Chapter 205: I Really Want to Hug You

"Hello?" Su Ruan answered immediately.

"Hey, daughter‑in‑law, are you asleep?" Jiang Ran's voice sounded more weary than yesterday.

"Not yet." Su Ruan sat up, "How are things over there?"

"It's done." Jiang Ran let out a long sigh, "All the approvals have passed, the renovation can continue. I booked a train for tomorrow morning, so I can be home by noon."

"Great." Su Ruan also breathed a sigh of relief, "Your voice sounds so tired, get some rest right away."

"Hmm." Jiang Ran paused, "It's just... I want to hear your voice."

The words made Su Ruan feel a pang in her heart: "I miss you too."

Neither of them spoke, just listening to each other's breathing. After a long while, Jiang Ran finally said, "Daughter‑in‑law, wait for me when I get back..."

"Hmm?"

"Give you a proper hug."

Su Ruan's nose tingled, "Okay."

She hung up, hugging a pillow, and finally felt sleepy.

At noon the next day, Jiang Ran indeed returned. He carried a suitcase into the house while Su Ruan was playing with the children.

"Dad!" An'an was the first to see him, and ran over.

Jiang Ran set the suitcase down, scooped his daughter up, "Did you miss dad?"

"Yes!" An'an answered loudly, planting a kiss on dad's cheek.

Jinjin also came over, and Jiang Ran lifted her with his other hand, "Jinjin?"

"Miss you," Jinjin whispered, but her little hand clung tightly to dad's neck.

Su Ruan stood nearby watching, her eyes full of tenderness. Jiang Ran had indeed lost weight, dark circles under his eyes, but his spirit was fine.

After the children had made enough noise, Jiang Ran finally set them down, walked to Su Ruan, "I'm back."

"Welcome home," Su Ruan said softly.

Jiang Ran reached out, pulling her into his arms, holding tightly. The hug was forceful, as if trying to fold the longing of the past few days into it.

"I missed you to death," he whispered in her ear.

"Me too," Su Ruan returned the embrace.

They held each other for a long time, until An'an ran over and tugged at their clothes, "Dad, I'm hungry!"

Jiang Ran only then released Su Ruan, smiling as he lifted his daughter, "Come, let's eat! Dad's hungry too."

Lunch was lavish; Li Huijuan prepared the dishes Jiang Ran loves. The family sat together, listening to Jiang Ran talk about Shanghai.

"It's indeed different over there," Jiang Ran said, "The efficiency is high, but it's also more complicated. Still, Director Liu is a good person, helped a lot."

"When can the boutique open?" Jiang Jianguo asked.

"If all goes well, mid‑next month," Jiang Ran replied, "Fashion Week is at the end of next month, perfect for leveraging promotion."

Su Ruan passed Jiang Ran a piece of fish, "Don't think about work now, eat well, rest well."

"I'll listen to my daughter‑in‑law," Jiang Ran said, smiling as he ate the fish.

After the meal, Jiang Ran was indeed tired, and Su Ruan hurried him upstairs to rest. As soon as he hit the bed, he fell asleep without even taking off his clothes.

Su Ruan gently slipped off his coat and shoes, tucked the blanket, and watching his sleeping profile, felt a pang of heartache.

She sat at the bedside, watching him for a long while, then rose quietly, closed the door, and left.

In the afternoon, Jiang Ran slept through until four o'clock. Upon waking, his spirits were much better. He went downstairs and found the house very quiet.

"Dad, Mom, Grandma?" he asked Su Ruan, who was reading in the living room.

"I took Jinjin and An'an to the park," Su Ruan said, putting down her book, "They said let you rest well."

Jiang Ran walked to her side, sat down, pulling her into his arms, "Home is still the best."

"Hmm." Su Ruan leaned on his shoulder, "Are the Shanghai matters all arranged?"

"Almost," Jiang Ran said, "The remaining tasks can be handled remotely. Next week I'll work from home, spend more time with you and the kids."

"That's really good," Su Ruan smiled, "An'an kept mentioning you all day."

The two quietly embraced each other. The sunset streamed through the window, coating the living room with a warm golden hue.

"Daughter‑in‑law," Jiang Ran suddenly said.

"Hmm?"

"When the Shanghai boutique opens and Fashion Week ends, let's go take a set of wedding photos."

Su Ruan was startled, "Wedding photos?"

"Hmm." Jiang Ran lowered his head to look at her, "When we got married, we just took a casual group photo. Now we have the means, let's do a proper set. You wear the wedding dress you designed, I wear the suit you designed, and we take a good shot."

Su Ruan's eyes warmed, "Why did you suddenly want to shoot this?"

"It's not sudden." Jiang Ran squeezed her hand, "I've wanted this for a long time. Want to preserve our best image for when we're old."

Su Ruan's tears fell. She nodded firmly, "Okay. Let's."

Jiang Ran kissed away her tears, "Don't cry. Be happy."

"I am happy," Su Ruan turned her tears into laughter, "Happy enough to want to cry."

The two talked a while longer, until children's laughter came from the doorway.

"Dad! Mom! We're back!" An'an rushed in, holding a small wildflower, "For Mom!"

"Thank you, An'an," Su Ruan took the flower.

Jinjin also came over, holding a paper pinwheel, "Dad, the pinwheel... spins."

Jiang Ran took it, blew, and the pinwheel indeed spun, "Amazing, who made it?"

"Grandpa made it," Jinjin said.

Jiang Jianguo, Li Huijuan, and Jiang Nainai also came in, and the family became lively again.

After dinner, after coaxing the child to sleep, Jiang Ran and Su Ruan returned to the room.

"Are you tired?" Su Ruan asked.

"Not tired anymore." Jiang Ran hugged her. "Slept an entire afternoon, now feeling great."

And... haven't been with my wife for a few days, I'm getting restless.

Su Ruan's face flushed, she pushed him. "Just got back and..."

"Just what?" Jiang Ran laughed, kissing her. "I missed you, is that a problem?"

The opening day of the Shanghai boutique is drawing nearer, and Fashion Week has entered the countdown. The whole company is like a high‑speed machine, everyone on edge.

Friday afternoon, Jiang Ran gathered the management team for the final planning meeting.

"All the Shanghai boutique's merchandise has been shipped, expected to arrive tomorrow," Douzi reported. "General Manager Liu said the display is finished and we can open at any time."

"What about the opening event schedule?" Jiang Ran asked.

"10 a. m. next Saturday," Yaya opened her notebook. "The invitation list is set—media, VIP clients, partners, a total of 120 people. The program is Ribbon Cutting, Speech, Free Visit, and a Small Wine Party at noon."

Jiang Ran nodded, looking at Su Ruan. "What about Fashion Week?"

"The samples and models are ready," Su Ruan said. "Lin Xiaoyu's photos are selected, the brochure is being printed. We'll go to Shanghai next Wednesday, Thursday for Rehearsal, Friday for the official showcase."

"What about lodging and transportation?"

"Everything's arranged," Douzi continued. "The hotel is booked near the exhibition hall, and the car is rented."

The meeting lasted two hours, reviewing every detail. After it adjourned, Jiang Ran and Su Ruan returned to the office, both breathing a sigh of relief.

"Finally... it's coming," Su Ruan leaned on the sofa.

Jiang Ran walked over, sat beside her, and held her hand. "Nervous?"

"A little," Su Ruan said honestly. "Even more nervous than opening our own shop."

"I understand." Jiang Ran wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Shanghai is different—the stage is bigger, the audience larger. But you're even better."

He paused. "Also, this time we're not fighting alone. We have a team, partners, and family support."

"Mm." Su Ruan rested on his shoulder. "I know."

The two sat quietly for a while. Outside the window, the sunset painted the sky orange‑red.

"What's the weekend plan?" Jiang Ran asked.