Chapter 229: No What‑Ifs

"Right!" Jiang Ran's eyes brightened even more, "Just like you said before, design is expression. What I want to express is this supporting force. Unobtrusive, yet indispensable."

RuanRuan looked at him from the mirror: "Jiang Ran, have you noticed that you've changed a lot recently?"

"Really?"

"Yes," RuanRuan turned to face him, "Before, you did business more out of duty, to support the family. But now, you truly love it. There's light in your eyes."

Jiang Ran walked up to her, crouched, and took her hand: "That's because of you. You showed me what love looks like, made me realize that work is not just work; it can be expression, it can be creation."

He paused: "RuanRuan, thank you. Not just for helping me now, but for all these years, for constantly making me a better person."

RuanRuan's tears welled up. She bent down and kissed him.

The kiss was deep, tinged with the salty sting of tears and profound love.

Jiang Ran stood up, lifted her, and walked to the bedside.

"Jiang Ran..." RuanRuan wrapped her arms around his neck, "I love you."

"I love you too," Jiang Ran kissed the side of her neck, "In this life and the next, I will love you."

The next day, Jiang Ran officially announced the launch of the Cornerstone Series.

The company's response was enthusiastic. Everyone knew Boss Jiang would personally design men's wear, and they were eager.

"Brother Jiang, should we hold a launch event?" Douzi asked, "Just within our company, a preliminary showcase?"

"Good idea," Jiang Ran nodded, "Let's do it next Friday. No need to be formal; just let everyone see it and give feedback."

In the following days, Jiang Ran became even busier.

But he was happily busy, his eyes always shining.

RuanRuan watched this, her heart full.

She knew her husband had found, besides family and business, another thing he loved.

And this thing made their relationship tighter, because they were now true partners.

Friday afternoon, the company's small conference room.

Cornerstone Series internal showcase.

Jiang Ran felt a bit nervous.

Although it was only an internal showcase, it was his first time presenting work as a designer.

"Don't be nervous," RuanRuan whispered in his ear, "Everyone will like it."

"Hmm," Jiang Ran took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage.

In the audience sat all the company's staff, as well as Wang Shifu and Sun Shifu, who had come specially.

"Everyone," Jiang Ran began, "Today is not a formal launch; I'm just asking you to look at my first design series, give suggestions, share thoughts."

He signaled for the models to come up. Three male models wore different outfits from the Cornerstone Series.

The first set was business-casual: silk‑gloss cotton shirt, khaki casual pants, dark‑gray jacket.

The second set was everyday comfort: knitted polo shirt, cotton‑linen blend trousers, lightweight trench coat.

The third set was weekend leisure: denim shirt, work pants, leather jacket.

Three outfits, three styles, but all embody the same philosophy.

Practical, comfortable, with texture.

After the showcase, the audience was silent for a few seconds, then erupted into enthusiastic applause.

"Brother Jiang, so handsome!" Douzi shouted first.

"Boss Jiang, these clothes look comfortable just to see," a male employee said, "When can we buy them? I'll order a set first."

Wang Shifu and Sun Shifu also stood and clapped: "Good, good! Boss Jiang has ideas!"

Jiang Ran exhaled, looked at RuanRuan. RuanRuan gave him a thumbs‑up, her eyes full of pride.

After the showcase, employees gathered around Jiang Ran, asking nonstop.

When will mass production start?

What will the pricing be?

Will there be a women's version?

Jiang Ran answered each question, his face always smiling.

When everyone dispersed, RuanRuan came over: "Boss Jiang, it's a success."

"Thanks to Mrs Jiang's guidance," Jiang Ran held her hand, "Let's go home. Tonight we'll celebrate properly."

"How shall we celebrate?"

"Celebrate however you want," Jiang Ran whispered into her ear, "I'm all ears."

RuanRuan's face flushed: "No seriousness."

"With you, I've always been serious," Jiang Ran said, laughing as he hugged her shoulder, "Let's go home. Jinjin and An'an are still waiting to see dad's debut Photo."

Monday morning, Jiang Ran convened the Market Department and Sales Department for a meeting.

"The samples are ready; next we need to set production volume, pricing, and the promotion plan."

Jiang Ran stood before the conference room whiteboard, radiant, "Does anyone have ideas?"

Sales Department's Xiao Zhang was the first to raise his hand: "Jiang Ran, should we do a pre‑sale first? To gauge market response."

"Pre‑sale is a good idea," Li, from Market Department, replied, "But we must limit quantity; after all it's a new series, men's wear, which we haven't done before."

Jiang Ran nodded, "Then limited pre‑sale. The first batch will be five hundred sets, each of the three styles over a hundred sets."

"What about pricing?" Xiao Zhao asked.

Jiang Ran looked at RuanRuan. She thought for a moment, "The 'Cornerstone' positioning is affordable‑luxury men's wear. The fabrics and craftsmanship aren't cheap, but the price can't be too high; ordinary white‑collar workers should afford it."

"I suggest," RuanRuan continued, "Shirts priced at three to four hundred, pants five to six hundred, jackets eight to ten hundred."

"Around two thousand per set, within the target customers' acceptable range."

Jiang Ran writes on the whiteboard, "Alright, we'll go with this. What about promotion?"

Douzi raises a hand, "Brother Jiang, we could find a few fashion bloggers to try it on. There are quite a few menswear bloggers now."

"Also," Yaya adds, "we could shoot a men‑themed photo series."

"It's not just models; we should find real workplace men—designers, engineers, doctors…—to show how the clothes look in various settings."

Su Ruan's eyes light up, "That idea's great! Realistic and persuasive."

Jiang Ran also agrees, "It's settled then. Douzi will handle contacting the bloggers, Yaya will plan the shoot. RuanRuan, can you help screen the participants and the styling?"

"Of course." Su Ruan smiles, "Boss Jiang's first collection, I must give it my full support."

The meeting ends, and each department begins to act.

Jiang Ran returns to the office, looks at the Sample Garment on the desk, and feels both excited and nervous.

"What's wrong?" Su Ruan walks over, hand on his shoulder, "Worried the market won't accept it?"

"A little." Jiang Ran admits, "After all, it's my first design—what if…?"

"There's no 'what if'." Su Ruan cuts in, "Your design is great, the concept is great too. Moreover, we have a foundation—Chongsu's brand already has some recognition, and menswear is a natural extension."

She pauses, "Besides, even if the first batch doesn't sell well, it's fine. Design always needs constant tweaking and improvement. What matters is that you've started."

Jiang Ran grasps her hand, "Daughter‑in‑law, thank you. You always trust me so much."

"Because you're Jiang Ran." Su Ruan laughs, "My husband, the father of my children, the founder of Chongsu. Whatever you do, I believe you'll do it well."