Chapter 231: Aren't All Parents Like This?

A hotpot restaurant near the office was booked for a private event.

Over thirty people sat at four tables.

The atmosphere was lively, with continuous laughter.

"Brother Jiang, a toast to you!" Douzi raised his glass, "'Cornerstone' is awesome!"

"Thank you, everyone," Jiang Ran stood up, "This isn't my solo success; it's the team's achievement. Especially RuanRuan—without her support, I might never have dared to try."

Everyone turned to look at Su Ruan.

Su Ruan's face flushed slightly as she stood, "It's Jiang Ran who had the ideas and the courage. I was just beating the side drum beside him."

"Brother Jiang, Sister Su, stop praising each other," Yaya laughed, "Anyway, in our company, a husband and wife united are as strong as steel!"

"Right! Cheers!"

The celebration lasted until nine p. m.; when it ended, everyone was a little tipsy.

On the way home, Jiang Ran drove while Su Ruan sat in the passenger seat.

"Are you happy today?" Su Ruan asked.

"Happy," Jiang Ran nodded, "But more than that... grounded. Knowing what I can do and which direction to go feels grounding."

"That's good," Su Ruan leaned on his shoulder, "The road ahead is long, but with this start, I'm not afraid."

When they got home, the children were already asleep. The two tiptoed upstairs, afraid to wake them.

After freshening up and lying in bed, Jiang Ran was still immersed in the joy of success.

"My daughter-in-law," he called softly.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"Thank you again," Su Ruan laughed, "How many times have we said it today?"

"Can't stop," Jiang Ran pulled her into his arms, "Thank you for believing in me, thank you for supporting me, thank you... for marrying me."

Su Ruan felt a sting in her nose, looked up, and kissed him.

The kiss was gentle and passionate, filled with the satisfaction and joy of their joint struggle.

The success of the 'Cornerstone' series made Jiang Ran stand out in the design world. But he knew clearly that this was only the beginning.

In the following weeks, Jiang Ran was busy handling pre‑sale order shipments, gathering user feedback, and preparing the second production batch.

Su Ruan continued advancing the Memory Realm series while also overseeing daily company management.

On Wednesday night, the two didn't get home until after ten.

Li Huijuan was waiting in the living room; seeing them, she felt both heartache and helplessness.

"So late again, the food's been reheated a third time."

"Sorry, Mom, I had a lot going on today," Su Ruan said apologetically.

"Quickly wash your hands and eat."

At the table, An'an and Jinjin had already eaten but stayed by the table to keep their parents company.

"Dad, when will my new clothes arrive?" An'an asked.

Jiang Ran promised to make a Cornerstone children's version for her.

"We should have the Sample Garment by next week," Jiang Ran handed his daughter a piece of spare rib, "Then An'an can be the first to try it on."

"Yay!" An'an clapped happily, "I'll wear it to kindergarten!"

Jinjin whispered, "What about mine?"

"Jinjin's as well," Jiang Ran patted his son's head, "How could dad forget Jinjin?"

After dinner, while coaxing the kids to sleep, An'an was especially excited and couldn't fall asleep.

"Mom, will the clothes dad designed be liked by the kids?"

"They will," Su Ruan gently patted her daughter, "Because dad designed them with care."

"Then tomorrow I'll tell the kids that my dad is a designer!" An'an said proudly.

When the children finally fell asleep, Su Ruan and Jiang Ran returned to their room, both exhausted.

"How was today?" Jiang Ran asked, untying his tie.

"Three Sample Garments of the 'Memory Realm' are ready, and they look good," Su Ruan said, leaning by the dressing table, "Wang Shifu said one piece was especially difficult to craft, but the result turned out excellent."

"That's good," Jiang Ran came over, hugging her from behind, "On my side, the second batch of Cornerstone production is scheduled. We incorporated feedback from the first batch and made some improvements."

"For example?"

"We switched to better buttons and handled thread ends more carefully," Jiang Ran said, "Also, based on users' height and weight data, we adjusted the size chart. A small portion of the first batch reported inaccurate sizing."

Su Ruan turned to face him, "You always work so diligently."

"I learned it from you," Jiang Ran smiled, lowering his head to kiss her.

The kiss deepened quickly. A day's fatigue turned at that moment into longing for each other.

Clothes slipped, skin pressed together, and both sighed contentedly.

"Jiang Ran..." Su Ruan clutched his neck, "Let's go to the bed..."

"Okay."

That night, the two were especially devoted, as if through physical intimacy they were confirming each other's companionship and support.

Afterwards, they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Moonlight streamed through the curtains, gentle as water.

On the weekend, Jiang Ran kept his promise and took the whole family to the Science and Technology Museum.

The museum was crowded, mostly parents with children.

Jinjin got excited as soon as they arrived, grabbing dad's hand and running toward the aerospace exhibit.

"Dad, look! A rocket!"

In front of the huge rocket model, Jinjin looked up, eyes shining.

Jiang Ran crouched down and explained to his son: "This is a Long March rocket, made by us in China, and it can send satellites into space."

"I also want to go to space," Jinjin said earnestly.

"Then you have to study hard and become an astronaut when you grow up."

On the other side, An'an tugged Su Ruan to the dinosaur exhibit area. In front of the massive dinosaur skeleton, the little girl was both scared and curious.

"Mom, are dinosaurs really that big?"

"They really are," Su Ruan said, "but that was a very, very long time ago."

"Why did they disappear?"

"Scientists say a huge star might have struck the Earth…"

The family spent the whole morning touring, and at noon ate in the science museum's restaurant. The children were tired from playing, but their spirits were high.

"Dad, will we come again next time?" Jinjin asked.

"We will," Jiang Ran replied, "and when there's a new exhibition, we'll come again."

"Yay!"

In the afternoon, on the way home, the children fell asleep in the car.

Su Ruan looked at their sleeping little faces through the rearview mirror, her heart full.

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

"It was fun," Su Ruan said, leaning on his shoulder, "just feel that days like this are truly wonderful."

"Let's do this often from now on," Jiang Ran said, holding her hand, "no matter how busy work gets, we must still be with family."

"Mm."

Back home, they put the children to bed. Su Ruan and Jiang Ran rested in the living room while Li Huijuan brought in some fruit.

"Mom, you should rest a bit too," Su Ruan said, "we've been out all day, you're tired, right?"

"Not tired," Li Huijuan laughed, "seeing the children happy makes me happy."

Just then, Jiang Jiaojiao called, saying Yuan Yuan had a slight fever and asking Su Ruan if she had any experience.

"What temperature?"

"37.8 degrees, not that high, but Yuan Yuan is crying and won't take milk," Jiang Jiaojiao's voice sounded a bit anxious.

"It could be teething or a vaccine reaction," Su Ruan comforted, "first try physical cooling and observe. If it exceeds 38.5 degrees, or if the spirit is poor, go to the hospital."

After hanging up, Su Ruan said to Jiang Ran, "Sister is now a mother, completely different from before."

"Indeed," Jiang Ran sighed, "the once fearless Jiang Jiaojiao now gets nervous for half a day over a child's sneeze."

"All parents go through this," Su Ruan laughed, "don't we as well?"