Chapter 1041 – Mo Lan’s Baby-Raising Daily Life 7

The little one clearly hadn’t fully adapted to her new form — having “hatched from her shell,” she now had to move using limbs and a torso. In her mind, she still thought she was that egg that could roll freely, unbound and unfettered.

After Mo Lan washed her clean, wrapped her in soft, warm cotton cloth, and carefully placed her back onto the plush cushion of the baby crib, she immediately began plotting her next round of “hide and seek.”

Seizing the moment when “nobody” was around, she took a deep breath and tried her hardest to contract her soft little arms and legs, attempting to curl her body into a tight ball just as she had done over the past few months. Then, using her little bottom as leverage, she would “roll” off the bed and commence her grand hiding plan.

Reality, however, gave her a harsh wake-up call.

She strained and mustered all her strength to flip over, only to discover that the shell — once so obedient, hard, smooth, and wonderfully springy — was gone.

In its place were floppy, powerless little arms and short little legs that kicked without any coordination whatsoever.

She tried to turn onto her side, but her body was like an uncooperative cloud, merely wriggling uselessly on the soft mattress a few times. Forget rolling off the bed — she couldn’t even manage to turn from lying on her back to lying on her side.

Each attempt drained her limited stamina. Her little face gradually flushed red from the effort, tiny beads of sweat appeared on the tip of her nose, and her large purple eyes were filled with confusion and a barely perceptible sense of defeat.

What’s going on? Where’s my “invincible spinning wheel”?

Nearby, on the window-side daybed positioned in the little one’s blind spot, Mo Lan had been watching the entire spectacle. She fought to suppress her laughter as she watched her daughter’s adorable display — so “ambitious” yet so “immobilized” — her heart melting into a puddle.

Seeing that the little one had tried many times, not only failing to budge an inch but exhausting herself until she was panting and red-faced, yet still stubbornly refusing to give up, Mo Lan finally couldn’t hold back any longer and spoke softly:

“Sylvia, you’ve already come out of your eggshell. You’re a little witch baby now, and your arms and legs don’t have any strength yet. You need to eat well, sleep well, and grow a bit more before you can get down from the bed on your own!”

The little one, who had been wrestling with her floppy body, froze at these words.

She stopped her futile wriggling and, with great effort, slowly turned her not-yet-flexible neck bit by bit. Tilting her little head, she looked in the direction the voice had come from.

What she saw made her want to sink through the floor.

There on the daybed, Mama Mo Lan was watching her with a smile.

By the bed, Zhizhi was crouching there, her shiny black eyes unblinking, her tail swaying curiously.

Clack was right beside her, holding up a magic camera, having just pressed the shutter.

Even Sentai had a vine dangling down from the window.

Every single one of them had been watching her, plain as day!

Her “jailbreak” attempt just now had clearly been observed from start to finish!

With so many pairs of eyes on her, how could she possibly have the nerve to keep “hiding”?

The little one’s lips puckered, and a layer of aggrieved mist instantly clouded her eyes.

She didn’t cry, though. She just puffed up her cheeks indignantly, squeezed her eyes shut tight, and her long eyelashes trembled slightly with emotion.

She chose sleep — out of sight, out of mind!

Once she woke up and had her strength back, she’d secretly hide again, and this time she’d make sure they’d never find her!

Almost within seconds of closing her eyes, exhaustion surged over her, quickly drowning out that little bit of defiance and stubbornness.

Her little head nuzzled against the soft pillow, her breathing soon became steady and long, and her warm little body — carrying the scent of milk — relaxed completely, sinking into a deep sleep.

Only her slightly puffed-out cheeks seemed to still be protesting her earlier “defeat” and “displeasure.”

Watching her daughter’s adorable sulky sleeping face, Mo Lan finally couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

She walked over, leaned down, and pressed a gentle kiss to her daughter’s smooth forehead, then tucked in the blanket corners for her.

“Sleep well, my little Sylvia,” she said softly.

Once her daughter was sound asleep, Mo Lan couldn’t resist having Clack take several more photos, which she sent to the group chat.

By this time, the “Sorceress’s Home” group chat was already being flooded with photos of the little babies.

The four of them had obtained their Witch Tree seeds at the same time, sprouted them at roughly the same time, planted them at roughly the same time, nurtured them at roughly the same pace, had their Witch Fruits ripen on the same day — and so the egg babies all hatched at around the same time too.

【Vasida: After Little Tessa hatched, she still wanted to roll around in the sand. I set her down for a bit, and the sand made her uncomfortable and she cried. [image] Hehe, she looks so cute when she’s crying!】

【Lilith: Mine was something else entirely — the moment she came out, she just stared at the flowers around her without blinking. When she touched them, she even knew to be gentle! [image]】

【Sylph: Evelyn’s eggshell cracked open on its own, but the little thing was sleeping soundly inside. I still don’t even know what color her eyes are. [image]】

【Mo Lan: Mine tried to sneak away and hide when we weren’t looking! Once she got caught, she settled down and fell asleep. [image]】

【Vasida: Now that all the babies have hatched, their arms and legs are all soft and floppy — they won’t be able to cause any mischief for a while. Let’s put them together for a playdate! The weather is so nice today! The sunlight is warm, the breeze is gentle. How about… we bring all four little darlings out, spread out a great big soft mat, and let them lie together to soak up some sun and feel each other’s presence?】

This suggestion immediately received an enthusiastic response from everyone.

【Lilith: Great idea! It’s the perfect chance to let Dorella see some sunlight. As long as there are blooming flowers nearby, this one of mine can sit quietly for ages — she’s incredibly well-behaved.】

【Mo Lan: Then come to my front yard! There’s wisteria there — Dorella will definitely love it.】

【Lilith: Perfect! On my way!】

【Sylph: Evelyn is really too quiet. I hope meeting some friends will help.】

【Vasida: I’m closest, so I’ll head to Moira’s front yard first to lay out the soft mats! I guarantee the little ones will be comfy and safe!】

……

After Mo Lan and Vasida and the others finalized plans in the group chat, they immediately sprang into action.

“Zhizhi, bring the baby carriage, the little blankets, and the water bottle.”

Zhizhi chirped an acknowledgment and went off to gather everything.

Mo Lan leaned down and very carefully lifted the swaddled Sylvia into her arms.

The little one had long since woken up and was lying there with nothing to do, her eyes open wide as she looked around at everything.

Mo Lan gently pressed her cheek against her daughter’s soft little face. “Sylvia, Mama’s taking you out to play. We’re going to see Mama’s friends, and there are a few little ones the same age as you. How does that sound?”

At the mention of going out, Sylvia’s eyes lit up, and her little head bobbed up and down eagerly.

Mo Lan could hear her impatient thoughts loud and clear.

She knew it!

Even when the little one was still an egg, she had already explored every nook and cranny of the house, inside and out. (End of Chapter)