As it turned out, Gu Qinghan had overthought it.

In this bizarre world, nothing was impossible.

Hoping to halt the depth of hypnosis? Pure fantasy.

—Thump thump thump!

Just as Gu Qinghan drifted into deep sleep, crisp knocking echoed again.

He slowly opened his weary eyes, silvery moonlight guiding his gaze to the antique wall clock.

Past one a.m.

Who on earth would knock at this hour?

*Are you never gonna stop?!*

He sat up slowly, rose to his feet.

At that moment, a faintly resentful voice drifted through the door—

“It’s me… Liana.”

A hint of sigh lingered beneath the words.

Gu Qinghan froze.

*Her?*

What could she possibly want in the dead of night?

Frowning, he hesitated briefly—then rose to open the door.

*Creak.*

A graceful silhouette appeared.

Amber light from the hallway’s magical lamp traced her profile.

Her long lashes fluttered, then lowered. Arms crossed over her chest, the white camisole strap had slipped, exposing half her breast.

“What is it this late?” Gu Qinghan’s voice was low, expression indifferent.

Slowly, Liana lifted her head, cheeks flushed.

The rosy hue looked as if washed by some desire-stirring potion—yet her eyes held stubborn resolve.

“I… won’t disturb you.”

She bit her lip, eyes glistening, words measured.

Gu Qinghan blinked, then frowned.

“What?”

“I said I won’t disturb you. Not today. Not ever.”

Liana bit her lower lip, breath puffing faint white mist. “Richard said you’d watch over me. That was *his* idea. How I spend my day is my choice. When Richard works, I stay home. When he rests, I walk alone. We just avoid crossing paths.”

“If *you* protect me… you’ll do *those things* again!”

Her voice trembled. Beneath the simple white dress, her slender legs shook, barely holding her up.

Gu Qinghan’s chest tightened. Vivid anger in her eyes hid a trace of helplessness.

“I never did anything inappropriate. You’re blaming the wrong person.”

He sighed, tone softening.

“Even now… you deny it?” Liana’s eyes widened, moisture sparkling. Leaning against the frame, her pale legs trembled.

“You lured me here. Did despicable things. Stripped me naked.” Her voice quivered. “Used magic to erase my memories… tried to deceive me again.”

Breath heavy, gaze hazy, a faint glow flickered in her eyes.

“Someone else did that. Not me…” Gu Qinghan’s reply sounded hollow.

“Spanked me. Tied me up. Teased with feathers. Dripped candle wax…”

Gu Qinghan: ?

“Fed me strange drugs… made my heart feel like ants were gnawing… forced me to come here…”

Gu Qinghan: ???

*Wait—this part is pure delusion!*

*Even Hohenheim wouldn’t be this twisted!*

*What the hell are you imagining?!*

“And now you still deny it!” Liana lifted her swollen eyes, locking onto him—fierce anger, yet fragile.

“Forcing me to wake up and knock… What do you *want* from me?!”

*It’s got nothing to do with me! You came yourself!* Gu Qinghan groaned inwardly.

Liana bit her lip, eyes reddening, head bowing.

Silence thickened like humid air, suffocating.

“…Sorry.”

After a long pause, she whispered, “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Seeing her fragility, Gu Qinghan’s sternness softened. He sighed.

“Speak. What is it?”

Hugging herself against the doorframe, she opened her mouth—then bit her lip, face burning crimson.

“I… need to ask a favor.”

Her head seemed to steam.

“I said this morning: if I can help, just ask,” Gu Qinghan murmured.

Liana froze, glancing up almost imperceptibly. *Did I… misunderstand him?*

No. Impossible. *This feeling… must be fabricated.*

“I want… to retrieve my belongings.” She gritted her teeth, voice trembling.

Gu Qinghan frowned. “Did you leave something in my room?”

Her head snapped up, face flushed with shame.

*You know exactly what I left—why ask me?!* she wanted to shout.

“Whatever it is, I’ll get it,” he said calmly.

Liana bit her lip until a bead of blood dotted her snow-white hand.

“In my rush to escape earlier… I forgot to wear it. Left… an item… on your bed.”

“Please bring it. I can’t go in.”

…

After returning it, Gu Qinghan sighed wearily.

The search took thirty minutes.

All that time, Liana stood flustered at the door, breeze chilling her bare skin.

The moment she got the fabric bundle, her face blazed. She snatched it and fled into the dark.

Over her shoulder:

“I’ll *never* come to you again! Hohenheim—remember this!”

“*Never!*”

Gu Qinghan watched her vanish, dumbfounded. *Thumbs-up, brave soul.*

*The lone hero always retrieves the most unexpected things at the most unexpected moments.*

He closed the door, turned toward bed—

Then froze.

A faint gleam on the floorboards.

A small puddle.

Puzzled, he crouched, touched it.

“What is this?”

Staring at the sticky, stringy liquid clinging to his fingers, his expression darkened.

Not sweat.

Right where Liana had stood.

In that instant, understanding dawned.

This situation was escalating far more seriously than he’d feared.