This was the first time in days Smelian had been so proactive. Not only was Lu Xia taken aback, but neither the old butler nor Graces, who was about to step forward, had expected it.

Lu Xia didn’t say much about it, though. She just smiled and handed her things to him. "The banquet tonight went smoothly," she said. "Have you all been waiting for me?"

"Yeah, we figured it was about time you’d be back," Graces said, walking over nonchalantly. "Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?"

Banquets always have food, but people don’t necessarily go there just to eat.

Now that he mentioned it, Lu Xia realized she was a bit hungry. "Sure. Nothing too complicated, though. Just some simple noodles would be great."

"We also have mini wontons. Want me to make you a bowl?"

"Sounds good." Lu Xia then noticed Smelian, who was standing to the side, seemed to have something to say. She couldn’t help but look at him. "Is there something else?"

Smelian, as if not feeling Graces’s stare, walked up to Lu Xia. "Could you please sit down?"

Lu Xia was a little surprised by Smelian’s sudden request, but she didn’t refuse. It was rare for him to take the initiative like this.

She walked over to the sofa and sat down. Then, she saw Smelian suddenly kneel on one knee before her, his hand reaching out to grasp her ankle.

The gesture made Lu Xia flinch, but Smelian didn’t let go. Instead, he looked up at her, his golden eyes appearing exceptionally clear and gentle. "Don’t be afraid. I was reading a lot of material on procreation today. Some experts say natural conception can put a strain on the mother’s body, possibly causing swelling in the lower limbs. If that happens, massage is the best way to relieve it." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Lu Xia instantly understood what he intended to do. Surprise colored her tone when she spoke again. "You went and researched this specifically?"

"Yes." Smelian’s reply was firm. "As a doctor, even though procreation isn’t my specialty, learning about it isn’t difficult. From now on, let me be in charge of your health here at home."

Lu Xia nodded, not refusing. She could see that Smelian was trying to fit into this family in his own way.

’Since she couldn’t end their relationship, she couldn’t just push him away, either.’

"That’s a lot to put on you."

"It’s no trouble. It’s what I should be doing." When Smelian saw Lu Xia agree, his tense nerves finally relaxed. He might have looked calm on the outside, but he had been worried she would reject his offer. ’Thankfully, she accepted.’ His gaze returned to Lu Xia’s calves, only to find that, unlike he’d expected, they weren’t swollen from the pregnancy.

The ankle in his hand was slender. The lines of her calf were trim and smooth, and her fair, delicate skin had a subtle, healthy glow. Everything about them looked healthy and beautiful.

He was happy she was all right, but also disappointed he couldn’t be of service.

"They look perfectly fine, so don’t worry." Smelian released her ankle and slowly stood up. "Next time you go to see Doctor Eugene, may I come with you?"

Lu Xia nodded. "Of course. I’ll let you know ahead of time when I’m going."

With that, she stood up and headed for the stairs. "I’m going to go shower and change."

Graces followed her. "I’ll go with you."

Lu Xia glanced at him but said nothing. The two of them returned to their room together. The moment the door closed, Graces wrapped his arms around Lu Xia from behind. "Xiaxia, will you start to like Smelian more?"

His voice was deep and husky, sounding like he was intentionally pouting.

Faced with such a direct question from Graces, Lu Xia wasn’t annoyed. Instead, she felt like laughing. He was like a big pet dog who, upon seeing her pet another dog, gets jealous and starts pouting. It was surprisingly cute.

So she said with a smile, "Are you unhappy because I was just with Smelian?"

Graces shook his head. "I’m not unhappy. I know he’s your husband, too, and has a right to share your love. I just want to know if you’ll come to like him more."

"I don’t know, Graces. But for now, I still like you more." ’I can’t guarantee what the future will hold, and I don’t want to make promises to anyone. I admit, that might make me seem like a bit of a player, but the only thing I can do is treat everyone equally.’

"So you like me more right now?" Graces broke into a happy laugh at her words and couldn’t resist turning to kiss her on the cheek. "Then I’ll just have to keep trying my best to make sure Xiaxia always likes me the most. I’ll go get your snack ready. Wait for me."

With that, the man released his hold and turned to leave.

’It was as if he’d only followed her up here to get that one question settled.’

Lu Xia gave a resigned smile. ’It’s a real shame Graces didn’t fuse with dog genes. Still, the Black Dragon Gene is good too. A puppy-dragon, maybe?’

By the time Lu Xia had showered, changed, and made her way to the dining room, Graces had already set a steaming bowl of mini wontons on the table.

Lu Xia walked over, took her seat, and asked, "How were things at military headquarters today? Did they say anything?"

Knowing what she was really asking, Graces pulled up a chair beside Lu Xia and spoke gently. "They probably haven’t noticed the change in my official status yet. I didn’t bring it up. They were just surprised I recovered so quickly."

’After all, given my condition back then, the doctors had basically pronounced me dead. If Lu Xia hadn’t refused to give up on me and insisted on bringing me home, I’d probably be dead right now.’

Lu Xia wasn’t surprised. She knew Graces wasn’t the type to flaunt things. "Well, when they do find out, you have to come and tell me all about it. I want to know the looks on their faces."

’It’s going to be so interesting.’

Seeing Lu Xia’s mischievous streak, Graces simply found the woman before him all the more adorable.

His eyes crinkled with amusement as he replied, "Okay."

In fact, at the very moment the two of them were talking, Admiral Snop received a voice call from the director of the Gene Research Institute.

The two weren’t friends, merely acquaintances who rarely interacted in a personal capacity.

Admiral Snop was rather surprised to suddenly receive a call from him, but after a moment’s hesitation, he accepted it.

"Admiral Snop, I hope I’m not disturbing you. My apologies for calling so abruptly, but there’s a matter I absolutely must ask for your help with."

"Director, you’re too kind. It’s an honor to be remembered by someone as busy as you. Please, just tell me what you need."

"In that case, I’ll be direct. Colonel Grace is your subordinate, correct? Let me be the first to congratulate you—you have another Gene Fusion Expert under your command."

Hearing this, Snop’s heart skipped a beat. He replied with restraint, "Director, are you sure you’re not mistaken? Graces is indeed my subordinate, but he is not a Gene Fusion Expert."