Chapter 3: Happy Motherhood

A trace of bewilderment flashed through Dolosa’s eyes.

She struggled a little, pushing at Liang Lai’s shoulder, but Liang Lai held her tightly, not giving her the slightest chance to break free.

What exactly does this woman want?

Dolosa’s fingers began to crystallize.

She raised her small hand high above Liang Lai’s head, her brows tightly knit, a hint of viciousness in her expression.

But Liang Lai didn’t notice at all; in fact, she just felt the air around her getting a bit chilly, so she hugged the child in her arms even tighter.

“Ha… haah?”

Dolosa was stunned.

How could someone be so completely lacking in vigilance? Couldn’t she sense the crystallization power? The things in the Underground Sanctuary were never this simple and easy to fool…

Thinking of this, Dolosa’s eyes darkened.

She sized up Liang Lai’s attire and figured she was probably a Highborn.

If she followed her… maybe she could get something good, or at least hear some good news.

But were all these Highborn so defenseless? Or… was she just pretending, trying to test her?

Dolosa was uneasy, but she didn’t make another move against Liang Lai.

Meanwhile, Liang Lai had no idea she’d just narrowly escaped danger.

She was still laughing foolishly, feeling as though she’d done something extremely virtuous today.

“Oh, God, I’ll definitely go to Heaven in the future.”

She said this, hefting Dolosa in her arms a little.

There was no denying it—Liang Lai’s embrace was incredibly warm and soft.

Curled up in her arms, Dolosa inexplicably felt a sense of security and comfort that made her drowsy.

Still, her vigilance forced her to stay alert, carefully observing her surroundings.

It was evening now, and there weren’t many people inside the Sanctuary.

Those Bishops, the Priesthood, and the people from the Inquisition all had their own business to attend to.

Only a few passing Green-robed Priests glanced curiously at them before heading off to their own affairs.

Liang Lai carried Dolosa back to her residence—the Court of Purity.

“This is my home, and from now on, it’s your home too.”

At the door, Liang Lai set Dolosa down and then rubbed her sore shoulders.

She lowered her head and saw Dolosa’s slightly shocked expression, thinking the girl must be amazed by her luxurious residence.

To be honest, she herself had been stunned the first time she saw it.

Even though she’d lost the Right of Marriage, she’d gained power and wealth.

It wasn’t so bad, after all.

Liang Lai lovingly patted Dolosa’s head.

“All right, let’s go inside. You’re wearing so little—be careful not to catch a cold.”

After saying this, Liang Lai felt a moment of disorientation, as if she’d suddenly become a mother.

Hmm… Actually, it wasn’t a bad thing, but for a grown man to be called “mom”… It always felt like she was pretending to be a woman while laying tiles, teasing that repressed junior like a dog.

While Liang Lai’s thoughts wandered, Dolosa was still in shock.

What shocked her wasn’t the luxury of Liang Lai’s residence, but that this seemingly guileless, overly trusting person was actually one of the Saintesses!

She’d thought this woman was just a Nun…

Oh no.

Had she really walked into some kind of trap?

While she was thinking this, Liang Lai had already taken her hand and led her up to the second floor, pushing open the bathroom door.

This little Dolosa looked dusty all over—she must be filthy.

If a child got too dirty, she could easily fall ill… If she got an upset stomach or a fungal infection, that’d be bad.

But.

Was it really appropriate for a grown man to bathe a little girl?

Maybe she should call in the two Nuns outside to help instead?

Just as Liang Lai was about to get up and call someone, Dolosa grabbed her skirt.

“What are you going to do?”

This was the longest sentence Dolosa had said to Liang Lai in the past few hours.

Liang Lai was actually quite happy with this sudden closeness.

She grinned and ruffled Dolosa’s hair.

“Ah, I wanted to give you a bath, get you some new clothes, um… and then trim your bangs, but, but…”

Liang Lai didn’t really know how to explain, so she just said, “But I’m not very good at helping others bathe or trimming bangs… So I thought I’d ask one of the Nun sisters outside to help you.”

Dolosa’s frown deepened.

Huh?

Did she look disabled or something? Did she really need help with this?

Did this woman have any brains at all?

But on the surface, she still spoke politely: “It’s fine, I can do it myself. You can leave.”

Liang Lai smiled again.

She wanted to praise her—kids always liked praise, and it would make her work harder in the future.

Having no experience in praising children, Liang Lai racked her brains, recalling comments she’d seen while scrolling Little Red Potato.

“Ahhh, baby, you’re such an awesome little one!”

Dolosa: “?”

This woman… was she really all right in the head?

Still, Liang Lai didn’t feel comfortable leaving Dolosa alone.

She simply dragged over a little stool and placed it by the door, sitting down with her back to Dolosa.

“Go ahead and wash up. Call me when you’re done.”

Dolosa silently watched Liang Lai’s back, and once she was sure there was no danger, she slowly took off her clothes.

On her body was a strange birthmark.

If Liang Lai saw it, she’d definitely feel it looked extremely familiar.

“Hoo~”

Dolosa soaked in the warm water, stretching comfortably.

There were no such pools for a comfortable soak in the Underground Sanctuary; the water there was always icy cold, and she’d long grown used to it.

But now, everything around her gave her a sense of warmth that made her feel awkward.

As for Liang Lai, she sat on the chair, propping her head with her hand, boredly counting her fingers.

If only she had a phone right now.

She sighed.

But Dolosa didn’t keep her waiting long.

Twenty minutes later, Liang Lai heard the sound of water behind her, then the rustle of putting on a bathrobe.

“I’m done. You can come over now.”

Liang Lai turned her head and froze for a second.

Dolosa had trimmed her bangs short, revealing the little face that had been hidden under her hair.

Those big, wet blue eyes were completely exposed, making Liang Lai suddenly think of the ragdoll cat she’d raised a few years ago.

She really was an adorable child.

Liang Lai felt a burst of motherly love.

She stood up with a smile and, in her usual overly familiar way, slung an arm around Dolosa’s shoulders.

The words that had only existed in her imagination blurted out: “Dolosa, from now on, I’m your family. You can call me Da… Mom, how about that?”

Huh?

Haah?