Chapter 211: My Birthday Today

The whole family bustled into the house. Jiang Ran and Su Ruan took out the gifts one by one.

"Jinjin, this is the Encyclopedia and the Remote Control Plane for you."

"An'an, these are Drawing Tools and a Doll for you."

"Sister Jiang Jiaojiao, these are for the baby; there are ones for both boys and girls."

"Mom, Dad, Grandma, these are for you…"

The living room instantly became lively. The children's surprise when unwrapping gifts and the elders' satisfaction upon receiving them made Jiang Ran and Su Ruan feel that the money was well spent.

"You all…" Li Huijuan, touching the imported yarn, said, "always waste money."

"Mom, this is our heartfelt gift," Su Ruan said, "you and Dad have worked hard these past weeks."

"What does the whole family mean by 'hard work'?" Jiang Jianguo, though not talkative, had a smile in his eyes.

During dinner, the family sat together, listening to Jiang Ran and Su Ruan talk about Shanghai—the grandeur of Fashion Week, the booming boutiques, the night view of the Bund…

"When the baby is born, the whole family will go to Shanghai for a trip," Jiang Jiaojiao said, rubbing her belly.

"Sure," Yan Shen said gently, looking at his wife, "I'll make the arrangements then."

After dinner, the children became sleepy. While Su Ruan coaxed them to sleep, An'an clutched the New Doll without letting go.

"Mom, Shanghai… is so nice," the little girl mumbled, her eyes too tired to stay open.

"We'll take An'an there later," Su Ruan kissed her, "Now sleep."

After the children were asleep, returning to the living room, the elders had also gone to rest. Only Jiang Ran and Su Ruan remained.

"Finally… home," Jiang Ran exhaled a long sigh.

"Mm," Su Ruan leaned in his arms, "home is still the best."

After returning from Shanghai, life got back on its busy and fulfilling track.

The operation of Shanghai boutiques gradually fell into place, the buzz from Fashion Week kept going, and Chongsu's industry reputation rose another notch.

But Jiang Ran and Su Ruan both understood that hype would fade; the real test was whether they could keep producing good work.

One weekend in late October, Li Huijuan brought it up at the table: "On the third of next month is Jinjin and An'an's Four-year-old Birthday. How shall we celebrate this year?"

Her words reminded everyone. Time flew; the two little ones were already four.

"Four years…" Jiang Ran sighed, "It feels like just yesterday we were changing their diapers, and now they can write and draw."

"Exactly," Su Ruan laughed, handing An'an a piece of rib, "An'an has learned many characters lately, and Jinjin can already do simple addition and subtraction."

"Then the birthday should be a proper celebration," Jiang Jianguo said, "Four is a big birthday."

Grandma Jiang nodded, "We should do a first grasp ceremony. It's a bit late, but better late than never, to see which direction the children will develop in."

"First grasp ceremony?" Jiang Ran looked at Su Ruan, "We didn't have this when we were kids."

"Then we'll make up for it," Su Ruan said, "The kids anyway love a lively scene."

So the family began discussing the Birthday Party.

They finally decided to hold it at home, inviting a few close friends and colleagues, keeping it simple and warm.

"Uncle Douzi and Aunt Yaya are coming!" An'an said, raising her little hand.

"What about the kindergarten kids?" Jinjin asked.

Su Ruan thought for a moment, "We can invite a few close little friends, but not too many; the house can't fit them all."

"What about Auntie?" An'an asked again, "Will the little sister in Auntie's belly come?"

The remark made everyone laugh. Jiang Jiaojiao is now six months pregnant, her belly already quite noticeable.

"Auntie will come, but the little sister will have to wait a bit longer," Yan Shen explained with a smile.

In the next few days, the house began preparing for the Birthday Party.

Li Huijuan and Jiang Jianguo handled food procurement, and Grandma Jiang said she would personally make Longevity Noodles for the great‑grandchildren.

Jiang Ran and Su Ruan were in charge of preparing gifts and decorations.

On the evening before the birthday, after the children fell asleep, Jiang Ran and Su Ruan set up the living room.

"Where should we hang this ribbon?" Jiang Ran asked, holding up a roll of Ribbons.

"Hang it at the restaurant entrance," Su Ruan directed, "The Balloons are already inflated; we'll hang them tomorrow morning, otherwise they'll deflate."

The two worked until after eleven, finally giving the living room and dining area a Birthday atmosphere.

Ribbons, Balloons, and a Banner reading "Happy Four-year-old Birthday," made it warm and lively.

"Tired?" Jiang Ran wrapped his arm around Su Ruan's waist, "Take a break."

They sat on the sofa. Su Ruan leaned on Jiang Ran's shoulder, "Time flies. I remember their first birthday, right here in Hu Tong, just our family, a simple bowl of noodles."

"Their second birthday was at a shop, and Master Wang even made a small cake."

"Third birthday…" Su Ruan laughed, "An'an smeared cake all over Jinjin's face, and Jinjin was so angry she ignored her for three days."

"This time, no kidding," Jiang Ran also laughed, "The four-year-old birthday should be proper."

They chatted a bit more, then went upstairs to rest.

Passing the kids' room, they gently opened the door for a glance; the two children were sound asleep, An'an clutching the New Doll, Jinjin resting her head on the Encyclopedia.

"So cute," Su Ruan whispered.

"Let Mom handle them," Jiang Ran murmured in her ear.

"Enough."

The next day, November 3, was Jinjin and An'an's Four-year-old Birthday.

At seven in the morning, the two children woke up—an hour earlier than usual.

"Mom! Today is my birthday!" An'an ran into the master bedroom and climbed onto the bed.

Jinjin followed behind, silent but with bright eyes.

Su Ruan and Jiang Ran were woken up, and seeing the children's excitement, they both smiled.

"Happy birthday, darlings," Su Ruan said, hugging one with one arm and kissing each child's cheek.

Jiang Ran also sat up, lifted his son into his arms: "Four years old now, a big kid already."

"Dad, where's the birthday present?" An'an asked expectantly.

"It'll be given tonight," Jiang Ran tapped his daughter's nose, "Be patient."

"Alright…," An'an said, disappointed but quickly getting excited again, "What about the cake? Is there cake?"

"Yes, Grandma made it herself," Su Ruan said, "But we have to wait until tonight to eat it."

After washing up and going downstairs, the dining room was already set up. Ribbons fluttered, Balloons filled the house, and two tiny Birthday Hats sat on the table.

"Wow—," An'an opened their eyes wide, "So beautiful!"

Jinjin also looked up, their little face full of delight.

At breakfast, Li Huijuan brought out two bowls of Longevity Noodles: "Here, the birthday star eats first. A single noodle must be eaten from end to end without breaking, symbolizing a wish for a hundred years of life."

An'an carefully sucked the noodle into their mouth, while Jinjin slowly twirled theirs with chopsticks. Both children were very serious, fearing they might break the noodle.

"Good, none broke," Jiang Nainai nodded approvingly, "You're both good children destined for a hundred years of life."

In the morning, the guests arrived one after another.

Douzi and Yaya arrived first, bringing two gifts: a Lego Set for Jinjin and a Princess Dress-up Sticker set for An'an.

"Thank you, Douzi brother, Yaya sister!" An'an said happily as they took them.