Chapter 23: RuanRuan, What About Mine?

Su Ruan felt her heart sour and soft from what they said; she stood up, took the tiny package from Jiang Ran's hand, and gently opened it amid the slightly puzzled gazes of the onlookers.

She first took out the garment whose stitches were a bit rough but looked fine, handed it to Jiang Nainai with both hands, and said softly, "Grandma, this is what I made while I had nothing to do; my handcraft isn't good, please don't dislike it."

Jiang Nainai was startled for a moment, then delightedly took it, turned it over repeatedly, unable to put it down: "Oh my! This clothing is so well made! The color is truly festive, Grandma loves it! Love it so much!"

She didn't expect the granddaughter‑in‑law to be so thoughtful and also prepare a gift for her; this sentiment is more precious than anything.

"Mom, Jiaojiao sister, these are for you. They're styles you can't find on the market; I originally wanted to use better material, but I…"

Su Ruan bit her lip, didn't continue, and that aggrieved look almost made Jiang Ran want to give her the whole family Garment Factory.

Li Huijuan and Jiang Jiaojiao were also stunned; they hadn't expected Su Ruan, in such a difficult situation, to so cleverly prepare these thoughtful little gifts.

This completely exceeded their expectations and made them feel even more tender and fond of this unusually considerate girl.

"You child… really… so thoughtful!" Li Huijuan took the clothing, her eyes a bit red, and pulled Su Ruan into her arms, "From now on, you'll be Mom's good daughter! Whatever you lack, whatever you want, you must tell Mom!"

Jiang Jiaojiao also ran her fingers over the skirt, admiring the careful embroidery; the last subtle feeling she had toward Su Ruan because of her younger brother completely vanished, leaving only pure liking and approval.

She smiled and patted Su Ruan's shoulder: "Thanks, sister‑in‑law! If Jiang Ran ever dares to bully you, tell me, and I'll deal with him for you!"

Jiang Ran watched from the side, feeling immensely proud.

How could his wife be so good? Beautiful, capable, and so thoughtful!

He leaned over, grinning, and asked, "RuanRuan, what about mine?"

He looked at the now empty package with longing eyes.

Su Ruan glared at him, deliberately putting on a stern face: "You? Nothing."

Jiang Ran's face fell instantly, like a child who didn't get candy: "Huh? Why don't I have one? I won't!"

His plaintive look made everyone laugh.

Su Ruan finally pulled a tiny Heart‑shaped Origami from her pocket, slipped it into his hand, cheeks slightly flushed, voice as thin as a mosquito's: "For you… don't lose it."

Jiang Ran treated it like a treasure, carefully opened it, and saw a line of tiny pencil script: 【May your heart be like my heart】.

Just these six simple characters made Jiang Ran's heart feel as if something had struck it hard, sending a tingling numbness.

He suddenly looked up at Su Ruan, his gaze burning hot enough to almost set her ablaze.

He treasured the slip, refolded it, clenched it tightly in his palm, opened his mouth, and showed a foolish yet immensely happy smile.

"Never lose it! I'd rather die than lose it!"

Watching the sweet interaction of the young couple, Li Huijuan and Jiang Nainai exchanged a smile, feeling immensely warm inside.

At that moment, the sound of a key turning came from outside the door, followed by Jiang Jianguo's steady footsteps.

"Dad's back!" Jiang Jiaojiao said.

Jiang Jianguo entered the living room, saw the whole family present, the atmosphere harmonious, and a smile appeared on his face: "Everyone's here? How's everything going?" His gaze landed on Su Ruan, asking gently.

"All done! Dad, look!" Jiang Ran couldn't wait to show the Marriage Certificate to his father.

Jiang Jianguo took it, examined it carefully, nodded, and a look of satisfaction appeared on his face: "Good, as long as it's done."

He looked at Su Ruan, his tone a bit solemn: "RuanRuan, from now on this is your home. If Jiang Ran this kid does something wrong, you can tell me, and I'll punish him for you."

"Thank you, Uncle." Su Ruan replied obediently.

"Still call me Uncle?" Li Huijuan laughed, teasing.

Su Ruan's cheeks flushed slightly, a bit shy, but she mustered courage, softly changed her address: "Thank you… Dad."

This "Dad" made Jiang Jianguo's heart bloom, and he nodded repeatedly: "Ah, good, good!"

Dust settled, the status is now proper.

Li Huijuan looked at the graceful Su Ruan, growing more fond, suddenly remembered something, and said: "By the way, RuanRuan, this marriage is a big matter. Although frugality is encouraged now, the essential ceremonies can't be omitted."

"I've discussed with your dad; in a couple of days we'll pick a good day, set up several tables at a restaurant, invite close relatives and friends, formally introduce you to everyone, basically hold a lively banquet. What do you think?"

This was also what Jiang Jianguo and the grandmother intended, and they both nodded in agreement.

Su Ruan understood that the Jiang family valued her and wanted to give her a respectable situation.

She naturally wouldn't oppose, and obediently nodded: "I follow Mom, Dad, and Grandma's arrangements."

"Good! Then it's settled!" Li Huijuan clapped her hands, jubilant, "I'll check the dates tomorrow and make arrangements!"

Jiang Ran was even more excited, hugging Su Ruan's shoulder: "I'll let everyone know I married a wonderful wife!"

Su Ruan was swiftly swept away by Jiang Ran's glorious fame, the news flying back to the Su family.

The sky was almost dark when Su Yanhua finally returned home; she held the Marriage Certificate with her elementary school teacher Liu Wenbin, originally intending to flaunt it in front of Su Ruan and reclaim the scene she lost yesterday.

But as soon as she entered, she didn't see Su Ruan's figure; she only heard Wang Juhua stammer, "That damned girl… was taken away by Jiang Ran, saying she… got the certificate."

"What?! Taken away? Got the certificate?!" Su Yanhua threw the Marriage Certificate on the table, "Who let you let her go! Are you stupid!"

She was so angry she trembled all over, her face turning iron‑blue, pointing at Da Zhuang and Wang Juhua's noses, she cursed: "My plan has been completely ruined by you!"

"I originally planned to set our wedding on a single day. Then I would secretly take her Wedding Dress so she couldn't wear it, embarrass her in front of everyone! See if the Jiang family still wants such a disgraceful daughter‑in‑law! Now it's all over! You ruined my big plan!"

Su Yanhua grew more furious, wanting to pound her chest and stamp her feet.

She was reborn, and her greatest obsession was to revenge the Jiang Ran who "abused" her in the previous life and the Su Ruan who stole her spotlight.

Seeing the first step of her plan fail, how could she not go mad?

Su Dazhuang and Wang Juhua were scolded by their daughter so harshly that they realized they might really have messed up.

Wang Juhua stammered: "We, we weren't that… because that damned girl made us confused… moreover, she had the Marriage Certificate, it was legitimate, how could we stop…?"

"I don't care!" Su Yanhua screamed, "She must marry out of our family! Otherwise my plan can't be carried out! You go! Go to the Jiang family and bring her back! Say that a Su family girl has no reason not to marry out of her natal family! What kind of talk would that spread! The Jiang family also needs face!"