Chapter 73: Chapter 73: R&D
The successful development of the Fire Spirit Gene had put Lu Xia in a great mood for the past few days. She was spending a lot of time in the lab, but thankfully, she remained mindful of her pregnancy.
Even so, Graces and Smelian took turns picking her up from work every day.
Everyone in the lab had now seen Graces and Smelian and knew that Lu Xia currently had two husbands.
The day Graces came to pick her up, the Fire Spirit Gene had just been successfully activated in a test subject. A small white mouse was already able to breathe fire.
When she saw Graces, Lu Xia couldn’t wait to share the happy news.
"Graces, if the Fire Spirit Gene is successful in test subjects, then it’s also viable for use on Beastmen. I’ve looked at the research data, and the Gene Research Institute already has successful cases. However, their success rate isn’t high, and the Superpower Genes they’ve fused tend to be from the Plant System, which are more gentle. The Fire Spirit Gene is a bit more volatile, but if the fusion is successful, it can generate immense power."
At this, Lu Xia looked at the man beside her. "I want to perform a gene fusion experiment on you. I think fusing the Fire Spirit Gene with your Black Dragon Gene would be a perfect match. But not right now. We have to wait until my gene fusion agent is successfully developed. I need to be certain about the risks."
Graces was indeed an excellent research subject. At the same time, she also wanted to make him stronger, but the primary goal of it all had to be his safety.
"Okay." Graces didn’t refuse, nor did he say anything more. It was as if he would accept anything from Lu Xia, whether good or bad.
Seeing him agree so readily, Lu Xia smiled. "Don’t you think I’m no different from those folks at the Gene Research Institute? You’re such a great research subject that even I can’t resist."
She was being very direct, not hiding her intentions.
Graces looked down at her, his gaze tender and affectionate. "I’ve never thought you were like them. At the very least, they wouldn’t be as frank as you. All they require from me is a spirit of sacrifice."
"I don’t need your sacrifice, Graces. You can refuse if you don’t want this. I’m suggesting this because I think the Fire Spirit Gene is a great match for your Black Dragon Gene, and it would be a shame to miss out. And beyond wanting you to be stronger, there’s one more thing: I want you to be a perfect Gene Fusion Expert. A 78% fusion rate isn’t your limit. You should have a complete Beastification Form and a powerful offensive superpower. That is what you deserve for everything you’ve been through."
At this, the smile on Lu Xia’s face grew even more brilliant. "The moment you become truly powerful, I believe no one will dare to touch you ever again. The people who humiliated you, who mocked you, will only grovel at your feet, staring up in awe."
Graces raised a hand, unable to resist touching Lu Xia’s cheek. "You want me to become powerful?"
"Yes. Only the powerful can control their own destiny." ’Even if we were to separate one day, Graces would still be able to live a good life.’ "But I have to warn you, the experiment will have risks. Even if I do my best to control them, I still can’t guarantee it will be 100% harmless. Knowing that, are you still willing, Graces?"
"Yes, I’m willing. Because I trust you. I know that no matter what I become, you won’t abandon me. That’s enough."
"Once the gene fusion agent is successfully developed and your Beastification Gene reaches 100% perfect fusion, I want to fuse the Fire Spirit Gene then. The probability of success will be higher that way."
"I’ll do as you say." Graces seemed to cede all control to her, his unreserved trust delighting Lu Xia.
"Then it’s decided. Let’s head back. Did you invite your friends today? People are coming to the banquet tomorrow, right?"
Not long ago, Graces had been successfully promoted to Major General.
The promise to hold a banquet for Graces’ promotion could now be fulfilled.
"Yes, I invited Admiral Snop and my second-in-command."
"Is that everyone you invited?" Lu Xia was a bit surprised. She thought Graces would invite more people. ’Just the two of them?’
"It’s enough." Clearly, Graces had no intention of getting too close with anyone else from the military district. "Besides, it’s just a small, private gathering. There’s no need to invite so many people."
He didn’t want to cause Lu Xia too much trouble, either.
"Alright, if you think that’s enough, it’s fine. I’ve invited Duke Leslie and Prince Li Mang. They’re both coming."
When they returned home, the old butler presented Lu Xia with the menu for the next day’s banquet for her review.
After looking it over, Lu Xia said, "This is fine. Please prepare everything according to this."
The old butler nodded. "The guest rooms have all been cleaned, and the flowers you requested have been arranged."
"Yes, very good. Thank you for your hard work."
"You’re too kind, my lady. It’s my duty." The old butler gave a respectful bow.
Lu Xia then had a sudden thought. "Butler, if you ever want to take a vacation, you can just tell me."
The old butler was stunned to hear this. From the moment he became Duke Lu Xia’s butler, it was understood that he had no holidays. He
was to dedicate all his time to Duke Lu Xia. That was his duty.
He never expected Lu Xia to notice this. A warmth spread through his chest, and he smiled. "Very well. If I ever need to, I will report to you, my lady."
"You can take paid leave when you do." Lu Xia was not the kind of boss who liked to exploit her staff. She knew very well that proper relaxation was better for one’s physical and mental health.
Just then, Smelian returned. The moment he came home, he noticed something was different about the house—there were many more flowers.
"Is there an event today?" he asked, a bit slow on the uptake.
"We’re holding a private banquet tomorrow to celebrate Graces’ promotion to Major General. You should come too, Smelian." Lu Xia extended the invitation. As a member of the household, Smelian had the right to attend such events.
Smelian had no intention of refusing Lu Xia’s invitation. He was actually very happy that she hadn’t asked him to make himself scarce. "Okay. Is there anything I can help with?"
"No, the butler has already prepared everything. You just need to attend with us tomorrow. By the way, are things at the hospital going smoothly? No one is giving you a hard time anymore, right?"
"Very smoothly, thanks to you." ’If it weren’t for Lu Xia, even if the issue could have been resolved, it wouldn’t have gone this smoothly. His own family certainly wouldn’t have been of any help.’
Only Lu Xia would do something like this for him.
When he thought about everything Graces had now, it was hard for Smelian not to feel envious. However, there wasn’t much jealousy, because he had a feeling that as long as he was willing to put in the effort, he would be rewarded in turn.
Duke Lu Xia was someone who wasn’t stingy with her generosity.
He could see that very clearly.
