Chapter 203: Big Trouble

Su Ruan was a bit surprised, "Have you seen it?"

"Of course I have!" Lin Xiaoyu said excitedly, "I'm studying photography, but I'm especially interested in fashion design. The design concept of the 'Ren' series is amazing; I even posted an analysis thread on our school forum!"

The unexpected encounter livened the atmosphere in the car. Lin Xiaoyu, like a little fan, asked many questions about the designs, and Su Ruan answered them patiently.

As they neared the town, Lin Xiaoyu suddenly remembered something: "By the way, Teacher Su, next month is Shanghai Fashion Week—does Chongsu plan to participate?"

"How did you know?" Jiang Ran said, a little surprised. The news hadn't been officially announced.

"A classmate of mine interning in Shanghai told me," Lin Xiaoyu explained, "She said she saw Chongsu on the list of participating brands. If that's true, could I go to the venue and take some photos? No payment, I just want to learn!"

Su Ruan and Jiang Ran exchanged a glance. Though the girl had just been frightened, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her profession reminded them of their younger selves.

"If you're really interested," Su Ruan said, "you can leave your contact info with me. Once the arrangements are set, I'll have a colleague get in touch."

"Really?" Lin Xiaoyu blushed with excitement, "Thank you, Teacher Su! Thank you!"

The car stopped at the guesthouse entrance. Before getting out, Lin Xiaoyu fished a business card from her camera bag: "Here's my contact info. It has my phone number and the address of our school's photography club."

Su Ruan took the card, "Okay, I've got it."

"Well… I should go now. Thanks again!" Lin Xiaoyu bowed deeply, then turned and ran into the guesthouse.

Back on the road, Jiang Ran laughed, "Didn't expect to rescue a person at the beach and end up rescuing a little fan."

"She has a lot of spirit," Su Ruan said, looking at the card, "The way she looked at me when she talked about photography reminded me of when I first started designing."

"Want to help her?"

"Hmm." Su Ruan nodded, "If the Fashion Week needs a photographer, we could give her a try. Young people deserve a chance."

The car merged onto the highway, moving farther from the seaside. Su Ruan leaned back in her seat, feeling reflective, "Sometimes I think meetings between people are truly strange. If we hadn't stopped, we might never have met this girl."

"Fate," Jiang Ran said, "just like the two of us, isn't that fate too?"

Su Ruan smiled, "Yeah."

She paused, then added, "But… the way you rushed over just now was pretty handsome."

Jiang Ran raised an eyebrow, "Just now you realize your husband is handsome?"

"I've known it for a long time," Su Ruan turned her head toward him, "It's just especially handsome today."

The comment made Jiang Ran feel warm inside, though he said, "Of course. Protecting my wife is a husband's duty."

"Who's your wife?" Su Ruan teased.

"You are," Jiang Ran replied confidently, "It's written in black on white on the Marriage Certificate—trying to deny it?"

The two chatted, and the three‑hour drive didn't feel long. At five p. m., the car entered the Provincial Capital.

"Head straight home?" Jiang Ran asked.

"Hmm." Su Ruan nodded, "I miss Jinjin and An'an."

Sure enough, as soon as they stepped inside, the two children rushed toward them.

"Dad! Mom!" An'an clutched Su Ruan's leg.

Jinjin didn't lunge, but stood nearby, eyes bright as she watched them.

"Missed Mom?" Su Ruan lifted her daughter.

"I missed you!" An'an answered loudly, "I missed you so much!"

Jiang Ran lifted his son, "Where's Jinjin?"

"I miss her," Jinjin whispered, her small hand looping around his neck.

Li Huijuan came out of the kitchen, "You're back? Perfect timing, dinner will be ready soon. How was the beach?"

"Really great," Jiang Ran set the boy down, "Mom, you've worked hard these past two days."

"Worked hard what?" Li Huijuan laughed, "Jinjin and An'an have been so well‑behaved. It's just that An'an asks every day when Mom and Dad will come back."

The family sat around the table eating. Jinjin and An'an listened to their parents' beach stories, eyes wide open.

"Where are the shells? The biggest shell?" An'an asked.

"In the box," Su Ruan said, "I'll bring it to you after we finish eating."

"What about sister's gift?" An'an asked again.

Su Ruan was startled, then remembered the gift she had promised for Jiang Jiaojiao's unborn child. She had left in a hurry and forgotten it.

Jiang Ran quickly smoothed it over, "Sister's gift… we'll go buy it together with An'an next time, okay?"

"Okay!" An'an was instantly convinced.

After dinner, the two children eagerly opened the suitcase. Shells, sea snails, Shi Tou… spread out on the floor.

"This is for Jinjin," Su Ruan picked up a black, oddly shaped Shi Tou, "Does it look like a ship?"

Jinjin took it, examined it carefully, and nodded, "It does."

"This is for An'an," Jiang Ran lifted the milky‑white shell, "The biggest shell."

An'an held the shell happily, her little face blossoming with a smile.

When the children had played enough, they washed up and went to sleep, and Jiang Ran and Su Ruan finally returned to their own room.

"Tired?" Jiang Ran asked.

"A little," Su Ruan sat on the bedside, "But I feel at ease. These past two days… have been wonderful."

Jiang Ran crouched down and helped her take off her shoes, "From now on, let's do this often. No matter how busy work gets, we still need time to relax."

Su Ruan looked at his serious profile, feeling warm inside.

She reached out and touched his hair, "Jiang Ran."

"Hmm?"

"Having you here is wonderful."

Jiang Ran lifted his head, his eyes shining in the light, "That should be said by me."

The relaxation by the sea recharged their bodies, but back in reality, work still piled up like a mountain.

On Monday morning, Jiang Ran and Su Ruan arrived at the office early.

As soon as they entered the office, the desk was already piled with documents—a renovation progress report for the Shanghai boutique, a quality‑inspection list for the Fashion Week samples, the shipping plan for the autumn orders…

"Boss Jiang, Boss Su, good morning," Douzi said, carrying a stack of folders as he walked in. "We got a call from Shanghai; they said there's a problem with the renovation and want to know when you can go over."

Jiang Ran rubbed the bridge of his eyebrows and asked, "What problem?"

"It's the electrical wiring," Douzi said, setting the documents down. "Our boutique was originally a jewelry shop, so the circuit load is insufficient and we need to re‑run the lines. The property management says we have to wait until next week for approval."

"Next week?" Jiang Ran frowned. "Then how long will the schedule be delayed?"

"At least a week," Douzi said cautiously. "Liu Zong said that if it isn't resolved quickly, it could affect the opening time."

Su Ruan was looking at the Fashion Week sample quality‑inspection report when she looked up at the words. "All the Fashion Week samples passed, but a few need minor tweaks. Wang Shifu said they can be fixed by the day after tomorrow at the latest."

Jiang Ran made a quick decision. "Alright, I'll go to Shanghai tomorrow and keep an eye on the renovation. RuanRuan, you stay home and finish adjusting the samples; we can't let the Fashion Week preparations be delayed."

"Okay," Su Ruan nodded. "When will you be back?"

"It depends; if things go fast, two or three days," Jiang Ran said. "Douzi, book me the earliest train ticket for tomorrow."

"Got it."

After Douzi left, only the two of them remained in the office.

Su Ruan walked over to Jiang Ran's side, hand resting on his shoulder. "Off to hustle again," she said.

"No choice," Jiang Ran said, gripping her hand. "Shanghai is a big deal; I have to supervise it myself."