Chapter 244

Chapter 244: The Main Character Is Her, She Should Drink First

When evening arrived,

The banquet began!

Through the combined efforts of Lin Yu and her daughters, they prepared an extensive feast along with numerous simple dishes for the B Qualification daughters still in their ant forms.

Since these daughters retained their ant physiology, consuming stir-fried dishes or soups would have been impractical. Instead, large cuts of roasted meat and fresh raw meat were prepared specifically for them.

The main hall buzzed with activity as Worker Ants tirelessly shuttled between tables, delivering platters of raw and roasted meat. Both the seasoned roasted meat and the freshly cleaned raw meat proved immensely popular, vanishing almost instantly upon arrival.

This relentless demand kept the Worker Ants in constant motion.

Meanwhile, Lin Yu and her higher-ranking daughters—those with A Qualifications or above, including Red Pupil—gathered in the dining room to partake in their own celebration.

Though the dining room’s ceiling and floor still bore signs of damage, it now boasted several wooden tables and matching chairs procured from human settlements.

A proper banquet required an opening ceremony.

After all, they couldn’t simply eat in silence.

But initiating speeches… I’m terrible at such things.

Though her expression remained composed, the white-haired girl felt her palms grow damp under the weight of countless expectant gazes. The urge to flee prickled at her nerves.

"Little Pupil…"

She turned to the young girl beside her.

Understanding immediately, the child gave Lin Yu’s hand a reassuring squeeze before rising to address the room.

Her table hosted Lin Yu, herself, Lvzi, and Yellow Hair.

To the left sat Magic Rainbow, Darkling Stalker, Weak Sound, and Worker Liquor.

The right table accommodated Little Tear, Army Lady, Stealth One, Purple Cloud, and Purple Mist.

"It’s been too long since we’ve gathered like this," Red Pupil began, sweeping her gaze across the assembly. "But tonight isn’t merely a feast. We celebrate both our victory over another…"

Here she paused, her eyes flickering—perhaps deliberately—toward Yellow Hair.

"Reincarnator."

"…and the welcoming of a new family member. This banquet serves as Yellow Hair’s official initiation."

Every antenna in the room swiveled toward the massive wolf beside Lin Yu.

"Woof!"

"She greets you all."

Since most daughters hadn’t yet acquired the "Proficient in all Languages" skill, Lin Yu translated while stroking Yellow Hair’s head.

Typically the center of attention at such gatherings, Lin Yu now found herself observing as countless compound eyes focused on Yellow Hair instead.

The golden-furred newcomer appeared slightly tense.

No need for nerves, really. We’re all family now.

Under Lin Yu’s soothing caress, Huang Mao appears less tense now, though the surrounding stares still occasionally make her canine fur bristle.

"Everyone should already recognize Huang Mao – she was family to Mother in her previous life."

"You must all obey Mother and maintain good relations with her."

"To facilitate bonding, Huang Mao will rotate hunting expeditions with us going forward. Given her capabilities, navigating Granville Forest should become more manageable."

Red Pupil and Darkling Stalker persist in probing Granville Forest’s shadowed depths. The deeper they venture, the quicker their Experience Value accumulates, yet simultaneously the monsters grow more formidable and cunning, often moving in coordinated packs!

Reluctantly, Red Pupil slowed their exploratory pace.

With Huang Mao’s assistance however, their progress would undoubtedly accelerate. Even when confronting powerful foes, Huang Mao’s swiftness could ensure safer retreats.

"Woof! Woof woof!"

Huang Mao grew agitated at Red Pupil’s final remark.

"You object to hunting alongside them? Why?"

"Woof!"

"You wish to remain with me? Well… the feeling’s mutual."

Having only recently reunited, Lin Yu too felt reluctant to part with Huang Mao so soon.

"We’ll revisit this matter later."

Though having agreed to let Huang Mao accompany hunting parties eventually, Lin Yu had carefully omitted specifying when.

This declaration intensified the sharpness of surrounding gazes. The air grew palpably colder.

The tension shattered when Little Liquor emerged from the kitchen bearing culinary offerings.

"The meat soup is served~!"

The maiden approached briskly with a steaming tureen, presenting it first at Lin Yu’s table.

"Main courses are still preparing – please enjoy some broth first, Mother."

"Mmm."

Though self-conscious under numerous watchful eyes, Lin Yu felt an unseasonable chill in the evening air, craving the soup’s warmth.

Ladling a portion, she paused before sipping – propriety dictated the guest of honor should partake first at this welcome banquet.

"Incidentally, what variety is this soup?"

"Granville Wolf stew!"

Little Liquor answered brightly.

…

The white-haired girl finally realized something was amiss.

The daughters seemed to be singling out the blonde…

Like…

Ah, like vying for favor! To draw a parallel, imagine parents welcoming a new son. Perceiving their preference for the younger brother, the elder brother grows envious and begins deliberately challenging him.

The current situation… appeared to mirror this dynamic?

Though the daughters shared a close bond, their aversion to the blonde… Could it stem from differing species?

Well, regardless, their rapport would likely improve with time.

…

Given the rarity of this evening’s banquet, the girls ultimately refrained from excessively troubling the blonde.

As courses gradually arrived, the daughters engaged in cheerful banter while savoring their dishes.

The vibrant atmosphere momentarily left Lin Yu in a daze.

“Woof! Woof!”

The blonde’s barking jolted her back to awareness.

“Truly? The braised pork surpasses what I prepared in my past life?”

“Woof!”

“My skills haven’t improved—this dish is Little Liquor’s work.”

“Woof…?!”

“Mm.”

An issue?

Lin Yu tilted her head inquisitively.

“Rest assured, no wolf meat was used here.”

Red Pupil, seated beside Lin Yu, narrowed her eyes and offered a faint smile as she explained.

“Woof.”

The blonde studied her intently before resuming her meal, reassured by Red Pupil’s apparent sincerity.

“Wolf meat wouldn’t matter anyway. You’re not of the same species.”

Lvzi interjected, her emerald locks swaying.

“Though Little Liquor’s cooking delights, I yearn for Mother’s own handiwork. Merely imagining her culinary touch… ahhh~~”

She shuddered dramatically.

“Right! Mother! In human race towns, mothers feed children mouth-to-mouth! Could you—”

“Absolutely not!”

Preposterous! Spoon-feeding’s one matter, but direct mouth transfer?

…

At the adjacent table:

“How splendid! I too crave Mother’s feeding.”

Worker Liquor gazed enviously as Lvzi leaned forward, parting her lips to receive the spoonful of broth from Lin Yu.

「We’re all envious.」

A velvety voice resonated from her embrace.

Magic Rainbow’s antennae twitched within Worker Liquor’s arms.

As her ant-like form hindered independent dining, she relied on Worker Liquor’s human-shaped assistance.

「This is Sister Lvzi’s rightful reward. After all, she sacrificed herself to buy time for Army Lady and Sister Stealth One’s escape, perishing at that reincarnator’s hands. Though Mother hasn’t voiced it, her heart surely aches.」