Chapter 250: One Family

After coaxing the children to sleep, Su Ruan and Jiang Ran drank tea on the balcony.

The night breeze carried a hint of spring; it was very pleasant.

"RuanRuan, have you ever thought," Jiang Ran suddenly said, "about turning Dongba Impression into a long‑term project? Not just one season, but an ongoing series."

"I've thought about it," Su Ruan nodded, "I want to establish a long‑term collaboration with He Jie and Grandma Yang. Not just this season's designs, but ongoing creations. We could release a theme each season, such as Spring Mountain, Summer Water, Autumn Cloud, Winter Snow."

"That's a good idea," Jiang Ran's eyes lit up, "We could also make it a signature series for the brand. Just as some brands have a haute‑couture line, we have a Handcraft Inheritance line."

"Exactly!" Su Ruan became excited, "Not only the Naxi Ethnic Group; later we can also explore the handcrafts of other peoples—Miao embroidery, Yi embroidery, Tibetan embroidery... China has so many precious traditional handcrafts that need to be seen and passed on."

"Then we'll take it slowly, no rush," Jiang Ran hugged her, "One ethnicity per year; after ten years, it will be a Chinese Handicraft scroll."

Su Ruan leaned in his arms, imagining the scene: Handcraft Persons of different ethnicities, different handcrafts, different stories, linked through design, displayed on clothing, narrating China's beauty.

"Jiang Ran, it's wonderful to have your support," she said softly.

"Of course," Jiang Ran lowered his head to kiss her, "I am your husband; if I don't support you, who else would?"

The kiss was gentle and lingering. In the moonlight, their intertwined silhouettes resembled a tranquil painting.

It was late night, time to sleep. Yet lying in bed, Su Ruan was still immersed in excitement.

"Jiang Ran, I can't fall asleep," she whispered.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Thinking about Dongba Impression, thinking about future plans," Su Ruan turned to face him. "The more I think, the more excited I get."

"Then let's do something else to shift your focus," Jiang Ran's hand began to act mischievously.

"Jiang Ran..."

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

In the following days, He Xiulan fully integrated into the Chongsu design team.

She arrived at the Gongzuoshi early each day, sitting for hours, meticulously embroidering those Dongba Script patterns.

On Wednesday afternoon, Su Ruan entered the Gongzuoshi carrying coffee, and found He Xiulan frowning at an embroidered piece.

"He Jie, what's wrong?" Su Ruan asked as she approached.

"This gradient is still not natural enough," He Xiulan said, pointing to the transition from deep blue to light blue on the embroidered piece. "Look, there's a clear dividing line here; I want that diffused, watercolor‑like transition, like lake water blending naturally."

Su Ruan examined closely: "Indeed. Is there any solution?"

"I'll try a different stitching technique," He Xiulan said, picking up needle and thread. "I'll try free‑form embroidery; the irregular stitches will blend the colors together."

She started stitching again, her fingers fluttering, the needle and thread darting through the fabric. Su Ruan watched beside her, marveling at her concentration and technique.

"He Jie, how many years have you been embroidering?" Su Ruan asked softly.

"Since I was eight, I learned from my mother," He Xiulan continued, her hands never stopping. "Back then the family was poor; girls had to learn embroidery, and finished pieces could be sold to supplement the household. My mother was skillful; everyone in the village sought her to embroider wedding dresses."

"And your mother now..."

"She passed away, ten years ago," He Xiulan paused. "Before she left, she held my hand and said, 'Xiulan, this handcraft must not be lost; it must be passed down.'"

Su Ruan felt a tightening in her heart: "So that's why you're so persistent."

"Hmm," He Xiulan nodded. "I taught my daughter when she was young, but she couldn't sit still and preferred drawing. I thought, drawing is also creation. Now she's studying design; maybe she can apply our embroidery in new contexts."

"It will definitely work." Su Ruan clasped her hand. "He Jie, I want to organize an embroidery workshop and invite you and Grandma Yang to be instructors. Not just teaching embroidery, but also the culture behind this handcraft."

"A workshop?" He Xiulan's eyes lit up. "Where shall we hold it?"

"First in Lijiang, right in Grandma Yang Village. We can organize clients or anyone interested in traditional handcrafts to go, learn for three days and two nights, experience the Naxi Ethnic Group's lifestyle, and learn basic embroidery."

"That's great!" He Xiulan said excitedly. "The village's young people have all left; no one wants to learn. If outsiders come to learn, the youth will see this handcraft being valued and might be willing to return."

"I think the same," Su Ruan smiled. "Besides preserving the handcraft, it can boost village tourism. He Jie, would you be willing to be a teacher?"

"Willing! Of course I'm willing!" He Xiulan nodded repeatedly. "As long as I can pass this handcraft down, I'll do anything."

While they were talking, Lin Xiaoyu knocked and entered, holding a camera: "He Jie, Teacher Su, may I film the embroidery process? For documentary material."

"Go ahead," He Xiulan said generously. "How should I cooperate?"

"Just embroider normally, you don't need to worry about me," Lin Xiaoyu set up the camera. "I want candid shots of the natural state."

Thus, the Gongzuoshi fell quiet, with only the faint sounds of needle and thread passing through fabric and the camera's shutter.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating He Xiulan's focused face and her fluttering fingers; the scene was tranquil and beautiful.

In the evening, Jiang Ran came to pick up Su Ruan from work.

Seeing the scene in the Gongzuoshi, he gently pushed the door open and stood at the entrance for a while.

He Xiulan had finished the gradient section and was packing up her tools. Looking up at Jiang Ran, she stood: "Chief Jiang is here."

"He Jie, you've worked hard," Jiang Ran said as he entered. "RuanRuan, it's time to finish work."

Su Ruan glanced at her watch, surprised: "It's already six o'clock? Time flies."

"Working with you never feels tiring," He Xiulan said with a smile. "Designer Su has many ideas; we talked a lot."

"But we also need rest," Jiang Ran said. "He Jie, let's have dinner together tonight; we've booked a restaurant."

"No need, no need, that's too extravagant," He Xiulan waved hurriedly. "I'll just eat at the hotel."

"Not extravagant, consider it a welcome reception for you," Su Ruan grabbed her hand. "He Jie, don't be formal; we're family."

He Xiulan's eyes reddened slightly: "Alright, alright, family."

Dinner was booked at a Yunnan restaurant, elegant and authentic. Jiang Ran specifically ordered the Naxi Ethnic Group specialties—cured pork rib hot pot and chicken bean jelly.

"He Jie, try it and see if it's authentic," Jiang Ran offered a dish to He Xiulan.

He Xiulan tasted a bite of the cured ribs, nodded: "Authentic, just like the one back home. How did you find this place?"

"Douzi recommended it," Su Ruan laughed. "He said the owner is from Lijiang and the ingredients are all brought from Yunnan."

During the meal, He Xiulan talked about amusing village anecdotes, mentioning the Naxi Ethnic Group's festivals and customs.

Su Ruan and Jiang Ran listened with great interest.

"March Third is our Valentine's Day," He Xiulan said, "When young people sing duets, if they make eye contact, they exchange tokens. My husband and I met on March Third."