Chapter 228: Continue After Going Home

"A robust look and a bulky look are two different things," Su Ruan picked up a pencil and quickly made changes. "See, tighten a bit here, loosen a bit there, and the whole outline becomes lively."

Jiang Ran leaned in, suddenly understanding: "So that's it. Daughter-in-law, you're really impressive."

"Practice makes perfect," Su Ruan smiled. "If you draw and practice more, you can do it too."

The second challenge is fabric. The fabric choices for menswear differ greatly from those for womenswear.

"This shirt, what fabric do you want to use?" Su Ruan asked.

"Cotton, right? Comfortable."

"Cotton also comes in many varieties," Su Ruan took several from the Sample Garment rack. "This is Regular Cotton, this is long‑pile cotton, this is mercerized cotton... the hand feel, sheen, and drape are all different."

Jiang Ran felt each one, sensing the subtle differences.

"This one is good," he said, pointing at the mercerized cotton. "It has texture but isn't flashy."

"Good eye," Su Ruan nodded. "Mercerized cotton suits business‑casual styles; it won't be inappropriate in formal settings and feels relaxed for everyday wear."

The third challenge is craftsmanship. Wang Shifu and Sun Shifu were very patient with Jiang Ran, but their standards left no room for sloppiness.

"Boss Jiang, the curve of this sleeve opening is off," Wang Shifu said, holding a flexible ruler. "It's off by one centimeter; it will feel uncomfortable when worn."

Jiang Ran humbly asked, "Then how should we adjust it?"

"It should be like this…" Wang Shifu drew alteration lines on the sketch. "Considering arm movement, we need enough allowance here, but not too much, or it will look bulky."

Sun Shifu focused more on details: "Button spacing must be even, but the lowest one should be slightly higher, so it won't pull when you sit."

Jiang Ran noted each point.

A week later, Jiang Ran produced his first complete design draft: a three‑piece set—shirt, casual pants, and jacket.

"Here, take a look," he spread the drawing in front of Su Ruan.

Su Ruan examined it carefully.

The shirt features a minimalist Stand Collar design, without extra ornamentation, but the neckline and cuffs have delicate piping.

The casual pants have a clean cut, with an adjustable elastic waistband that balances comfort and aesthetics.

The jacket is short, with crisp lines, yet the fabric is soft.

"Not bad," Su Ruan praised sincerely. "Very inventive. Especially this jacket—both practical and stylish."

"Really?" Jiang Ran's eyes lit up. "Are you just flattering me?"

"Really." Su Ruan pointed to details on the drawing. "The inner‑lining splice here, the pocket design there… all very clever. Boss Jiang, you have real design talent."

Jiang Ran laughed shyly. "It's all thanks to the masters' teaching and the daughter‑in‑law's guidance."

"Don't be modest," Su Ruan scolded. "You put the effort in yourself."

With the design approved, the next step was prototyping. Jiang Ran stayed involved throughout, from material selection to cutting, from stitching to final pressing, overlooking no stage.

"Boss Jiang, you're even more meticulous than Boss Su," Wang Shifu teased.

"It's my first time; I want to do it well," Jiang Ran said. "Besides, this is my first design series; I can't be sloppy."

The day the Sample Garment was finished, Jiang Ran tried it on himself.

"How does it look?" he asked Su Ruan, standing before the mirror.

Su Ruan surveyed him from head to toe.

The dark‑gray jacket fit snugly without being tight, the white shirt's collar stood crisp, and the khaki casual pants were cut just right.

Overall, it looked both sharp and comfortable.

"Looks good," Su Ruan's eyes lit up. "Especially suits you. And it has an indescribable vibe—very Jiang Ran."

"What do you mean 'very Jiang Ran'?" Jiang Ran laughed.

"It's… unpretentious yet powerful. Not flashy, but it holds up under close inspection."

Su Ruan stepped in front of him, fixing his collar. "Just like you as a person."

Jiang Ran clasped her hand. "Does Mrs Jiang like it?"

"I do," Su Ruan's face flushed slightly. "Especially."

The two stood before the mirror for a while.

Jiang Ran looked at his wife reflected behind the mirror, then suddenly turned and pulled her into his arms.

"Thank you, RuanRuan," he whispered. "Without you, I might never have dared to try designing."

"You already had that ability," Su Ruan leaned against his chest. "You just needed a bit of courage to discover it."

The embrace quickly turned into a kiss.

In the design studio, surrounded by fabric and Sample Garments, the air was filled with the heat of the iron and the scent of incense.

They kissed passionately until footsteps outside the door made them part.

"Someone's here," Su Ruan whispered, her face even redder.

Jiang Ran smiled and let go, but his hand stayed on her waist. "We'll continue at home tonight."

"Dream on," Su Ruan scolded, yet she didn't push his hand away.

It was Douzi knocking. "Brother Jiang, the fabric supplier is here, waiting for you in the conference room."

"Coming."

Jiang Ran went to the meeting, while Su Ruan stayed in the design studio, studying the Sample Garment closely.

She realized Jiang Ran's designs followed his own logic.

It wasn't about chasing fashion, but about achieving suitability.

Clothes should serve the wearer, not the other way around.

This philosophy coincided perfectly with hers.

That night, back home, Jiang Ran was still a bit excited.

"Today's talk with the fabric supplier went well," he said. "When they heard I'm making menswear, they were very supportive. They gave us plenty of good material, and the prices were favorable."

"That's good," Su Ruan helped him take off his coat, "but, Boss Jiang, don't just focus on work and forget that two children are waiting for you at home."

"How could I," Jiang Ran embraced her, "what about Jinjin and An'an?"

"They're upstairs drawing. An'an said she wants to draw a picture for dad's new clothes."

The two went upstairs to see the children.

Sure enough, An'an was diligently shading on the paper, while Jinjin guided her from beside.

"Little sister, dad's clothes are gray, not pink."

"But pink looks nice."

"Dad is a boy; he doesn't wear pink."

"Who says that? Uncle wears a pink shirt."

Jinjin was stumped, looking to the newly arrived dad and mom for help.

Su Ruan smiled, "If An'an wants to draw pink, let her draw pink; that's creative freedom."

"Look!" An'an said proudly, sticking out her tongue at her brother.

Jiang Ran walked over, looking at his daughter's drawing.

The picture showed a little figure in a pink jacket; the proportions were odd, but it was clear it was a piece of clothing.

"Very nice," he praised sincerely, "when dad's line is ready, I'll make a pink children's version for An'an."

"Really?" An'an's eyes lit up, "I want to wear dad's designed clothes too!"

"And brother!" Jinjin said immediately.

"All of them, all of them." Jiang Ran, cradling one in each hand, "Dad's first collection, the whole family gets a piece."

After coaxing the children to sleep, the two returned to their own room.

Jiang Ran was still immersed in the excitement of his designs.

"RuanRuan, I've decided," he said, "the Cornerstone series will include not only menswear but also children's wear. Adults' cornerstone, children's cornerstone, the whole family, a complete set."

"That's a good idea," Su Ruan said while doing skincare, "and it can be extended. The family's cornerstone, the career's cornerstone, life's cornerstone… there are many things it can represent."