That line instantly lifted Xia Shuyi's spirits.
She didn't want to directly admit she could still have children, so she hinted shyly.
"What do you think? I'm only 36, not an old lady. Plus, Mengmeng and I get full check-ups every year."
"Okay, that works."
Shen Lang nodded with satisfaction, then leaned in to give her a passionate kiss on her red lips.
After they separated, Shen Lang gently stroked Xia Shuyi's cheek. "Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll head out. Call me if you need anything."
After Shen Lang left, Xia Shuyi sat on the bed, lost in thought for a long time.
Shen Lang's confusing actions left her puzzled.
Was he agreeing or rejecting?
"Xiao Shen!"
Xia Shuyi snapped out of her daze and hurriedly ran out of the bedroom to catch Shen Lang, who was changing his shoes at the door.
"Do you... do you want to stay for dinner?"
"I told you I had things to do. Maybe another time. Call me if you need anything, Xia Jie."
With that, Shen Lang closed the door and left.
"What does 'another time' even mean?"
Xia Shuyi mumbled in confusion.
Mengmeng, toothbrush in hand, came running out and mumbled, "Where's Daddy Shen?"
"He left."
Xia Shuyi slumped onto the couch, frustrated. "That rascal, always keeping me hanging!"
After Mengmeng finished brushing her teeth, Xia Shuyi tied her hair, getting ready to take her to kindergarten.
"Mommy, don't we have a lot of houses?"
Mengmeng lay in Xia Shuyi's lap, kicking her little feet curiously.
"Now that Xiao Shen has agreed to be my daddy, why don't you let him live with us?"
Xia Shuyi sighed. If Shen Lang was willing, he wouldn't have left in such a hurry.
But why did he ask if she could still have kids?
Xia Shuyi was taken aback, then seriously reminded, "Mengmeng, you can't call Xiao Shen 'daddy' in public, okay?"
"Why not? Xiao Shen agreed to be my daddy!"
The little girl didn't understand, so she turned around defiantly. "Don't you like Xiao Shen?"
Xia Shuyi didn't know how to explain her complicated feelings and could only resort to the classic adult line.
"Don't ask so many questions. Adults' business is not for kids to worry about."
"Hmph..."
It was the first time Xia Shuyi had spoken to her like this, and Mengmeng's big eyes reddened, on the verge of tears.
"Alright, mommy just means you can't call him 'daddy' outside."
Xia Shuyi, still soft-hearted, comforted her daughter after tying her hair.
"But when it's just the three of us, you can still call him daddy."
"Really?"
"Of course!"
Xia Shuyi kissed her daughter, suddenly enlightened, realizing what Shen Lang's question meant.
He just didn't want an official status but was willing to live with them and even wanted Xia Shuyi to have his child.
This was definitely a scummy move, but Xia Shuyi didn't mind.
She had never planned to remarry and just wanted to live quietly with her daughter.
But if the person was Shen Lang and Mengmeng liked him, she'd be willing to walk down the aisle again.
The reality was, Xia Shuyi was much older than Shen Lang and had a six-year-old daughter. They had no future together.
She'd even encouraged Shen Lang to pursue that naive girl Li Liusi recently, so she wasn't upset by his scummy actions.
Their relationship was already absurd enough.
Whoever heard of a tenant sleeping with their landlady?
"That rascal, I was really blind before."
Xia Shuyi cursed silently, then, with a hopeful glint in her eyes, tentatively asked, "Mengmeng, do you want mommy to have a little sister or brother for you?"
...
Shen Lang got home after six in the evening.
Just as he was about to take a shower, Su Lexuan called on video.
As soon as Shen Lang answered, Su Lexuan's tear-streaked face appeared on the screen, her voice hoarse with crying. "Shen Lang..."
"What happened?"
Shen Lang was startled. "What's wrong?"
Su Lexuan, sobbing, could barely speak.
"Shen Lang, Lexuan's dad doesn't agree with us dating. They just had a big fight."
Her friend, Ye Xinxin, took the phone, speaking to the camera helplessly. "Her dad said if Lexuan brings you home, he'll break your legs!"
Shen Lang: "....."
"And how did her mom react?"
Shen Lang had heard about her dad's temper, which was understandable given his past. He figured it was just angry talk.
But what mattered was her mom's reaction.
If both parents were against it, they had a big problem.
"My mom said you could come over tomorrow to meet them."
Su Lexuan, still teary-eyed, took the phone back. "But, but my dad will never agree!"
"Hey, since your mom agreed, I'll go with you tomorrow. Don't cry, your eyes are all swollen."
Shen Lang coaxed Su Lexuan until she stopped crying.
Just as he was about to say something, she abruptly hung up. When he called back, the line was busy.
He guessed her parents were talking to her.
After a while, Su Lexuan called back.
Both girls looked relieved on camera. Ye Xinxin spoke first.
"Shen Lang, you're so lucky. Do you know, Lexuan fought with her dad for you and even deleted all his contacts."
"Her dad just used her mom's WeChat to call and apologize, saying you could come tomorrow. You better not let Lexuan down."
Su Lexuan smiled through her tears, the pride returning to her face. "Shen Zhu, remember to pick me up from school tomorrow noon!"