Chapter 54
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 54: Turn It Off! Must Turn It Off!
At closer range, Lin Yu noticed her eyes differed from other Iron Armored Ants – crimson like her own.
The voice was soft and sweetly girlish, heart-meltingly pleasant.
She’s sharing her food with me! So thoughtful!
Can’t bring myself to refuse her kindness.
Even though her crying sister’s devouring food like starved for three days… Oh! She’s drooling…
Drool?
Eek!
Watch the drool! Drool!
Saliva dripped from mandibles onto the held eggshell!
What now? It’s all slobbery… Should I eat this?
She keeps staring… Couldn’t she say something? Not notice the drool?
After seconds of eye contact, the daughter’s ant head drooped.
"Sorry…"
Huh?? Why apologize? Just don’t give Mom the slobbery shell!
She looks dejected…
Lin Yu instinctively activated "Unique Skill – Queen Ant" to read her thoughts.
Mental readings showed…"Hungry" "Likes"
Not sad? Why though?
Lin Yu froze.
"Because Mom is beautiful. Even if rejected, she wouldn’t feel sad."
Huh?
Beautiful? Does this current form of mine look beautiful? Back when I was human, that would’ve made sense… Wait! Hold on—
I didn’t speak aloud just now!
Why! Why can she hear my inner thoughts?!
"As long as Mom activates that observation skill, your daughter can hear Mom’s thoughts."
Ah! Cancel it immediately…
Deactivated the effect of "Unique Skill – Queen Ant."
What kind of absurd skill is this?! I can only view their mental activities, yet they get to directly hear my voice?! This is… too bizarre!
A socially anxious person’s internal monologue being overheard…
Ugh… mortifying…
Shut it off! Must disable this!
If I don’t deactivate this skill effect, I’ll eventually die of embarrassment…
Well, actually, I’m already halfway there… My two-month-long ant existence might as well end now.
"I’ll keep Mom’s secret."
"What?"
"That Mom isn’t as cold as she appears."
"Is that acceptable?"
"Mhm."
Wow, she’s so perceptive!
Thankfully the "Unique Skill – Queen Ant" was used on her. If that crybaby had heard me, it’d be disastrous!
Though… her voice sounds childishly young, her speech carries unexpected maturity.
Nothing like what a recently hatched offspring should articulate.
Wait—Chinese! Why does she speak Chinese?!
Hold on, maybe with her, I could try conversing like a normal person?
"Why do you speak Chinese?"
Ah… my tone still sounds icy… No good after all…
This frigid manner of speaking has fossilized into habit after prolonged use.
Probably why I’ve few friends. Who’d befriend someone taciturn, cold-voiced, and expressionless? Especially a campus beauty—other girls not being jealous is already a mercy.
Hm? Boys? Those approaching me never want mere friendship. I’m no fool!
…"Chinese? You mean this language Mom uses?"
"You didn’t know? We’re conversing in Chinese right now."
"Mhm. It feels natural, though some words are unfamiliar…"
"Unfamiliar words?"
"Many. Like manga, cinema, café, VHS, electric fan…"
All relics from my original world…
"And… what does ‘yuri’ mean?"
Wha—why ask that out of nowhere?!
Heh, but this topic sparks Mom’s enthusiasm!
"Yuri is…"
Ah! Nearly slipped up.
Despite her mature speech, she’s still a newborn. Can’t possibly explain this.
"…a type of flower."
After my answer, she fell silent for reasons unknown.
"Any other words to ask about?"
"I’ll inquire later if more come to mind."
Lin Yu watched the girl raise her head again, mandibles clamping the eggshell fragment as she scooted closer.
By now, the shard glistened thoroughly with saliva…
Perhaps growing slightly accustomed, Lin Yu no longer recoiled instinctively like before.
But the large piece of eggshell fragment covered in saliva before her still made her scalp tingle slightly.
"…Mom isn’t hungry. You can eat first if you’re hungry."
"Ah, is it because there’s my… I thought Mom wouldn’t mind."
"…"
How could I not mind? That’s saliva! Even if it’s from a beautiful girl… Wait, come to think of it, maybe it’s acceptable?
But you’re an ant, and a very large one at that.
So sorry, but some things just can’t be allowed.
Then Lin Yu saw the antennae on the Iron Armored Ant’s head slowly droop, its crimson eyes dimming slightly.
Now it seemed genuinely dejected.
"If that’s how it is…"
The ant lowered its head, clutching the eggshell fragment in its mandibles as it prepared to retreat.
It looked utterly pitiful.
…
Sigh… This is truly troublesome…
"Wait…"
"I suddenly feel a bit hungry."
The daughter turned its head, eyes instantly brightening as its twin antennae snapped upright.
"Really? Mom doesn’t mind?"
"Mmm…"
Actually I do mind.
But what can I do? I’m supposed to be a gentle and considerate good mother.
The Iron Armored Ant bit down on the eggshell fragment again and offered it forward.
"Aren’t you going to put it down?"
"It’ll get dirty. I want to feed Mom directly."
Huh??
This kind of situation… feels so embarrassing.
And why does this remind me of those Pocky stick games?
Honestly I’m not used to such close interactions with others…
After prolonged hesitation, the white ant finally opened its mouth toward the saliva-coated eggshell fragment—
Crunch…
The strange potato chip-like texture remained, now mixed with an eggy aftertaste. Not pleasant.
The saliva itself had no particular flavor, merely making the eggshell feel slightly viscous when chewed…
Crunch crunch…
Halfway through eating, the Iron Armored Ant released the latter portion of the shell fragment, allowing Lin Yu to consume the remaining half.
She even burped softly after finishing.
"Was it tasty?"
The Iron Armored Ant gazed at her expectantly.
"…Delicious."
