Chapter 254: If You Collapse from Exhaustion, I'll Feel Heartache

"Can I take a look?" Su Ruan asked.

"Sure, I'll take you there."

The old warehouse is at the deepest part of the park, a red‑brick old building.

The door is pushed open, dust billows.

The space is huge, with a lofty ceiling about six or seven meters high, but there are few windows, so the light is dim.

"Here…" Lin Xiaoyu covers her nose, "needs a major renovation."

Su Ruan's eyes light up: "Actually… it has a lot of character. Look at the red‑brick walls, the steel framework, the old wooden beams. If we design it well, it could be more distinctive than a new space."

Jiang Ran also nods: "Indeed. This industrial‑retro style is very popular now. And the space is large enough for zoning."

Manager Wang said: "If you're willing to use this place, we can offer a rent discount, and we can share part of the renovation costs. After all, the problem was caused by us."

"How long will the renovation take?" Su Ruan asked.

"If we push hard, two weeks should be enough to finish the basic renovation," Manager Wang said, "mainly cleaning, painting walls, installing lights, and wiring."

Su Ruan and Jiang Ran exchange a glance.

"We'll use this place." Su Ruan decides decisively, "but the renovation must be fast and of good quality. Manager Wang, let's sign a supplemental agreement to specify the timeline and responsibilities."

"No problem!"

Back in the car, Lin Xiaoyu is still a bit worried: "Teacher Su, is two weeks really enough? We still have to set up the exhibits and arrange the events…"

"It is," Su Ruan says, already planning in her mind, "a simple renovation that retains the original texture. With good lighting design, we can create the atmosphere."

"We don't need many exhibits, but they must be refined. Xiao Yu, you're in charge of visual design; I want that sense of ancient Handcraft colliding with a modern space."

"Got it!" Lin Xiaoyu's eyes light up, "A dialogue between old and new, the fusion of tradition and modernity. This theme is great!"

Jiang Ran looks at Su Ruan's glowing face and smiles: "My wife-to-be really has the ability to turn decay into something marvelous."

"Cut it out," Su Ruan says, her face slightly flushed, "let's hurry back to the company and revise the plan."

Over the next two weeks, the whole team entered sprint mode.

During the day Su Ruan monitors the Dongba Impression series' progress, and at night she and Jiang Ran go to the warehouse to oversee the renovation.

The old warehouse changes day by day.

The years of dust and clutter are cleared away, revealing the original red‑brick walls and wooden beams.

The walls are painted light gray, preserving the industrial feel without feeling oppressive.

The lighting is cleverly designed, spotlights focus on the exhibits, creating a stage‑like effect.

Friday evening, the renovation is basically finished. Su Ruan and Jiang Ran stand in the center of the warehouse, looking at the newly refreshed space.

"I can hardly believe it was finished within two weeks," Su Ruan looks around, "Wang Shifu and their Handcraft are truly excellent."

"Where there is a heavy reward, there will be brave men," Jiang Ran wraps his arm around her shoulder, "I gave the renovation crew a bonus to speed up the work."

Under the lights, the exhibition booth is already set, the wall displays embroidered works by Yang Nainai and He Xiulan, and Photo taken by Lin Xiaoyu.

In a corner a tiny teaching area is set up, holding an embroidery frame and tools.

"Anything still missing?" Jiang Ran asks.

Su Ruan thinks for a moment, "We're missing a bit… green plants? To give the space some life."

"I'll have someone deliver some tomorrow," Jiang Ran pauses, "RuanRuan, you're tired, aren't you? You haven't rested properly these past days."

"Not tired, just excited," Su Ruan leans on his shoulder, "seeing this space transform from a dilapidated warehouse to this gives me a special sense of achievement."

"But you still can't skip rest," Jiang Ran lifts her chin, "look, the dark circles are showing."

"No way…" Su Ruan's words are cut off as Jiang Ran kisses her.

The kiss is gentle and lingering, unusually clear in the spacious warehouse.

Su Ruan wraps her arms around his neck in response, the days of fatigue seem to melt in this kiss.

After kissing for a long while, Jiang Ran finally releases her, pressing his forehead against hers: "Let's go home; tomorrow we'll do the final check."

"Mm."

Exiting the warehouse, the night breeze is slightly cool. Jiang Ran takes off his coat and drapes it over Su Ruan's shoulders: "Be careful not to catch a chill."

In the car, Su Ruan suddenly remembers something: "By the way, will the lodging be arranged for Grandma Yang and Sister He Xiulan, who arrive next Monday?"

"It's all arranged; they'll stay at a hotel near the company, close to here," Jiang Ran says, "Douzi will pick them up. RuanRuan, you really don't have to do everything yourself."

"It's our first event; I want to do it well," Su Ruan says softly, "this is not just an event, it's a beginning. If we do it well, we can keep doing it."

"I know," Jiang Ran squeezes her hand, "but you also have to take care of yourself. If you collapse from exhaustion, I'll feel heartache."

They get home past eleven. The children are all asleep, Li Huijuan is still waiting in the living room.

"Mom, why aren't you asleep yet?" Su Ruan walks over.

"I've been waiting for you to come back," Li Huijuan stands, "There's soup in the kitchen; I'll go heat it up."

"Mom, let me do it; you go rest," Jiang Ran says.

The soup is heated, and the two sit in the kitchen to drink.

Li Huijuan sits beside them watching, then says, "RuanRuan, RanRan, the thing you two are doing, Mom thinks it's especially good. Traditional Handcraft should be passed down by someone."

"Mom, you feel the same?" Su Ruan's eyes light up.

"Of course," Li Huijuan nods, "When I was a child, everyone in the village knew some Handcraft. Embroidering, basket‑weaving, shoe‑making… Now? Everyone buys ready‑made things. The Handcraft is lost, what a pity."

She pauses, "If you need it, Mom can also help. Though I'm old, I can still do needlework."

"Mom, would you be willing to come to the workshop to help?" Su Ruan asks excitedly.

"Sure, I'm fine staying at home anyway," Li Huijuan laughs, "I can look over things for you, teach simple stitches, all fine."

"Great!" Su Ruan grasps her mother's hand, "Mom, you become a volunteer; we're the first batch of volunteers!"

Jiang Ran also laughs, "Mom, you're basically getting a second job."

"What second job? It's just putting my remaining heat to use," Li Huijuan glances at her son, "Alright, after you finish the soup, go to bed early; I'm going upstairs."

After finishing the soup and finishing her wash, she lay on the bed, and Su Ruan was still excited.

"Jiang Ran, Mom is willing to help, that's great." She turned to face her husband, "Having an elder here makes the event feel more like home."

"Yeah." Jiang Ran pulled her into his arms, "And Mom's handcraft is indeed good; I remember the clothes when I was little were all made by Mom herself."

"Then let's make a volunteer certificate for Mom, something more official." Su Ruan had already started planning, "Also, I want to set up a Handicraft Inheritor segment at the event, inviting Grandma Yang, Sister He Xiulan, and Mom to talk about their stories with handcraft."

"That's a good idea." Jiang Ran kissed her forehead, "But now, it's time to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow."

"Mm."

Although she agreed, Su Ruan kept babbling about the long plan before she finally drifted off to sleep.

Jiang Ran listened to her voice growing softer, watched her sleeping profile, and felt his heart full.

His wife, with so many people and so many matters in her heart, always forgets to take care of herself.

He gently kissed her forehead, "Good night, my dream home."