Over the past few months, Shen Lang's time with the system has given him a heart of steel.
He calmly picked up his phone and got out of bed, heading to the bathroom to brush his teeth and think about his schedule for the day.
Today is Thursday, 5:40 PM.
Su Lexuan's invitation for Sunday can be put aside for now. He can do a video call with her later tonight and flirt a bit.
Mengmeng's kindergarten ends at 5:30 PM, and Zhuhai University finishes at 6:00 PM.
Li Liusi will take about 20 minutes to get home from school.
Shen Lang could easily make up an excuse to skip picking up Mengmeng with Xia Shuyi and agree to have steak with the mother and daughter instead.
In the meantime, he could go grocery shopping with Li Liusi.
As for the heiress he added yesterday, Shen Lang sent her several educational websites and decided to ignore her.
With his plan in mind, Shen Lang finished getting ready and opened his phone to chat with Su Lexuan.
One Night Till Dawn: "Alright, so are you free this Sunday? {pervy}"
Elf: "Only if you're brave enough to meet my dad this Saturday. {playful}"
Su Lexuan, born in 2004, and a frequent internet user, definitely knows this kind of familiar dirty joke.
Their relationship was very close, and like most girls in love, Su Lexuan wanted her boyfriend to be eager.
But Su Lexuan, being prideful and demanding, understood that she shouldn't make it too easy for Shen Lang.
She knew Shen Lang was very interested, but she was stringing him along.
Once the time was right and Shen Lang showed enough sincerity, Su Lexuan might take the next step.
One Night Till Dawn: "Sure! It's a deal. I'll come pick you up on Saturday, and we'll go to your parents' place together!"
Shen Lang was just joking around, but he didn't expect Su Lexuan to actually respond.
Such a great opportunity—how could Shen Lang pass it up?
Who wouldn't take advantage of a chance like this?
Elf: "Seriously? Aren't you scared? My dad is pretty fierce, and I haven't told them about us yet."
"What's there to be scared of? As long as I'm with you, I wouldn't mind a few knocks from your father."
One Night Till Dawn: "And you didn't say it, so let me go tell my uncle and aunt. It'll be more convincing!"
"Such a flirt..."
In the classroom, Su Lexuan secretly hid her phone in her book, looking up at the Mediterranean teacher at the podium with a mix of emotions, her lips curling into a sweet, hopeful smile.
After spending so much time with Shen Lang, she knew he was just saying sweet things to win her over.
But Su Lexuan couldn't help feeling inexplicably happy because she liked Shen Lang.
Especially since Shen Lang was willing to personally talk to her parents about their relationship.
That showed a lot of sincerity.
Thinking about it, if Shen Lang really got her parents' approval on Saturday, maybe she would...
After a serious brainstorming session, Su Lexuan bit her cherry lips and decisively replied to Shen Lang: "Okay, come pick me up on Saturday and we'll go back together!"
After replying to Shen Lang, Su Lexuan opened her dad Su Zhendong's chat and typed a resolute message:
"Dad, will you and Mom be home this Saturday? I'm bringing my boyfriend over."
....
"Xia Jie, I have something to do later, so I might not be able to pick up Mengmeng with you."
After replying to Su Lexuan, Shen Lang continued chatting with Xia Shuyi: "But I can still join you for steak. Just let me know the restaurant and I'll make the reservation."
Xia Shuyi quickly replied: "No need, I've already arranged everything. The restaurant owner is a friend of mine. Just come over."
One Night Till Dawn: "Okay, send me the address. I'll drive over around 8 after I'm done with things."
After Xia Shuyi sent the address, she tentatively asked: "So, Little Shen, do you have any other plans after dinner? {shy}"
Just from that shy emoji, Shen Lang knew what the landlord's wife was hinting at, so he couldn't help but ask with a grin:
"Xia Jie, is the computer at home broken again? {pervy}"
Once, when Shen Lang visited Xia Shuyi's place, she had claimed her computer was broken to lure him into the bedroom.
If Mengmeng hadn't interrupted, Shen Lang might have already gotten closer to the charming landlord's wife.
Xia Shuyi knew this was an inside joke only they understood and responded with a series of playful emoji.
Even through the screen, Shen Lang could imagine how embarrassed and flustered Xia Shuyi looked.
One Night Till Dawn: "Xia Jie, wait for me! {rose}"
Lifetime With You: "Yes, it rained a bit this morning. Since you just bought a car, drive carefully. I'll be waiting for you. {smile}"
After arranging things with Xia Shuyi, Shen Lang opened the chat with Li Liusi: "Are you done with school?"
After waiting about half an hour, Shen Lang went downstairs to the community entrance and saw Li Liusi getting off a crowded bus with her old shoulder bag.
After getting off the bus, Li Liusi quickly pulled out her phone to type, her delicate face showing anxiety.
Shen Lang's phone received a message from Li Liusi: "Sorry, I was on the bus and just got off. Are you still online?"
One Night Till Dawn: "Look ahead."
Li Liusi immediately looked up toward the community entrance and saw Shen Lang standing there with a proud, smirking expression.
A happy smile spread across Li Liusi's face as she hurried toward Shen Lang, her pace quickening to a jog.
Her simple and neat braid bounced cheerfully with each step, looking quite playful.
"What's up?"
Shen Lang was about to give Li Liusi a hug when she instinctively pulled away, lowering her head and shyly mumbling: "There are too many people."
"Come on, if you don't want a hug, just say so. No need to make excuses."
Shen Lang pretended to be nonchalant, waving his hand and walking ahead.
Li Liusi quickly caught up, taking Shen Lang's hand and apologizing softly: "I do want the hug, I do. Please don't be mad."
Shen Lang grinned and wrapped his arm around Li Liusi's slim waist, pulling her close and giving her a playful kiss on her smooth, fair cheek.
"Don't worry too much about what others think. Live your life, and let them worry about themselves. Got it?"
"Yeah, I understand."
Li Liusi nodded firmly, her eyes full of dependence and reflecting the image of this rebellious guy.