Chapter 249: Skillful Hands

"I understand," Jiang Ran gently stroked her back, "that's why I fully support you. Money can be earned again, but some things, if not done now, may never have a chance."

Su Ruan's nose tingled, and she leaned in to kiss him. The kiss carried emotion and love, deepening quickly.

Their clothes slipped off, and as skin met skin, both sighed contentedly.

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

"I love you too," Jiang Ran kissed her shoulder, "forever."

One week later, He Xiulan arrived at the Provincial Capital as scheduled.

Douzi went to the airport to pick her up and took her straight to the company. Su Ruan was already waiting in the conference room.

"He Jie, welcome, welcome!" Su Ruan greeted warmly, "The journey was tiring, wasn't it?"

"Not tiring, the flight was quick," He Xiulan said, looking around a bit shyly, "Your company is really big, really beautiful."

"Come, let me introduce the team members to you," Su Ruan said, pulling her along, "This is Wang Shifu, this is Sun Shifu, both are senior masters at our company. This is Lin Xiaoyu, a photographer; the photos from the trip to Lijiang were taken by her."

He Xiulan greeted each of them in turn.

Lin Xiaoyu took out her camera: "He Jie, may I take a few shots? To record your first visit to the company."

"Shoot, go ahead," He Xiulan smiled, "I've never been photographed like this before."

After the photos, Su Ruan took He Xiulan on a tour of the company, from the design department to the pattern‑making room, from the sample area to the exhibition hall.

"These were all designed by you?" He Xiulan said, eyes sparkling as she looked at the clothes in the exhibition hall, "So beautiful. This one... is it from the Rebirth Series? I saw it on TV."

"Yes," Su Ruan said, taking down a piece, "Feel this fabric, give it a try."

He Xiulan touched it gingerly, examining the details: "These stitches... are they hand‑embroidered?"

"Correct, the collar and cuffs are hand‑stitched," Su Ruan said, "He Jie, you have a keen eye."

"I've spent a lifetime with needle and thread; you can tell at a glance," He Xiulan sighed, "Your clothing is truly meticulous, not just beautiful, but the details are spot on."

After the tour, everyone returned to the conference room. Su Ruan took out the design drafts of Dongba Impression.

"He Jie, take a look, this is our preliminary design. I'd like to hear your thoughts."

He Xiulan put on her reading glasses and examined each page carefully. After a while she said, "These patterns... were derived from Dongba Script, right?"

"Yes, you noticed?" Su Ruan replied, delighted.

"I saw it," He Xiulan said, pointing to one of the patterns, "This is a variant of the character 'love', and this is a combination of 'mountain' and 'water'. Designer Su, you truly put effort into this; it's not just casual drawing, you really studied our culture."

"Therefore we need your help," Su Ruan said sincerely, "These designs are the foundation, but the specific embroidery implementation requires your professional advice."

"For example, this pattern, which stitching technique should be used? What color thread should be paired?"

He Xiulan thought for a moment: "This is suitable for flat embroidery, using deep blue thread paired with silver‑gray. Our Naxi Ethnic Group likes blue, representing sky and lakes."

She picked up a pen and drew a few strokes on the paper: "Here you can add a gradient, from deep blue to light blue, like lake water becoming shallower."

Wang Shifu leaned over to look: "The gradient effect is good, but it's difficult to embroider."

"I can teach," He Xiulan said, "As long as the apprentice is patient, they can learn it."

The whole morning, everyone discussed enthusiastically.

He Xiulan not only understands embroidery, but also has her own insights on design.

The several revision suggestions she offered made the designs even more striking.

At noon, Jiang Ran also arrived. Su Ruan introduced, "He Jie, this is my husband Jiang Ran, also the company's person in charge."

"Hello, President Jiang," He Xiulan said, a bit nervous.

"Hello, He Jie," Jiang Ran shook hands warmly, "RuanRuan has always praised your talent; meeting you today, the reputation is truly deserved."

"Oh, no, I'm just a needleworker," He Xiulan said shyly.

"Handcraft is talent," Jiang Ran said seriously, "He Jie, we place great importance on this cooperation. It's not just business, but cultural Inheritance. We hope you become comfortable here; feel free to tell us any needs."

"It's already wonderful," He Xiulan said moved, "You have been so kind to me."

Lunch was in the company cafeteria. He Xiulan looked at the lavish meal, feeling uneasy: "This... is too extravagant."

"It's appropriate," Su Ruan said as she served her a dish, "You have traveled from afar; you are our honored guest."

During the meal, He Xiulan talked about her family. Her husband farms in the village, her eldest daughter studies at university in Kunming, and her younger son attends high school in the town.

"My daughter is studying design," He Xiulan said proudly, "She said after graduation she wants to return and combine our Handcraft with modern design."

"That's great!" Su Ruan said, "When she graduates, if she wishes, she can intern at our company."

"Really?" He Xiulan's eyes lit up, "Then I must tell her to study hard."

In the afternoon, He Xiulan went to the Gongzuoshi prepared for her. The room was bathed in sunlight, with embroidery frames, threads, and fabrics all present.

"This is really nice," she said, touching the embroidery frame, "Much better than the one at my home."

"Tell me whatever you need," Su Ruan said, "Take these few days to get accustomed, no rush to work. When you're ready, we'll start."

"I can start right now," He Xiulan sat down, "Seeing these threads makes my hands itch."

She chose deep‑blue thread and began embroidering the landscape pattern onto the cloth. Her technique was skillful, the stitches even.

Lin Xiaoyu quietly set up her camera to film. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating He Xiulan's hands and the fluttering threads.

Su Ruan stood in the doorway watching, her heart full. This is Inheritance—one stitch, one thread, generation after generation.

In the evening, Su Ruan and Jiang Ran escorted He Xiulan back to the hotel. On the way, He Xiulan gazed at the city lights outside the window, filled with emotion.

"I never imagined my hands could leave the mountains and come to such a big city."

"He Jie, your hands are precious," Su Ruan said earnestly, "What you embroider is not just a pattern, but culture, a story."

"Thank you for valuing me," He Xiulan brushed the corner of her eye, "I will certainly do my best, not betray your trust."

They escorted He Xiulan to her hotel room, and after confirming she was settled, they finally left.

On the ride home, Su Ruan leaned against Jiang Ran's shoulder: "Today was wonderful. He Jie was very engaged, and everyone liked her a lot."

"You have good eye," Jiang Ran said, holding her hand, "Finding such a suitable person."

"It's not just my own merit," Su Ruan said, "It's the strength of the team. Wang Shifu, Sun Shifu, Xiao Yu... everyone is working hard for this series."

"So I said, you're a good leader." Jiang Ran turned his head and gave her a quick kiss, "Know how to use people well, and respect professionalism."

"Don't flatter me too much, I'll become proud."

"When it's time to be proud, you should be proud." Jiang Ran laughed, "My daughter‑in‑law has always been outstanding."

When we got home, the children had already eaten. An'an ran over, "Mom, did the aunt who does embroidery come today?"

"She did, An'an, how did you know?"

"Grandma told me," An'an said, "Grandma said Mom found a very skilled embroidery aunt."

"Yes, the aunt is very skilled." Su Ruan lifted her daughter, "When the weekend comes, Mom will take you to meet the aunt, okay?"

"Alright!" An'an nodded, "I want to learn embroidery."

"I'll learn too," Jinjin whispered.

"Good, everyone learn."