The waiter started serving the dishes, all beautifully plated Western-style meals.
The taste was commendable, but what really stood out was the ambiance of the restaurant—it was truly delightful.
Most people who dine at Western restaurants aren't just looking to fill their stomachs; they come to enjoy the romantic atmosphere.
The relationship between Shen Lang and Xia Shuyi felt more like the warmth of adulthood rather than youthful romance.
Their subtle, unspoken chemistry, coupled with Meng Meng occasionally asking innocent, offbeat questions, created a strangely harmonious family vibe.
Xia Shuyi was most satisfied with this feeling. She valued her daughter more than love or herself, which was why she had brought Meng Meng along to such a romantic place.
Xia Shuyi took a sip of red wine and smiled gently. "Xiao Shen, are you enjoying the meal?"
Flattering Compliment: "It's great! The steak here is the best I've ever had. Xia Jie, let's come back next time."
Playful Jest: "It's alright, but I prefer Chinese food over Western cuisine. The ambiance here is nice though, quite romantic!"
Displeased Criticism: "It's awful. The steak is still bloody. Why doesn't the boss just let me chase the cow?"
"It's alright, but I prefer Chinese food, especially Cantonese cuisine," Shen Lang said, cutting his steak and smiling as he looked around at the romantic setup. "But the atmosphere here is nice and romantic. You've really put in effort, Xia Jie."
Shen Lang had learned to tailor his responses based on the options provided by the system, adding his own understanding to match the mood and setting.
The roses on the table, the soft, gentle lighting, and the romantic Western music were all clearly Xia Shuyi's handiwork.
"Not at all..." Xia Shuyi blushed slightly, feeling like her thoughts had been seen through.
Their eyes met in a subtly intimate way, but Xia Shuyi, unable to hold out, shyly looked away towards the food on the table.
In the romantic lighting, Xia Shuyi's cheeks were even more flushed, giving her an indescribable, charming, and shy appearance.
Meng Meng, not understanding why her mom and Xiao Shen suddenly stopped talking, curiously looked from one to the other.
"Mommy, I'm full!"
Her voice snapped Xia Shuyi back to reality.
"Then Mommy will call Teacher Li to pick you up later."
Xia Shuyi gently rubbed her daughter's head. "Tonight, Mommy and Xiao Shen have... have something to do. Would you go to Teacher Li's house to sleep?"
"No, it's thundering outside. I'm scared of thunder."
Meng Meng shook her head, snuggling up to Xia Shuyi with a happy, spoiled expression. "Hehe, I want to sleep with Mommy and Xiao Shen."
"Huh? Xiao Shen and I... Mommy can't sleep with Xiao Shen."
Faced with her daughter's request, Xia Shuyi felt a bit awkward and didn't know how to explain.
"Why not? Mommy likes Xiao Shen. Why can't we sleep together?"
Meng Meng blinked her curious big eyes and said innocently.
"Meng Meng is scared of thunder, so Mommy will protect you. Mommy must be scared of thunder too, so Xiao Shen will protect Mommy!"
The little girl said proudly, looking like a tiny adult.
Xia Shuyi thought she had hidden her feelings for Shen Lang well in front of her daughter, but children are quick to pick up on adult matters.
Besides, Xia Shuyi often talked endlessly about Shen Lang whenever he was mentioned, so Meng Meng naturally noticed her mom liked Shen Lang and innocently wanted to matchmake them.
"Hahaha, okay, okay."
Shen Lang ruffled the little girl's head and tapped her nose. "Then from now on, when it thunders, Meng Meng can just tell Xiao Shen to come and sleep with Mommy."
"Mm!"
Meng Meng nodded vigorously, her eyes full of sparkling anticipation. She also liked this tall, big brother.
"Xia Jie, it's getting late."
Shen Lang wiped his mouth and stood up. "Let's head back. Meng Meng needs to go to kindergarten tomorrow, right?"
"Alright."
Xia Shuyi smiled helplessly.
Maybe she needed to get the little girl to sleep first before having the time for the adult activities she was looking forward to?
...
Around ten o'clock in the evening, Shen Lang drove the mother and daughter back to the apartment, arriving at Xia Shuyi's home.
After the mother and daughter had bathed, Xia Shuyi was in the bedroom, tucking Meng Meng into bed.
The thunder outside was infrequent, but the rain was pouring heavily, as if a waterfall from the sky was flooding the entire city.
Shen Lang sat on the couch in the living room, watching a boring TV show and listening to the raindrops pattering against the window, quietly waiting for Xia Shuyi to get the little girl to sleep.
"Feels like a married couple's life, doesn't it?"
Shen Lang chuckled to himself.
Spending a rainy night waiting for a woman to put her daughter to sleep before having some adult time was something he never would have imagined before.
After more than 40 minutes, Xia Shuyi finally emerged from the bedroom, carrying the drowsy Meng Meng.
She placed the little girl in the bed in the next room and then quietly walked to the living room.
"Is she asleep?"
Shen Lang took Xia Shuyi's soft, fair hand and pulled her to sit beside him, wrapping his arm around her waist as usual.
"This little girl had so much energy tonight."
Xia Shuyi complained with a hint of frustration, then nestled into Shen Lang's arms, listening to the rain outside.
"Xiao Shen, these days are so good."
Xia Shuyi suddenly said with a satisfied smile. "Meng Meng is here, and you're here. It would be wonderful if these days could go on forever."
Shen Lang remained silent, gently stroking Xia Shuyi's hair.
Even though she was older than him, this action didn't feel awkward. Instead, it showed how much he cared about her.
Women, no matter their age, always enjoy being cherished.
After quietly cuddling for a while, Shen Lang's hand slowly moved up her waist, and he leaned down to kiss Xia Shuyi's lips tenderly.