Chapter 218: Shameless

Li Huijuan listened, a smile blossomed on her face: "The children are already sensible on their own."

The noon banquet was halfway through when Yuan Yuan woke up and began to cry.

Jiang Jiaojiao lifted her daughter and prepared to breastfeed.

"I'll take you to the lounge," Su Ruan said.

"Okay."

The two left the private room and went to the adjacent lounge. Closing the door, Jiang Jiaojiao unbuttoned her blouse to breastfeed. The tiny infant immediately quieted and ate attentively.

"So fast," Su Ruan observed, "It feels like just yesterday you were still in Hu Tong fighting me for candy, and today you're already a mother."

Jiang Jiaojiao laughed, "Yes. Sometimes I can't even believe it myself—I actually became a mother."

She lowered her head to look at the daughter in her arms, her gaze gentle: "RuanRuan, thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for not giving up on Ranran back then," Jiang Jiaojiao whispered, "If it weren't for you, he might still be idling in Hu Tong. You changed him, and you changed our whole family."

Su Ruan's nose tinged with sourness, "Sis, what are you saying? I'm the one who should thank you for accepting me..."

"Don't say foolish things," Jiang Jiaojiao cut her off, "We're family."

The two exchanged a smile.

At that moment, all the past turned into deep familial affection.

After finishing the feeding, Yuan Yuan fell asleep again. The two returned to the private room, and the noon banquet was nearing its end.

After seeing off all the guests, it was already three p. m. The family returned to Jiang Jiaojiao's home to continue their small gathering.

"Are you tired?" Li Huijuan asked her daughter.

"It's fine," Jiang Jiaojiao said, "just my lower back is a bit sore."

"During confinement you must be careful," Jiang Nainai said, "no prolonged sitting, no catching cold."

"Got it, Grandma."

Gu Yanshen went to brew tea, Jiang Ran helped. The two men worked and chatted in the kitchen.

"Brother-in-law, what's it like to be a dad?" Jiang Ran asked.

Gu Yanshen thought for a moment, "It's hard to describe. It's... when you look at that tiny person, you feel you want to give her the best of the world, yet fear it's not enough."

Jiang Ran smiled, "I understand. When Jinjin and An'an were born, I felt the same."

"You have it even harder, twins."

"Yes, but double the happiness."

In the living room, the women were also chatting.

Su Ruan held Yuan Yuan and gently rocked her.

The little baby slept soundly in her arms.

"RuanRuan's way of holding a child is truly textbook," Jiang Jiaojiao said.

"I've practiced it," Su Ruan laughed, "When Jinjin and An'an were little, I held them all day."

"Mom, can I hold her?" An'an asked softly.

"Wait until sister is a bit older," Su Ruan said, "She's too small now; you can't lift her."

"Alright," An'an said, though disappointed but very sensible, "Then I'll sing to sister."

She began singing a nursery rhyme she learned at kindergarten, her voice childish yet earnest.

Amazingly, Yuan Yuan seemed to understand, her little mouth moving.

"Sister likes it!" An'an got more enthusiastic and sang another song.

Though Jinjin didn't sing, she sat beside them, watching her sister attentively.

Jiang Ran and Gu Yanshen came out carrying tea, and upon seeing the scene, both laughed.

"Our two elders are really sensible," Gu Yanshen said.

"Indeed," Jiang Ran nodded, "With older brothers and sisters caring, Yuan Yuan is truly happy."

The family drank tea and chatted until evening. Li Huijuan went to prepare dinner, but Jiang Jiaojiao stopped her.

"Mom, don't rush; let's order takeout. You've been tired all day."

"Takeout isn't healthy..."

"Once in a while is fine," Gu Yanshen added, "Mom, you rest."

In the end they ordered dishes from a nearby restaurant.

Dinner was simple yet warm, the family sat together as usual.

After the meal, Jiang Ran's family took their leave.

Before leaving, Su Ruan slipped the prepared red envelope into Yuan Yuan's small blanket.

"This is the uncle and aunt's goodwill," she said to Jiang Jiaojiao.

"You all..." Jiang Jiaojiao sighed helplessly, "always so polite."

"It's only natural."

On the way home, both children were tired and fell asleep in the car.

Su Ruan looked at their sleeping little faces in the rearview mirror, her heart full.

"Were you happy today?" Jiang Ran asked softly.

"Happy," Su Ruan nodded, "Seeing sister Jiaojiao happy, seeing Yuan Yuan healthy, makes me happy."

"Mm." Jiang Ran squeezed her hand, "Our family is getting more lively."

Back home, they lifted the children onto the bed, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Though today was tiring, the heart felt sweet.

After washing up and lying on the bed, Jiang Ran embraced Su Ruan from behind.

"Daughter-in-law."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"What are you thanking me for again?"

"Thank you for giving me such a warm home," Jiang Ran's voice was especially gentle in the darkness. "There are parents, a grandmother, an older sister and brother‑in‑law, Jinjin and An'an, and now Yuan Yuan as well."

"All of this is because of you."

Su Ruan turned around, feeling his face in the dark: "Fool, all of this is because we have each other."

She kissed his lips: "It is because we are together that this home exists."

The kiss deepened quickly.

The joy of seeing New Life today, the warmth of family reunion, both turned into the tenderness of this moment.

Clothes slipped off one by one.

"Jiang Ran..." Su Ruan clasped his neck, "We want to stay like this forever."

"Hmm." Jiang Ran kissed her shoulder, "May it stay good forever."

After the Full Moon Banquet, the year‑end rush arrived as expected.

At the company, the year‑end summary, next‑year planning, client appreciation events… each kept Jiang Ran and Su Ruan so busy their feet never touched the ground. At home, they had to prepare New Year goods, do a big cleaning, and arrange the Spring Festival itinerary.

On Wednesday night, Jiang Ran didn't get home until after ten. He pushed the door open and found Su Ruan still in the living room, several design Sketches spread out before her.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?" He took off his coat and walked over.

"I'm thinking about the details of the 'Memory Realm' series," Su Ruan massaged her temples, "I always feel something's missing."

Jiang Ran sat beside her and hugged her shoulder, "What's missing?"

"The soul," Su Ruan pointed at the Sketch, "Look, these designs are fine, the craftsmanship is fine, but they're just… too peaceful. They lack the impact of the Ren Series."

Jiang Ran examined the Sketch closely.

Indeed, the designs are delicate and mature, but they lack that eye‑catching spark.

"Maybe it's because you're chasing perfection too much," Jiang Ran said, "The Ren Series was your truest emotional expression; back then you didn't overthink, you just wanted to create what you believed in. Now you think too much, and it ends up restraining you."

His words awakened Su Ruan. She stared at the Sketch, thoughtful, "Yes… I wanted to do it perfectly, to surpass the Ren Series, and I lost my original heart."

"Don't rush," Jiang Ran kissed her forehead, "Take it slowly. Good things need time to brew."

Just then, Li Huijuan stepped out of the room, "Ranran is back? Have you eaten?"

"I ate at the office."

"That's good," Li Huijuan glanced at the Sketch on the table, "RuanRuan, don't stay up too late, take care of your health."

"Got it, Mom."

After Li Huijuan returned to her room, Jiang Ran pulled Su Ruan up, "Come, let's sleep. We'll talk about work tomorrow."

"But…"

"There's no but," Jiang Ran shut the desk lamp without waiting, "You need rest, you need to clear your mind. Sometimes the more you think, the more stuck you get; a nap can bring inspiration."

After washing up, the two lay on the bed. Su Ruan kept thinking about the design, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

"Still thinking?" Jiang Ran pulled her into his arms.

"Hmm," Su Ruan admitted honestly, "My mind is full of those lines."

"Then stop thinking about it," Jiang Ran's hand began to gently stroke her back, "Think of something else."

"Think what?"

"Think of our first meeting," Jiang Ran whispered, "At Hu Tongkou, you were carrying a cloth bag, wearing a Skirt faded from washing, but your eyes shone like stars."

Su Ruan laughed, "Back then you were like a thug, hair so long, clothes all sloppy."

"But you liked me anyway."

"Who liked you?" Su Ruan scolded, "It was you, the shameless one."

"Yes, yes, I'm shameless," Jiang Ran laughed, kissing her, "But in the end, didn't you win me over?"