The online buzz had even made it to the trending searches, so even though Lu Xia didn’t usually pay much attention to such things, she was well aware of it.
The researchers who had just returned from their trip were even more excited.
After all, their product hadn’t even been released to the market yet—it was still in the trial phase—and it was already generating such a response. Once it officially launched, wouldn’t it sell out instantly?
With their side receiving such positive feedback, the people in the neighboring hair growth solution research lab also saw hope. They were all rolling up their sleeves, eager to deliver results as soon as possible, hoping for a promising start just like the beauty cream.
These days, more and more people had been reaching out to Lu Xia, though it was unclear how they had gotten hold of her private Terminal number.
Lan Ya, in particular, rushed over early in the morning to ask when the beauty cream would be released. If it couldn’t be launched immediately, she wondered if she could get a few jars to use herself or give as gifts.
Seeing Duke Lan Ya, who had shed her previously haughty attitude, Lu Xia’s expression remained unchanged, as natural as the day she had asked Lan Ya to invest: “It won’t be released until the end of next month. I can give you some, but not too much.”
“How much is ‘some’? Don’t forget, we have quite a few friends we used to hang out with. They said they couldn’t reach you, so they came to me instead. It wouldn’t be right to refuse them, would it?” Lan Ya wore an expression that said, “We can’t let our friends down.”
Lu Xia’s expression remained indifferent as she nestled lazily in her oversized chair. “Only three boxes. Any more than that, and there won’t be any. As for those friends, you can just turn them all down.”
“Turn them down? Why?” Duke Lan Ya looked puzzled. “You’re not thinking that just because you’re doing well now and have some skills, you can look down on them, are you? Don’t forget, I’m one of them too. Are you planning to cut ties with me as well?”
“Of course not. You invested in me—you’re a shareholder. But what have they ever done besides leeching off you and me? Think about it carefully: every time we went out with that crowd, who paid the bill? It didn’t matter before when we were all hanging out together, but now that we’re not, why should we keep giving them benefits? Doesn’t that make us look like fools? Of course, if you’re willing to do it yourself, forget I said anything. I’ll have someone deliver the items later. Is there anything else?”
If Lan Ya hadn’t readily given her five million, she wouldn’t have bothered saying any of this.
Duke Lan Ya was visibly taken aback, clearly having never given the matter much thought before. Since neither she nor Lu Xia were short on money, it had always felt natural to foot the bill whenever they went out.
But upon closer reflection, those so-called “good friends” of hers only reached out when they needed something. On ordinary days, there was no contact at all, let alone any offers of help.
Some things, when left unmentioned, don’t invite much thought. But once someone points them out, they take root and grow like seeds.
As a Duke, Lan Ya wasn’t truly foolish. After a long silence, she finally spoke: “I never thought about it as clearly as you have. You really are different from before.”
As she said this, she seemed in no hurry to leave. Instead, she settled cross-legged on the sofa, as if preparing for a long conversation with Lu Xia: “What exactly are you thinking? Do you really intend to build something of your own?”
Although Lu Xia had changed greatly, to the point of seeming somewhat unfamiliar, Lan Ya still found it hard to believe that a friend who once shared her tastes could now be racing down such a different path.
Lu Xia remained as languid as ever, appearing somewhat indifferent. “We’re not teenagers anymore. We’ve both inherited our family titles, and I feel that it wasn’t easy for my family’s title to be passed down to my generation. If it’s destined to end, it shouldn’t end with me—it wouldn’t sound good. Besides, I’ve already tried everything worth playing with and enjoying. Do you really think that kind of life is interesting?”
This question left Duke Lan Ya speechless. She had never really considered whether it was interesting or not—after all, wasn’t this just her life?
But now, with Lu Xia asking, when she thought about it carefully, it really didn’t seem all that interesting.
No matter how much she played, it was always the same things, and after a while, it all became tiresome. She just hadn’t realized it before. “Is this why you’re so driven now?”
“Partly. Don’t you think it’s interesting to watch them go crazy over something, especially when that something is in your hands? You decide who gets it, and if you don’t want to give it to them, they have to beg you for it. Isn’t that satisfying?”
Lan Ya’s expression shifted slightly, clearly reminded of something. Lately, many people had sought her out—some she interacted with, some she didn’t.
Among them were even those of higher status than her, which had left her feeling both flattered and overwhelmed.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have rushed to Lu Xia in such a hurry to ask for these things. Before, she couldn’t quite explain her feelings.
But now, with Lu Xia pointing it out, wasn’t it all about that sense of satisfaction?
The people they used to want to rely on were now out of reach, while others were pulling strings just to talk to her. How could something like that not bring joy?
“It seems you’ve really figured it out,” Lan Ya couldn’t help but sigh again. Then, noticing that Lu Xia had been looking languid ever since she arrived, she couldn’t help but ask curiously, “What’s wrong with you? Are you sick? Unwell? I can’t help but feel something seems off.”
Lu Xia yawned, her attitude casual. “What’s off about me? I’m always like this. I’m just a bit tired. If you hadn’t come, I’d probably be resting right now.”
“So you’re saying I disturbed your rest?”
“I didn’t say that.” As soon as she finished speaking, the office door was knocked, and Grace entered, carrying a lunchbox in one hand and a bag in the other. The bag bore the emblem of Yihao Yuan, clearly containing what Lan Ya needed.
Seeing Grace, Lan Ya raised an eyebrow, not bothering with subtlety. “Why do you have a Defective Male here?”
Grace showed no trace of Animalization Form, making his identity obvious at a glance.
Lu Xia took the items from Grace and tossed the bag in front of Lan Ya. “He’s mine. I hope you’ll show him some respect. What you need is here. If there’s nothing else, you can leave.”
Lan Ya walked to the table, picked up the bag, and glanced at it. “I didn’t say anything, and you’re already defending him. I never knew you had a taste for this, but he does look decent. As for that aspect…”
“Shut up. The door’s over there, go out and close it behind you.” Lu Xia cut off Lan Ya’s nonsense, pointing outside, the implication clear.
Lan Ya snorted, finally becoming a bit more serious: “Only three boxes is too little, at least give me two more, right?”
“Take it or leave it, if not, get lost!” Lu Xia said, making a move to snatch them back, but Lan Ya dodged, grinning as she said, “Three boxes it is then, I’m off. You and your little lover enjoy yourselves, bye!”
Hearing this suddenly, Lu Xia instinctively glanced at Grace, intending to comfort him and tell him not to overthink it, only to find the man’s eyes sparkling, as if he were quite happy about it.
Happy about what?
Happy that Lan Ya called him her lover?
Just as Lu Xia was thinking this, Grace suddenly knelt on one knee: “Is the female master bestowing favor? I am ready at any time.”