Healing a Fallen S-Rank Beastman: Everyone Fights Over the Little Female-Chapter 77: Separation

Throughout the meal, the dinner table remained quiet. Lu Xiao, having long since sampled the cooking at Count Ge Wei’s Mansion, took only a few bites, her desire to go home growing stronger by the second.

Thankfully, the torturous dinner was finally coming to an end.

But then, Admiral Clan—who sat opposite her and hadn’t said a single word the entire time—suddenly spoke up. "I hear you’re working at the Fifth Research Institute now?"

Lu Xiao never expected Admiral Clan to strike up a conversation with her. In her memories, her relationship with this Father amounted to little more than greeting him as such when they met.

Admiral Clan had never shown any fatherly affection toward her or the other girls.

"Yes, Father. I’m currently a full-time therapist at the Fifth Research Institute." Since Admiral Clan had asked, she answered without hesitation.

’After all, there was nothing to be ashamed of about the job.’

Upon hearing Lu Xiao’s reply, Lu Ge Wei let out a cold huff, clearly displaying her displeasure, but she said nothing.

Admiral Clan paid her reaction no mind and continued, "Why the interest in working at the Fifth Research Institute?"

Admiral Clan had been shocked when he’d first heard about it after his return.

He had been out today, primarily to see some old friends, including Admiral Hans, who was stationed at the shelter.

The moment Hans saw him, he had come right over, embraced him, and gushed about what a fine female cub he had raised.

Hearing about Lu Xiao’s exploits from Hans, Admiral Clan felt as if he were listening to a fairy tale. If he hadn’t known Hans’s character, he would have thought his friend was spinning a yarn just to mess with him.

The Lu Xiao Hans described was a complete stranger compared to the willful, domineering female cub of his memory.

And yet, Hans had been absolutely certain.

And that was what led to today’s questions.

Otherwise, he would never have spoken to these female cubs. There was simply no need.

’She hadn’t expected Admiral Clan to care about such things.’ "I was bored at home, and they happened to be hiring, so I thought I’d give it a shot. I ended up getting the job."

’The truth was, she just wanted to earn her own money, and the salary and benefits at the Fifth Research Institute were impeccable.’

’It would be a little embarrassing to admit that, though.’

Admiral Clan, however, believed her excuse. If she had actually said she went there to earn money, he would have found it unbelievable.

After all, a female of her noble status could want for anything *but* money.

Seemingly satisfied with Lu Xiao’s answer, Admiral Clan’s gaze shifted to Ares, who was sitting beside her.

He knew Lu Xiao now had a Major General for a side husband. He’d had someone look into it before coming back, prompted by his conversation with Admiral Hans.

"You don’t have a main husband yet, do you?"

The moment Admiral Clan’s words left his mouth, everyone else at the table instinctively turned to look at Lu Xiao and Ares.

With the exception of Lu Huan, everyone else looked at Ares with an air of watching a drama unfold.

Lu Huan, who had spent more time with Lu Xiao and Ares, was the only one who looked slightly worried.

She knew very well the depth of feeling between Ares and Lu Xiao.

’For Admiral Clan to bring this up at the dinner table now... there had to be a reason.’

Lu Xiao was also surprised that Admiral Clan would concern himself with such matters. His approach was different from Lu Ge Wei’s; perhaps because he was a military man, Admiral Clan was brutally direct.

’People this direct were often the most difficult to handle, as you never knew what they would say next.’

"I’m planning to make Ares my main husband."

The moment she finished speaking, everyone at the table—including Ares himself—stared at her in astonishment.

It was as if they never imagined she would say something like that.

Lu Xiao, however, remained perfectly composed. ’When dealing with someone like Admiral Clan, beating around the bush is pointless. The only way to handle a direct attack is to be direct in return.’

As she’d predicted, Admiral Clan hadn’t expected such a response. He couldn’t help but shoot Ares another glance before he spoke.

"Major General Ares’s rank is sufficient for him to serve as your main husband," he conceded. "However, my subordinate, Admiral Fred, is equally suitable. There’s no need to refuse outright. I will arrange a meeting for you."

Lu Xiao’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. ’Has Admiral Clan been in command for so long that he’s just used to making unilateral decisions?’ she wondered.

Lu Xiao had no intention of complying. But just as she was about to refuse, Ares spoke up. "Father means well."

At his words, Lu Xiao instinctively glanced at Ares, only to see a pleading look in his eyes.

’Lu Xiao felt a surge of reluctance,’ but she said nothing, thereby tacitly accepting Admiral Clan’s arrangement.

After dinner, Lu Xiao and Ares returned to their hover car. As soon as the door closed, Lu Xiao turned to Ares. "Aren’t you going to explain yourself?"

Ares knew very well that by stopping her at the dinner table, he had upset the young female.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made that decision on your behalf," he began. "But, my lady, the choice of a main husband must be made with care. I’ve heard of Admiral Fred. He is an exceptionally distinguished officer with countless military honors to his name. His personal background is also impressive. With you..."

"That’s enough," Lu Xiao cut him off abruptly.

Ares fell silent, his dark eyes resting on Lu Xiao. "I’m sorry."

"Don’t apologize to me. Ares, do you really not want to be my main husband? Or would you rather have another person in our home? Or maybe many, many more?"

Ares’s lips thinned into a tight line.

’How could he not want to be her main husband? It was all he dreamed of. But as Lu Xiao grew more and more brilliant, he felt increasingly unworthy of her.’

’He was just a Major General who had scraped and clawed his way up the ranks. He was already incredibly lucky to be her side husband; he couldn’t be greedy.’

’As for whether the family would grow by one or by many, that was far beyond his control. Perhaps he once thought differently, but now... now he felt that Lu Xiao was not someone he could possess all to himself.’

’What right did he have to keep such a wonderful female all to himself?’

Seeing Ares remain silent, Lu Xiao knew his inferiority complex was flaring up again.

’She had thought that after all this time together, he would have at least understood what kind of person she truly was.’

’Apparently not.’

"Believe it or not, there won’t be any more additions to this family. If you don’t want to be the main husband right now, then the position will remain vacant. And stop trying to persuade me. Of all people, it shouldn’t be you. We’re sleeping separately tonight. Consider it your punishment!"

Ares knew he was in the wrong, and yet, hearing her words inexplicably put him at ease.

The punishment, however, bothered him.

He would rather she take a whip to him in her anger than have to sleep separately from her.

"I’m sorry. I won’t ever say anything like that again."

"You’d better mean it!"

"Then can we... not sleep separately..."

Ares had barely started his plea when Lu Xiao cut him off. "No. You have to sleep separately tonight. That’s your punishment!"