Chapter 67 The Glory of Return
In October, the sky is high and the clouds are wide, and the sea breeze has washed away the heat of midsummer, bringing a refreshing coolness.
The azure sea shimmered with tiny golden rays under the autumn sun, and the familiar passenger ship, sounding its long whistle, slowly sailed toward the Nan'ao Island pier.
This time, the scene at the dock was completely different from when she had traveled alone half a month ago.
The passenger ship docked smoothly, and the mooring lines were secured.
Jiang Suining was wearing a well-tailored khaki trench coat that she had bought herself at Francesti, over which she wore a simple white shirt and dark trousers. Her long hair was pulled back, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck.
Despite the fatigue of the long journey, her eyes shone with a calm and confident light, a light born of experience. She, along with Xiao Wu and Wang Hai, followed the flow of people down the gangway.
"Sui Sui! She's here!" Jiang's mother's excited voice broke through the noise first.
The moment he saw her, the corners of his mouth curved upwards in a barely perceptible arc.
Jiang's mother rushed over and hugged her daughter tightly. Tears instantly streamed down her face, but this time they were tears of joy: "You're back! You're finally back! You've lost weight. Did you not eat well while you were away?" She stroked her daughter's cheeks and arms, as if to make sure she was alright.
Zhong the tailor stood behind Jiang's mother, her face flushed with barely suppressed excitement, her lips trembling as she repeatedly said, "Good! Good! You're back! Good!"
Jiang Fengnian, the older brother, carefully protected his sister-in-law Liu Hong, whose belly was already noticeably protruding. Liu Hong's cheeks were flushed with excitement. If she weren't physically unable to move, she would have rushed over long ago. She shouted, "Sui Sui! Tell us quickly, what are those foreign fashion shows like? Aren't those foreigners all stunned by our clothes?"
At this moment, the director of the management committee stepped forward with a smile, interrupting the family reunion, but the atmosphere became even more enthusiastic: "Comrade Jiang Suining! Welcome back in triumph!" He gestured to the crowd and cameras behind him, "Look, everyone is waiting to welcome our hero! You have brought great honor to our Nan'ao Island and our country!"
As soon as she finished speaking, several elementary school students wearing red scarves ran up and solemnly stuffed bouquets of flowers into Jiang Suining and Xiao Wu's arms.
At the same time, reporters swarmed forward, their cameras fixed on Jiang Suining, the flashes from the cameras crackling and brightening, making her squint slightly.
"Comrade Jiang Suining, welcome back to China! Your trip to Fontainebleau was a great success. How are you feeling right now?" Su Qing immediately handed her the microphone, and her question began the formal interview.
Holding the flowers, Jiang Suining took a deep breath, faced the camera, and gave a polite and sincere smile: "Thank you so much for welcoming me. At this moment, my deepest feeling is: It's so good to be home."
Her voice trembled slightly, but quickly regained its composure. "Seeing the coastline of our motherland, seeing my relatives and fellow villagers, all my fatigue disappeared. The achievements of this trip to Fontainebleau are inseparable from the support of the country, the efforts of our entire 'Haifeng' team, and the care of everyone on the island. This honor belongs to everyone."
Her answer, once again attributing personal honor to the collective, appeared humble and magnanimous, winning applause and admiration from those around her.
Old Chen from the Nan'ao Island Daily squeezed forward, his questions more specific: "Manager Jiang, we learned some news through international telegrams. It's said that your 'Breath of the Sea' series caused a sensation at Fashion Week. Could you describe the scene in detail? How did your foreign counterparts and media evaluate it?"
Jiang Suining nodded, recalling the dazzling scenes on the runway: "Yes, when our models walked the runway in the 'Morning Ripple' and 'Afternoon Wave' collections, I could hear whispers of surprise from the audience. When the finale gown, 'Evening Wave,' appeared, the applause was thunderous, and many audience members stood up. After the show, many international buyers and media came backstage. They were very interested in how we combined Eastern aesthetics with modern design and tailoring, and they especially praised Grandma Su's embroidery skills. They felt that we brought a kind of beauty that was different from the Western fashion system, full of poetry and philosophical thought."
Her words were measured and vivid, showcasing both success and highlighting the unique charm of Eastern culture. This inspired the reporters present to write furiously and moved the surrounding villagers to tears.
"So, what specific impact will this success have on the future development of 'Haifeng'?" another reporter from the provincial newspaper asked.
"This is a very important opportunity." Jiang Suining's gaze became sharper and more determined. "It has opened a door for us to the international market. We have already received some initial order intentions from buyers in Europe and Asia. Next, we will carefully evaluate them and steadily expand our overseas business while ensuring quality and our brand image. At the same time, we will also use the cutting-edge international fashion concepts and operational experience we have learned to improve our domestic market and designs, so that 'Haifeng' can go further and more steadily."
Her thinking was clear and her plans were well-defined, demonstrating the vision and wisdom of a business leader.
The interview lasted for more than ten minutes, during which Jiang Suining remained calm and composed, displaying remarkable eloquence.
Lu Ye stood slightly behind her, like a silent mountain, offering her unwavering support. His gaze mostly lingered on her, watching her navigate the spotlight with ease, transforming personal glory into collective and national pride, filling him with an indescribable sense of pride. This was his wife, an extraordinary woman who could both be deeply rooted in the island's soil and soar through the skies of the world.
After finally escaping the enthusiastic crowds at the dock and returning to the familiar family compound, the scene was completely different.
At the entrance of the family compound, almost all the military spouses came out and spontaneously formed two rows, as if welcoming a triumphant hero. They looked at Jiang Suining with unprecedented admiration, envy, and a touch of pride and intimacy in their eyes.
"Sui Ning is back!"
"Oh, you're finally back! We saw your news in the newspaper!"
"Tell us quickly, what's it like abroad? Are those foreigners easy to get along with?"
"Sui Ning, you've really brought honor to our family compound and to all of us military families!"
The questions, asked in a lively, everyday manner, were full of the warmth and relatability of daily life. Unlike the formality of officials and journalists, or the concern of family members, this was a celebration from the same camp, carrying the earthy scent of the soil.
Even Sister-in-law Lian, with her loudest voice, squeezed to the front, grabbed Jiang Suining's hand, and exclaimed in admiration, "I knew it! Little Jiang is no ordinary person! Look at her, after this trip abroad, her demeanor is even more different! This outfit, was it bought abroad? She looks so energetic!"
Aunt Li chimed in with a laugh, "That's right! From now on, when we military dependents go out, we can stand up straighter! Let's see who dares to say that we military dependents only know how to stay around the stove!"
Surrounded by their warmth, Jiang Suining felt a comforting warmth in her heart. The previous slight misunderstandings and gossip seemed to vanish in that moment. She smiled and replied, "Sisters, please don't praise me. I'm just lucky to have benefited from good policies. Foreign countries are just like that—more high-rises, more fashionable clothes—but our own home is still the best, the most reassuring!"
Her words drew laughter from her sisters-in-law, making the atmosphere even more harmonious.
Only when I return to my own little courtyard and close the door do I truly feel like I've returned to a safe haven.
Jiang Suining opened several of the largest suitcases in the living room. Apart from her personal belongings and some important documents, most of the space was filled with gifts for her family and friends.
Jiang's mother, Zhong the tailor, Liu Hong, and Jiang Fengnian all came over, and Lu Ye sat to the side watching with a gentle look in his eyes.
"Mom, Uncle Zhong, this is for you." Jiang Suining first took out two beautifully packaged boxes from a large trunk, and handed her mother a high-quality champagne-colored silk printed square scarf with an elegant maple leaf pattern. "A classic silk scarf from Fontainebleau, I heard it's especially suitable for pairing with dark coats, perfect for autumn."
Jiang's mother took the smooth, light silk scarf, her hands trembling slightly. She grumbled, "Why spend this money? This old woman..." But she couldn't hide the joy in her eyes, and she held it up to herself in front of the mirror for a long time.
What was given to Zhong the tailor was a set of exquisitely crafted tailor's scissors and a measuring tape made in France. "Uncle Zhong, I specifically asked the locals, and they said this is an old brand that all the old tailors in the area recognize. The steel is good and durable. Try it and see if it's easy to use."
The tailor took the heavy, gleaming tools as if they were priceless treasures. His fingers trembled as he ran them over the cold blades of the scissors. He was so excited that he could hardly speak: “This…this is wonderful! Sui Sui, you’re so thoughtful, so incredibly thoughtful!” For an old tailor, there is no better gift than a set of perfectly satisfactory tools.
Seeing that her stepfather liked it, Jiang Suining was very pleased. She then took out a pretty paper bag and handed it to Liu Hong: "Sister-in-law, you are pregnant now, so I have picked out a few maternity clothes for you that are made of very soft material and have a loose style. And this too," she said, taking out a small box containing several pure plant extracts and additive-free lipsticks and hand creams, "Fransti, they say they can be used by pregnant women, and the colors are all quite elegant."
Liu Hong accepted the gift with delight, touching the soft fabric of the maternity dress and looking at the small, exquisite cosmetics. Her eyes reddened slightly: "Sui Sui, you're so busy but you still think of me. This must be so expensive."
"When buying things for your sister-in-law, we don't talk about price," Jiang Suining said with a smile. She then turned to Jiang Fengnian and said, "Brother, I brought you a leather belt, it's genuine leather and durable. I also brought two bottles of French wine, I heard it goes well with red meat, you can try it when you have a gathering with your friends." Jiang Fengnian smiled憨厚ly as he took the belt, stroking its sturdy texture, clearly quite satisfied.
Finally, she took out a smaller, more delicate velvet box and handed it to Lu Ye.
Lu Ye raised an eyebrow slightly, took the cufflinks, and opened them. Inside was a pair of simple yet elegant platinum cufflinks with an abstract ship's wheel design and perfectly polished edges.
"I think this would suit you well," Jiang Suining said softly, a hint of expectation in her eyes. She knew that he sometimes needed to wear these cufflinks with his military uniform, and they were understated yet perfect for him.
Lu Ye picked up the cufflinks, twirling them between his fingertips. The cool metallic touch warmed his heart. He looked up at her, his gaze deep: "Very beautiful. Thank you." He didn't say much more, but the way he closed the box and carefully put it in his pocket said it all.
After distributing the gifts to her family, the living room was filled with laughter and joy. Jiang Suining then sorted out a few more gifts, preparing to give them away tomorrow and the day after.
Everyone happily accepted the gifts, and Jiang's mother busied herself preparing a meal, insisting on cooking a large table of dishes to welcome her daughter. Zhong the tailor assisted her, washing vegetables and cutting meat. Her hands, skilled in tailoring, were also adept at cooking.
Liu Hong pulled Jiang Suining to sit down in the living room and asked impatiently, "Suisui, come on, tell us in detail! What's Fashion Week like? Are all the models super tall and thin? Who are the people sitting in the audience?"
Although Jiang Fengnian didn't speak, he sat to the side, his eyes full of curiosity and pride.
Looking at her family, Jiang Suining shed all her armor and defensiveness, a genuinely relaxed smile appearing on her face. She took the warm water Lu Ye silently handed her, took a sip, and then began to vividly describe the scene: the ancient architecture of Fontainebleau, the exquisite decorations of the modern runway, the chaos and tension backstage, the models' initial misunderstanding followed by their cooperation, the discerning yet ultimately conquered gazes from the audience, and Mr. Jean Renoir's eyes brimming with tears of emotion…
She spoke vividly, and her family listened intently. Even Jiang's mother, who was busy in the kitchen, would occasionally peek out to listen.
Lu Ye sat beside her the whole time, without saying a word, only refilling her water when she needed it, or gently patting the back of her hand when she got nervous. His presence itself was a silent support and understanding.
"...At the final curtain call, the spotlight shone on me, and the audience erupted in applause and flashes," Jiang Suining's voice carried a hint of nostalgic excitement. "At that moment, I thought, it was all worth it. All the hard work, all the controversy, it was all worth it. The beauty of our China, the breath of our island, has truly been seen by the world."
The room was silent as everyone was drawn into that dreamlike and glorious moment by her narration.
After a long while, Liu Hong finally let out a long sigh of relief, touched her belly, and said with emotion, "My child, you must learn from your aunt in the future, she will be very successful!"
Jiang's mother brought out the dishes, her eyes reddening again, but this time with joy: "I knew it, my Sui Sui is very capable!"
Finally, the tailor couldn't resist and carefully touched a suitcase, muttering, "The clothes in this suitcase have been shown on the international stage..."
Looking at his wife surrounded by her family, seeing the radiant confidence and contentment on her face, Lu Ye's last trace of worry about her departure vanished completely. He knew her world had expanded, but his embrace would always be the warmest refuge when she returned. He reached out and gently took her hand under the table, their fingers intertwined.
After a lively yet slightly chaotic welcome feast, the courtyard was filled with the lingering aroma of food and the warmth of family reunion.
Jiang's mother neatly cleared away the dishes, a satisfied smile on her face. Zhong the tailor helped her along. Liu Hong had been sitting for so long and was feeling a bit tired, so Jiang Fengnian carefully helped her to her feet.
"Sui Sui, Lu Ye, you must be tired after a long day. Get some rest." Jiang's mother wiped her hands and said to her daughter and son-in-law, "We're going back now. Ah Hong, you should come with us too and get some rest."
"Mom, Uncle Zhong, brother, sister-in-law, take care." Jiang Suining stood up to see them off, and Lu Ye followed beside her.
As they walked to the gate of the hospital, Liu Hong held Jiang Suining's hand and whispered with a smile, "Have a good talk with your brother-in-law tonight. We can talk about the company tomorrow!" She winked mischievously and was pulled away by Jiang Fengnian with a smile.
As night deepened, the bustling residential compound gradually quieted down. The autumn night sky appeared exceptionally high and distant, dotted with a few scattered stars that cast a cool, clear glow.
Only the two of them remained in the courtyard. Lu Ye turned around, closed the gate, and bolted it shut, isolating their tranquil space from the outside world.
He turned around and saw Jiang Suining standing in the center of the courtyard, looking up at the starry sky. The hem of her trench coat was gently fluttering in the night breeze. Her profile, bathed in the interplay of moonlight and the light from inside the house, appeared soft and serene. She had shed the composure and sharpness she displayed in public, and at this moment, she exuded a faint weariness and relaxation, like someone returning home after a voyage.
Lu Ye didn't speak immediately. He walked to her side, naturally extended his hand, and intertwined his fingers with hers: "Let's go inside, it's chilly outside." His voice was deep and clear in the quiet night, carrying an undeniable concern.
"Mmm." Jiang Suining responded softly and followed him into the house.
The living room lights were on, filling the space with a warm, orange glow. Lu Ye walked up to her, raised his hand, and gently brushed his fingertips across her eyes and brows with the rough yet warm touch characteristic of a soldier, his movements careful, as if touching a rare treasure that had been lost and found again.
"You've worked hard." He only uttered these three words in the end, but they seemed to express all his concern, worry, pride and longing.
Jiang Suining felt a pang of sadness, followed by an overwhelming surge of warmth. She took a step forward, reached out, and wrapped her arms around his lean and upright waist, gently pressing her cheek against his firm, warm chest. The fabric of his military uniform was a bit stiff, digging into her face, but she could clearly hear the steady, powerful heartbeat emanating from his chest.
Thump, thump, thump... That sound is more comforting than any words.
Lu Ye's body seemed to stiffen for a moment, and then a pair of strong arms slowly tightened, pulling her tightly into his embrace. His chin rested gently on the top of her head, and his breath carried the fresh fragrance of her hair, mixed with the dust of his journey.
The two embraced quietly under the lamp, neither of them saying another word.
All the weariness of travel, all the alienation of being in a foreign land, all the glory and accolades, gradually melted away in this comforting and warm embrace. For Jiang Suining, no matter how dazzling the world's runways may be, they could not compare to the comforting warmth of the lamplight in her lover's arms at this moment.
After a while, Lu Ye loosened his grip slightly, looked down at her, and said in a softer voice, "Are you tired? Go take a hot shower to relax."
This separation seemed to bring him back to the time when they first met, and he became the taciturn Lu Ye.
"Okay." Jiang Suining looked up and gave him a smile that was both dependent and weary.
When she finished showering, wearing comfortable cotton pajamas, and came out drying her wet hair with a towel, she found that Lu Ye had already carried her suitcases into the bedroom. He was opening one of them and taking out her neatly folded clothes one by one, preparing to hang them in the closet.
Under the dim light of the bedside lamp, his tall figure was slightly bent, his movements were careful and focused, and his long, slender fingers with distinct angles were arranging her soft women's clothes with a strange harmony and gentleness.
Jiang Suining leaned against the door frame, not disturbing him, but quietly watching this scene. Her heart was filled with an indescribable, overflowing sense of happiness. This was her husband, an officer who could be cold and strict on the training ground, obeying orders without question, but who was willing to do these trivial things for her at home.
Lu Ye noticed her gaze, turned around, and saw that her hair was still dripping wet. He frowned, put down the clothes he was holding, walked over, and naturally took the towel from her: "Sit down and dry your hair, or you'll catch a cold."
He had her sit on the edge of the bed, while he stood in front of her, wrapping her long hair in a towel. His movements weren't particularly skillful, even a little clumsy, but he was extremely earnest and meticulous, rubbing her hair with just the right amount of force to help absorb the moisture from her strands.
Jiang Suining closed her eyes, feeling the slight touch of his fingertips occasionally brushing against her scalp through her hair, like a weak electric current, bringing a tingling sense of peace.
"Lu Ye," she said softly, her voice languid after her shower, "how has everything been at home while I was away?"
"Everything is fine." He said succinctly, "Mother and Uncle Zhong are both in good health, my brother's project is going smoothly, Liu Hong's prenatal checkup is stable, and everything is normal in the military."
He only reported good news and kept all the bad news out, keeping all the storms outside and leaving her with only a clear sky.
"That's good." Jiang Suining breathed a sigh of relief, then added with a hint of apology, "This trip has been a bit long, I'm sorry to have worried you and Mom."
Lu Ye paused for a moment, his voice lowering slightly: "Worrying is inevitable, but as long as I know you're safe and doing what you want to do, it's all worth it."
His words were always like that—direct and honest, yet more pleasing to the ear than any sweet talk.
After drying his hair, Lu Ye went to wash up. When he returned to the bedroom, Jiang Suining was already sitting on the headboard, holding some photos taken in Francesti, looking down at them with a faint smile on her lips.
Lu Ye sat down next to her, his gaze also falling on the images full of exotic charm.
"Is this the Palace of Fontainebleau?" he asked, pointing to a magnificent Western building in the background.
Her voice was soft, carrying a faint glow of memories. Lu Ye listened quietly without interrupting, only occasionally asking a question or two when she paused, or tightening his arm around her shoulder when she got to the exciting part of her story.
He had never been to those places and couldn't imagine what it was like, but he could sense her hard work, perseverance, and eventual brilliance in that unfamiliar land from her sparkling eyes and slightly excited tone. That was enough.
As the night deepened, the sound of the waves seemed even clearer.
Jiang Suining was getting a little tired from talking. She yawned slightly, carefully put away the photos and invitations, and placed them on the bedside table.
Lu Ye reached out and turned off the light.
In the darkness, the two lay down side by side.
Jiang Suining instinctively leaned closer to him, searching for the most familiar spot.
Lu Ye turned to the side and pulled her into his arms, letting her head rest in the crook of his arm. With his other hand, he gently patted her back, as if comforting a weary child returning home.
Skin to skin, body temperature mingling, breaths mingling.
The awkwardness of being separated for half a month quickly melted away in this silent intimacy. However, a simple embrace seemed insufficient to soothe the longing accumulated during this long separation. In the silence, their breathing gradually became clearer, and they could even hear each other's increasingly rapid heartbeats.
Lu Ye's hand, which had been patting her back, stopped at some point. His broad palm, still burning hot, rested firmly on her waist through the thin fabric of her pajamas, carrying a silent, restrained strength.
Jiang Suining felt the muscles in his arm tighten slightly, and the force with which he held her increased.
She stirred slightly in his arms, tilted her head back, and met his deep eyes in the dim light of the night lamp. There, instead of his usual calm and composure, surged a deep love and desire that she knew well, a desire that only surfaced when they were alone, like a raging tide in the dark night.
He didn't speak, but lowered his head, his warm breath brushing against her forehead and temples. Finally, a kiss, clearly burning with desire, landed tenderly on her lips.
Unlike the usual fleeting touches, this kiss was filled with cautious exploration and long-suppressed emotions, gentle yet incredibly firm, as if to make up for all the intimacy missed over the past month.
Jiang Suining's heart skipped a beat, then softened in his presence. She raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck, responding sincerely. Their lips met with a familiar yet slightly unfamiliar breath, a mixture of the bitterness of separation and the sweetness of reunion.
The kiss deepened, and the surrounding air seemed to heat up, filled with a heart-fluttering ambiguity.
His kisses gradually moved downwards, lingering on her sensitive earlobe and neck, bringing waves of subtle shivers.
His burning palms were no longer content to remain in place. His calloused fingertips gently caressed the shoulder blades on her back. The touch felt like a faint electric current, drawing her closer to him involuntarily, and she let out a very soft, suppressed moan.
“Lu Ye…” she called his name subconsciously, her voice soft and dependent without her even realizing it.
That soft call was like a key, instantly unlocking the floodgates of his deeper emotions. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he let out a low, indistinct response, tightening his arms around her as if he wanted to meld her into his own body.
His kiss returned to her lips, with a stronger aggressiveness and undeniable possessiveness, yet stubbornly retaining a last shred of restraint on the verge of spiraling out of control.
...
After an unknown amount of time, the fierce waves gradually subsided, turning into fine, gentle ripples.
Lu Ye held her tightly, his soft kisses soothingly landing on her hair and her sweaty forehead.
Jiang Suining nestled weakly in his arms, her cheek pressed against his sweaty chest, still pounding with a strong heartbeat, feeling the reassuring rhythm.
All words seemed superfluous at this moment. They confirmed each other's existence in the most direct way, soothed their longing for each other, and re-imprinted that deep-rooted love into each other's lives.
"Sleep now." He placed a gentle and precious kiss on her sweaty temple, like a feather brushing against her, his voice hoarse with post-coital huskiness and immense satisfaction.
"Mmm." Jiang Suining found the most comfortable position in his arms, smelling the reassuring scent mixed with the scent of passion on his body. The fatigue accumulated over the past few days and the intensity of the previous moment surged up together, and her eyelids gradually became heavy.
Before she drifted off to sleep, she vaguely thought that no matter how far she traveled or how big the world she saw, this embrace would always be her first and last refuge.
Outside the window, the moonlight, like water, quietly spilled over the window frame, gently enveloping this small space filled with warmth and love.
The sound of the waves continues its rhythmic chant, witnessing the most ordinary yet most touching bond in this world.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com