Lu Xiao's knowledge of S-Class Male Beastmen was limited to a few adjectives from the original owner's mind: crazy, not human...
She didn't know exactly what S-Class Male Beastmen were like, but from Ares's description, it was clear they were likely dangerous enough to threaten even him.
"They're very dangerous?"
Once a male's Spirit Sea enters the S-Class range, he is placed under strict supervision. An assessment determines his specific danger level and the degree of monitoring required. He is forbidden from appearing in public and, more importantly, is prohibited from being in the presence of any female—with the exception of research institutions like the Fifth Research Institute, of course.
So, when faced with Lu Xiao's confusion, Ares wasn't surprised and patiently explained, "If I hadn't met you, I probably would have been sent to an S-Class Shelter very soon. S-Class Male Beastmen are not allowed to appear in public. Their movements are monitored, and regardless of their previous position or how many merits they've won in battle, they lose all their freedom."
"They gradually lose their sanity and control over their bodies. In the end, they fully bestialize, becoming beasts devoid of reason and emotion. The only path left for them is to be put down by human hands."
Many like them would rather die in battle than enter an S-Class Shelter without dignity, just to await their death.
'But there's no need to tell the young female that.'
Lu Xiao fell silent for a moment. "Can no one save them?"
'If all females can soothe males, then when it comes to S-Class males... is it a matter of not wanting to save them, or not being able to?'
"The Fifth Research Institute specializes in researching the Spirit Seas of S-Class males. It's a form of rescue, in a way. But to this day, of all the males who have entered an S-Class Shelter, not a single one has ever recovered and been discharged. None of them ever leave. Once they reach S-Class, even receiving a female's soothing only prolongs their time until death."
'So it's not that they don't want to, but that they can't.'
"Hearing you say that makes me even more curious about the Fifth Research Institute." Lu Xiao's lips curled up. "Come with me to check it out tomorrow."
Ares hadn't expected that. Instead of dissuading her, his words had only made Lu Xiao more interested in the Fifth Research Institute.
"You won't reconsider?"
"You have way too much confidence in me. Just because I go for an interview, does that mean they have to hire me?" Lu Xiao wondered if Ares was seeing her through some kind of filter.
But Ares didn't think so. "If you're willing to go, they definitely won't turn you down. From what I understand, the Fifth Research Institute currently only has four female researchers on staff. They've been trying to recruit for years, but no one has applied. They won't reject you." He was fairly certain they would be thrilled to have her apply.
"If you put it that way, does that mean I'll have a job soon?" Lu Xiao's eyes grew even brighter.
Her reactions were never what he expected, but he could see she was genuinely interested in the job.
"Have you forgotten? We have to return to Count Ge Wei's house tomorrow."
Hearing this, it took Lu Xiao a long moment to recall who Count Ge Wei was—the original body's mother, Lu Ge Wei.
'The traditional three-day visit home after a wedding... I can't believe that custom applies here too.'
"We can go to the interview first and then head back. It won't be much of a delay." Lu Xiao saw no problem with this plan.
'In the original owner's memories, her relationship with Lu Ge Wei was mediocre at best.'
'She even suspected that if she didn't take the initiative to return, her mother probably wouldn't even remember the occasion.'
'Still, since it's the custom here, I might as well follow it for now to avoid giving anyone an excuse to gossip.'
'No sense in handing people leverage against me.'
After talking for so long, Lu Xiao was thirsty. "I'm going to get something to drink. Do you want anything?"
'I bought fresh lemons at the supermarket today. I can make some lemonade with rock sugar.'
Hearing this, Ares shot to his feet. "Let me get it. Please, sit and rest."
'How could he let Lu Xiao pour him a drink?'
But Lu Xiao asked, "But do you know how to make lemonade?"
Ares paused. "...I can learn."
"Then learn from me, and it'll be your job from now on." Lu Xiao patted Ares on the shoulder, motioning for him to follow her.
She had bought not only lemons but also rock sugar. After dissolving the sugar in hot water, she added slices of lemon.
"It's best not to steep lemons in hot water; it destroys the vitamins."
Once she was done, Lu Xiao poured the finished lemonade into a glass and gestured for Ares to try it.
Ares had, of course, drunk lemonade before, but this was the first time he'd had it freshly prepared.
After taking a sip, Ares nodded. "It's delicious. You're truly amazing."
Lu Xiao smiled and shook her head. "It's a simple thing, hardly amazing."
"No, it really is." He had never met a female as special as Lu Xiao.
The females he knew... forget making lemonade by hand, they probably didn't even realize it had to be made in the first place, assuming it just came that way.
Lu Xiao knew this wasn't Ares's fault but a reflection of this world's perception of females. Unwilling to dwell on the topic, she finished her cold lemonade and felt much more refreshed. "It's getting late. I'm going up to rest. You get some rest, too. See you tomorrow."
Ares quickly put down his glass and said respectfully, "Good night."
Lu Xiao gave him a wave in response.
Watching Lu Xiao leave, Ares turned to clean the counter, his mind inevitably drifting back to the events of the past two days.
Lu Xiao's application to the military to make him her side husband had been sudden. His subordinates had been furious; given his rank and battle merits, he was more than qualified to be a main husband.
But Lu Xiao had wanted him as a side husband, applying directly to the military without consulting him at all.
It was an incredibly arrogant move.
After assessing his physical condition, the military had deemed it a rare opportunity for him. After all, countless males in the Empire couldn't find a female.
Even being a side husband was an opportunity few received.
Thus, they had rejected his appeal.
Since nothing could be done, he had braced himself. What Lu Xiao did to him on their wedding night hadn't surprised him; he'd long known that some seemingly delicate females took pleasure in abusing males.
He had been prepared to endure it, but he never expected to lose control and injure Lu Xiao. Everything that happened after that still felt like a dream when he thought back on it now.
And Lu Xiao herself seemed like a completely different person now compared to before.
He just much preferred the way she was now.
But he was also filled with apprehension, afraid that this was all just an illusion, another one of her ploys to toy with him.