Chapter 237

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/

Chapter 237: No More Hesitation

Upon exiting the bedroom, Lin Yu immediately noticed her daughters gathered in the nearby corridor. Alongside Army Lady, Lvzi, and Stealth One, Red Pupil and Magic Rainbow had also returned.

"Mother."

Red Pupil came trotting over upon noticing Lin Yu’s emergence, burying herself in the white-haired girl’s embrace.

"You’ve returned."

"Mm-hmm."

The crimson-eyed girl nodded against her mother’s chest, tilting her head to examine the colossal wolf nearby. "It’s enormous. Is this the puppy you raised in your previous life?"

"Indeed."

Yellow Fur is certainly large, but you’d surpass her size after your Magnification.

"Her name is Yellow Fur. I expect you to coexist harmoniously."

After completing introductions, Lin Yu turned to address the golden-maned beast. "This is Red Pupil, my firstborn daughter."

Though termed "firstborn," she wasn’t actually the initial offspring from my ant colony, Lin Yu mentally amended. Such candid reflections only surfaced during private moments with Yellow Fur.

Now in her daughters’ presence, Lin Yu instinctively resumed her characteristic aloof demeanor. Yellow Fur observed her through slanted eyes, tail twitching with restrained delight.

"Woof!"

The lupine creature issued a single resonant bark before lifting her muzzle proudly.

"If Mother’s accepted her, she’s family now," Red Pupil declared with a faint smile. "May I pet you?"

"…Woof."

After momentary hesitation, the massive canine gradually inclined her head downward. Red Pupil’s pale fingers stroked the dense fur. "Such good behavior. No wonder Mother dotes on you."

The crimson-eyed girl then beckoned to the four silent observers. Without requiring instruction, the approaching quartet began introducing themselves to Yellow Fur.

The wolf gazed in wonder at these humanoid figures bearing subtle resemblances to her mistress – less radiant than their progenitor, yet undeniably striking. Magic Rainbow’s arthropodic form particularly mirrored Lin Yu’s ant manifestation, differing only in antennae pigmentation and carapace dimensions.

These were all the mistress’s daughters…

Ah, wait a moment.

The yellow-haired one seemed to recall something. She turned her head, gazing through the corridor window where various ant species bustled below.

"Mom mentioned our colony currently has over thirty thousand ants…" she murmured. "Could these all be daughters? Giving birth to thirty thousand offspring…"

Her mind drifted to that socially isolated thirteen-year-old girl from her previous life. It had been difficult enough imagining that child ever marrying, let alone producing thirty thousand descendants…

"Mom, we’ll take her to explore the castle now!"

Lvzi approached with natural familiarity, patting the golden-furred foreleg before tugging it insistently.

"Come along! Several sisters remain unacquainted with you."

"Woof!"

"Let’s move!"

As the golden companion was led away by Lvzi and three others, Lin Yu opened her mouth to speak only to feel Red Pupil’s fingers tighten around hers.

"Let our sisters guide her through the castle grounds first," the crimson-eyed child reasoned. "She’ll be living in our territory, after all."

"Mmm."

Lin Yu swallowed her unvoiced wish to personally give the tour.

"Regarding Yellow Hair…" Red Pupil’s grip shifted to guide the white-haired woman back into their chamber. "There’s matters we should discuss privately, Mom."

The door clicked shut behind them.

"Though Yellow Hair was your pet in the previous life," Red Pupil began, fixing her gaze solemnly upon Lin Yu, "you must remember she’s also a reincarnator now."

The child continued carefully, "This might displease you, Mother… but aren’t you placing excessive trust in her? When you rode her earlier before the castle gates—"

"Yes?"

"Given the velocity described by our sisters… had she chosen to abduct you then—"

Red Pupil’s voice trailed off as she stared at the floorboards, shoulders trembling with suppressed emotion.

"She wouldn’t!" Lin Yu interjected. "Yellow Hair’s not that sort!"

"Mom!"

The white-haired woman started at Red Pupil’s sudden sharp tone – when had the child’s voice grown so piercing?

"Hasn’t she already demonstrated restraint?" Lin Yu persisted.

"Mom!!"

The raw anguish in Red Pupil’s cry struck like physical blow. Lin Yu blinked in shock.

Was this… a scolding?

Red Pupil had never raised her voice at her like this before, as far as Lin Yu could recall.

Yet what truly stunned the white-haired maiden was how the little girl lifted her face moments later.

Her eyes were rimmed with a faint redness, tears glistening within them like morning dew caught in rose petals – a picture of pitiable vulnerability that tugged at the heartstrings.

"W-what’s wrong?" The pale-haired woman faltered, her composure crumbling like autumn leaves in the wind. "Why these tears…?"

"Did Mother ever consider," came the trembling voice, its usual dulcet tones fractured by sobs, "what would become of us if you’d truly been taken?" Small shoulders shook with the force of suppressed emotion. "If… if we lost you forever… what could we possibly…"

"No, no," Lin Yu murmured, her own throat tightening. Before her outstretched hands could offer comfort, the child surged forward, burying her face in the woman’s chest with a heartrending wail. The dampness spreading through Lin Yu’s robes spoke more eloquently than any visible expression.

Though privately certain of Huang Mao’s innocence, Lin Yu’s fingers stilled against the weeping child’s back. How could her daughters understand? They knew nothing of the complicated history, the unspoken bonds. Guilt pricked her conscience – she’d allowed momentary passion to overshadow maternal consideration.

"Hush now," she crooned, rhythmic pats soothing the small form’s tremors. Only when the storm of tears subsided to occasional hiccups did the child speak again.

"What will Mother do with her now?"

"Huang Mao? She’s… she means no harm."

"So you’d keep her close?" Ruby-rimmed eyes peered up, swollen lids giving the girl the appearance of a rain-drenched kitten. Lin Yu’s heart clenched anew, her palm instinctively smoothing tangled locks.

The unspoken truth hung between them – Huang Mao’s three-year odyssey through alien realms, the ostracization by blood kin, the loyalty transcending death itself. To cast her out would be to rend the fabric of their found family.

"I would have her stay," Lin Yu said softly, conviction tempering her tone. "Once you know her as I do, you’ll see – Huang Mao belongs with us."

"Know her…" The child wiped salt-stained cheeks with deliberate slowness. "Then let Huang Mao accompany my sisters and me these coming days. Mother should… keep distance for now." A pause, then with forced maturity: "If you must meet, let it be with one of us present."

Lin Yu’s sigh carried both resignation and affection. "Very well." Better this compromise than another deluge of tears, though part of her ached at the thought of Red Pupil’s distress.

"Though I confess envy," the girl murmured suddenly, studying her sleeves. "The sisters say… Mother smiled upon seeing her. A smile we’ve not seen in…"

"Did I?" Lin Yu’s fingers flew to her lips as if to catch the ghost of that expression.

The child rose with sudden purpose. "No more hesitation."

"What do you-?"

"If being Mother’s hound is required…" In a flurry of silken hair, Red Pupil pressed Lin Yu backward, the weight of her small frame belying its strength. "This daughter volunteers."

Before comprehension dawned, a kitten-soft tongue traced the curve of Lin Yu’s cheek. The subsequent whisper against her skin carried equal parts mischief and devotion:

"Woof."