Chapter 215: Another Reckless Spending

His kiss moved lower and lower, and Su Ruan quickly gave up resisting.

Bamboo shadows flickered on the paper door, and only faint sounds remained in the room.

Afterwards, the two embraced each other and took a nap. When they woke, it was already four p. m.

"What time is it?" Su Ruan asked groggily.

"Four o'clock," Jiang Ran glanced at his watch, "Are you hungry?"

"A little."

"Then get up, let's go outside for a walk, and then have dinner."

They changed clothes and strolled along a mountain path. The autumn forest was beautiful, leaves interwoven in red and yellow like a painting.

"When we grow old, we'll find a place like this to live," Jiang Ran said, "mountains, water, peace."

"What about the kids?" Su Ruan smiled, "Would they be willing to come?"

"They have their own lives," Jiang Ran squeezed her hand, "We live our own lives. Occasionally they visit us, or we visit them, and that's enough."

When they grew tired, they sat on a stone bench by the road. In the distance, a temple bell rang, distant and tranquil.

"Jiang Ran," Su Ruan said softly, "Sometimes I feel we've been together for a very long time."

"That's how it has always been," Jiang Ran wrapped his arm around her shoulder, "Five years, ten years, twenty years… we'll always be together."

Dinner was the hotel's kaiseki cuisine, each dish presented so delicately it resembled a work of art.

The two ate slowly, chatting from the past to the future.

"If the Shanghai boutique can keep this momentum, we could consider BJ next year," Jiang Ran said.

"Hmm," Su Ruan nodded, "but I still want to be stable. In design, I want to try some new things."

"What do you want to try?"

"I haven't decided yet," Su Ruan smiled, "I just feel we can't stay forever in the success of the 'Ren' series; we have to move forward."

"I support you," Jiang Ran passed her a piece of fish, "Do whatever you want; I'm here at the company for you."

"You always are like this," Su Ruan looked at him, "Unconditionally supporting me."

"Because you're worth it," Jiang Ran said seriously.

"All these years, your slick talk hasn't changed at all."

Jiang Ran smiled, "How can that be called slick talk? It's expressing full affection at the right moment."

Su Ruan rolled her eyes, and the two laughed as they finished the meal.

After dinner, they went to soak in a hot spring again. Lanterns lit the night pool, creating a poetic atmosphere.

This time they said nothing, just quietly embracing and watching the stars.

"This place is better; there are far more stars than in the city," Su Ruan looked up.

"The mountain air is great," Jiang Ran said, "We'll bring the kids here later; they'll definitely like it."

After the hot spring, they returned to the room, both exhausted. After freshening up, they lay on the tatami but couldn't fall asleep.

"We have to go back tomorrow," Su Ruan said, a bit reluctant.

"We'll come again later," Jiang Ran pulled her into his arms, "Come when winter comes and it snows. Soaking in a hot spring in the snow has its own charm."

"Okay."

They chatted a while longer, then embraced and fell asleep. That night they slept especially soundly, without even dreaming.

On Sunday morning, they woke naturally. After breakfast, they walked around the hotel again before checking out and leaving.

On the way back, Su Ruan said, "Let's buy the kids some gifts, as promised to An'an."

"Sure."

They stopped at a roadside specialty shop and bought some mountain specialties—wild honey, dried mushrooms, and hand‑crafted bamboo‑woven little toys.

"This is for Jinjin," Jiang Ran picked up a bamboo‑woven airplane, "And this is for An'an," he lifted a bamboo‑woven little basket.

"Where's Sister Jiang Jiaojiao?"

"Buy some honey; it's good for pregnant women."

The car drove back to the city, and both were a bit silent. Not because they were unhappy, but returning from a secluded paradise to reality always brings a slight gap.

"When shall we come again?" Su Ruan asked.

"After we're less busy," Jiang Ran said, "or when Sister Jiang Jiaojiao has a baby, the whole family can come together."

"Alright."

When they got home, it was already three p. m. As soon as they entered, the two children rushed up.

"Dad and Mom!" An'an clung to Su Ruan's leg, "We missed you!"

Jinjin didn't rush, but stood nearby, eyes bright as she watched.

"Do you miss dad and mom?" Su Ruan crouched, hugging one with one hand.

"Miss them!" An'an answered loudly.

Jinjin also nodded, "Miss them."

Li Huijuan came out of the kitchen, "Back? How was it?"

"Very good," Jiang Ran took out the gifts, "Mom, this honey is for you and dad, and the toys are for Jinjin and An'an."

"Spending money recklessly again," Li Huijuan said, but her face broke into a smile.

The two children were overjoyed with the toys. An'an ran around the house carrying the bamboo basket, while Jinjin examined the bamboo airplane's structure carefully.

"Where's aunt?" Su Ruan asked.

"She's resting at home," Li Huijuan said, "Yan Shen is watching, not letting her move around."

"Then let's go see her."

They took the honey for Jiang Jiaojiao and went to their sister's house. Jiang Jiaojiao was lying on the sofa watching TV; when she saw them arrive, she was very happy.

"Back already? How was it?"

"Especially good," Su Ruan handed over the honey, "Bought it in the mountains, pure natural, good for you and the baby."

"Thank you," Jiang Jiaojiao took it, "You should also go out more, don't always be busy with work."

"Sister is right," Jiang Ran sat down on the sofa, "From now on we'll go out often."

They chatted for a while, and seeing Jiang Jiaojiao in good spirits, the two finally felt at ease to leave.

Back home, the kids were still playing with the new toys. Su Ruan and Jiang Ran played with them for a while, and then talked about the hot‑spring hotel.

"What's a hot spring?" An'an asked.

"It's just hot water; soaking in it feels very comfortable," Jiang Ran explained.

"Then I want to soak too!"

"When An'an gets bigger, I'll take you there," Su Ruan said.

After dinner, they coaxed the kids to sleep. The two little ones were tired from playing today and fell asleep quickly.

Back in their own room, Jiang Ran hugged Su Ruan from behind while she was removing makeup, "Home is still best."

"Hmm," Su Ruan looked at him from the mirror, "But going out occasionally is also nice."

"From now on we'll keep a good balance," Jiang Ran kissed her hair, "Work when it's time to work, rest when it's time to rest, spend time with the kids when it's time, and have our two‑person world when it's time for that."

"Easy to say," Su Ruan laughed, "Hard to do."

"Even if it's hard, we have to do it," Jiang Ran said seriously, "Life isn't just work; there are also these things."

After washing up, the two lay on the bed. Though they'd only been out for two days, they felt recharged, spirits bright.

"Jiang Ran."

"Hmm?"

"These five years, thank you."

"I should thank you," Jiang Ran pulled her into his arms, "Five years isn't enough; let's make it fifty years."

"Alright, fifty years."