Lu Xia didn’t notice the look that passed between Cecil and Simon.

She smiled and introduced them to each other.

Cecil put on a perfectly polite smile and nodded a greeting to Simon. "I also came today to thank you, Mr. Simon, for the Golden Spirit Gene. Thank you for going to the trouble."

Simon also offered a proper smile in return. "No need to be so formal. We’re all one family." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Hearing the two words, "one family," Cecil’s heart tightened slightly. ’Just as I thought,’ he mused, ’this guy is just as scheming as I expected.’

’One family? He hasn’t even come home with us, and he’s already calling us family. This guy has some serious nerve!’

Cecil grumbled inwardly, but not a hint of it showed on his face.

Simon, unconcerned with what Cecil was thinking, smiled at Lu Xia. "I’m ready. When shall we begin?"

"Before we start, you’ll need to do a physical examination. Don’t worry, it’s just some routine checks. My people here are very professional."

She then turned to her assistant. "Take him for his examination. I’ll be over in a bit."

After Simon left with the assistant, Lu Xia asked Cecil, "Do you want to come along, or will you wait for me here?"

Cecil knew Lu Xia was about to get to work. "I’ll wait for you here."

"Alright. If you need anything, just let the staff here know."

Lu Xia gave him a smile and turned to leave.

Before long, the results of Simon’s physical examination were out. There were no issues; he met all the conditions for receiving the gene fusion agent injection.

Lu Xia had Simon enter an isolated observation room. She handed him a glass of Spiritual Spring Water and said, "Don’t worry. The success rate for the gene fusion agent has now increased to 65%, and the side effects are completely under our control. You can rest assured."

Simon finished the Spiritual Spring Water and nodded. "I trust you. Could you be the one to administer the injection?"

"If that’s what you want, of course," Lu Xia agreed readily.

Simon put down the glass and rolled up his sleeve. "Then let’s begin. I’m ready."

Lu Xia said nothing more and injected the gene fusion agent into Simon’s body. She reassured him, "I’ll be watching you from next door. Don’t worry."

Simon nodded, watching as Lu Xia left.

After leaving, Lu Xia went to the observation room. The file her assistant handed her showed that Simon’s family’s Beastification Gene was of a fantastical type—Vampire.

Lu Xia was a little surprised, and she began to look forward to seeing Simon’s post-fusion form.

Putting the file down, Lu Xia patiently watched Simon on the other side of the glass, who had just received the gene fusion agent.

His originally pale skin was now visibly flushed. The burning sensation from the gene fusion agent made Simon antsy; he got up and paced restlessly around the room, but his physical form remained unchanged.

At that moment, Simon felt a fire burning inside him, his bones stretching. He watched as his fingernails grew longer and sharp canines emerged from his gums. The process was far from pleasant.

When it was all over, Simon looked up to see Lu Xia reappear at the door. She was still holding a glass of water, which she offered to him. "Drink some water to recover. There’s a bathroom over there. You can clean up, and I’ll have someone bring in a change of clothes."

Lu Xia’s demeanor was as gentle as ever. Simon couldn’t detect any trace of revulsion in her eyes at his current appearance, which put him somewhat at ease.

Simon wasn’t sure if he looked hideous or just ugly, but he was certain he didn’t look good. Yet, the young female before him didn’t seem afraid. In fact, she was still as gentle as a spring breeze.

In truth, Simon didn’t look ugly at all. His long hair, which had been tied back, now fell loose over his shoulders. His purple eyes seemed even more profound. The two exposed fangs gave him a somewhat wicked air, but it possessed a strange sort of beauty. At least, he wasn’t ugly in Lu Xia’s eyes.

Simon wanted to reach out for the glass of water, but then he remembered his hands with their sharp nails and hesitated, unsure of what to do.

Noticing his hesitation, Lu Xia didn’t press him. She placed the glass on the table. "You can drink it when you’ve recovered, then. I’ll step out for now. Get some rest."

Without disturbing him further, Lu Xia turned and left. After she was gone, Simon walked toward the bathroom.

When he saw his reflection in the mirror, a flicker of surprise appeared in his eyes.

He had actually become a Gene Fusion Expert, just like that. The problem that had plagued him for half his life was solved.

He looked down at his palms. Now that he had changed back into human form, there were no unusual marks on them at all. And yet, he could clearly feel a miraculous power surging within him. The sensation wasn’t bad; on the contrary, it was pleasant. ’So this is what it feels like to be a Gene Fusion Expert.’

He took a quick shower, and when he came out, he saw that Lu Xia had already arranged for a change of clothes to be brought for him.

After changing, he picked up the glass of water from the table and drank it in one go. The lingering heat inside his body was replaced by a cool, refreshing feeling.

When he stepped out of the observation room, he saw Cecil standing outside the door with his arms crossed.

Hearing the movement, Cecil stared straight at him, his eyes full of scrutiny.

Simon gave him a slight smile. "Are you waiting for me?"

"Sister asked me to tell you that you can rest here after you come out. She’ll come find you when she’s finished with her work."

"Sister?" Simon looked puzzled, unsure if the "sister" Cecil was referring to was Lu Xia.

Cecil lifted his chin slightly, looking proud and petulant. "Sister is Sister!"

With that, he turned and walked away, making it clear he didn’t want to waste any more words on Simon.

’This guy is here to steal my sister away from me,’ Cecil thought. ’I’m not going to talk to him more than I have to.’

Simon watched the departing Cecil with a raised eyebrow but didn’t follow. Instead, he found a place to sit and straightened his clothes.

’I’m not sure if Lu Xia prepared these clothes specifically for me or if they were just here already, but they’re a perfect fit.’

’I have to admit, the young female is very thoughtful. She doesn’t have any of the common faults of females in the Empire. The way she treats people is so comfortable. It just confirms it again—no wonder these people are so devoted to her.’

Lu Xia reviewed Simon’s physical data, and after confirming there were no problems, she instructed the staff to destroy it.

When she came out of her office again, she saw Cecil and Simon sitting on opposite sides, waiting for her from a great distance. The scene was inexplicably amusing.

The moment she appeared, they both looked at her with expectant eyes. But compared to Simon’s calm composure, Cecil was much more direct, like a puppy begging its owner for a pat on the head.

Lu Xia smiled and walked over. "Alright, work’s over. Let’s go home."

She didn’t walk toward either of them but stood in the middle and clapped her hands, calling out like a kindergarten teacher, ’Alright, kids, time to go home!’

As soon as she spoke, both of them stood up and walked toward her.

After saying goodbye to the other staff members at No.2 Institute, Lu Xia left work and drove home with the two of them. She had already informed the old butler to set an extra place for dinner tonight.