Chapter 200: Alright, I'm Taking You All Out to Play

Su Ruan looks up, meeting his deep eyes.

"Su Ruan, remember," Jiang Ran says slowly, "you are already the best designer. The people in Shanghai are picky because they haven't seen anything better. When they see your work, they'll know what good looks like."

His forehead presses against hers: "So, don't be afraid. You have me, your parents, your grandmother, Jinjin and An'an. Our whole family is your backing."

Su Ruan's nose tingles, she wraps her arms around his neck: "Jiang Ran…"

"Hmm?"

"I missed you."

Jiang Ran is startled, then understands that her "miss" refers not to now. They've been too busy lately; though living under the same roof, they rarely have time like this to quietly embrace.

"I miss you too." He kisses her lips.

The kiss is lingering and deep, carrying the longing and fatigue accumulated over these days.

"Back to the bedroom…" Su Ruan whispers in the pause between breaths.

"Okay." Jiang Ran lifts her, wraps a towel around her casually, and walks out of the bathroom.

The bedroom has no lights, only moonlight streaming through the window. Jiang Ran places Su Ruan on the bed and lies on top of her.

"Mmm." Jiang Ran's kiss moves from her lips to her chin, then to her neck, "Today we'll take it slow."

His movements are indeed much gentler than usual, as if to make up for the haste of recent days.

Every touch, every kiss, carries cherish and tenderness.

"My daughter‑in‑law." Jiang Ran whispers in her ear, "When the Shanghai matters settle, we'll rest properly for a while. Just the two of us, find a quiet place, think of nothing, do nothing."

"Okay." Su Ruan leans in his arms, "Where are we going?"

"Not decided yet." Jiang Ran's hand strokes her back intermittently, "Maybe the seaside, maybe the mountains. Anyway, just the two of us."

"What about the kids?"

"Let Mom and Dad take them for a few days." Jiang Ran says confidently, "We also need a couple's world."

Su Ruan smiles, "Alright, your call."

The Shanghai boutique's renovation is in full swing, and the fashion week samples have entered the final adjustment stage. Everything proceeds according to plan, but Jiang Ran and Su Ruan are both exhausted.

Friday night, Jiang Ran returns home at eleven o'clock. He pushes open the bedroom door and finds Su Ruan still sitting at the desk, frowning at the design sketches.

"Not asleep yet?" Jiang Ran walks over, hand on her shoulder.

"Something feels off here." Su Ruan points to a waistline on the drawing, "The proportion's wrong, but I don't know how to fix it."

Jiang Ran looks and says, "Too tired, brain won't work. We'll think about it tomorrow."

"Tomorrow we have a meeting with the fabric supplier…"

"Cancel it." Jiang Ran shuts her sketchbook without hesitation, "Things for next week can wait. This weekend, let's go out."

Su Ruan is startled, "Go out? Where to?"

"The seaside." Jiang Ran turns the chair around so she faces him, "Qingdao, not far, three hours by car. We'll stay two days, just the two of us."

"But…"

"No 'but'." Jiang Ran crouches, holds her hand, "My daughter‑in‑law, look at your dark circles, look how thin you are. If you keep pushing like this, what will you do when your health collapses?"

Su Ruan subconsciously touches her face.

"I've already told Mom and Dad; they'll take Jinjin and An'an this weekend." Jiang Ran continues, "I've also arranged work; Douzi will call for important matters, non‑urgent things can wait until we return."

He looks at her, eyes serious: "Su Ruan, we need rest. Just two days, think of nothing, do nothing, just watch the sea, feel the breeze, sleep until we wake naturally."

Su Ruan is moved by his words. She truly is tired, so tired that sometimes she wakes up with her vision blackening.

"Okay." she whispers, "Just two days."

Jiang Ran's eyes brighten, "Then it's settled! We leave first thing tomorrow morning!"

Saturday morning at seven, Jiang Ran has already driven the car down to the building's entrance.

In the trunk is a simple suitcase containing a few changes of clothes, toiletries, and the sketchbook Su Ruan insisted on bringing.

"Really don't need to bring work?" Li Huijuan sees them off at the door, still uneasy.

"Really not, Mom." Jiang Ran assures, "Just pure fun. If anything, Douzi will call."

Jinjin and An'an also woke up, the two children standing at the doorway, still sleepy.

"Dad, Mom, where are you going?" An'an rubs his eyes and asks.

"To the seaside." Su Ruan crouches, kisses her daughter's little face, "Will you pick shells for An'an to bring back, okay?"

"Okay!" An'an instantly perks up, "I want the biggest one!"

Jinjin, however, is more concerned about safety: "The seaside… has waves. Be careful."

"Got it." Jiang Ran pats his son's head, "Dad will protect Mom. You must listen to Grandpa, Grandma, and Great‑grandmother at home."

"Mm." Jinjin nods seriously.

Saying goodbye to the family, the car drives out of the residential complex.

The early‑morning streets are quiet, the sun just risen, coating the buildings in a golden hue.

Su Ruan leans against the passenger seat, watching the scenery outside change from city to countryside, then to farmlands beside the highway.

"How long has it been since we did this?" she whispers, "Just the two of us."

"Too long." Jiang Ran holds the steering wheel with one hand, his other hand holding hers, "The last time was our wedding anniversary, over a year ago."

The car drives along the coastal road, the scent of the sea growing stronger.

At ten a. m., they arrive at the booked guesthouse.

The guesthouse is a small white building right by the sea; opening the window reveals the beach and ocean.

The landlady is a warm‑hearted middle‑aged woman, surname Wang.

"Mr. Jiang, Ms. Su, right?" Sister Wang greets them, "The room is on the second floor, a sea‑view room; I'll show you up."

The room is small but very clean.

Wooden floor, white walls, a large bed facing the floor‑to‑ceiling window.

Outside the window, the azure sea glitters under the sun.

"So beautiful."

Su Ruan walked to the window, inhaled deeply, and the air was filled with salty sea breeze.

"You all rest first; lunch starts at twelve," Sister Wang said, then went downstairs.

When the door closed, only the two of them remained in the room.

The seagull's cry came from outside the window, and the sound of waves rose and fell like a gentle breath.

Jiang Ran wrapped his arms around Su Ruan from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder, "Do you like it?"

"I like it," Su Ruan leaned into his embrace, "Thank you, Jiang Ran."

"Thanks for what?" Jiang Ran turned her around, kissed her forehead, "As long as you're happy."