Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Hope.

Suddenly called upon by Teacher Ai Li, Lu Xiao didn’t refuse and graciously took the microphone. “First, I’d like to thank this reporter for the question. Regarding this issue, I want to clarify something: currently, all the S-Class males who have recovered and been discharged from the S-Class Shelter were patients in the Early Stage. Mid-stage and peak-stage S-Class males are still undergoing treatment and will require more time. Please don’t see the trending topics and assume that all S-Class males can be cured right now. Of course, we are working hard toward that goal.”

At this point, Lu Xiao paused before continuing, “Since its founding, the Fifth Research Institute has been dedicated to researching the recovery of S-Class males. Through a process of trial and error, we have discovered that releasing emotions is extremely beneficial for both S-Class and normal males. I believe everyone knows that males are often expected to suppress their emotions. Excessive suppression can lead to problems with the Spirit Sea, while releasing them at appropriate times helps relieve stress. We have already experimented with this inside the S-Class Shelter, and I believe you can get more useful information from Admiral Hans on that front.”

Lu Xiao didn’t take all the credit for herself. No matter how much she had contributed, this moment was about the collective honor of the Fifth Research Institute.

As Lu Xiao finished speaking, a reporter immediately jumped in. “Are you the speaker from that audio lecture that’s been widely circulated online?”

Lu Xiao was slightly taken aback. She hadn’t expected the reporter to have such a good ear and recognize her voice.

There was no reason to hide it. She smiled and nodded. “Yes, that was me.”

Seeing Lu Xiao’s confirmation, the reporters below grew even more energized. “Miss Lu Xiao, is it true what you said in your speech—that you will only ever have one partner?”

“It is, but my personal life is unrelated to today’s press conference. Please, let’s use our time to ask questions related to the Fifth Research Institute.” ’She had no intention of turning this press conference into her own personal publicity event.’

The reporter, who had wanted to press the issue, had no choice but to drop the subject.

“A question for the therapists. Does the Fifth Research Institute currently only accept S-Class males from the S-Class Shelter for treatment, or will you also admit S-Class males from the general public?”

Teacher Ai Li spoke up. “For now, our treatments are focused on those inside the S-Class Shelter. If there are S-Class males out in society who need treatment, please have them contact the S-Class Shelter. The earlier the treatment, the easier the recovery. I hope everyone can stop thinking of the S-Class Shelter as some kind of abyss. It is now truly a place that can help people.”

At this, Lu Xiao suddenly thought of something and added, “I must also make one more important point. Do not believe any declarations from outside the Fifth Research Institute claiming they can treat S-Class males. And please, do not avoid seeking medical help out of fear or denial. Right now, our Fifth Research Institute cannot guarantee the survival of S-Class males in their peak stage. However, for those in the Mid-stage or earlier, the sooner they start treatment, the higher their chance of recovery. Curing them is only a matter of time.”

Her words were brimming with confidence.

It also made every reporter in the room feel that this youngest therapist was, subtly, the true central figure of the Fifth Research Institute.

Even Teacher Ai Li, the director of the Fifth Research Institute, seemed to be implicitly following Therapist Lu Xiao’s lead.

The press conference lasted less than an hour, but the reporters all left with a wealth of new information.

As they were leaving, one reporter even tried to arrange a private, one-on-one interview with Lu Xiao, but she politely declined.

Lu Xiao had no intention of turning herself into an Imperial celebrity.

’She just wanted to live a quiet life and do what she loved.’

Although the reporter was disappointed, he respected Lu Xiao even more for it. Females in the Empire as humble yet genuinely skilled as Lu Xiao were rare. As he left, he even smiled and said to her, “My daughter has changed completely since listening to your speech. She used to think my job as a reporter was unimpressive, but now she really respects me.”

The male reporter couldn’t hold back his smile, clearly overjoyed at his daughter’s transformation.

Lu Xiao was happy for him, too. “In that case, congratulations.”

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to you. I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Watching him leave, Lu Xiao felt happy as well. ’I don’t really think I’ve done anything significant. It’s impossible for a single speech to truly change anything. But even so, when someone is genuinely influenced by you, it brings a sense of happiness and satisfaction.’

At that moment, she couldn’t help but think, ’If only Ares were here. He would surely understand how I’m feeling right now.’

’I miss him so much.’

「Meanwhile, at the S-Class Shelter」

Admiral Hans was holding his own press conference, and he was far busier than they were.

After all, this was where the recovered S-Class males were being discharged from.

The eyes of the entire Empire were on this place, which had undergone a monumental transformation from its former reputation as an abyss.

Admiral Hans hid nothing, taking the opportunity to release all sorts of data. While the press conference may have been “forced” upon them, it was a genuinely transparent event.

Furthermore, Admiral Hans personally gave the media a tour of the renovated S-Class Shelter. It featured not only a cafeteria but also farmland, and all the people busy working the land were S-Class males from the shelter.

At first glance, many reporters assumed the laborers were workers hired from outside.

But when Admiral Hans revealed they were all S-Class males from the shelter, everyone was stunned.

Seeing the smiles on their faces and their robust physiques, it was truly difficult to associate them with the words “S-Class male.”

“They all look perfectly normal.”

Admiral Hans laughed at the comment. “They’re about to be discharged. If you’d come a month later, you’d be seeing a different batch of men. Ever since we started using Release Therapy here, everyone’s recovery has been incredibly fast. I can tell you with absolute certainty: the nightmare for S-Class males will end in our time!”

He wouldn’t have spoken with such conviction if he weren’t truly confident.

“Aren’t you being a little too optimistic, Admiral Hans? I heard a therapist from the Fifth Research Institute say that there’s still no cure for males in the peak stage. If that’s true, how can you talk about this ’ending’?”

Admiral Hans didn’t get angry at the pushback. He kept smiling. “That’s just a matter of time. See that young man in the hat over there? He was a Mid-stage S-level male. Now, he’s about to be discharged. If I hadn’t told you, would you ever guess he was once on the verge of his peak stage, already in the extremely high-risk state of Half-beastification? But look at him now. It’s just as I said—the S-Class Shelter is no longer an abyss. It’s the beginning of hope!”

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