Chapter 214: Trained Just for You

Su Ruan smiled: "But the moment I saw them, I felt all the hardship was worth it."

"Yeah." Jiang Ran also smiled, "Two chubby little ones, so small, so soft."

Back home, Jinjin and An'an immediately gathered around.

Having heard about aunt's situation, An'an asked worriedly, "Is aunt okay? Is little sister okay?"

"She's fine, all good." Su Ruan lifted her daughter, "Aunt is just tired; a rest will make it fine."

"Then I'll draw a picture for aunt." An'an said, "To make aunt happy."

"Alright." Su Ruan kissed her daughter, "An'an is really sensible."

At dinner, Li Huijuan, having heard about Jiang Jiaojiao, also worried terribly: "That child has been headstrong since childhood. Even now pregnant, she doesn't know how to take it easy."

"We've already scolded her." Jiang Ran said, "Brother‑in‑law also said he'll keep an eye on her."

"That's good." Jiang Nainai said slowly, "A woman's pregnancy is a big matter; must be careful."

After the meal, Su Ruan accompanied An'an in drawing.

The little girl insisted on finishing the drawing today to give to aunt.

Jinjin, however, played chess with grandpa; one old, one young, very serious.

Jiang Ran sat on the sofa watching this scene, his heart full.

This is his home: ordinary, warm, real.

After the children fell asleep, Jiang Ran took Su Ruan to the balcony.

The cool autumn night wind blew in, carrying the scent of osmanthus.

"Cold?" Jiang Ran asked.

"A little." Su Ruan curled into his embrace.

Jiang Ran held her tightly: "Next weekend, I've booked a hot spring hotel, just the two of us. To celebrate our wedding anniversary and let you relax properly."

"Hot spring?" Su Ruan's eyes lit up, "Just the two of us?"

"Just the two of us." Jiang Ran looked down at her, "No kids, no work talk, just pure relaxation."

"What about the kids…"

"Mom, dad and grandma will take them." Jiang Ran had already arranged, "Just a two‑day, one‑night trip, back Sunday night."

Su Ruan felt moved: "Okay."

Jiang Ran smiled, kissed her hair, "Then it's settled."

The two stood on the balcony for a long time, watching the city's night view.

Though it's just an ordinary residential area, ten thousand homes' lights—under each lamp a family, each with its own story.

"Jiang Ran."

"Hmm?"

"Sometimes I think we're truly lucky."

"Yes." Jiang Ran whispered, "We have each other, children, a home, a career. Though tiring, it's worth it."

Late at night, the two returned to the room. After washing up and lying in bed, Jiang Ran's hand became mischievous again.

"I'm tired today, let's sleep early." Su Ruan grabbed his hand.

"It's precisely because we're tired that we need to relax." Jiang Ran said confidently, kissing her lips.

On the weekend of their fifth wedding anniversary, Jiang Ran and Su Ruan finally set out on the long‑awaited hot spring trip.

Friday night, the two quietly packed their luggage.

"Really not bringing work?" Li Huijuan looked at their luggage, a bit doubtful.

"Really not, Mom." Jiang Ran assured, "Just pure relaxation."

Jinjin and An'an knew Mom and Dad were going out to have fun; though a bit reluctant, they were very sensible.

"Dad and Mom have fun." An'an, hugging Su Ruan, said, "Bring me a gift."

"Okay, will definitely bring." Su Ruan kissed her daughter.

Jinjin, however, held Jiang Ran's hand: "Dad, be careful."

"Got it." Jiang Ran patted his son's head, "You all must obey at home."

Saturday morning at seven, the two set off.

The hot spring hotel is in the mountains outside the city; the drive takes two hours.

The scenery along the way is beautiful, from city to countryside, then mountain road.

"It's been ages since we did this." Su Ruan looked at the view outside, "Just the two of us, no rush."

"We'll do this often from now on." Jiang Ran held the steering wheel with one hand, the other hand holding hers, "At least twice a year, just the two of us."

At 9:30, they arrived at the hotel.

It's a Japanese‑style hot spring hotel built on the hillside, surrounded by bamboo forest, very tranquil.

After checking in, the staff led them to their room.

The room is tatami‑style; beyond the sliding door is a small courtyard with a few bamboo shoots and a tiny open‑air hot spring pool.

"So beautiful." Su Ruan stood in the courtyard, inhaled deeply, "The air is sweet."

"Do you like it?" Jiang Ran embraced her from behind.

"I like it." Su Ruan leaned in his arms, "Thank you, Jiang Ran."

"What are you thanking me for." Jiang Ran turned her, "These five years, you've worked hard. You deserve a good reward."

The two rested in the room for a while, then went to the restaurant for lunch. The restaurant is also Japanese‑style; the window seats offer mountain views.

"What shall we do this afternoon?" Su Ruan asked.

"Soak in the hot spring." Jiang Ran said, "Then take a nap, and tonight the hotel serves kaiseki cuisine."

"It sounds so relaxing."

Lunch was exquisite, all light Japanese dishes. After eating, the two returned to the room to change into yukatas, preparing to soak in the hot spring.

The hotel's hot springs are divided into a public bathhouse and a private hot spring. They chose the private one—a small courtyard with a hot spring pool surrounded by Shi Tou, steaming hot.

"You go down first and test the temperature," Jiang Ran said.

Su Ruan carefully slipped her foot in, the warm water enveloped it, feeling very comfortable.

"It's fine." She slowly stepped into the pool, letting the hot spring rise past her shoulders.

Jiang Ran also got down, sitting opposite her. The spring water was clear, and the pebbles on the bottom were visible. Steam rose, and both of their faces flushed slightly.

"So comfortable," Su Ruan closed her eyes, "I feel all the fatigue has been boiled out."

"Then stay longer," Jiang Ran swam to her side, embraced her from behind, "Let me massage your shoulders."

His hand pressed on her shoulder, the pressure just right.

Su Ruan sighed contentedly, "Your technique keeps getting better."

"Practiced especially for you," Jiang Ran chuckled softly, kissing the back of her neck.

They soaked in the hot spring for half an hour, until their skin wrinkled, then got up. Wrapped in bathrobes, they felt completely relaxed when they returned to the room.

"Take a nap?" Jiang Ran suggested.

"Sure."

A soft mattress lay on the tatami, and the two lay side by side. Bamboo shadows swayed outside the window, and occasional bird calls drifted in.

"Jiang Ran." Su Ruan turned her body sideways.

"Hmm?"

"In these five years, do you think I've changed?"

Jiang Ran also turned, looking at her, "Changed, yet unchanged."

"What do you mean?"

"What changed is that you're becoming more confident, more powerful. What hasn't changed is that you're still the kind, earnest, dream‑chasing Su Ruan." Jiang Ran reached out to caress her face, "No matter how you change, you're still the you I love."

Su Ruan's nose tingled, and she leaned in to kiss him. The kiss was gentle and lingering, infused with the hot spring's steam and the afternoon's laziness.

As they kept kissing, the atmosphere shifted. Jiang Ran's hand slipped into her bathrobe, stroking her warm skin.

"Jiang Ran…" Su Ruan whispered, "This is a hotel…"

"The door is locked," Jiang Ran kissed her neck, "And… shouldn't we celebrate our wedding anniversary?"