Lu Xia patiently comforted Graces. She knew very well that even if Graces had changed a lot, his low self-esteem and habit of blaming himself for problems couldn’t be changed overnight. It was fine when things were going smoothly, but whenever a problem arose, he would subconsciously wonder if it was his fault and if things would have been better had he acted differently.

But at the same time, this wasn’t just Graces’s problem; it was a common problem for a certain type of person.

Graces reached out and hugged Lu Xia. She knew perfectly well that it was because of her kindness that he blamed himself.

Because he cared, he didn’t want her to suffer even the slightest grievance. Not from anyone.

"Graces, this weekend, how about we hold a public banquet to introduce you as my main husband?"

"I’ll do whatever Xiaxia says."

"Mm, then it’s decided. For the guests you want to invite, just finalize the list and give it to the old butler," Lu Xia said, stroking Graces’s head. "Alright, come with me to check on the little one."

She knew that it wasn’t just her; Graces needed a distraction, too.

*

The next day, Lu Xia requested to slow down the clinical trials for the gene fusion agent being developed by Team One at No.2 Institute.

The researcher in charge of the team was completely baffled. "Your Excellency, why? At our current pace, we’ll finish the clinical trials in six months and can officially launch it to the market. Why suddenly slow things down? You know how many people are waiting for our agent."

"There’s no reason. It just needs to be done. Follow my orders." Lu Xia couldn’t explain why, nor did she want to. She just knew that if they proceeded according to the original plan, the results waiting for them might not be what they were hoping for.

Not only that, but she also used the official account to post a notice stating that due to problems with the research process, the official release date was now pending.

As a result, many people couldn’t help but suspect that there was a problem with the gene fusion agent being researched by No.2 Institute. Why else would the release be delayed?

"What’s going on? Didn’t the inspection agency say they didn’t find any problems? Why the sudden delay?"

"It’s probably not a problem with the agent itself. They said it’s the research process. Maybe they found a new way to improve it, like an upgrade, so they’re not sure when it can be released!"

"It’s already at a 50% success rate. Can it really be upgraded?"

"Look on the bright side. If it really can be upgraded, doesn’t that mean the success rate for injections will be even higher in the future? That’s great news, brothers!"

"I don’t think it’s a bad thing either. The higher the probability, the better for us. Let’s just wait. Good things come to those who wait. We’ve already waited this long, a little more time won’t hurt!"

"No.2 Institute is so conscientious, unlike those black-hearted people who would sell a batch at a 50% rate and then sell another batch after an upgrade!"

"Then can I ask, didn’t this batch of volunteers in the experiment luck out? My younger brother came home a couple of days ago. After two injections, he finally became a Gene Fusion Expert. He was only allowed to come home after his condition stabilized at No.2 Institute. He’s a completely different person now. Honestly, I think they really could have sold a batch at 50%!"

"Weren’t there also volunteers who experienced side effects? I wonder how they’re doing."

"I read their monthly report. Most of those with side effects had problems with blood coagulation. It was alleviated after taking corresponding medication, but for now, there’s no report on whether they can continue receiving the gene fusion agent injections after being cured."

"If it’s just a blood coagulation issue, I think that side effect is probably acceptable. After all, there’s medication to treat the symptoms."

"I think everyone should just be patient and wait. It’s safer to wait a bit longer!"

...

Lu Xia paid close attention to the public’s reaction online. Seeing that most people were taking it well, she breathed a sigh of relief.

However, in contrast to the public’s positive reaction, the powerful and influential figures who had been monitoring the situation were getting anxious.

Lady Daina sent her a special message asking what exactly had gone wrong with the research.

Lu Xia replied with the same explanation: the research process had been re-planned, which affected the release date, but it wasn’t a particularly serious problem.

But similarly, the release date could not be determined.

After Lady Daina expressed her understanding, Her Majesty Queen’s attendant also sent an inquiry. Lu Xia gave the same story. The other party didn’t say much after hearing her explanation, and she received no further pressure from the Queen afterward.

This confirmed what Lu Xia had been thinking.

’Her Majesty Queen isn’t particularly looking forward to the release of the gene fusion agent.’

In contrast, Levin, the director of the Gene Research Institute, was very concerned about the matter. He even specifically asked Lu Xia what difficulties she had encountered and whether she needed technical or personnel assistance from his institute.

Lu Xia politely declined, but he persistently sent more messages to discuss it.

Lu Xia had to admit that he was indeed a man who wanted to get things done. It was just a shame...

Although the research on the gene fusion agent had been put on hold, there was good news regarding the Fire Spirit Gene. The first Fire Spirit Gene Extraction Liquid had finally produced a stable effect in a test subject.

They had succeeded!

Lu Xia was overjoyed. They succeeded before the public banquet for her main husband, which meant she now had a gift for Graces.

From the very beginning, Lu Xia had never intended to make the development of the Fire Spirit Gene public. It had always been a project developed exclusively for Graces. Now that it had finally borne fruit, Lu Xia was very satisfied. With a grand gesture, she gave Team Two a vacation.

That evening, when Lu Xia returned home, everyone could tell she was in a great mood.

After dinner, once Lu Xia and Graces were back in their room, she took out the vial of Fire Spirit Gene Extraction Liquid and presented it to him. "This is for you. Consider it a gift for becoming my main husband."

Graces hadn’t expected Lu Xia to prepare a gift for the occasion.

He reached out, took it, and opened the box, revealing a syringe filled with an orange-red liquid. "What is this?"

"Remember the Fire Spirit Gene we won at the Underground City auction? This is the gene extraction liquid. The effect is very stable. It’s a gift for you. I’ve always felt that fire and dragons are a perfect match."

’With this Fire Spirit Gene,’ Lu Xia thought, ’Graces’s beast form will finally be perfect.’

Graces knew exactly how precious this Fire Spirit Gene Extraction Liquid was. "This is too valuable, Xiaxia!"

"It was researched specifically for you, Graces. From start to finish, it was prepared only for you. I hope you can become powerful and take complete control of your own destiny!" ’This should count as a wonderful blessing,’ Lu Xia thought.

Graces held the box, feeling that in the entire world, perhaps only Lu Xia would ever treat him this way.

No longer refusing, Graces smiled. "Alright. I will make myself stronger. Thank you, Xiaxia. I love this gift."