Chapter 398

Chapter 398: Mind

What is Mom really thinking about tonight…

After Army Lady lay down on her bed and closed her eyes, she found herself unable to sleep, her mind involuntarily replaying the events that had just unfolded.

Everything felt like a dream, yet her palms still faintly retained the lingering sensation from earlier… These undeniable traces assured her it had all been real.

But… why this sudden change…

What could Mother be contemplating?

Countless thoughts churned restlessly through Army Lady’s mind.

Deep down, she harbored a daring suspicion—but regarding that matter… even Sister Red Pupil and Sister Magic Rainbow had failed. How could she possibly…

She mentally shook her head, swiftly banishing the audacious conjecture.

At that moment, something warm… petite… tender… brushed against her foot.

It was Mother’s…

Army Lady’s eyes flew open as she swiftly turned toward Lin Yu.

Moonlight streaming through the window illuminated the white-haired girl who clearly remained awake, though she averted her gaze when noticed.

“Mom? Is something the matter?”

She asked softly, simultaneously aware of the little foot beneath the blanket that was lightly brushing against her own.

“Nothing… just finding sleep elusive.”

Lin Yu’s eyes danced evasively.

“Army Lady… May I call you Little Army Lady? How does that sound?”

“Mmm… If Mother wishes it, please address your daughter thus.”

Army Lady’s eyes brightened instantly at Lin Yu’s words, radiating undisguised delight.

“Little Army Lady can’t sleep either?”

“…Mmm.”

“When sleep won’t come… what should one do?”

Lin Yu ventured tentatively, her toes creeping upward to graze her daughter’s calf beneath the covers.

A shiver coursed through Army Lady’s body at the contact.

Could Mother truly be…

Though the possibility dawned on her, the golden-haired maiden still hesitated.

“Mother means…?”

“I’m asking you—when sleeplessness persists… what do you intend to do?”

This daughter truly is hopeless!

How much clearer must I make these hints?… Had it been Little Pupil or Little Rainbow, mere eye contact would have sufficed…

Must I truly take the initiative as her mother?… Why does this responsibility fall to me!

Sigh…

The white-haired girl drew a deep, steadying breath.

After speaking, she hesitated briefly before shifting closer to the companion beside her, casually resting her leg atop the other’s.

This… this should suffice, right? If not… hmph, I’ll simply feign sleep then.

…

Following Lin Yu’s probing questions and deliberate movements, even the habitually oblivious Army Lady gradually pieced together the unspoken meaning.

Though still grappling with disbelief, perhaps Mother truly wished to…

Thud… thud-thud…

Her pulse—how violently it raced!

Army Lady swallowed nervously.

Regardless… let me attempt this…

As Lin Yu leaned in, the golden-haired girl mirrored the motion, her trembling hand rising to cradle Lin Yu’s cheek… fingertips tracing featherlight patterns across that luminous, satin-skinned face…

She studied Lin Yu’s expression with anxious precision.

The silver-haired maiden merely averted her gaze with flushed cheeks, displaying neither resistance nor reproach at the bold intimacy.

Army Lady exhaled in quiet relief, only for renewed tremors to surge through her—a scalding tide of awareness flooding from crown to soles.

When mere cheek-caresses grew insufficient after lingering moments…

…

……

What followed became inevitable—a wildfire kindled by spark, spreading beyond containment.

Silence wove understanding between them as movement supplanted speech.

All trivialities dissolved. The world’s machinery halted; time’s river ceased its flow.

Through the night…

Army Lady discovered life’s visceral truth for the first time—the breathtaking wonder of existence, the dizzying sweetness of fulfillment…

Lin Yu, too, tasted unfamiliar pleasures starkly contrasting Darkling Stalker’s embraces.

Here, Army Lady’s prowess eclipsed Darkling Stalker’s. Where shadows permitted occasional dominance, golden radiance now commanded—Lin Yu could only yield as her daughter unleashed decade-buried passions with volcanic intensity…

At dawn’s first blush, they collapsed spent into tangled slumber.

…

…

*Knock-knock…*

Mmm… what’s that?

*Knock-knock… knock-knock-knock…*

It’s too noisy… Let me sleep a bit more…

*Knock knock knock…*

“Mom, and Army Lady, it’s almost noon! Hurry up and get out of bed!”

The voice drifted into her ears…

That voice…

The white-haired girl’s mind remained foggy, still half-submerged in drowsiness.

Must be Lvzi… But what’s the rush? There’s nothing scheduled today. Let me sleep as long as I want! I’m the mother here—my rules decide when we rise!

As she shifted to bury herself deeper into the sheets, her body abruptly registered something soft pressed against her.

Something… warm and pliant…

Blinking sleepily, she rubbed her eyes.

There, inches away, lay a stunning girl with golden hair cascading wildly across the pillows. The beauty stirred awake at the same moment, amber eyes meeting hers through a drowsy haze…

Army Lady…

Which meant the “soft thing” was…

Recognition jolted Lin Yu’s groggy mind awake.

Memories of the previous night flooded back in a heated rush…

“Oh… Mom…”

The blonde girl before her gasped, cheeks flushing scarlet as recollection struck. She jerked backward, releasing her embrace of the petite figure. Panic danced in her widened eyes.

“L-last night! I… Mom, we…”

Her hands fluttered like startled birds, words dissolving into incoherence.

“You… don’t need to explain.”

The white-haired girl cut her off, her own face blooming pink.

Honestly… Why is she more flustered than me? If anyone should be overwhelmed, it’s me after how she… Never mind.

Perhaps daily sword training explains her stamina… Even when I collapsed exhausted, she kept going strong. Didn’t stop until I…

No. Mustn’t revisit that.

Regardless! With things as they are, Army Lady can hardly accuse me of favoritism now!

“Mom? Army Lady? Still abed? Heehee… Are you two up to something in there?”

Lvzi’s singsong call shattered the tension. Both girls froze.

“About yesterday…” Lin Yu whispered hurriedly, “Let’s keep this between us for now, Little Army Lady. We’ll talk later.”

“Y-yes! I’ll stay silent! But Mom…” The blonde gestured weakly at their surroundings. “Shouldn’t we… tidy up first?”

Lin Yu followed her gaze.

Chaos reigned. Rumpled sheets, scattered garments—the aftermath of their… activities.

Too drained last night. Too consumed earlier this morning. Cleaning had been… overlooked.