A gentle breeze stirred the white curtains as the girl murmured softly.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"Ugh… my head hurts…"

Liana looked around with a dazed expression, the surroundings utterly unfamiliar.

She felt lost.

At the same time, a strange sensation crept through her body—itchy.

She slowly lowered her gaze. Her clothes were gone. Her bare skin gleamed snow-white, like a lotus fresh from the water.

She was barely covered.

But she never slept naked.

Her cheeks flushed instantly. Eyes wide, Liana burned with silent shame.

*How could I rest like this? So disgraceful.*

Thank goodness no one saw. Must be more careful next time.

She sat up slowly, reaching for the single scrap of underwear left.

Then—a flicker of wrongness.

Purple finger-shaped bruises marred her pale wrist.

"What… is this?"

She froze. Unease prickled her spine.

She glanced at the coarse, oddly colored linen sheets. *Not my bed.*

*Not my home.*

*Stripped.*

Panic flashed in her clear eyes. She yanked the blanket tight over her chest, trembling, scanning the room for strangers.

Her gaze locked onto a stiff-faced man.

Gu Qinghan stood pale, forcing an awkward smile.

"Hello… Miss Liana… sis," he stammered.

"Who are you? What did you do to me?"

Arm crossed over her chest, she shrank back, body shaking.

Gu Qinghan’s lips twitched.

*Goddess of Transmigration… I’d like to give you my* very *sincere regards.*

What kind of transmigration dumps you straight into hell?

Hohenheim did this—but *he* had to suffer the fallout!

If this leaked, Gu Qinghan was finished.

He took a slow breath, straightened his posture, voice low and solemn:

"Respected lady, I swear by the Goddess of Pure Love—I did nothing improper to you.

If a single word is false, may She strike me down."

Liana stared, face pale, hesitation flickering in her eyes.

He sounded sincere.

*Did I misjudge him?*

Then—a new sensation low in her belly.

The itch sharpened. Tingling. Numb.

"Liar."

She bit her lip hard. Her face burned crimson, dewy as a ripe apple.

Clutching the blanket tighter, she trembled. Tears glistened at her lashes.

"Why… why *today*…"

A tear traced her cheek, landed on her collarbone, catching the morning light.

Her voice cracked.

"I was supposed to meet him today."

She whispered, face bloodless.

Gu Qinghan’s chest tightened.

He knew the lore: Liana, born to farmers, betrothed before birth. She’d dreamed of this day—her first meeting with her fiancé.

A pure hope.

Soon, she’d walk the aisle, blessed by a priest.

But Hohenheim shattered it.

Her dream drifted away on the wind.

Her eyes, red-rimmed and hollow, held no hatred—only emptiness.

Gu Qinghan’s legs turned to lead.

This wasn’t a game. It was real.

He’d transmigrated into Hohenheim’s body. Witnessed an innocent life ruined.

He couldn’t leave.

He breathed deep, voice grave:

"Respected lady… is there anything I can do?"

Liana turned slowly, expression blank.

"?"

A slight head tilt. No words—only confusion.

Her eyes narrowed, icy.

Gu Qinghan pressed on, tone firm as a knight’s vow:

"Though innocent, I feel guilt. If I can help—speak."

She glanced at the wall clock. A hollow laugh escaped her lips.

"Too late."

Her gaze met his, utterly indifferent.

Gu Qinghan frowned. "What do you mean? I swear—"

"It’s 7:55 a.m."

Tears clung to her snow-pale cheeks as she murmured:

"Already… too late."

Recognition struck. Gu Qinghan paled.

*Monday.*

Church of Pure Love inspection day.

Every Monday, inspectors hunted "immoral conduct."

Just standing here together meant handcuffs.

In the Empire of Pure Love, unmarried couples meeting alone was forbidden.

Naked?

His scalp prickled.

Hohenheim—the Grand Enchanter—could hypnotize his way out. Flee. Restart elsewhere.

But Gu Qinghan? Just a man.

No magic. No escape.

He swallowed hard, pulse racing.

"…What’s the punishment?" he whispered.

"Whipping. Solitary confinement. Stripped. Paraded naked on a cart through the city."

"For severe cases… castration. Gender doesn’t matter."

Liana’s voice was hollow, exhausted.

Gu Qinghan fell silent.

7:55 a.m. Five minutes max.

*Run.*

Guilt twisted his gut—but he’d already buttoned his pants.

*Let someone else save her.*

Time to slip away.