101: Where is the breakthrough point?

"Are there any circumstances that would cause the Gene Lock to fail?"

Tu Nan's gaze never left Miao Miao for a moment, her eyes filled with anxiety and contemplation.

"I tried to ask around, but no one was willing to tell me."

She conveniently patched up her mistakes from the past few days; considering the future of S-rank Children could also serve as a valid reason for Kong Jiamu.

It was just that the object of concern had become Ao Ao.

Hain offered a gentle smile.

Look, this was his fated person. Her consideration for the Children's future was meticulous; she would surely become a qualified Female leader of the Family and lead it forward.

"There are a few such situations," Hain recounted slowly.

"First, out of one's own will. As long as the individual is willing, the genes can naturally continue, just like everyone else."

Tu Nan understood and nodded. That was a given.

"Then there's when emotions are too out of control—excessive joy, excessive sorrow, or too much stimulation. In short, a relaxation of self-control."

Tu Nan's expression grew solemn, lost in thought.

It seemed she had to find a way to push Kong Jiamu to his emotional limit? On what basis... would Kong Jiamu really be so infatuated in a relationship to that extent?

"Finally..." Hain looked at Miao Miao with a soft gaze. Because of the child's presence, he had spoken cryptically about everything just now, but what he was about to say was something his goddaughter should know now.

"Drugs!"

His expression was solemn.

"There are always some drugs that stimulate the senses and nerves, causing confusion. Most of those are banned substances; no matter the reason, do not touch them."

"There are also specific types of drugs that can cause confusion in specific kinds of beastmen."

Hain looked at Miao Miao seriously.

"For example, Catnip. This herb can make Cat Beastkin lose themselves. You must be vigilant."

Miao Miao nodded half-understandingly, but she was quite curious inside.

Tu Nan saw her restless eagerness and asked Hain, "Does this special herb have destructive consequences for people? Or is it addictive?"

"Not really, but it can interfere with things. Decent nobles would never indulge in such pleasures."

Tu Nan had a different view. Since it wasn't addictive, rather than letting the child try it secretly out of curiosity at some unknown time, it would be better to find an opportunity to let her try it under guidance.

As long as the child received enough love and joy in other aspects, treating this as a small hobby that needed control wasn't a big deal.

Besides, she was a Cat Beastkin herself; she could try it first before deciding on anything else.

The special herbs sounded very effective, but she couldn't continue asking. She couldn't very well ask Hain what herbs would intoxicate a Bird Beastman.

The puzzle was half-solved, then got stuck.

Tu Nan was helpless.

Hain saw Tu Nan fall silent after finishing the topic of the Children, thinking she hadn't yet fully recovered from her heartbreak.

But he hoped to see Tu Nan more. Since Tu Nan had come to him herself, he happened to have a very suitable reason... to satisfy a little bit of his own selfishness.

"The Children's education cannot be delayed. I'll create a curriculum suitable for her tomorrow. How about starting classes tomorrow?" Actually, having such a young child attend classes every day was somewhat exaggerated; Hain felt a bit ashamed as his long eyelashes lightly veiled his eyes while he made the difficult suggestion.

"How about once every other day, scheduled in the afternoon for one hour?"

"Is that okay? Would it be too much of a bother?" Tu Nan really wanted Miao Miao to seize this opportunity; Hain was truly planning to teach Miao Miao seriously.

Hain's eyes were soft.

"How could it be? I truly see her as my own child, don't worry."

Miao Miao began her academic journey at an age when she should have been in kindergarten... well, there were also the lessons Kong Jiamu occasionally gave Ao Ao.

This starting line was definitely second to none in the Empire!

Tu Nan broke into a wide smile.

"Then I'll trouble you! Lord Hain, meeting you is definitely a gift from the beast god to me!"

With a couple of light coughs, Hain turned his head away. He didn't dare look into Tu Nan's eyes, fearing she would see his joy.

***

Tu Nan felt much more relaxed.

Even if the issue regarding the Gene Lock hadn't been completely resolved, seeing that the Children's futures were settled made her smile much sweeter.

When Kong Jiamu said he would teach Ao Ao some physical fitness tips, she relaxed and went along to listen.

Kong Jiamu was quite proud of himself.

After his own haphazard analysis that day, he had actually concluded that Tu Nan's timidity was due to the depth of her feelings.

Alas, these Female Beasts who were previously bound by rules and regulations might be like this.

Even if they shouted slogans about wanting to take that step, they would always hesitate at the critical moment? Kong Jiamu shook his head slightly.

It was also because he hadn't encountered this type before; he didn't know that a Female Beast like Pearl, no matter how charming she looked, was actually conservative at heart.

As for "it won't work"?

Oh, that must have been his misunderstanding.

A matter of phrasing. The full sentence Pearl wanted to express was probably: "How could you be interested in me? No, I can't fall for it."

Kong Jiamu thus convinced himself, imagining a noble girl who had gathered enough courage to enjoy life but was interrupted at the last moment, leading to her own hesitation, doubt, and regret.

Truly pitiful and lovely. He thought... actually, this was largely due to Kong Jiamu's arrogance. Since he arrogantly believed there was nothing wrong with him, all the problems naturally fell on Tu Nan.

If Tu Nan knew, she would surely sigh—what a beautiful misunderstanding.

In any case, Kong Jiamu had unknowingly chosen the same strategy as Hain, which was to start with the Children.

"Ao Ao's Talent is very rare. Later, I'll find some special channels for him to make an appearance before Your Majesty."

Tu Nan was startled.

Even though she knew this was just a tactic to win her over, she couldn't ignore the subtext behind it.

"Miao Miao is also very great; her reaction speed is definitely outstanding among Children her age."

Tu Nan showed a happy smile... Look, Pearl was indeed gradually relaxing. Her gaze fell upon him once again.

Kong Jiamu felt victory was within his grasp. Once Pearl relaxed a bit more, he would officially pursue her according to noble customs; that way, Pearl would naturally not resist.

But in reality, Tu Nan's mind was filled with many boundary-pushing thoughts... How to push this peacock to the point of losing control, to flirt with him until he went crazy?

Before either of their plans could be implemented, the Children brought a new test to Tu Nan.

Before dinner, the Two Children who had gone out to play returned and knocked on the door.

Tu Nan pushed open the door, and the next second, her heart tightened.

A tall, thin, blonde handsome man was standing outside the door, carrying a child in each hand with a roguish air.

Tu Nan tensed up completely, but she immediately noticed the two little ones were smiling very happily, not at all appearing to be held hostage.

That's right; even if Miao Miao could be caught, Ao Ao had ways to escape.

Tu Nan breathed a sigh of relief, puzzled.

"Excuse me... did the Children cause any trouble?"

The handsome man tossed the Two Children into the room like bowling balls. The two little rascals turned into fur balls on the spot, skillfully using his momentum to roll into the room, their laughter thunderous... What kind of new game was this? Tu Nan looked at this strange Male Beast speechlessly.

But then, the Male Beast suddenly lowered his head and unceremoniously sniffed near her neck, dropping a bombshell in confusion.

"You... are a Foster Mother?"

"Oh my, a Foster Mother can even get a ticket for this ship? Impressive."

Tu Nan's heart sank into an ice cellar.

This handsome Male Beast was no different from a life-claiming demon in her eyes. Tu Nan suddenly acted, pulling the man into the room, closing the door, and pinning him down fiercely.

She called out to the Children.

"Burn him to death!"