Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Gift

As Lu Xiao’s novel continued to gain mainstream popularity, comments like, “Reading this novel cheered me up, and I’ve been falling asleep faster and sleeping more soundly,” appeared with increasing frequency in her comment section.

If one person said it, it could be a coincidence. But when hundreds, even thousands, of people were saying the same thing, it was no longer a coincidence—it pointed to a genuine effect.

It was something Lu Xiao couldn’t afford to ignore.

’Could it be that this novel I wrote really has some kind of soothing effect?’

She carefully examined the comments for commonalities and noticed they had all started appearing after the plot point where Belle got her comeuppance and Morian divorced her.

In other words, this plotline gave form to something a large portion of the male population secretly craved, satisfying that desire and thus making them feel joyful and at ease.

This counted as a form of emotional release, so such an outcome wasn’t entirely unexpected.

After all, what male in the Empire hadn’t secretly fantasized about those high-and-mighty females one day coming to regret their actions, begging for reconciliation, and admitting they couldn’t live without them?

Now that a scenario they had once only secretly savored in their hearts was written out for all to see, how could they not be overjoyed?

Teacher Sherry, who was walking past with a teacup, saw what was on Lu Xiao’s light screen. She leaned in and couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you still looking at that? Is there anything special about those comments? It’s just a bunch of males getting their kicks from the plot, that’s all.”

Lu Xiao pointed to the screen. “Teacher Sherry, haven’t you noticed? All these comments reflect the same thing.”

“What’s that?” ’What am I missing?’

’All I see is a bunch of males celebrating wildly.’

“They all mention that after reading the novel—especially after the plot where Belle gets her comeuppance—they can fall asleep more easily and are getting better quality sleep. The frequency of that sentiment has clearly increased. Doesn’t that suggest something?”

Teacher Sherry wasn’t slow. If she still couldn’t understand after Lu Xiao’s prompting, then she’d wasted all her years at the Fifth Research Institute.

So, the moment Lu Xiao pointed it out, Teacher Sherry’s expression turned serious. She had never paid close attention to those comments before, dismissing them as males simply reveling in the story.

Looking at them again, she saw that Lu Xiao was right. The sentiment about “falling asleep easily and sleeping soundly” appeared with remarkable frequency.

If that was the case, then it definitely wasn’t a coincidence.

Teacher Ai Li saw the two huddled together and looked over curiously. “What are you two talking about?”

Teacher Sherry repeated what Lu Xiao had just said. Teacher Ai Li understood immediately. “Is this what you’re always talking about, Lu Xiao? Emotional release?”

Lu Xiao nodded. “I think it fits the description, but to confirm its accuracy, we need to run a test.”

Relying on the existing comments alone wasn’t enough to serve as proof.

They had to test it themselves to get conclusive results.

’But how would they conduct such a test?’

Lu Xiao couldn’t help but look at the four teachers.

Teacher Sherry, feeling Lu Xiao’s sudden gaze on her, felt a jolt of panic. “What are you thinking?”

Lu Xiao grinned. “I’m guessing the males in your households haven’t read this novel, right? Why don’t we have our dear husbands read it? We can observe them and have them jot down their impressions.”

Teacher Ai Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She had no idea what went on in that little head of Lu Xiao’s all day!

“I think it’s a good idea. These are males we currently have access to and can observe up close. Lu Xiao’s suggestion is a good one.”

After Teacher Ai Li spoke, the other three teachers found no reason to refuse, especially since Lu Xiao’s proposal was an excellent one.

They had no reason to refuse.

Seeing that all four teachers agreed, Lu Xiao said, “Great. Let’s start with a week of observation. I’ll also talk to Admiral Hans and ask him to run a test inside the asylum.”

The asylum offered even better conditions for a test. With its mix of healthy escort officers and patients, it provided excellent test subjects.

’If this novel really could make a difference, wouldn’t it be more effective than any medicine?’

’It would be like discovering a whole new therapeutic path.’

Admiral Hans was very surprised when he saw the message Lu Xiao sent him, which included a novel. Although he didn’t understand, he was still willing to trust Lu Xiao.

After all, having worked with Lu Xiao for so long, he knew the young female was quite dependable.

And so, that afternoon, the novel *After the Main Husband Runaway* began to be broadcast over the PA system inside the asylum.

At first, everyone was confused when they heard it. The asylum’s PA system was rarely used unless absolutely necessary.

Broadcasting a novel over the system was an experience none of them had ever had before.

It was precisely because they couldn’t understand it that they all started listening attentively.

However, Admiral Hans didn’t broadcast it facility-wide. It was only played in the Early Stage zone, and a text version was circulated internally among the escort officers.

At the very least, it gave some of the men something to do.

「Just as the intensive testing for *After the Main Husband Runaway* was underway, Vilke arrived for his final Spiritual Soothing session.」

This time, when the escort officer led him into the treatment room, Vilke was not wearing any restraints.

He walked in like a normal person and sat on the examination bed. The escort officer was even helping him carry his luggage.

It wasn’t a very large suitcase, and it contained the things he had with him when he entered the asylum.

Things he thought he would never see again.

He had been overcome with emotion when Admiral Hans had handed it to him earlier today.

’Who could have imagined that he would one day leave this place, this so-called abyss, with the very luggage he’d arrived with—truly granted a new life!’

Admiral Hans’s parting words to him had been a blessing: to never look back, to always move forward, and to never meet again in this place.

That was why Admiral Hans had approved his immediate discharge from the Fifth Research Institute, provided his final treatment session went well.

Lu Xiao looked at the completely different Vilke today and smiled. “The day has finally come. How are you feeling?”

“I can’t… I can’t put it into words. You know, for people like us, this is something we never dared to imagine, something we couldn’t even dream of. All I can say is… it feels so good to be alive. And it was so good to have met you, Healer Lu!” As he spoke, Vilke’s eyes reddened.

There were so many things he wanted to say, but at that moment, Vilke realized just how inadequate words were to express the emotions overwhelming him.

Lu Xiao took out a box of candy she had prepared in advance and gave it to Vilke. “A discharge gift. I hope that every day from now on will be as colorful and sweet as these candies.”

Surprise flickered in Vilke’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Lu Xiao to have prepared a special gift for him. He accepted it, deeply flattered. “Thank you. I… I won’t disappoint you.”

“It’s alright, Vilke. Just do what feels right and makes you happy. You don’t need to worry too much about what others think. Now, let’s begin your final treatment before discharge. Have a good sleep. When you wake up, you’ll be starting a brand new life.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep