solid," Jiang Ran said.

"Mm." Su Ruan leaned on his shoulder, "Douzi and Yaya are like our younger brother and sister; if I can help plan their future, I feel at ease."

At two p. m., the fabric supplier arrived on time.

It was a middle‑aged woman surnamed Zhou, who had been in the cloth business for over a decade, with a sharp eye.

The several batches of new fabrics she brought indeed made Su Ruan's eyes light up.

"This one is a silk blend with a small amount of cashmere, light yet warm," Manager Zhou unfurled a piece of smoky‑purple material, "It's most suitable for an Autumn dress or a thin coat."

Su Ruan reached out to feel it; the texture was delicate and soft, with just the right sheen.

"What about this one?" she pointed to another piece in gray‑blue.

"This is an imported cotton‑linen blend, specially treated to be wrinkle‑free with a good drape."

Manager Zhou added, "It's suitable for suits or trousers."

The two spent the afternoon in the sample room, looking at more than twenty kinds of fabric.

Su Ruan watched while noting in her notebook, occasionally discussing craftsmanship and price with Manager Zhou.

Jiang Ran came in once midway, delivered two cups of tea, saw them engrossed, and quietly slipped out again.

When they finished looking at everything, it was already close to five o'clock.

"Manager Zhou, thank you for today," Su Ruan closed her notebook, "I'll keep these samples for now and give you an answer next week."

"Take your time," Manager Zhou smiled, "President Su, take your time. By the way, I heard you're planning an Autumn Release Conference? If you need special fabrics, I can help source them."

"Thanks for now."

After seeing off Manager Zhou, Su Ruan returned to the office, spread the selected fabric samples on the desk, and began drawing design sketches.

Inspiration poured out like a spring.

The smoky‑purple silk blend inspired an asymmetrical dress; the gray‑blue cotton‑linen suited a sleek suit; and a dark‑green jacquard could become a retro coat…

She drew so engrossed that she didn't even notice when Jiang Ran entered.

"Daughter‑in‑law." Jiang Ran embraced her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder, "It's time to clock out."

Su Ruan finally looked up at the window; it was already dark.

"What time is it?"

"Seven thirty." Jiang Ran glanced at his watch, "You've been drawing since two p. m., that's five and a half hours. You only had a little lunch, and you won't have dinner?"

Su Ruan only then felt hungry: "I forgot…"

"I knew it." Jiang Ran sighed, "Let's go, I'll take you to eat something good."

"Wait a moment, I'll finish this drawing." Su Ruan lowered her head again, quickly sketching the hem lines.

Jiang Ran didn't press her further; he simply stood quietly behind her, watching her focused profile.

Under the light, her eyelashes cast a faint shadow beneath her eyes, and the fingers holding the pencil were slender yet strong.

Another twenty minutes passed, and Su Ruan finally set down the pen, exhaling, "Done."

Jiang Ran leaned over to look; it was an exquisitely detailed sketch of a dark‑green coat, with delicate embroidery on the collar and cuffs, and a uniquely designed belt.

"Beautiful," he said sincerely.

"It'll look even better once made."

Su Ruan stood up, but her legs gave way.

She'd been sitting too long.

Jiang Ran timely steadied her, "Take a look, you must be exhausted, right?"

"It's fine, just stretch a bit." Su Ruan leaned on him for a moment, "Let's go, get something to eat."

This time Jiang Ran didn't take her to a restaurant; instead he drove to a newly opened Western restaurant by the river.

"So formal?" Su Ruan looked at the restaurant's refined décor.

"Compensate you." Jiang Ran took her hand and entered, "We've been too busy lately, never really had a proper meal together."

The waiter led them to a window seat.

Outside the window, the river view glittered, and a tour boat drifted by slowly.

After ordering, Jiang Ran pulled a small box from his pocket and placed it before Su Ruan.

"What's this now?" Su Ruan asked, surprised.

"Open it and see."

Su Ruan opened the box; inside was a thin necklace, its pendant a tiny pearl, matching the ring and brooch she wore.

"Why buy again…" Her heart warmed, but she teased, "Spending money recklessly."

"It's not expensive." Jiang Ran stood, moved behind her, picked up the necklace, "Here, put it on."

The icy necklace touched her skin, then Jiang Ran's warm fingertips smoothed it.

He gave a gentle kiss to the back of her neck, then sat back opposite her.

"Beautiful." his eyes shone, "My daughter‑in‑law looks good in anything."

Su Ruan touched the pearl pendant on her chest, feeling sweet inside, "Thank you, Jiang Ran."

"What thanks?" Jiang Ran grasped her hand, "I should thank you. Without you, there'd be no Chongsu today."

The dishes kept arriving. The two ate while chatting, their topics ranging from work to life, from the past to the future.

"When the press conference is over, I want to get a new house for Mom, Dad and Grandma," Jiang Ran said, cutting his steak. "The old house is nice, but it has no elevator, so Grandma finds going up and down the stairs inconvenient."

"I have the same thought," Su Ruan nodded. "We'll move to a residential complex closer to us, with an elevator and a garden. Jinjin and An'an will also have a place to play."

"Then after we finish this busy period, we'll go look at houses."

"Okay."

After the meal, the two didn't hurry home but took a walk along the riverbank.

The evening breeze whispered, dispersing the day's fatigue. On the river surface, the reflected lights shattered into countless golden scales.

"Time really flies," Su Ruan said softly. "It feels like yesterday we were still in Hu Tong, haggling over the price of a bolt of cloth."

"Indeed," Jiang Ran wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "But thinking back now, those times were hard yet simple. Things are better now, but they're more exhausting."

"Do you regret it?"

"No regrets," Jiang Ran said without hesitation. "As long as it lets you and the children live a good life, any fatigue is worth it."

He stopped walking, turned to face her: "Su Ruan, once the company stabilizes, we'll slow our pace. Spend more time with the children, and more time with Mom, Dad and Grandma. Money can keep being earned, but time…"

He didn't finish, but Su Ruan understood.

"Okay," she nestled into his arms. "When the press conference ends, we'll adjust our rhythm."

The two stood by the riverbank for a long while again before driving home.

By the time they arrived home, it was almost eleven o'clock.

After washing up and lying in bed, Su Ruan found she no longer felt sleepy.

"Jiang Ran."

"Hmm?"

"Tell me, can we stay like this forever?"

"We can," Jiang Ran pulled her into his embrace. "We must be able to."