Chapter 298

Chapter 298: Bathing (Part Two)

"Mom… are you okay?"

Little Weak Ant scanned the white-haired girl with concern, entirely oblivious to her own arm being grasped behind her back.

"Hmm, I’m fine…"

Though it stung a bit, I am after all a Class A ant—a mere tumble couldn’t possibly trouble me.

"Oh… that’s a relief."

Weak Sound exhaled softly, but upon meeting Lin Yu’s gaze, she shyly averted her eyes downward.

"Then let’s go together, Little Sound."

"Eh? Go… where?"

Her heart skipped a beat as Weak Sound glanced up at Lin Yu.

"The bathhouse. Didn’t we promise to bathe together?"

"But… I…"

Weak Sound tried to pull her hand free, only to realize the white-haired girl’s firm grip. A flicker of panic rose within her.

Though she could easily break free with force, doing so might injure Lin Yu—an unthinkable choice.

"What’s wrong?"

"I… I’m not feeling well."

Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, betraying the lie.

"Not well?"

Hmph—such a transparent falsehood.

"Where does it hurt?"

"J-just… my body…"

"Which part?"

"Which… um… th-that is…"

The little ant fumbled, her face reddening further with each stammer.

"My… stomach…"

She murmured, bowing her head either from guilt or shame at deceiving her mother, unable to meet Lin Yu’s eyes.

"Your stomach?"

Hmm? Let’s see…

The white-haired girl’s lips curled playfully.

Seizing Weak Sound’s moment of vulnerability, her free hand slipped beneath Little Weak Ant’s clothes, fingertips brushing against the soft warmth of the smooth belly.

So cozy.

Patting…

"Ah! Mom… Mom?!"

"What’s troubling your stomach?"

"I…"

Weak Sound attempted to struggle but paused mid-motion upon seeing the white-haired girl’s concerned face. Her movements stilled as guilt from the deception intensified.

"W-well… I…"

"Here perhaps?"

Lin Yu interrupted by prodding the girl’s abdomen with her fingertip.

"Mmn~"

The touch elicited an odd whimper from the child. Hearing her own voice, a blush spread to her earlobes.

"M-mom… not there… I…"

"Not this spot? Then—"

What celestial noise was that? Must provoke it again…

Lin Yu pressed different areas of the belly.

"Hmmph~~"

"Mo…mother…"

"Not here either? In that case—"

"Eeep!"

…

After several more attempts, she finally ceased when Weak Sound verged on tears.

Perhaps overstepped boundaries?

Yet how could I resist? Each encounter with Weak Sound sparks this irresistible urge to ruffle her composure… I’ll contemplate this properly later!

"Does your stomach still ache?"

Lin Yu maintained her mask of concern.

"No! All better…"

Weak Sound rushed to reply, fearing further interruptions.

"I… deceived mother… never felt… unwell… sniffle…"

Whether from confessing falsehood or enduring Lin Yu’s playful torment, genuine tears now spilled down Weak Sound’s cheeks.

I broke her…

This peculiar blend of remorseful ache and perverse satisfaction – what did it mean?

Perhaps I truly am a villain at heart!

"There there, all’s well now. Let’s join the others at the bathhouse – Little Pupil’s group must be waiting."

"Wahh…"

Oh no, it seems you’re crying even harder now…

But I, your mom, won’t let go! If I go to the bath alone without Little Sound, I’d be a nervous wreck.

I, your mom, love you most, Little Sound.

With renewed determination, I took the child’s hand and tried leading her downstairs.

But she wouldn’t budge… Her strength was surprising; I couldn’t move her an inch.

"Little Sound?"

"Sniff… M-mom… Could you go first? I’ll… I’ll follow later."

"Absolutely not."

Hmph, if pulling won’t work…

The young woman stepped forward and scooped up the child in her arms.

"Eep!"

Weak Sound started wriggling in surprise.

"Does my Little Sound dislike bathing with her sisters?"

"Huh?"

At Lin Yu’s question, Weak Sound froze mid-struggle.

"N-no! The sisters are all wonderful…"

"Then is it me you don’t want to be with?"

"Th-that’s not true! I could never… ngh…"

She vehemently shook her head, cheeks flushing crimson as she stared at the floor.

"Then why?"

"Um…"

"Could it be… you’re feeling shy?"

"Eh? W-well… yes."

"There’s no need to feel shy. I’ll be right there with you."

Though really, it’s you who’ll be going with me… Hehe…

"But Mama… it’s because of you… you’re the reason I…"

"Hmm?"

"N-never mind…"

…

When Weak Sound finally relented, Lin Yu successfully led her by the hand to the steamy bathhouse entrance on the castle’s first floor.

After a moment’s hesitation, she glanced at Weak Sound beside her.

They stood frozen, gazes locked in silent apprehension.

"Mom… aren’t you going to open the door?"

"You do it."

"Oh…"

Under Lin Yu’s watchful eyes, the little girl relented with a timid nod, pushing the door open with both small hands.

Mist immediately wafted out from the room.

Though veiled by the steam, the spacious bathhouse still allowed both women to discern the scene within. Nine daughters clustered in small groups throughout the bathing pool, their laughter and conversation momentarily visible before the vapor swirled back.

Lvzi reacted first when the door creaked open.

"Ah! Mama’s here! And Little Sound too! Honestly, you vanished right after coming in earlier."

"Was Little Sound fetching Mama?"

"Mama took forever! Quick, rinse off and join us – the water’s perfect now."

"We’ve been waiting for you two!"

"I want to soak with Mama!"

"Me too!"

Their cheerful voices overlapped like birdsong, yet Lin Yu found her attention drifting from their words to the alluring silhouettes floating in the misty pool. Aside from Little Pupil’s unremarkable frame, the other daughters possessed distinctly… captivating figures. Wait, captivating? No – just typical daughterly charms, of course.

Her gaze lingered on Magic Rainbow. Though this golden-haired child appeared no older than four, her body displayed shockingly… mature proportions. Were they to bathe together, any observer might mistake the preschooler for the mother! Lin Yu’s cheeks burned at the thought.

Ridiculous! She wasn’t flat-chested herself – Class A breasts definitely counted as respectable! Yet multiple daughters outshone her in this aspect…

Envy and admiration twisted through her as she averted her gaze from the steamy tableau. She’d witnessed each daughter’s transformation and seen their naked forms individually, but this collective display…

Beautiful.

Overwhelming.

And just slightly mortifying.