Chapter 300

Chapter 300: Bathing (End)

What the daughters said… did make sense.

Bathing in our ant forms doesn’t feel like a proper bath at all. Moreover, our shortened stature when transformed prevents us from fully submerging in the pool.

Furthermore… if you all reverted to ant forms too, what would I even look at? The entire purpose of coming to this bathhouse would be ruined!

I absolutely refuse to soak with a swarm of giant ants.

Therefore…

The white ant wriggled free from Magic Rainbow’s embrace.

Activating the "Transformation" skill, the white ant instantly morphed into a stunning white-haired maiden with crimson eyes.

Every daughter in the bath froze mid-motion.

Their gazes fell upon the towel still wrapped around the transformed figure.

The anticipatory tension dissolved into disappointed sighs, followed by waves of protest.

"Mother’s cheating!"

"Exactly! There’s nobody else here – why keep the towel? Besides, bathing with fabric clinging to you must feel awful!"

"We wouldn’t try anything."

"Truly!"

Wouldn’t try anything?

Lin Yu’s gaze swept across the offenders, recalling how certain eyes had gleamed unnaturally during her transformation. Without a word, she drifted toward the bath’s edge where Weak Sound sat curled like a shy kitten.

The petite girl flushed crimson as Lin Yu settled beside her, ducking her head until snowy locks veiled her face.

A soft exhale escaped Lin Yu. This quiet corner eased her tension somehow.

Even through the towel’s barrier, warm water soothed her skin far better than any insectoid carapace.

Heavenly warmth. Liquid comfort.

Her contented sigh rippled the steam.

When continued complaints met only glacial silence, the daughters reluctantly abandoned their campaign.

Yet even veiled in linen, their mother’s human form exerted stronger magnetism than any ant anatomy. Conversations continued, but bodies gravitated imperceptibly toward the white-haired figure.

Army Lady broke the steam-filled silence: "After castle repairs conclude, should we have the younger sisters escort the human race workers back to town? Or retain them here?"

Purple Cloud hugged her knees. "The renewed snowfall brings bitter cold. Sending anyone out seems cruel."

Purple Mist fluttered hardened wing joints. "Absolutely dreadful weather! Why risk our sisters’ wings in this icy tempest just to transport humans?"

Worker Liquor tapped the water’s surface thoughtfully. "Their craftsmanship proves valuable. Retaining them for future repairs might prove wise."

Magic Rainbow’s laughter tinkled like hot spring droplets. "Moreover, our Worker Ant sisters could apprentice in architecture under them. An educational opportunity, don’t you think?"

Lvzi, "Indeed, since the entire human town belongs to us now, keeping a few humans in the castle shouldn’t matter. What do you think, sister?"

Red Pupil, "Let them remain then. However, they’re ultimately Simon’s workers. We should inform him afterward."

After a brief pause, the young girl entwined her arm around the white-haired maiden beside her.

Her flat chest pressed against the older girl’s frame.

"What does Mother think?"

"The decision is yours."

In a fleeting moment, Little Pupil had drawn near… completely unnoticed.

Yet an inexplicable sense of security lingered.

If my daughters ever grew unruly, perhaps only Little Pupil could restrain them…? Though she’s currently the highest-level offspring in our pool, the gap between her and other ants isn’t particularly significant.

"Very well, they shall stay and serve us. We’ll offer slightly better wages and leave terms than Simon’s arrangement. This should prevent any discontent."

The black-haired girl with crimson eyes rose gracefully before settling into the white-haired woman’s lap.

Lin Yu shuddered as if touched by live current, hesitating momentarily before encircling her daughter with tentative arms.

Once embraced, Red Pupil’s tension eased almost imperceptibly. She tilted her head, rosebud lips brushing Lin Yu’s ear.

"Should Mother remove the bath towel? If you wish to avoid the sisters’ gaze, simply holding me close would suffice, no?"

"Hmm…"

That’s true… But wouldn’t this mean I’d need to embrace you constantly?

"Your hesitation… Could it be Mother dislikes holding her daughter?"

"I… don’t."

"Then—"

Red Pupil pivoted abruptly, straddling Lin Yu’s lap. Tiny fingers seized the towel’s edge and tugged sharply—

"Eep!"

The white-haired woman emitted an undignified squeak, hastily covering her mouth. Seizing the opportunity, the young girl buried herself against Lin Yu’s chest.

Their simultaneous embrace sent twin shivers through both figures.

Lin Yu’s composed mask shattered, crimson flooding her cheeks as her lips quivered soundlessly.

"L-Little Pupil?"

"Ah! Sister’s being sneaky! My turn!"

Lvzi emerged from the bathwater with a splash, hastily wiping drool from her chin before launching herself at the pair.

Her blissful grin widened as she engulfed both Lin Yu and Red Pupil in a soggy embrace.

This proved the catalyst for other daughters, who abandoned all pretense of restraint… converging on their mother in a giggling swarm.

Nearby, Weak Sound fidgeted uncertainly, torn between joining and retreating. As the group grew increasingly boisterous with daring gestures, she shrank further into the shadows.

…

Lin Yu gasped beneath the weight of affectionate pressure.

Then, one of the daughters pushed her forward, abruptly exposing the young mother’s body to the open air.

There was no time to cover up. All the daughters’ breathing grew rapid… their eyes began to flush faintly crimson at the edges.

Thus…

…

…

Half an hour later…

Everyone except the unconscious Lvzi had dried off and changed into pajamas. Lin Yu and her daughters left the bathhouse with varying degrees of blush coloring their cheeks.

"M-Mom… I-I’ll take Lvzi to the bedroom now."

Stealth One scooped up the green-haired girl horizontally. Even in her unconscious state, the green-haired girl wore a dreamy, blissful smile.

"Mm… I’ll entrust her to you."

Lin Yu nodded reflexively, her mind still in disarray.

She stole a glance at Stealth One.

The girl’s face glowed scarlet – as if she’d downed entire casks of strong liquor. Being the most physically sensitive among the daughters, Stealth One had been particularly affected by the bathhouse incident…

Aaaaaah! Forget her – my own face must be crimson too!

Those touches… those sensations… Gah! The memories keep replaying in my mind!

I-I know nothing! Nothing happened at all!

Lin Yu pulled her pajamas tighter, only to shudder as phantom touches seemed to linger on her skin.

Her breathing hitched momentarily.

The white-haired maiden quickened her pace toward the stairwell.

"Mama…"

A familiar dulcet voice called from behind.

Lin Yu halted mid-step and turned.

"Little Pupil?"

Their eyes met briefly before both girls averted their gazes awkwardly.

"I’ll… share a bed with Sister Magic Rainbow tonight."

"Mm."

Thus the daughters dispersed to their respective bedrooms in small groups.

Lin Yu had originally intended to sleep alone, but then noticed Weak Sound lingering in the shadows – the girl who hadn’t participated, yet whose cheeks burned scarlet all the same.