The moment the call connected, Smelian’s anxious voice came from the terminal: "Xiaxia, are you okay? Are you hurt? Should I have Doctor Eugene come to the house to check on you?"

"There’s no need, Smelian. I’m fine, don’t worry. Tucker protected me very well. I have you to thank for arranging for someone to guard me ahead of time. I’m not hurt, so don’t worry."

She knew Smelian must have been terrified, so Lu Xia patiently reassured him.

Smelian quickly asked, "Xiaxia, are you still planning on going to the No.2 Institute? I’m coming over now."

"Smelian, I’m okay. You don’t need to rush over. Of course, if it’ll put your mind at ease, then I’ll wait for you at the No.2 Institute."

After Lu Xia ended the call, Smelian took off his gloves and said to the person on the screen, "Don’t you people have your own doctors? Why do you come looking for me every time something happens?"

Graces didn’t answer his question, asking instead, "Is Xiaxia okay?"

Smelian turned and glared furiously at Graces on the screen. "You’d better guarantee she wasn’t dragged into this because of you!"

Graces looked at Smelian, whose eyes were red with anger, and didn’t argue. He wasn’t sure if the sudden car crash was because of him either. So he only said, "I’ll have someone investigate it thoroughly. I’ll give Xiaxia an explanation."

"I’m leaving. Get your people out of here immediately. Don’t stay on the Imperial Star any longer—everyone is looking for you right now. My bottom line is that whatever you’re doing, don’t get Lu Xia involved. And Graces, get a move on. Stop dragging your feet and keeping Xiaxia waiting."

Faced with Smelian’s warning, Graces simply responded, "Fine, I understand."

Smelian came out of Nanxi No. 19, stood in front of his hovercar, and sprayed himself thoroughly with an air purifier to get rid of the reek of blood on him. Lu Xia was sensitive during her pregnancy, and he didn’t want her to smell it on him.

After Smelian left, Graces said to the people in the room, "Go investigate." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Those two brief words were indisputable, and the few people remaining in the room sprang into action at once.

Lu Xia had just arrived at the No.2 Institute when Smelian rushed over. The man looked travel-worn and his face was even a little pale. The moment he saw Lu Xia, he pulled her into his arms, as if it were the only way to confirm she was truly unharmed. Lu Xia patted his shoulder gently. "There, there. No need to be so anxious. I’m really okay."

Smelian nodded lightly. "Tucker and his team will investigate this. The police department will probably get involved too, so Xiaxia doesn’t need to worry about it."

Lu Xia smiled. "I wasn’t planning on worrying about it anyway. I really have Tucker and his men to thank this time. You should thank them properly."

"I will." A smile finally appeared on Smelian’s face.

Lu Xia led him to the lounge and had someone bring some hot cocoa to help Smelian calm his nerves. "You should rest for a bit. I still have work to attend to. Don’t worry, I’m fine. Besides, I just made an appointment with Doctor Eugene. He’s coming to the house tonight to check on me again."

"Okay. I’ll wait here for you to finish up, and we’ll go home together."

After Lu Xia left, Smelian’s terminal rang several times. It was a voice call request from Cecil. Smelian answered, and the voice on the other end said, "Something happened to Sister?"

Clearly, word had already gotten out; even Cecil had heard about it. Smelian didn’t hide it. "Yes. I’m at the No.2 Institute now. Xiaxia’s fine."

"What on earth happened? Was it an accident, or did someone do it on purpose?"

"It’s still under investigation. We can’t be sure yet."

Cecil was silent for a moment on the other end. "Are you with Sister right now?"

"Yes, I’m at the No.2 Institute. Do you want to come?"

Cecil didn’t refuse Smelian’s invitation. "Wait for me," he said.

So, when Lu Xia finished her work and came out of the lab, she saw Cecil standing outside the door. She hadn’t expected him to show up as well.

The moment Lu Xia appeared, Cecil walked over and called out, "Sister, are you alright?"

Lu Xia smiled at him. "I’m fine, don’t worry. Smelian arranged for people to protect me ahead of time, so I wasn’t harmed."

Hearing this, Cecil glanced at Smelian, finding him surprisingly reliable in a crisis. "As long as you’re okay, Sister. I was scared to death when I heard the news."

Smelian glanced at Cecil, who was repeating "Sister" with every other word. ’He’s really laying on the charm,’ Smelian thought, finding it rather irritating.

Cecil sidled up to Lu Xia. "Sister, is this your research institute? It’s huge!"

He looked extremely curious about the place. Lu Xia glanced at him and asked, "Would you like a tour?"

Cecil immediately showed his interest. "Show me around, Sister."

Lu Xia didn’t refuse. She glanced at Smelian, who was standing to the side. He raised a hand, gesturing for them to go ahead.

Lu Xia led Cecil on a tour around the labs, finally stopping in front of the laboratory for gene fusion agents. Seeing his curious gaze, she explained, "This is the department that researches gene fusion agents."

"Cecil, do you want to become a Gene Fusion Expert?"

At Lu Xia’s question, Cecil turned to look at her, the smile on his face slowly vanishing as his expression turned serious. "Can I?"

"Why not?" Lu Xia looked at him, a little puzzled.

"I thought you wouldn’t want me to become a Gene Fusion Expert. I thought... you didn’t like me, so you wouldn’t want me to become one."

"What are you talking about? If you want to, just pick a day you’re free and come find me here. The success rate for the gene fusion agent is very high now, and the side effects are basically under control. It’s very safe."

Lu Xia said these words very quietly, but loud enough for Cecil to hear.

Cecil nodded, saying with a serious expression, "Then I’ll come over tomorrow."

It was as if he were afraid Lu Xia would go back on her word if he delayed.

Lu Xia chuckled and patted his shoulder. "No need to be in such a hurry. You can come anytime. I’ll have time for you either way."

"Okay." Cecil was happy again.

When he returned with Lu Xia to find Smelian, he had a brilliant smile on his face.

Smelian knew from one look at him that Cecil must have gotten what he wanted. He didn’t say much, only asking, "Are you getting off work? Shall we go back together?"

Lu Xia nodded. "I’m going to change first. Wait for me for a moment."

After Lu Xia left, Cecil looked at Smelian. "Sister said she’ll give me the gene fusion agent injection tomorrow. I can become a Gene Fusion Expert too!"

Smelian wasn’t surprised; Lu Xia had always been generous with them. He nodded. "That’s great. Don’t let Lu Xia’s kindness go to waste."

"Of course I won’t let Sister down. I know very well what I want now. Smelian, you should feel a little threatened, because Sister is going to like me more and more!"

Smelian nodded lightly, his expression not changing in the slightest at Cecil’s provocation. He merely glanced at Cecil and responded, "Mm, then you’d better work hard at it."

Cecil: "..."