Chapter 30: Three Gold for Su Ruan!

Time quietly slips away amid the surging undercurrents.

Su Ruan spends most of the daytime at the Jiang Family; Li Huijuan and Jiang Nainai cherish her like a precious eye, letting her do nothing.

Occasionally she pretends to go out for a stroll, but actually she visits Old Tailor Hu to check on the wedding dress progress.

Old Tailor Hu indeed has extraordinary handcraft; the Jiangsi Silk Silk Silk in his hands seems to be given life.

He discarded the currently popular bright reds and greens and elaborate embroidery, opting for a cleaner, sharper cut; only at the collar, cuffs, and hem he embroidered auspicious cloud patterns and twin lotus using a deeper hue of the same silk, with stitches so fine they're almost invisible, yet the whole garment shimmers with a subdued yet splendid luster in the light.

The accompanying Frog Button is polished from a tiny piece of white jade, shaped like a bud about to bloom, exquisitely delicate.

Even the well‑read Su Ruan, upon seeing the unfinished piece, cannot help but marvel at its restrained and refined beauty.

It far exceeds the aesthetic of this era, resembling an heirloom‑worthy work of art.

By contrast, Su Yanhua's side is much more bustling.

She almost every other day has to run to Jinxiu, either complaining that the embroidery here isn't enough or that it isn't sparkling enough, forcing the tailor to make endless alterations per her wishes, driving the master craftsman to irritation.

Liu Wen Bin, to scrape together the final payment, is in a panic, borrowing money everywhere; the original yearning for marriage has long been worn down by harsh reality and Su Yanhua's vanity.

Finally, the appointed day to collect the garments arrives.

Early in the morning Su Yanhua drags the pale‑looking Liu Wen Bin, excitedly hurrying to the Jinxiu Tailor Shop.

When she sees the wedding dress, made per her specifications, studded with sequins and colored silk thread, its hue blazing like a fire, she is extremely satisfied.

"Now that's a wedding dress! So grand! So dazzling!"

She can't wait to change into it, twirling before the mirror, feeling she finally outshines Su Ruan.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ran and Su Ruan also arrive at Old Tailor Hu's small courtyard.

When Su Ruan dons the finished Jiangsi Silk Silk Silk wedding dress and steps out of the inner room, the entire courtyard seems to fall silent.

No glaring scarlet, no ornate decorations.

It is a calm, noble red, making her skin whiter than snow, her brows and eyes picture‑perfect.

The tailored cut perfectly outlines her slender waist and graceful neck line; the hem, as she moves, glistens like flowing water.

The subtle embroidered motifs at the collar and cuffs, together with the white‑jade Frog Button, reveal an indescribable taste and craftsmanship in the details.

She stands there, needing no words, already a peerless beauty.

Jiang Ran is stunned, his throat tight, taking a long moment to find his voice, murmuring, "…daughter‑in‑law, you're truly beautiful…"

Old Tailor Hu, satisfied, strokes his non‑existent beard, his cloudy eyes flashing with pride, "This is how a wedding gown should look."

After retrieving the wedding dress from Old Tailor Hu, the entire Jiang household is amazed; Li Huijuan and Jiang Nainai gather around Su Ruan, touching the extraordinary Jiangsi Silk Silk Silk and the exquisite white‑jade Frog Button, praising endlessly.

"Oh my! This fabric! This handcraft! Far stronger than those eye‑catching ones from Jinxiu!"

Li Huijuan is discerning; at a glance she sees the dress's exceptional quality.

"Beautiful! Truly beautiful! When RuanRuan wears it, she'll look like the fairy in that painting!" Jiang Nainai laughs with her mouth wide open, growing more pleased as she watches.

Jiang Jiaojiao also clicks her tongue in amazement: "Old Tailor Hu truly lives up to his reputation! RuanRuan, with this outfit you needn't say a word, you can outshine those people who dress like red‑envelope wrappers!"

Jiang Ran, even more proud, wraps his arms around Su Ruan's waist, chin held high as if he made the dress himself: "Of course! My daughter‑in‑law must wear the best!"

With the wedding dress matter neatly settled, Li Huijuan's mind drifts to another issue.

After dinner that day, the family sits in the living room sipping tea and chatting; Li Huijuan pulls out a tightly hand‑kerchief‑wrapped little cloth bag and opens it carefully.

Inside are three gleaming golden items, yellow and bright: a hefty necklace, a pendant carved with Peony Flower, a pair of solid Dragon‑Phoenix bracelets, and a ring set with a tiny ruby.

In the late 1980s, this would be an extremely weighty Betrothal Gift, showcasing the bride‑family's strength and regard.

"RuanRuan," Li Huijuan pushes the cloth bag toward Su Ruan, voice gentle, "This is what your father and I prepared long ago; we intended to bring it when we proposed, but that day… circumstances were special, so we didn't take it out."

"Now you've received the certificates and the wedding dress is ready; this 'Three Gold' should formally be handed to you."

Su Ruan looks at the gold items shimmering enticingly in the light, feeling a slight stir in her heart.

She knows how precious gold is these days; the Jiang family's offering shows their sincere heart.

"Mother, this is too valuable…" Su Ruan whispers, declining.

"Precious what? Take it!" Jiang Jianguo says, tone unquestionable, "Our Jiang family's daughter‑in‑law must have every proper appearance! Wear it and enjoy!"

Jiang Nainai also smiles and nods, "Yes, keep it! It'll be yours forever!"

Jiang Ran, eyes warm beside them, reaches for the ruby ring, about to slip it onto Su Ruan's finger: "Quick, try it! My daughter‑in‑law will definitely look beautiful!"

Su Ruan gently brushes his hand aside, and in the slightly puzzled gaze of Li Huijuan, speaks softly, "Mother, father, grandmother, I understand your intentions and am especially moved."

She pauses, eyes scanning the gold items on the table, "It's not very safe outside now; wearing something so eye‑catching out there might…"

Her words are polite, but the meaning is clear.

Li Huijuan is startled for a moment, then quickly recovers.

She only thought of following the old customs, forgetting to consider the young people's preferences and the practical situation.

She looks at Su Ruan's fresh, delicate face, then at those somewhat old‑fashioned gold pieces, and indeed feels they don't match well.

"Oh dear, look at me!" Li Huijuan slaps her thigh, laughing, "RuanRuan thought it through! I was old‑eyed, only caring about weight, not whether you youngsters like the look. Fine! Then we won't wear this!"

She cheerfully rewraps the gold items, stuffs them back into Su Ruan's hand: "Keep this; it's your own personal money, save it for a rainy day!"

"Tomorrow let Ranran take you to the department store's gold shop to pick anew! Choose what you like, what's in fashion! A finer, delicate chain, a hollow‑patterned bracelet that's light, a delicate ring! Mom will reimburse you!"

Jiang Jianguo also agrees: "Yes, let the kids pick for themselves; whatever they like, they can buy."

Jiang Ran, hearing this, instantly brightens: "That's good! Mother, rest assured, I'll definitely pick the most beautiful one for RuanRuan!"