Chapter 206: Still Satisfied?

"I want to stay home with the kids," Su Ruan said, "Next week we go to Shanghai, and we'll be away from them for several days."

"I feel the same," Jiang Ran said, "Let's take them to the amusement park on Sunday; we've promised that for a long time."

"Okay."

Saturday, the two of them unusually didn't go to work. In the morning they played with the children; in the afternoon Jiang Ran taught Jinjin chess, and Su Ruan painted with An'an.

"Mom, what's Shanghai like?" An'an asked suddenly while drawing.

Su Ruan thought for a moment: "Shanghai has many tall buildings, many people, and many beautiful things."

"Is it bigger than the Provincial Capital?"

"Much bigger," Su Ruan said, "When An'an gets a bit older, Mom and Dad will take you there."

"Okay!" An'an happily continued drawing.

Elsewhere, Jiang Ran and Jinjin's chess game was in full swing.

Although Jinjin was only four, she was very smart and could already exchange a few moves with Dad.

"Dad, how many days will you be in Shanghai?" Jinjin stared at the board and asked casually.

"Four or five days," Jiang Ran placed a piece, "I'll be back soon."

"Mm." Jinjin also placed a piece, "Stay safe."

Jiang Ran smiled, "My son is becoming more like a little adult."

Jinjin rarely smiled, a bit shy.

Sunday, the family went to the newly opened children's amusement park. Jinjin and An'an were like birds out of a cage, playing joyfully.

Jiang Ran and Su Ruan sat on a bench watching, holding the jackets the children had taken off.

"Time flies," Jiang Ran sighed, "It feels like yesterday they were still in our arms, and now they can use the slide by themselves."

"Indeed," Su Ruan smiled, "Sometimes I wish they grew slower, sometimes I wish they grew faster."

"Contradictory, right?" Jiang Ran took her hand, "That's how parents are."

As they spoke, An'an slid down the slide and waved at them, "Mom! Look at me!"

Su Ruan waved back. In the sunlight, her daughter's smiling face was like a blooming little flower.

They played until afternoon, and the children got tired. On the ride home, An'an fell asleep, and Jinjin dozed off leaning against Mom's lap.

"Next week we go to Shanghai, what will you wear?" Jiang Ran suddenly asked.

Su Ruan was startled, "I haven't thought yet. What's up?"

"I had someone make a dress for you," Jiang Ran said, "It should be delivered tomorrow."

"You're spending money recklessly again," Su Ruan scolded, but felt sweet inside.

"It's not reckless spending," Jiang Ran said seriously, "Fashion Week is your stage; you must wear the best."

Monday, the dress indeed arrived.

It was a deep‑blue Cheongsam‑style evening dress, made of velvet that gave off a subtle sheen under the lights. The cut was excellent, flattering the figure while remaining dignified.

"So beautiful," Su Ruan touched the dress, "Who designed it?"

"You," Jiang Ran hugged her from behind, "I stole one of your design sketches and had Wang Shifu make it. I added a few small changes."

"What changes?"

Jiang Ran pointed at the collar, "Here, I had the Embroiderer stitch our initials—J&S."

Su Ruan looked closely and indeed found a tiny piece of exquisite embroidery on the inside of the collar, the letters J and S interwoven.

"You…" her nose tingled.

"Do you like it?"

"I like it." Su Ruan turned and embraced him, "Especially like it."

Tuesday, the last day before departure. In the evening, the family sat together for dinner, the atmosphere a bit heavy.

"Leaving tomorrow?" Jiang Nainai asked.

"Mm." Jiang Ran nodded, "Grandma, stay well at home; we'll be back soon."

"Understood." Jiang Nainai patted her grandson's hand, "When you're out there, you also must be well."

Li Huijuan served the two a dish, "It's cooler in Shanghai; bring more clothes. Eat meals on time, don't forget when you get busy."

"Got it, Mom," Su Ruan replied.

Jinjin and An'an also knew Mom and Dad were going far, and were especially clingy.

All night An'an clung to Su Ruan's leg, while Jinjin stayed by Jiang Ran's side.

While soothing the children to sleep, An'an held Su Ruan's neck and wouldn't let go, "Mom… come back early."

"Mom promises you, I'll definitely come back early," Su Ruan kissed her daughter's little face, "At home, listen to Grandpa, Grandma, and Great-grandmother."

"Mm." An'an nodded vigorously.

Over at Jinjin, Jiang Ran was "negotiating" with his son, "When Dad's away, you're the little man of the house; take good care of your sister, okay?"

"Okay." Jinjin said seriously, "Dad also must… take good care of Mom."

"Don't worry." Jiang Ran patted his son's head, "Dad guarantees."

After the children fell asleep, Jiang Ran and Su Ruan returned to their own room. The suitcase had already been packed, leaning against the wall.

"Sleep early," Su Ruan said, "We have to get up early tomorrow."

The two brushed their teeth and lay in bed, yet couldn't fall asleep.

"Jiang Ran." Su Ruan whispered softly in the darkness.

"Mm?"

"I'm a little scared."

Jiang Ran turned, pulled her into his arms, "What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid we'll mess it up." Su Ruan's voice trembled a little, "Over in Shanghai… so many eyes watching. If we fail…"

"We won't fail." Jiang Ran cut her off, tone firm, "Your design is the best, our preparation is the most thorough."

"And even if something unexpected does happen, it's no big deal. We've walked from Hu Tong to today; what storm haven't we seen?"

He kissed her forehead: "Su Ruan, you're not alone. You have me, a team, family. We're together."

Those words eased Su Ruan a bit. She curled into his arms: "Mm."

"Sleep." Jiang Ran lightly patted her back, "Starting tomorrow, that's our battlefield."

Early Wednesday morning, the two got up quietly, afraid of waking the children.

But when they left, they found Li Huijuan already in the kitchen.

"Mom, why are you up so early?" Su Ruan asked, surprised.

"Making breakfast for you." Li Huijuan placed steaming buns on the table, "When you're away, the first meal should be home‑cooked, for good luck."

Both felt warm inside, sat down to eat.

Just finished, Douzi and Yaya came to pick them up; they also were going to Shanghai to help.

"Brother Jiang, Sister Su, the car's outside," Douzi said.

Jiang Ran and Su Ruan grabbed their suitcases and said goodbye to Li Huijuan.

"Call when you arrive," Li Huijuan said as she saw them to the door.

"Got it, Mom."

The car left the compound as the sky was just dawning.

Su Ruan watched the home recede in the rearview mirror, feeling a bit reluctant.

"Missing the kids?" Jiang Ran squeezed her hand.

"Mm." Su Ruan nodded, "Every time we leave, it's like this."

"After this is done, we'll spend quality time with them."

Three hours later, the train arrived in Shanghai. As soon as they stepped out, President Liu's car was already waiting.

"President Jiang, President Su, welcome back to Shanghai." The driver was Wang Shifu, whom they had met last time.

"Much obliged," Jiang Ran said.

The car drove straight to the department store where the boutique is. On Nanjing Road, the crowd was like woven fabric. Their boutique was on the first floor, in a prime spot, facing the main entrance.

The boutique was already set up. Dark gray walls, wooden‑tone display racks, soft lighting. The clothes were arranged artfully, each piece like a work of art.

"Really beautiful." Su Ruan walked in, looked around, "Even better than I imagined."

Jiang Ran was also pleased: "President Liu really put effort into this."

Just then, President Liu stepped out from inside: "President Jiang, President Su, arrived? How is it, still satisfied?"