Chapter 396

Chapter 396: Is There a Need for Soundproofing?

The construction team hadn’t yet completed the second villa, meaning the group of daughters visiting the dragon’s den would temporarily stay in the existing villa adjacent to it tonight.

Incidentally, the recent successive revivals of the Earth Dragon clan hadn’t escaped the notice of construction workers laboring near the dragon’s den. For members of the human race who’d never witnessed these creatures, each emergence of five-to-six-meter-tall Earth Dragons – some even towering higher – proved astonishing enough to significantly slow progress on the second villa’s construction.

Returning to the present moment…

Fourteen shapeshifting daughters had accompanied their mother to the dragon’s den this time. The villa reconstructed from Lin Yu’s past-life memories stood as grand as she remembered, containing ample bedrooms to comfortably accommodate her dozen-plus daughters.

As night fell, the girls wandered through the unfamiliar residence – this architectural echo of Lin Yu’s previous life – their curious voices floating between floors. The sudden liveliness made the white-haired woman’s expression grow momentarily distant.

In her former existence, this vast villa had housed only her solitary presence for years before that blond interloper’s arrival. She remembered nights spent gazing at hollow rooms, filling the oppressive silence with blaring television noise until sleep demanded its mute button.

Now…

Observing two daughters chatting nearby, Lin Yu’s lips curved faintly. No need for phantom screens here, though truthfully this world lacked such devices anyway. Yet… what were they discussing?

“…Army Lady, doesn’t this villa feel smaller than Foggy Castle? The walls seem thinner too,” murmured the green-haired girl, fingers brushing the living room wall as she addressed the blonde on the sofa.

The golden-haired daughter tilted her head, still surveying the space. “Soundproofing? Why would that matter?”

“Obviously it matters!” Lvzi abruptly closed the distance between them. “Since it’s Army Lady’s turn tonight, if Mom wants to… you know… we might hear everything!”

The blonde blinked before comprehension dawned, pink tinting her typically solemn features. She pressed her lips together, exhaling softly. “Even Sister Red Pupil failed. How could I possibly…?”

“Pfft! You haven’t even tried!” The emerald-haired tease prodded Army Lady’s cheek with playful fingers. “Such a prude! If it were me… hehe…”

A snort answered her. “You? You’d collapse before anything started.”

Army Lady swatted away Lvzi’s mischievous finger with mild irritation.

Yet Lvzi had misjudged the situation.

She had indeed tried before—mustering courage only to have her words deftly sidestepped by the white-haired maiden’s topic diversion. After that initial failure, her resolve seemed utterly spent, leaving no spark for subsequent attempts. It wasn’t reluctance but timidity that held her back. Though bold against monsters, she became tentative and fretful around Lin Yu. Clumsy in matters of affection and uncertain of Lin Yu’s feelings, she feared another “advance” might breed displeasure… or worse, aversion.

Mid-conversation, Lvzi suddenly hushed her voice: “Psst, Army Lady… Mom’s been watching us for a while now.”

“What?!”

The golden-haired girl whirled around.

There stood the silver-haired figure by the window. Caught in the act, Lin Yu hastily averted her gaze skyward through the glass, feigning celestial interest.

“When did Mother arrive? Did she hear—”

“Who knows? Doesn’t matter if she did.”

The green-haired girl shrugged.

“Easy for you to say…”

Army Lady shot her a withering glance before stealing another look at the window. Memories of Lin Yu’s covert observations during the day churned her stomach with nervous flutters.

…

Dinner concluded, the daughters dispersed to their chambers.

“Don’t wait up tonight, Army Lady!”

Lvzi chimed, dragging Weak Sound—whose cheeks burned crimson—toward their shared room.

Alone now, Army Lady approached the pale-haired figure by the window.

“Shall we retire, Mother?”

“…Mm.”

Why phrase it as a question?

Lin Yu blinked, extending her hand only to find empty air—Army Lady had already turned toward the stairs.

No…

This dense child would remain oblivious unless nudged. Perhaps subtle hints were needed. But oh, how mortifying to initiate such coquettish maneuvers…

Climbing the staircase, Lin Yu’s fingers twitched toward her daughter’s retreating hand. Each aborted attempt—hesitation and hurried footsteps foiling her—left frustration simmering beneath composed features.

At the bedroom door, Army Lady paused.

“The others have retired. Is something… amiss, Mother?”

She turned to find unexpected displeasure clouding Lin Yu’s face. Panic surged.

“Nothing.”

The white-haired woman entered with a barely audible huff, perching on the bed’s edge. Silk-clad feet emerged from discarded shoes as she summoned a steaming basin with a flick of wrist.

Pointing imperiously at the water:

“Wash my feet.”

A daughter’s duty, after all.