Chapter 207: Shared Glory

"Very satisfied." Jiang Ran shook hands with her, "Thank you, President Liu."

"You're welcome." President Liu laughed, "We're now partners, our honor is shared. By the way, I also checked the fashion week booth, it's quite good."

She looked at Su Ruan again: "President Su, is tomorrow's Rehearsal ready?"

"Ready," Su Ruan nodded, "The models will do fittings this afternoon, and the lighting and music have been adjusted."

"That's good," President Liu said, "I'll go take care of things first; feel free to look around. In the evening we'll have dinner together, and I'll introduce a few friends to you."

After President Liu left, Jiang Ran and Su Ruan carefully inspected every detail of the boutique display.

From lighting angles to display methods, from label placement to fitting‑room layout, everything was confirmed one by one.

"Brother Jiang, Sister Su, the hotel is booked," Douzi said as he came over, "Shall we go now?"

"Let's go," Jiang Ran said, "We still have to go to the exhibition hall this afternoon."

The hotel is right near the exhibition hall, a ten‑minute walk. The rooms are adjacent: one for Jiang Ran and Su Ruan, and one for Douzi and Yaya.

After dropping off their luggage and having a simple lunch, the group hurried back to the exhibition hall.

The Shanghai Fashion Week venue is huge, divided into several zones. Chongsu's booth is in Zone B; it's not large, but the location is good, at a corridor intersection.

The booth setup is complete. The backdrop features a giant poster of the "Ren" series, and the lighting is cleverly designed to highlight the fabric's texture and lines.

"Professor Su!" Lin Xiaoyu ran out from inside, "You're here!"

She dressed a bit more formally today: a white shirt, black pants, and a camera hanging around her neck.

"Xiao Yu, you've worked hard these past few days," Su Ruan said.

"Not at all!" Lin Xiaoyu's eyes sparkled, "I'm so excited to be part of Fashion Week that I haven't even had time to settle down."

As she was speaking, the models arrived.

There were eight models in total, half male and half female, all local Shanghai models that President Liu helped coordinate, and they were experienced.

The fittings began; Su Ruan examined each piece, adjusting details from time to time. Jiang Ran, meanwhile, confirmed procedures and precautions with the exhibition staff.

"Professor Su, the waist of this piece is a bit tight," a female model said.

Su Ruan walked over to take a look: "It's a fabric issue. Douzi, bring the needle and thread; I'll fix it."

She took the needle and thread, squatted down, skillfully removed a few stitches and re‑sewed them.

The movements were smooth and natural; it was impossible to tell that the brand founder was personally altering the garment.

Lin Xiaoyu watched from the side and couldn't help but press the shutter.

After fixing the garment, Su Ruan stood up, saw Lin Xiaoyu taking photos, and laughed, "What's there to photograph?"

"Just documenting the process," Lin Xiaoyu said, "These details are what make it authentic."

The fittings continued until 5 p. m. After all issues were resolved, Su Ruan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Tomorrow's Rehearsal is at 10 a. m.," the exhibition staff said, "Please be on time."

"Alright, thank you."

When the group returned to the hotel, it was already dark. President Liu's dinner was scheduled for 7 p. m., and they only had time to go back to their rooms to change clothes.

"Tired?" Jiang Ran asked, seeing Su Ruan rubbing her neck.

"It's fine," Su Ruan said, "just a bit of soreness in my neck."

"Come over, I'll give you a massage," Jiang Ran told her, letting her sit on the bedside, and placed both hands on her shoulders.

His technique was excellent, with just the right pressure. Su Ruan closed her eyes comfortably and asked, "When did you learn massage?"

"I learned it especially for you," Jiang Ran said, "You always sit drawing, and your shoulders get stiff."

Su Ruan felt warm inside, turned and hugged his waist, "Jiang Ran, you're so kind."

"Just now you realized?" Jiang Ran laughed, lowered his head and kissed her.

The kiss was gentle and brief, because there wasn't much time.

"I have no idea how much I'll have to drink at tonight's dinner," Jiang Ran sighed.

"Drink less," Su Ruan advised, "We still have Rehearsal tomorrow."

"Got it," Jiang Ran kissed her again, "Let's go, don't keep President Liu waiting."

The dinner was at a local restaurant, and a few people were already seated in the private room.

Besides President Liu, there were several senior executives from a department store, as well as a few Shanghai media figures and buyers.

Introductions, small talk, Toasting.

Jiang Ran handled everything with ease, while Su Ruan was quieter but spoke appropriately, leaving a strong impression.

"President Su's designs truly catch the eye," a fashion magazine editor‑in‑chief said, "The Shanghai market needs a Local Brand with this kind of attitude."

"Thank you," Su Ruan smiled, "We will keep working hard."

The dinner lasted until after nine, and when they returned to the hotel, both were exhausted.

"I'll shower first," Su Ruan said.

"Let's do it together," Jiang Ran pulled her, "It'll save time."

Su Ruan's face flushed, but she didn't object. In the bathroom, steam swirled.

The two squeezed under the shower, and Jiang Ran carefully washed Su Ruan's hair.

"Tomorrow's Rehearsal, the day after tomorrow the official showcase," Su Ruan said with her eyes closed, "And then it's over."

"Mm," Jiang Ran rinsed the foam from her head, "Then we can go home."

At 9 a. m. the next morning, the exhibition hall was already bustling.

In front of Chongsu's booth, Su Ruan was doing the final check.

Jiang Ran, beside her, confirmed safety passages and emergency plans with the staff. Douzi and Yaya were busy front to back, ensuring all materials were in place.

Lin Xiaoyu held her camera, documenting the preparations. Her professionalism and dedication made Su Ruan very satisfied.

At 10 a. m., the Rehearsal officially began.

The music starts, the lights focus. The first model walks out from backstage, steps steady, expression stern.

The clothes show their best condition under the lights.

The fabric's sheen, the cut's lines, every detail is flawless.

Su Ruan stands behind the monitor, watching without blinking.

Jiang Ran stands beside her, hand resting on her shoulder, giving her silent support.

Eight models take the stage in order, showcasing the "Resilient" series' Eight Core Works.

The whole process finishes, taking only fifteen minutes, yet every moment is meticulously designed.

"Very good." The director in charge of on‑site coordination walks over, "The pacing is well controlled. However, a few turning positions could be adjusted so the camera can capture better."

"Alright, we'll adjust." Su Ruan immediately communicates with the models.

The Rehearsal continues until noon. After it ends, everyone sighs in relief.

"Afternoon free activity, Rest and Recover." Jiang Ran says, "Tomorrow is the Hard Battle."

Lunch is taken simply near the exhibition hall. After the meal, Jiang Ran walks with Su Ruan in a nearby park.

"Nervous?" he asks.

"Better than yesterday." Su Ruan says, "Seeing the Rehearsal's results gives me some confidence."

"I told you it'd be fine." Jiang Ran squeezes her hand, "Your work can withstand any test."

The two sit on a park bench. Autumn sunlight is warm without being hot, and occasional leaves drift down.

"Jiang Ran." Su Ruan whispers, "If tomorrow succeeds, what should our next step be?"

"One step at a time." Jiang Ran looks at the distant lake surface, "First secure the Shanghai flagship store, then consider other cities. Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen… take it slowly."