Chapter 201: A Little Vain

The two packed their luggage briefly and went downstairs for lunch.

There were still a few couples in the restaurant, all on vacation.

The dishes were simple but fresh: steamed sea fish, garlic greens, and seafood soup.

"This fish is really fresh," Su Ruan said after taking a bite.

"The local fishermen just caught it this morning," Wang Jie said as she came over to refill the tea. "You can go for a walk on the beach this afternoon; the tide's out, you can pick up a lot of things."

After the meal, the two returned to their room and changed into light clothing.

Su Ruan wore a white cotton long Skirt, while Jiang Ran wore a T‑shirt and shorts.

At the beach at two p. m., the sun was just right, not scorching.

The beach wasn't crowded; most of the people were local children playing.

The two took off their shoes and walked barefoot on the sand.

Fine soft sand slipped between their toes, tickling pleasantly.

"It's been a long time since I've felt like this," Su Ruan inhaled deeply as the sea breeze lifted her long hair. "No need to think about anything, no need to worry about anything."

Jiang Ran held her hand and said, "We'll come here often from now on. Once things in Shanghai settle down, we'll stay a few days each year."

They walked slowly along the coastline.

Waves rolled in layer by layer, covering their ankles before receding, leaving damp sand and scattered seashells.

"Look at this!" Su Ruan suddenly crouched and picked up a milky‑white shell. "So pretty."

Jiang Ran also crouched, digging a small conch from the sand. "For An'an. What does Jinjin want?"

"Jinjin likes Shi Tou," Su Ruan said. "Find a special Shi Tou for him."

The two searched the beach like children, looking for treasures.

In no time, their hands held a pile of shells, conches, smooth stones, and even a small piece of glass rounded by the sea.

When they grew tired, they sat on the sand. Su Ruan spread the collected items on her Skirt and examined them closely.

"This one looks like a little star," she said, picking up a star‑shaped shell.

Jiang Ran watched her focused profile as the sunlight bathed her in a soft glow.

He suddenly felt that Su Ruan at this moment was more beautiful than ever.

She wasn't a designer in an exquisite dress, nor a domineering boss—just a woman enjoying life.

"Why are you looking at me?" Su Ruan noticed his gaze.

"Just admiring my lovely wife," Jiang Ran leaned in and kissed her on the face.

Su Ruan's face flushed as she pushed him away: "Someone's watching."

"Look if you want," Jiang Ran replied nonchalantly. "Kissing my own wife isn't illegal."

The two chatted and laughed, sat a while longer, then got up and walked back. By the time they returned to the guesthouse, it was already evening.

After a shower that washed away sand and salt, they both felt refreshed.

After dinner, Wang Jie suggested, "There are fishing lights tonight; we could go to the pier. The fishing boats will be back, it'll be lively."

The pier was a short ten‑minute walk from the guesthouse. It was indeed bustling, with a dozen fishing boats docked and fishermen unloading cargo.

Freshly caught fish and shrimp glimmered silver under the lights, and the air was thick with a strong sea scent.

"Buy some for tomorrow?" Jiang Ran asked.

"Sure," Su Ruan nodded. "Pick the fresh ones."

They bought some shrimp and crabs, and also a fish, planning to have Wang Jie help cook it tomorrow.

Back at the guesthouse, night had fallen completely. Without city light pollution, the starry sky over the sea was especially clear.

The two moved chairs onto the balcony, feeling the night breeze while watching the stars.

"So quiet," Su Ruan leaned on Jiang Ran's shoulder. "Except for the sound of waves, nothing else can be heard."

"Hmm," Jiang Ran hugged her. "Sometimes I feel we're living too fast—busy opening the shop, busy making money, busy rushing forward, and we forget to pause and look around."

"Yes," Su Ruan whispered. "Walking on the beach today reminded me of when we first opened the shop. It was hard then, but simple. Every day we only thought about how to make the clothes well and keep the shop running."

"Now we think about so many things," Jiang Ran said with a wry smile. "Market share, brand positioning, future development… Sometimes I wake up at night with my mind full of work and can't sleep."

Su Ruan looked up at him. "You've never told me that before."

"Why would I tell you?" Jiang Ran pinched her nose. "Your stress is already enough; I shouldn't add to it."

"But..." Su Ruan's nose tingled. "I also hope you can share with me. Isn't marriage about sharing burdens?"

Jiang Ran fell silent. After a long while, he whispered, "Alright, I'll tell you everything from now on. Happy or not, I'll say it all."

The two fell quiet again, simply snuggling together.

The sea breeze grew cooler; Jiang Ran, fearing Su Ruan was cold, got up to fetch a jacket.

When he returned, he found her curled up on the chair, almost asleep.

"Sleepy?" he asked, draping the jacket over her.

"A little," Su Ruan rubbed her eyes. "We walked too much today."

"Then go back to the room to sleep."

Back in the room, Su Ruan quickly freshened up and climbed into bed.

The bed was soft, the bedding smelling of sunlight. She almost fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

Jiang Ran finished washing and came out, seeing her curled up in deep sleep, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

He tiptoed onto the bed and embraced her from behind.

That night, both slept especially deeply.

There were no phone rings, no work pressure, only the waves sounding like a lullaby, gently lulling them to sleep.

The next day, Su Ruan was awakened by sunlight and the cries of seagulls.

She opened her eyes and found her whole self nestled in Jiang Ran's arms.

He was still asleep, breathing steadily, one hand resting on her waist.

Su Ruan didn't move, just quietly watched him. In the morning light, the lines on his face appeared especially gentle.

She recalled the bits and pieces of these years, from the first meeting in Hu Tong to the present mutual support.

This man gave her a home, gave her a stage for her dreams, gave her the deepest sense of security.

She gently extended her hand, her fingertips brushed his eyebrow, his bridge of the nose, and finally rested on his lips.

Jiang Ran's eyes flickered, slowly opening. Seeing her, he smiled, grasped her hand and kissed it at his lips: "Morning, Mrs Jiang."

"Morning," Su Ruan also smiled, "Did you sleep well?"

"Couldn't be better," Jiang Ran stretched lazily, "It's been years since I slept this deeply."

The two lingered in bed a while longer, then got up to wash up.

Going downstairs, Wang Jie had already prepared breakfast.

Plain congee, salted vegetables, and fish floss made from the fish they bought yesterday.

"What's the plan for today?" Jiang Ran asked while eating.

"I want to go to the seaside to draw," Su Ruan said, "I brought a sketchbook, haven't had a chance to use it."

"Then I'll accompany you."

After the meal, the two went to the seaside again. Su Ruan found a reef rock to sit on and opened the sketchbook.

Jiang Ran sat beside her, quietly watching the sea.

The pencil rustled on the paper.

Su Ruan drew with great concentration: distant fishing boats, nearby waves, seagulls in the sky. Her technique was swift, the lines fluid; before long, a vivid seaside sketch was finished.

Jiang Ran leaned over to look: "Very well drawn."

"It's been a long time since I drew," Su Ruan turned a page, "My hand feels rusty."

"Not rusty," Jiang Ran said seriously, "Whatever my wife draws looks good."

Su Ruan's face flushed, she gave him a reproachful look, then continued drawing. This time she drew Jiang Ran—he sat on the reef, profile turned toward the sea, his gaze distant.

After finishing, she handed Jiang Ran: "Take a look."

Jiang Ran took it, examined carefully: "Is this me?"

"Doesn't look like me?"

"It does." Jiang Ran smiled, "It's just more handsome than the real me."

"Don't be vain," Su Ruan snatched back the sketchbook.