Chapter 66: Striding with a Swing

After speaking, Jiang Ran pointed again at the V‑neck Sketch: "The collar—old‑style Cheongsam collars are too high, they choke the neck, making even breathing a struggle."

"I saw it in movie magazines… uh, no, I'm just having a wild idea—lower it a bit, expose the neck; doesn't that make a person look spirited?"

"Add that magnolia button you made—elegant and not stiff."

He spoke haltingly, his language plain and even a little rough, with no technical terms, yet full of the most direct observations and vivid vitality.

Su Ruan felt her heart surge; this was the most fundamental thing in design—

the perception of beauty and the desire to create.

Jiang Ran might not know what the golden ratio is, or what a design language is, but he has eyes that spot "spunk" and "spirit," and a heart that dares to "wild idea."

"Also this," Jiang Ran seemed to open the floodgates, pointing again at the paper drawn with exaggerated earrings and a belt, his eyes carrying a boyish tease, "These days women wear earrings that are tiny, boring."

"If you're going to wear them, wear big ones; when they swing, how eye‑catching!"

"And a belt, wide, leather, with a big buckle; when you walk, it feels imposing!"

Su Ruan couldn't help but let out a "pfft" laugh; she could picture the modern, dashing, fashionable, even slightly aggressive lady image Jiang Ran sketched in his mind, which was completely different from the currently popular gentle and restrained style, yet unusually vivid and fun.

"Well said!" Su Ruan praised sincerely, watching Jiang Ran's sparkling eyes with excitement, "Jiang Ran, these ideas are the best, the best, the best."

"Our shop is called Chongsu; it's meant to break conventions and forge a new look. What you've said is exactly the soul our shop needs!"

She picked up the few drafts that Jiang Ran considered hideously ugly, gently smoothing the creases, her gaze earnest: "These aren't waste paper; they're treasures."

"From now on, whenever you think of something, draw it, okay? We'll turn them into real clothes together, so the girls can wear them, becoming both spunky and spirited!"

Jiang Ran watched Su Ruan's solemn demeanor, and the little joy of being recognized swelled inside him into full‑blown vigor and a sense of responsibility.

He nodded heavily, thumping his chest with a "bang‑bang" sound: "Hmm! Wife, I'll do as you say! Whatever you say to do, I'll do!"

He paused, then, a bit embarrassed, added: "It's just… my drawings are ugly, don't make fun of me."

"How could that be?" Su Ruan laughed, pinching his finger, "Ideas are most important; drawing skill can be practiced. I'll teach you from now on, okay?"

"Okay!" Jiang Ran immediately agreed, his mouth corner stretching almost to his ears.

He felt as if he'd suddenly discovered a new world, and this world was to be explored together with his wife.

The atmosphere between the two was lively, and they completely forgot that there were two little ones in the shop.

Douzi and Yaya had long finished the eggs, obediently standing by the counter, their big eyes blinking curiously as they watched the brother and sister squatting at the door, chattering nonstop.

Although they didn't quite grasp what design or soul meant, they could sense that Brother Jiang Ran had done something that made Sister Su especially happy, and Sister Su's smile made her eyes curve.

Yaya whispered to Douzi, "Brother, Brother Jiang Ran isn't snatching our eggs anymore."

Douzi, mature beyond his years, nodded: "Hmm, Sister Su is praising him."

At this moment, Jiang Ran finally came back to his senses from excitement, recalling his childish behavior of fighting over a few eggs with the little brats, a hint of embarrassment on his face.

So he cleared his throat, trying to salvage his image, and, putting on a faux‑serious tone to Douzi and Yaya, said: "Ahem, the eggs… they're tasty, right? From now on work hard, listen to Sister Su, understand?"

Douzi and Yaya instantly straightened their little frames, in unison: "Got it!"

Su Ruan watched his over‑compensating demeanor and couldn't help laughing.

After this little interlude, the shop's atmosphere seemed different again.

Jiang Ran was no longer just the husband‑owner who only ran errands, did odd jobs, and kept the place steady.

It was as if a new vigor had been injected into him; his gaze would occasionally drift toward the counter where paper and pens lay, and when there were no customers he'd secretly pick up a pen, compare with Su Ruan's figure‑proportion sketches, clumsily practice lines, or draw his new ideas on waste paper.

Su Ruan saw his change and felt gratified.

She began to consciously guide him, teaching basic drawing techniques, explaining the characteristics and drape of different fabrics, and even discussing with him which innovative styles could be made from the limited cloth available.

Jiang Ran studied with extreme seriousness; his focus was even more devoted than when he once researched how to play billiards for profit.

That afternoon, Jiang Jiaojiao burst into the shop, shouting as soon as she entered: "RuanRuan! Quickly help me look, there's something off about this new skirt I just made!"

She wore a blue‑ground white‑flower Dress; the material was good and the style was trendy, but on Jiang Jiaojiao's tall, curvy figure it indeed looked a bit bulky, the waistline was misplaced, turning her good figure into a fifty‑fifty split.

Su Ruan was about to step forward to examine closely, but Jiang Ran, who had come in behind Jiang Jiaojiao, was rubbing his chin, circling his sister, his brows furrowing.

"Sis, who made this skirt? The waistline is almost up to your armpit, can it look good?" Jiang Ran said bluntly.

Jiang Jiaojiao, annoyed, shot him a glare: "Go, go, go, you don't understand! Go play somewhere else!"

"How could I not understand?" Jiang Ran, now specially tutored by Su Ruan, was confident, "Your skirt's waistline should be lowered, down here."

He gestured a spot on his own body, "Then cinch the waist, really cinch! Tighten around the hips, make the skirt flare larger, so when you walk it swings—that's what looks good!"

As he spoke, he traced the lines in the air with his hand, his tone imbued with unquestionable certainty.

Jiang Jiaojiao was left stunned by his spiel, instinctively looking down at herself: "Really… really? Lower it? Cinch the waist?"

"Of course it's real!" Jiang Ran drew on his knack for… no, his skill of persuasion, "Trust me, sis!"

"Your figure, wearing this thing now is a waste! You need something that shows your curves! It'll be more striking than the female stars in magazines!"

Su Ruan listened nearby, a smile at the corner of her mouth, not interrupting. What Jiang Ran said was exactly what she thought.

It seemed his aesthetic intuition was indeed sharp, and he was learning on the spot and applying it right away.

Jiang Jiaojiao looked at Su Ruan with doubt: "RuanRuan, is he right?"

Su Ruan smiled and nodded: "He's right. Sis, your body proportions are good, suitable for styles that accentuate the waist‑hip curve."

"If we change the waistline position of this skirt, tighten the waist, the effect will be much better. If you trust me, I'll fix it for you?"

Jiang Jiaojiao, looking at her brother's smug 'see, I told you' face and at her sister‑in‑law's gentle approving smile, gritted her teeth: "Fine, we'll change it as you say! I want to see how spunky it can be."