Chapter 225: Indeed, From a Small Place

He gently helped her remove her makeup.

"By the way," Jiang Ran said suddenly, "General Manager Liu called today, saying that for next year's Shanghai Fashion Week main venue, we have a chance."

"But we need to hurry to prepare the pieces; the application is due next month."

"Next month?" Su Ruan opened her eyes, "Will the 'Memory Realm' series be ready in time?"

"If we push a bit, it should be doable," Jiang Ran said, "but don't overexert yourself; health comes first."

"I know." Su Ruan squeezed his hand, "this time is different; I have a team, I have you all, I don't have to shoulder it alone."

"That's right." Jiang Ran lowered his head and kissed her forehead, "we're together."

After removing makeup and finishing their wash, the two lay on the bed. Jiang Ran pulled Su Ruan into his arms, his hand naturally resting on her waist.

"Daughter‑in‑law."

"Hmm?"

"These past weeks, you've worked hard."

"You too." Su Ruan turned to face him, "but I feel… after all this, we seem even closer."

"Indeed." Jiang Ran gently stroked her face, "I used to think I had to give the best to you and the kids. Now I think the best is us being together, safe and sound."

Su Ruan's nose tinged with a sour feeling, she leaned in to kiss him. The kiss was gentle and lingering, filled with the gratitude of surviving a disaster and hope for the future.

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

"Jiang Ran…" Su Ruan whispered, "I have to work tomorrow…"

"Just this once." Jiang Ran kissed her neck, "be gentle."

He truly was gentle, as if handling fragile treasure. Su Ruan quickly became lost in it, wrapping her arms around his neck in response.

In the following weeks, Su Ruan and her team threw themselves into the production of the Memory Realm series. With a clear direction, progress was swift.

Lin Xiaoyu also often came to the office, bringing photos she had taken on the Rebirth theme.

"Teacher Su, look at this one." Lin Xiaoyu said, pointing at a photo, "These are my grandmother's hands; when she was young she worked hard and the hands are scarred, but it is these very hands that raised my mother and uncles."

In the photo, a pair of hands full of wrinkles and scars cradles a newly opened little flower.

The stark contrast, yet brimming with vitality.

"How wonderful," Su Ruan sighed, "let's capture this feeling. Toughness within fragility, beauty within scars."

The design drafts kept improving, and sample garments were produced one by one.

Master Wang and Master Sun also poured all their enthusiasm, perfecting each piece of clothing.

On the weekend, Su Ruan rarely rested at home.

She spent time with the children and also drew design sketches.

"Mom, what are you drawing?" An'an perched at the edge of the table, watching.

"Clothes." Su Ruan said, pointing at the blueprint, "this one is for An'an, this one is for Jinjin."

She truly designed clothes for the children.

The dress for An'an is made of soft cotton, printed with a rainbow pattern; the little jacket for Jinjin is sharply cut, yet its details have warm designs.

"Really?" An'an's eyes lit up, "Can I wear Mom's designed clothes?"

"Of course," Su Ruan smiled, "once it's ready, An'an will be the first to wear it."

Jinjin also came over to look, whispering, "Thank you, Mom."

On Sunday afternoon, Jiang Ran suggested the whole family go for a walk in the countryside. The autumn colors were deep, and the red leaves on the mountain were beautiful.

"The doctor said An'an can have moderate activity and breathe fresh air," Jiang Ran said.

So the whole family set out. Jiang Nainai, whose legs were unsteady, stayed home, but she urged them to take many photos.

The mountains truly were beautiful.

The layered forest was dyed, red and yellow leaves interwoven like an oil painting.

An'an and Jinjin were excited, running ahead but not forgetting to look back for Mom and Dad.

"Slow down, don't fall," Su Ruan reminded.

"Got it!"

They reached an open clearing where the distant city could be seen. Jiang Ran wrapped his arm around Su Ruan's shoulder, "Look, our home is over there."

Su Ruan leaned into his embrace, "So fast. From Hu Tong to here feels like it happened in the blink of an eye."

"But every step was taken together," Jiang Ran squeezed her hand, "there's still a long road ahead; we'll keep walking together."

"Mm." Su Ruan nodded, "together."

The children grew tired from running, and the family found a flat spot for a picnic.

"Grandma's sandwiches are the best!" An'an said while eating.

"If you like them, have more," Li Huijuan laughed, wiping her granddaughter's mouth.

After the meal, the children played on the grass while the adults sat nearby watching.

The sunlight was warm, a gentle breeze brushed, and everything was so wonderful.

"When the Memory Realm series is finished, let's all travel together," Jiang Ran said suddenly, "to a warm place, to relax properly."

"Sure." Su Ruan nodded, "bring Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Sister Jiang Jiaojiao's family."

"Then it's settled," Jiang Ran smiled, "I'll have Douzi handle the arrangements."

At dusk, the family descended the mountain home. The children fell asleep in the car, and Su Ruan and Jiang Ran exchanged a smile.

"Did you have fun today?" Jiang Ran asked softly.

"Happy," Su Ruan rested on his shoulder, "this is the life I want. Work hard when working, and fully accompany family when resting."

"From now on, we'll keep it this way," Jiang Ran kissed her hair, "maintain balance, no bias."

Back home, after settling the children, the two were also exhausted, but their hearts were full of happiness.

After washing up and lying on the bed, Jiang Ran pulled Su Ruan into his arms.

"Daughter-in-law."

"Mm?"

"With you, with the children, with a home, I'm truly happy."

"I feel the same." Su Ruan looked up and kissed him, "Thank you for giving me all this."

On Wednesday morning, Su Ruan was in the pattern-making room discussing the details of a Sample Garment with Wang Shifu when Jiang Ran suddenly pushed the door open, his expression solemn.

"RuanRuan, something's happened." His voice was a bit low.

Su Ruan's heart tightened: "What is it?"

"Come to the office and tell me."

In the office, Jiang Ran turned on the computer and pulled up a news report.

The headline was glaring—"New Trend Brand Chongsu Accused of Plagiarism? Designer Su Ruan Accused of Stealing Others' Ideas."

Su Ruan's eyes widened instantly: "What? Plagiarism? Who said that?"

"There's a designer named Xu Wei who claims to be a teacher at the Provincial Academy of Fine Arts," Jiang Ran scrolled the page, "She says the core design concept of the Ren Series was her viewpoint in an academic paper three years ago. She also provided the publication date and journal."

Su Ruan examined the article carefully.

Xu Wei alleges that Su Ruan, while attending a design exchange in the Provincial Capital, heard her lecture and stole her core ideas.

"Nonsense!" Su Ruan was so angry her hand trembled, "The Ren Series was designed by me based on my own experiences and feelings, what does it have to do with her"

"I understand," Jiang Ran squeezed her hand, "but public opinion is now unfavorable to us. This article has already been reprinted by several media outlets, and the comments are harsh."

Su Ruan looked at the comments, and indeed, a flood of doubts and insults came at her.

"Sure enough, they're from a small place, no original ability."

"No wonder they developed so fast; it turns out they copied."

"Boycott plagiarizing brands!"

Her heart sank: "How could this happen..."