Chapter 37: Don

Su Ruan looks at his overly cautious demeanor, where is the ferocity from last night?

She finds it amusing, deliberately furrows her brows, hums softly, "What do you say?"

Jiang Ran instantly panics, at a loss for words: "Yes, I'm sorry! I'll be more careful next time! I…"

He scrambles, grabbing his ears and scratching his cheek, wishing time could reverse so he could be gentle.

Seeing his anxious look, Su Ruan finally can't hold back, letting out a "Pfft" laugh.

Jiang Ran freezes for a moment, then realizes he's been teased, instantly both angry and amused, leaning down to tickle her: "Alright! You dare to tease me!"

"Ah! Stop it… haha…" Su Ruan, ticklish, laughs while dodging, and the two immediately tumble into a playful scuffle on the bed.

In the midst of their play, the blanket slides off, and sunlight streams in.

Jiang Ran's movement suddenly halts, his gaze deepens instantly, and his breathing becomes heavy.

Su Ruan notices his change, cheeks flushing, gently nudges him: "Stop messing around… it's time to get up; Mom, Dad, and Grandma are surely already up."

Jiang Ran reluctantly stops, yet still clings to her, rubbing his head in her neck hollow like a large dog, sulkily whining: "Don't want to get up… just want to hold my daughter-in-law."

His dependence and affection warm Su Ruan's heart. She reaches out, gently patting his stiff short hair: "Good, we'll hug again tonight."

He takes it as a promise and invitation; Jiang Ran's eyes brighten, he immediately lifts his head, his gaze blazing as he says: "You said! Tonight!"

Su Ruan's cheeks redden further under his stare, she scolds him with a look, and says nothing more.

The two continue to dally on the bed for a while, until Li Huijuan's deliberately softened footsteps and washing sounds come from outside, prompting them to scramble up.

While dressing, Jiang Ran's eyes seem glued to Su Ruan, watching her put on simple clothes, her delicate fingers fastening buttons, finding it an ultimate temptation.

He can't help but hug her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder, looking at the two snuggled in the mirror, grinning foolishly: "My daughter-in-law is really beautiful."

Su Ruan looks at the boy in the mirror whose gaze burns hot, filled with herself, and feels a solid, overflowing happiness fill her heart.

After washing up, the two walk out of the room together.

In the Main Hall, Li Huijuan is setting out bowls and chopsticks, Jiang Nainai sits at the table smiling at the newspaper, not noticing it's upside down, while Jiang Jianguo is already seated at the head.

Hearing the movement, the three's gazes flash over at them.

Li Huijuan's face is full of unstoppable laughter, her eyes flick between Su Ruan and Jiang Ran, seeing her son's radiant demeanor. She feels as proud as if her tail were lifted to the sky, and the lingering pink flush on her daughter-in-law's face makes her heart as clear as a mirror.

"Are you up? Quick, sit down and eat." Li Huijuan warmly calls Su Ruan, specially serving her a bowl of thick millet porridge, and placing a peeled boiled egg on her plate, "RuanRuan, eat more, replenish your body."

These pointed words make Su Ruan's ears turn red; she lowers her head and whispers thanks: "Thank you, Mom."

Jiang Nainai also puts down the newspaper, smiling: "Yes, yes, eat more! Ranran, you also take good care of RuanRuan!"

Jiang Ran, thick‑skinned, not embarrassed at all, instead puffs his chest, wearing a proud expression that says "Of course I'll take good care of my daughter-in-law," and picks a chopstick of side dish for Su Ruan: "Daughter-in-law, try this, my mom's pickled cucumber, it's so crunchy!"

Jiang Jianguo watches his son's smug look, coughs, trying to keep a stern father image, but a smile at the corner of his eye betrays his good mood.

He clears his throat, says to Su Ruan: "RuanRuan, from now on this is your own home, don't feel constrained. If Jiang Ran this kid dares to bully you, tell me and I'll deal with him."

"Dad, rest assured, Jiang Ran… treats me well," Su Ruan lifts her head, smiles sincerely.

A breakfast eaten warmly and harmoniously.

The Jiang Family's love and acceptance of Su Ruan are heartfelt, making her feel the warmth of a true family.

After the meal, Jiang Jianguo and Li Huijuan head to work; before leaving, Li Huijuan pulls Jiang Ran aside, whispering a few words, basically urging him to be more sensible and cherish his daughter-in-law.

Jiang Ran impatiently replies, "Got it, got it, Mom, you're so naggy!" yet his gaze keeps drifting toward Su Ruan, who is clearing dishes for Jiang Nainai.

After seeing the parents off, Jiang Ran immediately snuggles up to Su Ruan, sticky and unwilling to part.

"Daughter-in-law, where do you want to go today? I'll take you!" He wishes he could present the whole world before Su Ruan.

"I haven't decided yet." Su Ruan looks at Jiang Ran, smiles, "When it comes to fun, who does it better than you?"

Jiang Ran chuckles, thinks his wife is right, then hurries to eat, "Let's eat quickly, and after we're done I'll take you out to play!"

After the meal, Su Ruan voluntarily clears the dishes, Jiang Nainai and Li Huijuan try to stop her, but Su Ruan pushes them back.

"Mom, Grandma, I've married Jiang Ran, I'm now part of the Jiang Family; these manageable chores I can still do."

Jiang Nainai and Li Huijuan, upon hearing, repeatedly praised Jiang Ran for marrying a good daughter-in-law, and Jiang Ran, uncharacteristically, entered the kitchen, squeezing together with Su Ruan to wash dishes.

Su Ruan puts the last cleaned bowl into the cabinet, dries her hands, turns to look at the eagerly waiting Jiang Ran.

His bright eyes are full of impatience, like a large dog waiting for its owner to take it out for a walk.

"Daughter-in-law, where do you want to go today? I'll take you!" Jiang Ran leans forward, naturally wrapping his arm around her waist, his chin rubbing her neck hollow, "Watch a movie? Stroll in the park? Or go to the department store again? Whatever you like, we'll buy it!"

He wishes he could present the whole world before Su Ruan, compensating for her past suffering, and venting his overflowing joy and possessiveness.

Su Ruan feels a bit ticklish from his rub, laughs and dodges, feeling warm inside.

She thinks for a moment, noting that entertainment options are limited these days, and goes along with his suggestion: "Whatever you arrange is fine."

"As you wish!" Jiang Ran's eyes light up, snaps his fingers, "Let's go! I'll take you to a fresh place! I guarantee you'll like it!"

He rides the flashy 28cc scooter, carrying Su Ruan, through increasingly lively streets, finally stopping at a small storefront, bustling inside with noisy crowd and flickering lights.

At the entrance hangs a simple sign, painted in red: "Star Game Hall".

In the late 1980s, game halls were all the rage. Upon entering, deafening electronic music and the "Bang bang bang" of game sound effects slam into you.

Inside, half‑grown kids and some young men and women crowd the place; despite a "No Smoking" sign on the wall, smoke still swirls inside, the air mixing sweat and excited shouts.

"How's that? Never seen it before?" Jiang Ran proudly pulls Su Ruan inside, greets the owner familiarly, exchanges a small basket of game tokens.

He directly pushes Su Ruan onto a machine named "Street Fighter", inserts a coin, hands her a joystick: "Come on! Daughter-in-law! I'll teach you this! It's really exciting!"