Chapter 196: First Commercial Street

"Mrs Jiang, you're even more of a workaholic than I am now."

"That's because I learned it from you."

The two of them lingered a while longer, then got up to take a shower.

In the bathroom, steam swirled. Jiang Ran carefully washed Su Ruan's hair, his touch gentle.

"By the way," Su Ruan suddenly remembered, "Have Douzi and Yaya's schools been chosen?"

"They're set," Jiang Ran said. "Provincial City Workers University, night program. Douzi will study Marketing, Yaya will study Accounting. Classes start next Monday."

"That's good," Su Ruan breathed a sigh of relief, "Once they finish their studies, they'll be able to help us even more."

After showering, the two slipped back onto the bed. The night grew deeper, and outside the window only occasional car noises passed by.

"Jiang Ran."

"Hmm?"

"Tell me, do you think we've moved too fast?" Su Ruan turned to face him. "In just one year, from the Hu Tong Small Shop to the company, to the brand, and now a new house... Sometimes I'm scared—scared that everything came so quickly, and could be lost just as fast."

In the darkness, Jiang Ran clasped her hand. "Don't be afraid. We're fast because we're steady. Every step has been taken firmly."

He paused, his voice resolute. "And even if one day we truly lose everything, as long as our family stays together, we can start over. Just like back in Hu Tong, stitching things together anew."

His words reassured Su Ruan. Indeed, the worst case is returning to square one. And they've already proven they can walk from the start to today.

"Sleep now," Jiang Ran pulled her into his arms. "Tomorrow has its own matters."

"Hmm."

Embraced, the two slept especially sweetly on the first night in their new home.

The next morning, Su Ruan was awakened by the sunlight.

The new bedroom's curtains blocked light less effectively than those in Hu Tong, so the morning light seeped in early.

She opened her eyes, stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, and after a few seconds realized this was the new home.

Beside her, Jiang Ran was still asleep, an arm draped across her waist.

Su Ruan gently moved his hand aside and sat up.

Sunlight filtered through the curtain gaps, casting golden spots on the floor.

She got out of bed, walked to the window, and eased the curtain aside a little.

In the garden downstairs, an elderly person was already doing morning exercises.

Further down the street, traffic was gradually increasing.

It was an ordinary autumn morning, yet because it was in the new home, it felt especially beautiful.

"What are you looking at?" Jiang Ran, having woken at some point, came over and embraced her from behind.

"Just looking at our new home," Su Ruan leaned into his chest. "It's really beautiful."

Jiang Ran also glanced out the window. "Yes, really beautiful."

The two stood by the window for a while before washing up and heading downstairs.

Downstairs, Li Huijuan was already bustling in the kitchen.

Hearing the movement, she poked her head out. "Awake? Breakfast will be ready soon."

"Mom, why are you up so early?" Su Ruan entered the kitchen. "Aren't you getting more sleep?"

"It's a habit," Li Huijuan stirred the porridge briskly. "In Hu Tong we also get up at this hour. Go wake Jinjin and An'an; we'll eat in a bit."

In the children's room, both kids were awake.

An'an sat on the bed rubbing his eyes, while Jinjin had already dressed himself, though the buttons were crooked.

"Mom!" An'an spread his little hands upon seeing Su Ruan.

Su Ruan lifted her daughter, kissed her little cheek, and asked, "Did An'an sleep well?"

"Good!" An'an clung to his mother's neck. "The new bed... comfortable."

Jinjin also came over, looking up at Su Ruan. "Mom, my button..."

Su Ruan crouched down and helped her son rebutton it. "Jinjin, you're great—already able to dress yourself."

Jiang Ran lifted his son. "Come on, wash your face, brush your teeth, let's eat!"

The family gathered around the dining table in the new dining room to eat.

Sunlight poured in through the large windows, warm and gentle.

"This dining room is really bright," Grandma Jiang took a sip of soup, "better than the one in Hu Tong."

"As long as Grandma likes it, that's fine," Jiang Ran offered Grandma a small soup dumpling. "From now on we'll eat here every day."

Jinjin and An'an were still fascinated by the new surroundings, glancing around while eating.

"Dad, that..." An'an pointed at the wall clock, "does it chime?"

"It chimes on the hour," Jiang Ran explained, "ding-dong, ding-dong."

"Then... what time is it now?" Jinjin asked.

Su Ruan glanced at the clock. "Half past eight. After we finish eating, dad and mom will go to the company; Jinjin and An'an can stay home with grandpa, grandma, and great-grandmother to play, okay?"

"Okay," the two children replied in unison.

After the meal, Jiang Ran and Su Ruan prepared to leave. As they changed shoes at the doorway, Li Huijuan followed.

"Will you be back for dinner tonight?"

"We'll be back," Jiang Ran said. "But we might be late; you eat first, don't wait for us."

"That won't do," Li Huijuan insisted. "A family must eat dinner together. No matter how late, we wait."

Her words warmed Su Ruan's heart. "Mom, thank you."

"Thank what?" Li Huijuan waved her hand. "Hurry up, be careful on the road."

On the way to the company, Jiang Ran drove while Su Ruan sat in the passenger seat.

"Mom said she's waiting for us to eat," Jiang Ran said with a smile, "It feels like going back to childhood."

"Yeah," Su Ruan also laughed, "No matter how late we get home, there's always hot rice and hot dishes waiting."

When they arrived at the company, the office building was very quiet on the weekend.

But in several floors of Chongsu, there were still people working overtime.

After the press conference, orders surged, and the production line was already running at full capacity.

"President Jiang, President Su," the receptionist girl stood up, "Mr Chen Mingyuan is here, waiting for you in the conference room."

The two exchanged a glance and hurried toward the conference room.

Chen Mingyuan was looking at his phone; when he saw them enter, he stood up immediately: "President Jiang, President Su, sorry to disturb you on the weekend."

"Mr Chen, you're being courteous," Jiang Ran shook his hand, "What is it?"

"Two matters," Chen Mingyuan got straight to the point, "First, the media coverage after the press conference was very positive. Provincial TV Station decided to make a feature documentary and will come to shoot next Wednesday. We need your cooperation."

"No problem," Su Ruan nodded, "Whatever cooperation you need, just tell us."

"Second," Chen Mingyuan smiled, "A department store in Shanghai saw the press conference report, contacted us, and wants to bring in Chongsu. They want to open a boutique on Nanjing Road."

Those words left Jiang Ran and Su Ruan both stunned.

"Shanghai? Nanjing Road?" Jiang Ran couldn't believe it, "That's …"

"China's First Commercial Street," Chen Mingyuan continued, "A rare opportunity. The other side will send people to inspect next Monday; if all goes well, we could sign a contract soon."

Leaving the conference room, the two felt a bit dazed.

"Shanghai …" Su Ruan murmured, "Our brand is going to Shanghai?"

"Seems so," Jiang Ran squeezed her hand, "Honey, should we consider going to Shanghai to take a look?"

"We'll talk after they come on Monday," Su Ruan, though excited, remained fairly calm, "First see their sincerity and terms."

Even though they said that, both understood it in their hearts.

If they could truly establish a foothold in Shanghai, Chongsu would really step out of the Provincial Capital and go nationwide.

All day, the two were in a state of excitement and tension.

After finishing work, it was already past five in the afternoon.

On the way home, Jiang Ran said, "Don't tell Mom and Dad about the Shanghai matter for now. Wait until it's confirmed, so they won't worry."

"Mm." Su Ruan nodded, "I thought the same."

When they got home, the moment the door opened they smelled the aroma of food. Li Huijuan poked her head out of the kitchen, "Back? Perfect, let's eat."

In the dining room, the dishes were already set.

Jiang Jianguo was playing with blocks with Jinjin, Jiang Nainai was watching TV, and An'an was perched on Great-grandmother's lap listening to a story.

"Dad! Mom!" The two children, seeing them, immediately ran over.