"Mommy, Daddy snores so loudly, like a little pig."
"Silly girl, you can't call your dad a pig. But, well, he does sound like one."
"Hehehe..."
The next morning, Shen Lang was woken up by playful voices near his ears.
After drinking chicken soup last night, Shen Lang didn't return to his rented apartment and stayed at the landlady's house instead. He was already used to it.
The landlady's house was fully equipped with all the daily essentials Shen Lang needed—like toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels, and even changes of underwear and clothes. Everything was well-prepared by Xia Shuyi.
Whenever Shen Lang visited for a meal or a chat, it felt like checking into a hotel—convenient and hassle-free.
Of course, no hotel came with a charming and beautiful woman to sleep next to you.
Opening his eyes in the soft bed, he was greeted by two faces close to his: a cute and innocent little girl and a graceful and beautiful landlady.
At some point, the little girl had climbed into the bed, squeezing between Shen Lang and Xia Shuyi.
Xia Shuyi held her daughter affectionately, both mother and daughter looking happily at Shen Lang.
The landlady's exquisite oval-shaped face, her gentle yet alluring phoenix eyes, and her amused gaze at the man beside her bed painted a picture of elegance.
The little girl's big, sparkling eyes were full of curiosity and excitement as she stared at her "young dad."
It really felt like the warmth of a family of three.
"Silly girl, when did you come here?" Shen Lang reached out and playfully pinched Xia Mengmeng's soft cheeks.
The little girl giggled and dodged his fingers, happily wriggling out of Xia Shuyi's embrace before climbing into Shen Lang's arms to play.
"Daddy, it snowed a lot outside!" the little girl said, her face lighting up. "Can you take me outside to build a snowman later?"
In such harsh weather, Xia Shuyi was naturally worried about her daughter catching a cold and wouldn't allow her to go outside to play in the snow.
Knowing this, the little girl turned to Shen Lang for help instead.
Children are often observant. Mengmeng had realized that, in their household, Shen Lang's opinions carried more weight than her mom's now.
Things she couldn't do before could often be approved with just a bit of sweet talk to her "young dad."
"Sure thing." Shen Lang affectionately nuzzled her nose with his, agreeing, "We'll build a big snowman, even bigger than you. How about that?"
"Yay, yay!" The little girl, still wary of Xia Shuyi's potential veto, quickly turned to her mom and said with a sweet smile,
"Mommy, come with us later! I'll help you build an even bigger snowman!"
"Go ahead and spoil her," Xia Shuyi said, half-annoyed and half-amused, tweaking her daughter's cheek.
"Don't think that just because you have someone to back you up, I won't discipline you."
Frightened, the little girl burrowed into Shen Lang's arms.
"Daddy, Mommy is so fierce, like a tiger!"
"Oh? Calling me fierce now, are we? You cheeky little thing!" Xia Shuyi feigned anger and lunged playfully at the little girl in Shen Lang's arms. The three of them erupted into laughter and playfulness.
After a few minutes of playing, Shen Lang hugged Xia Shuyi's soft figure, with the little girl nestled between them, talking animatedly about all sorts of random things.
Children have lively minds, and Mengmeng talked on and on for over ten minutes.
Shen Lang occasionally teased her whimsical logic, while Xia Shuyi lovingly stroked her daughter's head, her face radiating serene contentment.
For a divorced woman like her, moments like these—filled with the warmth of a family—were the happiest times.
Finally, when Mengmeng's stomach started growling, Shen Lang interrupted her.
"Alright, Mengmeng, go brush your teeth and wash up. After breakfast, Daddy will take you outside to build a snowman."
"Yay, yay!" Mengmeng cheered and quickly wriggled out of Shen Lang's arms.
In her hurry to leave the bed, she accidentally stepped on Shen Lang's foot, causing him to recoil in pain with a sharp intake of breath.
"Huh? Daddy, what's wrong?" Mengmeng asked, her innocent eyes wide with concern.
"Nothing, nothing," Shen Lang waved dismissively, rubbing his foot.
Next to him, Xia Shuyi covered her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter, her phoenix eyes narrowing into crescents.
After Mengmeng left the room and closed the door behind her, Xia Shuyi couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing.
"That little rascal probably doesn't want a younger sibling anymore," she teased.
"Go ahead, laugh," Shen Lang grumbled. "But if something's really broken, what will you do then?"
"Ugh, you're so indecent," Xia Shuyi retorted, blushing as she playfully smacked him.
Their relationship had long since gone beyond that of an ordinary couple.
Moments later, as Shen Lang teased her with affectionate words, Xia Shuyi flushed, glancing nervously toward the open door.
Mengmeng's movements in the hallway were loud and clear.
"Problem solved," Shen Lang said, walking to the door and calling out,
"Mengmeng, Daddy and Mommy have some things to do. Watch cartoons after you're done washing up."
"Okay, okay, I got it!" the little girl replied obediently.
Satisfied, Shen Lang quickly returned to Xia Shuyi, grinning.
"Sis, you're so warm, like a piece of jade."
In front of an older woman like Xia Shuyi, Shen Lang always showed a boyish, playful side that no one else ever saw.
A while later, the sound of coughing came from the bedroom. Xia Shuyi rushed to the bathroom, her footsteps hurried.
When Shen Lang joined her in the bathroom, he nudged her teasingly, "Sister Xia, you really love cleanliness. Brushing your teeth twice in such a short time?"
"Ugh, don't even!" Xia Shuyi shot back, spitting out toothpaste foam and pinching him hard. "I almost threw up dinner because of you!"
"Alright, alright, my bad!" Shen Lang chuckled, surrendering.