The incident online had become a trending topic. Even though Lu Xia didn’t usually pay much attention to such things, she was now aware of it.

The researchers who had just returned from their trip were incredibly excited.

After all, their product hadn’t even launched yet. It was still in the trial phase and was already getting this kind of reaction. Once it hit the market, wouldn’t it sell out instantly?

Their positive reception gave the people in the neighboring hair growth liquid research lab a glimmer of hope. One by one, they rolled up their sleeves, eager to produce results as soon as possible, hoping for a good start just like the beauty cream.

Lately, more and more people had been contacting Lu Xia. She had no idea how they had gotten her private terminal number.

Lan Ya, for her part, had rushed over first thing in the morning to ask when the beauty cream would be launched. If it wasn’t launching right away, she wanted to know if Lu Xia could give her a few jars to use herself or to give as gifts.

Looking at Duke Lan Ya, whose previously arrogant attitude had completely vanished, Lu Xia’s expression didn’t change one bit. She was as composed as the day she had asked Lan Ya to invest. "It won’t be on the market until the end of next month. I can give you some, but not too much."

"How much can you give me? Don’t forget, we have a lot of old friends we used to hang out with. They said they couldn’t reach you, so they had to come to me. It wouldn’t be right not to give them some, would it?" Lan Ya wore an expression that said, ’We can’t let our friends down.’

Lu Xia remained impassive, looking languid as she nestled into her large chair. "Only three boxes. There’s no more than that. As for those other friends, you can turn them all down."

"Turn them down? Why?" Duke Lan Ya looked confused. "Don’t tell me you’re looking down on them now that you’re so successful and capable. Don’t forget, I’m one of them. Are you planning on cutting me off too?"

"Of course not. You invested in me; you’re a shareholder. But what can they do besides leech off of you and me? Think about it carefully. When did we ever go out with that group and not be the ones to pay? It didn’t matter when we were all hanging out together, but we’re not anymore. To keep giving them freebies now... wouldn’t that make us suckers? Of course, if you want to do it, then just pretend I didn’t say anything. I’ll have someone bring the items over in a bit. Is there anything else?"

If Lan Ya hadn’t readily given her five million, she honestly couldn’t be bothered to say all this to her. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Duke Lan Ya was stunned by her words. She had clearly never thought about it in such detail. Since neither she nor Lu Xia was short on money, they had always naturally picked up the tab whenever they went out.

But thinking about it carefully, those so-called "good friends" of hers only ever came looking for them when they needed something. On a normal day, there was no contact at all, let alone any offer of help.

Some things you don’t think much about until someone points them out. But once they do, it’s like a seed has been planted that takes root and sprouts.

Lan Ya wouldn’t have become a Duke if she were truly stupid. After a long silence, she finally spoke. "I admit, I haven’t thought about it as clearly as you have. You’re really different now."

As she said this, she was no longer in a hurry. Instead, she sat cross-legged on the sofa, looking as if she wanted to have a long talk with Lu Xia. "What’s really on your mind? Are you actually serious about building a career?"

Although Lu Xia had changed a lot, so much that she was almost a stranger, Lan Ya still found it hard to believe that her old partner in crime had just sprinted off down a completely different path.

Lu Xia maintained her languid, almost careless demeanor. "We’re not teenagers anymore. We’ve both inherited our family’s titles. I feel that it wasn’t easy for my family’s title to be passed down to my generation. Even if the line is fated to end, it can’t end with me. That would be a disgrace. Besides, we’ve already done all the partying and had all the fun we could. Do you really still find that life interesting?"

This question stumped Duke Lan Ya again. She had truly never considered whether her life was "interesting." After all, it was just her life, wasn’t it?

But now that Lu Xia had asked, she thought about it and realized it really wasn’t all that interesting.

No matter how much they partied, it was always the same old thing. After a while, even that got tiresome. She just hadn’t thought about it. "So this is why you’re so motivated now?"

"I guess so. Don’t you think it’s interesting to watch them go crazy over something? And that something is in your hands. You can give it to whomever you want, and if you don’t want to, they still have to come and beg you for it. Isn’t there a sense of accomplishment in that?"

Lan Ya’s expression shifted. She had clearly thought of something. These past few days, many people had approached her—both those she was in contact with and those she wasn’t.

Among them were even some people with higher status than her, which had left her feeling flattered and overwhelmed.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have rushed over in such a panic to ask Lu Xia for the products. Before this, she couldn’t quite explain her own feelings.

’Now that Lu Xia has pointed it out, isn’t it just a sense of satisfaction?’

The people they used to try and fail to get close to were now pulling strings just to talk to her. How could that not be delightful?

"Looks like you’ve really figured things out," Lan Ya couldn’t help but sigh again. Then, noticing that Lu Xia had been languid ever since she arrived, she asked curiously, "What’s wrong with you? Are you sick? Not feeling well? Why do I feel like something’s off about you?"

Lu Xia yawned, her attitude frank. "What’s so strange about me? I’m always like this. I’m just a little sleepy. If you hadn’t come, I’d probably be resting right now."

"So you’re saying I came and disturbed your rest?"

"I didn’t say that." As her voice fell, there was a knock on the office door. Graces entered, carrying a food container in one hand and a bag in the other. The bag bore the logo of the No. 1 Institute—it was clearly what Lan Ya had come for.

Seeing Graces, Lan Ya raised an eyebrow, speaking with a complete lack of subtlety. "Why do you have a defective male here?"

Graces showed no signs of a Beastification Form, making his status identifiable at a glance.

Lu Xia took the items from Graces and tossed the bag in front of Lan Ya. "He’s my person. I expect you to show him some respect. What you wanted is here. If there’s nothing else, you can go."

Lan Ya walked to the desk, picked up the bag, and glanced inside. "I didn’t even say anything, and you’re already defending him. I never realized you were into this type. But I admit, he’s not bad-looking. As for his performance..."

"Shut up. The door’s over there. Close it on your way out." Lu Xia cut off Lan Ya’s crude joke, pointing outside with an unmistakable meaning.

Lan Ya huffed but finally got a bit more serious. "Only three boxes? That’s too few. Can’t you spare at least two more?"

"Take it or leave it. If you don’t want it, get lost!" Lu Xia said, feigning a move to snatch the bag back. Lan Ya dodged her, grinning. "Three boxes it is, then! I’m leaving. You and your little lover have fun now. Bye!"

Hearing this, Lu Xia instinctively glanced at Graces, intending to tell him not to overthink it. But she found the man’s eyes sparkling, as if he were very happy about what was said.

’What’s he so happy about?’

’Happy that Lan Ya called him her lover?’

Just as Lu Xia was thinking this, Graces suddenly dropped to one knee. "Female Master, do you wish to bestow your favor? I am ready at any time."