Chapter 219: Little Sister, Don't Cry—Brother Is Here

The next day, when Su Ruan arrived at the company, her condition was noticeably much better.

She didn't dive straight into work; instead, she went to the Sample Garment room.

"Sister Su, you're here," Lin Xiaoyu entered holding a camera, "May I take a few shots? The light and shadow on these clothes hanging here are especially beautiful."

"Go ahead," Su Ruan smiled.

Lin Xiaoyu lifted the camera and adjusted the angle. The shutter clicked crisply, echoing in the quiet Sample Garment room.

"Sister Su," after taking a few shots, Lin Xiaoyu suddenly said, "I think the Memory Realm series could take a different approach."

"What do you mean?"

"It doesn't have to be abstract memory," Lin Xiaoyu put down the camera, "It can be concrete, but presented in a special way. For example, turning old photos into prints, but using a unique technique so the pattern appears faintly visible."

Su Ruan's eyes lit up: "Please continue."

"My grandmother has an old photo album, filled with pictures of her youth. The photos are all yellowed, the corners worn, but that sense of age is especially beautiful."

Lin Xiaoyu grew more excited as she spoke, "If we could apply that texture to the fabric..."

Su Ruan immediately took out a sketchbook: "Be more specific, what kind of texture?"

"It's... the trace left by time. Not making it look old, but respecting time itself," Lin Xiaoyu tried to explain, "For example, this shirt."

She pointed to a Sample Garment, "If we use a fabric with subtle texture, like old paper, and then print a vague photo outline on it..."

The two discussed in the Sample Garment room for a long time.

Lin Xiaoyu's idea was like a key that unlocked a new line of thought for Su Ruan.

In the afternoon, Su Ruan called Wang Shifu and Sun Shifu over and shared the new idea.

"This technique is challenging," Wang Shifu said, rubbing his chin, "But if it can be done, we need to find suitable fabric and test the printing and dyeing results."

"I can give it a try," Sun Shifu said, "I know a few veteran Handcraft Persons who specialize in special fabric treatment."

"Then I entrust this to both of you," Su Ruan's eyes sparkled, "This time, we'll create something different."

After work, Jiang Ran came to pick her up.

As soon as they got in the car, Su Ruan excitedly recounted today's progress.

"Lin Xiaoyu really has something," she remarked, "Young people's perspective is indeed different."

"So you should interact more with young people," Jiang Ran laughed, "Don't always think of yourself as the master craftsman."

"I never do."

"You do," Jiang Ran pinched her cheek, "But seeing you this excited puts me at ease. A few days ago, I was really worried about your condition."

"Now I'm fine," Su Ruan leaned on his shoulder, "Having a direction gives me drive."

Back home, Jinjin and An'an were playing in the living room. Seeing Mom and Dad, the two children ran over.

"Mom, the teacher praised me today," An'an held up a drawing, "Said the house I drew was the most beautiful."

Su Ruan took the drawing; indeed, the use of color was bold, and the composition showed ideas.

"Great!" she kissed her daughter, "An'an might become a little painter in the future."

"Dad, I got a perfect score today," Jinjin also pulled out the workbook, "All math problems were correct."

Jiang Ran scooped up his son, "Jinjin is really impressive! What reward do you want?"

"I want... to go to the science museum," Jinjin whispered, "A classmate said there's fun there."

"Okay, we'll go this weekend."

During dinner, the family discussed plans for the Spring Festival.

"How are we spending this year's Spring Festival?" Li Huijuan asked, "At home or back to Hu Tong?"

"Let's stay home," Jiang Ran said, "It's spacious here, and Sister Jiang Jiaojiao just finished her confinement, so traveling back and forth is inconvenient."

"That works too," Jiang Jianguo nodded, "Celebrating at home will be lively."

Jiang Nainai said, "I'll prepare a few of my signature dishes for the New Year's Eve dinner."

"Grandma, please don't overexert yourself," Su Ruan said, "We'll help you."

"Not tired, happy," Jiang Nainai laughed, "It's only once a year, we must celebrate properly."

After the meal, Su Ruan helped the children with homework while Jiang Ran dealt with work emails.

After the children fell asleep, the two finally had time alone.

"We still have to be busy before the Spring Festival," Jiang Ran said, "Company annual meeting, client appreciation, and the year-end summary."

"I know," Su Ruan massaged his shoulders, "Don't push yourself too hard either."

"After we finish this busy period, we can rest well for the Spring Festival," Jiang Ran clasped her hand, "By the way, after the Spring Festival, let's go to Sanya. Bring Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Jiang Jiaojiao's family, all to warm up together."

"Sounds good," Su Ruan's eyes brightened, "Jinjin and An'an haven't seen the sea yet."

"It's settled then," Jiang Ran said, "I'll have Douzi handle the arrangements."

The two chatted a bit more before washing up and going to sleep.

Lying in bed, Jiang Ran's hand started to act mischievous again.

"Not today," Su Ruan grabbed his hand, "I'm tired."

"Just a hug then," Jiang Ran pulled her into his arms, "Nothing else."

He indeed only held her, his hand honestly resting on her waist.

Su Ruan leaned against his chest and fell asleep quickly.

Jiang Ran looked at her sleeping profile and gently kissed her forehead.

The Spring Festival approached, and every household was immersed in a festive atmosphere.

The Jiang Family was no exception; Li Huijuan and Jiang Nainai had already begun preparing New Year goods, and Jinjin and An'an looked forward to the holiday and red envelopes.

However, on the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, an unexpected incident shattered the peace.

In the morning, Su Ruan took the children to kindergarten.

The weather has been changing a lot lately, and An'an has a slight cough, but her spirit is still fine.

Su Ruan told the teacher to look after her more, then went to the company.

At three p. m., the kindergarten called.

"Is this An'an's mother? An'an has a fever, 38.5 degrees, could you come pick her up?"

Su Ruan immediately put down the work in her hands: "I'll be right there!"

When she arrived at the kindergarten, An'an was lying on the small bed in the medical office, her little face flushed.

Jinjin stood by her sister's bedside, holding her hand.

"Mom…" An'an whispered upon seeing Su Ruan.

"Sweetie, does it hurt?" Su Ruan touched her daughter's forehead, which was indeed hot.

"Headache…"

Su Ruan lifted An'an and said to the teacher, "I'll go to the hospital first, Jinjin…"

"I'll stay with my sister," Jinjin said immediately.

"Alright, together."

At the hospital, they registered and saw the doctor. After the examination, the doctor said, "Tonsillitis caused the fever. We'll give an injection to reduce the fever, then observe."

During the injection, An'an cried intensely. Su Ruan held her with a painful heart, while Jinjin wiped her sister's tears beside them.

"Little sister, don't cry; big brother is here," the four‑year‑old boy said, trying to comfort her.

After the injection, the fever subsided a bit.

The doctor suggested a one‑day hospital observation, fearing a relapse.

While processing the admission paperwork, Jiang Ran also arrived.

Seeing his daughter's sickly appearance, he felt an aching pain.

"Why did the fever start suddenly?" he asked.

Su Ruan said, "The teacher said she was fine at noon, but the fever rose in the afternoon." "It might be because the weather has been changing a lot lately," she added.

An'an was admitted to the children's ward.

On the tiny hospital bed, she curled up and fell asleep quickly.

Jinjin refused to go home, insisting on staying with her sister.

"Then stay here with your sister while dad and mom handle the paperwork, okay?"

Su Ruan asked softly.

"Okay," Jinjin nodded, moved a small chair and sat at the bedside.

In the corridor, Jiang Ran put his arm around Su Ruan's shoulder: "Don't worry, it's just an ordinary fever."

"Hmm," Su Ruan leaned on his shoulder, "It's just seeing the child in discomfort that hurts my heart."

After completing the paperwork, the two returned to the ward.

An'an was still sleeping, and Jinjin also fell asleep perched at the bedside.

Su Ruan placed her son on the adjacent caregiver's bed and tucked the blanket over him.

"You should rest too," Jiang Ran said, "I'll watch here."

"I can't sleep," Su Ruan said, sitting at her daughter's bedside, gently stroking her hair.

In the evening, An'an woke up. The fever had gone down, and she was much more spirited.

"Mom, I'm hungry," the little girl whispered.