Chapter 237: Mutual Accomplishment

"A little," Su Ruan admitted, "but mostly it's anticipation. This series, like my child, from conception to birth, every step is hard, but every step is worth it."

"I understand." Jiang Ran held her hand, "just like the Cornerstone Series. Though it's not my child, I poured my heart into it."

The day before the launch, the whole family gathered for a meal. Li Huijuan specially prepared dishes that Su Ruan loves.

"RuanRuan, good luck tomorrow," Jiang Jiaojiao said, "we'll all go to support you."

"Thanks, sis." Su Ruan laughed, "if you all go, what if I get even more nervous?"

"Nervous about what," Jiang Jianguo said, "what you made is good, don't fear others' eyes."

Jinjin and An'an also cheered Mom: "Mom is the best!"

Su Ruan felt warm inside. With her family's support, she wasn't afraid of any big stage.

That night, after soothing the children to sleep, Su Ruan and Jiang Ran lay in bed, both unable to fall asleep.

"Jiang Ran." Su Ruan whispered.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"Thank you again."

"It's sincere." Su Ruan turned, facing him, "Without you, I might not have made it this far. I might still be in Hu Tong treading on a sewing machine, might have given up long ago."

Jiang Ran pulled her into his arms: "Without you, I wouldn't have made it either. I might still be idling in Hu Tong, might never know what I could do."

He paused: "RuanRuan, we achieve each other. You achieved me, I achieved you. That's the best marital relationship."

Su Ruan's tears welled up.

She kissed him, expressing unspeakable gratitude through action.

The kiss quickly deepened.

Tomorrow is the moment when Rebirth blossoms.

December 15th, Provincial Art Museum.

The venue was arranged simply and warmly.

There were no lavish decorations, only Rebirth Series photos and Sample Garments.

The background music was a gentle piano piece, like sunlight after the first snow.

Guests entered one after another.

Media, buyers, fellow designers, and Chongsu's longtime clients.

The Jiang Family all came, sitting in the front row.

Backstage, Su Ruan was making final preparations.

She wore a cream‑colored Dress from the Rebirth Series, with a simple cut, but exquisite embroidery in the details.

It was her own design, embroidered with the initials of Jinjin and An'an.

"Teacher Su, are you ready?" Lin Xiaoyu asked.

"Ready." Su Ruan took a deep breath.

The lights dimmed, the music shifted. The first model stepped onto the runway.

It was the long coat, the inspiration behind Aunt Li's story.

The model walked steadily, the garment shimmering with a soft glow under the lights.

Second, third… each piece's debut was met with low murmurs of admiration from the audience.

The final piece was the show‑stopper Su Ruan designed herself, a gown that fused all Rebirth elements.

The upper body featured a crisp, suit‑like design, the lower a soft skirt, symbolizing strength and gentleness together.

The shoulder seams resembled healed scars, and the waist embroidery bore a handwritten phrase: "All cracks are where the light comes in."

When the model turned, the light fell on that sentence; the venue fell silent for a heartbeat, then erupted into applause.

The showcase ended, the models took a collective bow. Finally, Su Ruan stepped forward.

She walked to the center of the Runway, facing the audience.

The lights fell on her, the cream Dress seeming to glow under the illumination.

"Thank you, everyone." Her voice trembled slightly but was clear, "the Rebirth Series holds special meaning for me. It's not just about clothing, about design, about life, about love, about the courage to start anew."

She paused: "This year, my family and I have been through a lot. Joy, worry, false alarms, rebirth. No matter what we faced, we stayed together. That's what I wanted to convey."

"As long as there's love, there's home, there's the power of Rebirth."

Thunderous applause. Jiang Ran, watching his wife from below, had watery eyes.

His wife, the girl who once was treading a sewing machine in Hu Tong, now stood under the spotlight, confident and radiant.

The launch was a complete success. After it ended, media swarmed Su Ruan for interviews, and clients surrounded Jiang Ran for order inquiries.

The family waited until the end before rejoining Su Ruan.

"Mom, you look so beautiful!" An'an leapt into Mom's arms.

Jinjin also whispered, "Mom, amazing."

Su Ruan hugged the children, and tears finally fell. Not sorrow, but tears of happiness.

Jiang Ran came over, embraced her and the children: "Let's go home. Celebrate properly today."

"Okay."

On the way home, Su Ruan rested against Jiang Ran's shoulder, watching the night view outside the window.

The city's lights glittered, but none matched the warmth in her heart at that moment.

"Jiang Ran."

"Hmm?"

"Starting tomorrow, I want to rest for a few days."

"Good." Jiang Ran held her hand, "Where do you want to go? I'll accompany you."

"We won't go anywhere, just stay at home." Su Ruan smiled, "Accompany the kids, accompany Mom, Dad and Grandma, accompany you."

"That would be best."

The success of the Rebirth Series launch event gave Chongsu new recognition both within the industry and in the market.

But Su Ruan kept her word and rested for a week after the launch event.

During that week, she was at home almost every day.

Accompanying the kids in drawing, doing Handicraft, helping Li Huijuan prepare New Year goods, and learning to make traditional pastries from Jiang Nainai.

Wednesday afternoon, Su Ruan was teaching An'an to make dumplings when Jiang Ran came home early from work.

"So early today?" Su Ruan was surprised.

"The matter is settled, so I came back early." Jiang Ran took off his coat, "Hey, making dumplings? I'll help too."

"Can Dad make them?" An'an looked at him doubtfully.

"Underestimate your dad?" Jiang Ran washed his hands, picked up a dumpling wrapper, "Your dad was a master dumpling maker back in Hu Tong."

He skillfully placed the filling, pinched the edges, and a beautiful crescent-shaped dumpling took shape.

"Wow!" An'an's eyes lit up, "Dad is really awesome!"

Jinjin also came over to watch, whispering, "I'll learn."

"Come, Dad will teach you." Jiang Ran lifted his son onto the chair and taught him hand‑by‑hand.

Li Huijuan came out of the kitchen, saw the scene, and laughed, "Now it feels like New Year, the whole family together, bustling and lively."

"Mom, please rest for a while." Su Ruan said, "We'll handle the rest."

"Alright, I'll go prepare the New Year's Eve dinner menu." Li Huijuan wiped her hands, "We have more people this year, need to prepare well."

The dumplings were almost all wrapped, Su Ruan went to boil them. Jiang Ran tidied the table with the kids.

When the steaming hot dumplings were served, Jiang Jianguo also returned.

"So fragrant." Jiang Jianguo sniffed, "Who made them?"

"I made them!" An'an raised his hand, "Also Dad and older brother."

"Really capable." Jiang Jianguo patted his granddaughter's head, "Come, let Grandpa taste."

The family sat around to eat dumplings. An'an insisted on eating the one he made himself.

Although the skin was a bit torn, the little girl ate it with special relish.

"Is it tasty?" Jiang Ran asked.

"Delicious!" An'an nodded vigorously, "The dumplings you make yourself are the best."