With a bang, something exploded in Lan Shan's mind.
For a moment, she couldn't react at all.
"What did you say? He's your son?"
Lan Shan felt like the whole world had turned fantasy-like.
How did he disappear for four years and come back with a son?
And by the looks of it, he should be three years old!
"Yes, my son,"
she turned her head to look at Jingxi, who was eating a dessert.
"Jingxi, say hello to Aunt Shanshan."
"Aunt Shanshan,"
the little guy called out sweetly, his soft and sticky voice making Lan Shan indescribably happy inside.
She really wanted to pinch the little guy's cheeks, they looked so soft and pink, it must feel nice to pinch.
"Jingxi is such a good boy. Tell Auntie, how old are you this year?"
"Three years old."
As expected...
Wait a minute, he's three this year, and Xinluo has been gone for four years,
if you do the math, doesn't that mean she had a child less than a year after disappearing?
Did Xinluo get married?
That seems unlikely.
How could Xinluo get married without telling me? Besides, how old was she then?
19 years old.
Just started university, how could she get married so early.
Lan Shan decidedly dismissed that possibility in her heart.
Then who is the father of the child? Why is Xinluo taking care of the child alone?
Since they entered until now, it's just the few of them here, where is the child's father?
"Xinluo, what's going on here? How did you disappear for four years and come back with a son, is it…"
What happened?
Lan Shan didn't finish the sentence, she wanted Ye Xinluo to tell her herself.
Rather than her asking.
"That year, an accident happened."
She lowered her head, the expression in her eyes dimming.
Every time she thought of the things that happened after she got drunk, she felt a wave of regret.
Why try to show off when you can't handle alcohol!
Causing so many things to happen afterward, it was all self-inflicted.
But she did not regret it.
Because now she had Jingxi, her little darling.
Ye Xinluo briefly explained the situation to Lan Shan.
The latter looked at her with a stunned expression.
Lan Shan was in a daze for a while before she processed what Ye Xinluo said.
Oh my god, how could such a fantastical thing happen in this world.
This plot doesn't seem quite right.
Could it be that this Xinluo girl is playing a trick on me?
Her doubtful gaze swept over Ye Xinluo, looking for quite a while and finding nothing abnormal.
Ye Xinluo seemed to read her mind and smiled lightly.
"Everything I said is true."
What's that expression on your face?
Lan Shan did not speak, only her eyes constantly examining the two people in front of her.
She looked at Ye Xinluo, then at Jingxi.
Her brows furrowed.
How come the little guy's face looks so familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere before.
But she couldn't remember exactly where she had seen it.
Forget it, don't think about it.
Maybe she was overthinking it.
After a while, a waiter came up with a cup of coffee.
Lan Shan looked at the coffee in front of her, her heart mixed with emotions.
She curved her lips into a smile.
"You still remember I like to drink this?"
"Taste it and see if the flavor has changed."
Ye Xinluo picked up the juice and took a sip.
"Four years, the taste hasn't changed."
"Xinluo, did you know? I haven't come here for coffee since you left."
Ye Xinluo paused, startled.
She hadn't been back?
"How about I accompany you here in the future?"
"Sure."
The two of them exchanged a smile.
This smile didn't come with much small talk.
But both knew what the other meant to express.
It was unspoken understanding, from so many years of friendship.
Even a glance, a smile, clearly revealed what the other was thinking.
"Jingxi, would you like Auntie to take you to buy some snacks?"
They were silent for a while, Lan Shan noticed the little guy kept eating desserts, seemingly really keen on them.
"Okay!" Jingxi looked up and smiled at Lan Shan.
"So what would Jingxi like to eat?"
Lan Shan found this little guy increasingly adorable.
She wanted to take him home!
Desserts, cakes, snacks...
Jingxi pondered in his mind what would be best to eat.
Could he have one of everything?
The little guy was a bit troubled, knowing his mommy would definitely not let him eat so much at once.
Ooh...
Such a tough choice...
He really wanted them all, what to do?
Finally, after an intense inner struggle, the little guy decided on 'cakes.'
"I want to eat cake."
"Okay, then I'll take you to buy some cake, okay?"
Lan Shan reached out, wanting to hold him.
Jingxi glanced at Ye Xinluo, and only when she nodded in agreement did he extend his little hand, allowing Lan Shan to carry him.
"Xinluo, you wait here, I'll take the little guy to buy some cake."
"Alright, okay."
Ye Xinluo didn't react much, just lightly nodded.
Lan Shan carried the little guy out of the café and headed straight to a street opposite the café.
Near Z University, there was a street known for selling snacks, about a ten-minute walk away.
She remembered how there was a very good cake shop here.
Back in school, she and Xinluo often went to that shop for cakes.
"Aunt Shanshan, where are we going?"
Jingxi looked at the somewhat familiar street view.
Wasn't this the place he had come to with mommy before?
It seemed his favorite store was in this direction, could it be?
Was Aunt Shanshan planning to go to that shop?
If it truly was...
Awoo...
My dear cake, here I come~
"Going to buy cake for Jingxi, Aunt Shanshan knows there's a shop here that's particularly delicious."
Lan Shan smiled, looking at the chubby little face of the guy, she couldn't resist reaching out and pinching it.
The little guy didn't resist, allowing her to pinch as she pleased.
Usually, he didn't like being touched by others.
But Aunt Shanshan was different.
She was mommy's good friend.
Most importantly, she was buying him cake.
If Lan Shan knew she was not as important as the cake in the little guy's heart...
She'd be speechless.
"Dear, can I tell you something?"
"What is it?"
"How about you don't call me Aunt, call me godmother."
Lan Shan looked expectantly at Jingxi.
The little guy looked at Lan Shan, like he was considering.
"If you call me godmother, I'll buy you lots of cakes."
"Okay."
As soon as he heard he could have lots of cake, Jingxi agreed without even thinking.
Only good food can't be let down.
And for Jingxi, only cakes can't be let down...
Cake, cake.
I want to eat lots of cakes.
One piece of chocolate cake, one piece of cream cake on the right.
Jingxi happily thought, not noticing Lan Shan's expression at all.
Surprised joy had arrived too suddenly.
Previously thought the little guy would be hard to deal with.
But in the end...
Lan Shan's mouth twitched hard.
Seems she found a way to win over the little guy.
Roar roar...
If those at the company found out she had this cute godson.
They'd surely be envious...
"Aunt, what are they selling over there? Lots of people are in line."
Lan Shan snapped out of it, glancing in the direction Jingxi pointed.
It was a milk tea shop. A long line was at the entrance.
"Dear, what did you call me?"
"Godmother Shanshan."