The primary function of the first-generation beauty cream was scar removal.

Thanks to Lu Xia, the experimental process went very smoothly.

The four researchers involved in the beauty cream project never expected to develop the product in just one short month. To them, the cream was essentially a cosmetic, its research value far less significant than that of a gene potion.

Still, they had never imagined they could crack it in only a month. Naturally, Lu Xia’s contribution was indispensable.

It was only then that everyone seemed to fully realize that Duke Lu Xia wasn’t just the boss funding the project; she was also a formidable presence in the research field.

She was a completely different person from the unscholarly, pleasure-seeking Duke Lu Xia of the rumors.

The successful development of the beauty cream gave hope to the four researchers working on the hair growth liquid next door. Their progress was a bit slower, but the process was still going smoothly. Achieving results was only a matter of time.

Lu Xia, however, was only moderately satisfied with the beauty cream’s progress. After all, she had completed the relevant research long ago. Now, she simply needed to go through the motions of this development process to legitimize the outcome.

"Our next step is to recruit volunteers to test our product. In the meantime, you can all take a break. We have other research projects waiting for us after this, so if there are no objections, this meeting is adjourned."

Lu Xia didn’t consider herself a particularly harsh boss. When a research project yielded results, she believed rest and relaxation were essential. She wouldn’t exploit her employees relentlessly, because only by resting well could they be energized for the next battle.

The four researchers hadn’t expected to get a vacation. They had worked at other research institutes before, where they had to work year-round without a single day off. Even asking for leave required walking on eggshells around their superiors.

They had assumed Lu Xia would have them start the next project immediately. Instead, she was giving them a vacation. For a moment, none of the four moved.

Seeing them still sitting there, Lu Xia found it a bit odd. "Is something wrong? Do you have any other questions?"

"N-no, no problem. It’s just... we can really take a vacation?"

Lu Xia raised an eyebrow at the four of them. "Otherwise? You want to keep working? I don’t have that kind of rule here. During the busy development phase, you couldn’t take leave. But now that we have results, you should naturally rest and relax. If you don’t know what to do on your vacation, I’ll have someone book a tour package for you. You can all go on a trip together, and I’ll cover the expenses. Once you’ve had your fun and returned, our next project should be ready to launch. So, let’s settle on that plan. If you don’t want to go, the travel funds can be converted to cash. Any other questions?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The four of them shook their heads in unison. "No, no more questions! This is already wonderful!"

’Not only a vacation, but a paid trip, too! Oh my god, if we hadn’t experienced this ourselves, who would believe it if we told them!’

’This is the kind of thing that would make our peers die of envy!’

After the four researchers left, Lu Xia handed over the task of recruiting volunteers to the old butler.

Just as Lu Xia was explaining the types of volunteers she wanted to recruit to the old butler, there was a knock on the conference room door.

They both paused. The old butler stood up. "That should be Graces. He’s off today and contacted me just now to say he’d be bringing lunch."

Lu Xia nodded. "Then let’s talk while we eat."

Opening the conference room door revealed Graces, just as expected, here to deliver lunch. He wasn’t in his military uniform on his day off, dressed instead in simple casual wear, but his posture remained ramrod straight, and he had an exceptional air about him.

Lu Xia immediately shoved the documents on the table to one side, clearing a space for the impending lunch.

Due to her pregnancy, she had been getting hungry more quickly lately. She especially craved spicy food; in fact, she couldn’t get enough of it.

"Let’s all sit down and eat together. We’re not at home, so there’s no need to stand on ceremony." These words were clearly meant for the old butler.

The old butler did not refuse. After taking a seat as instructed, he and Lu Xia reviewed various pieces of information while they ate.

Meanwhile, Graces sat beside them, quietly peeling crayfish for Lu Xia.

"Oh, right, Graces," Lu Xia said. "I mentioned visiting Duke Leslie with you when I had time. I’m free now, so when can we go?"

He hadn’t expected Lu Xia to be serious about it. A flicker of surprise crossed Graces’s eyes, but he quickly replied, "I’m free anytime. We should go according to your schedule."

"Then let’s make it next Sunday, on your next day off. We’ll go over then. Inform Duke Leslie ahead of time."

"I will."

After getting Graces’s confirmation, Lu Xia turned to the old butler. "Prepare some gifts for Duke Leslie for our visit."

"I’ll see to it." As the old butler replied, he couldn’t help but glance at Graces. ’Even I’m starting to envy his good fortune!’

One had to understand that not even every main husband received such treatment, yet Graces, a mere ’defective’ male and only a husband, was being treated so well by Duke Lu Xia.

’It was truly incredible.’

Lu Xia didn’t know what either of them was thinking. Her reason for visiting Duke Leslie wasn’t entirely for Graces’s sake; she simply wanted to use the connection to enter the Duke’s social circle.

After all, her own social circle was full of scumbags. Of course, given the nature of the Empire’s females, Duke Leslie’s circle wasn’t necessarily full of good people either, but they would at least pretend to be.

Besides, Duke Leslie had far more seniority than she did.

As a newcomer among the Dukes, there were indeed some things she needed to learn and observe.

Even if some of their ways weren’t worth emulating, it would at least broaden her horizons.

’As long as I build the right connections, will I have to worry about finding a market for my products in the future?’

After lunch, Lu Xia took a short nap in the break room, while Graces packed up the lunch containers and left the institute to head home.

On his way, however, his terminal rang. After he answered, a voice on the other end said, "We’ve found him."

Graces’s expression didn’t change. He simply gave a soft grunt of acknowledgment. "Understood. Detain him for a while."

"Yes, I understand." The person on the other end paused, then spoke again with some hesitation. "Boss, we heard you got married. Is... she treating you well? Do you need us to..."

"That’s not necessary. Just manage your own affairs. I will handle my own business. I’ll head over in a few days. That’s all." Graces said no more and abruptly ended the call.

Afterward, an unreadable emotion flickered in his eyes.

In truth, his married life with Duke Lu Xia was going more smoothly than he could have ever imagined.

’Even now, he still felt as if this were all an unrealistic dream he had imagined.’

’That’s why he didn’t dare let anyone disturb it. If this truly was just a dream, he hoped it would last a little longer.’

’He didn’t want to wake up so soon.’