The next morning.

This time, Gu Qinghan finally slept soundly until dawn.

Sunlight streamed through the window, spilling across the wooden bedroom floor.

Slowly sitting upright, Gu Qinghan surveyed the room.

A shattered flowerpot. Rumpled bedsheets. A scattered pile of steamy novels on the floor.

Everything confirmed one undeniable truth:

Yesterday hadn’t been a dream.

He let out a soft sigh, gazing at the exotic-style room, emotions swirling within.

So much had happened in just one day.

Falling victim to a honey trap out of nowhere.

Being interrogated by Katarina.

Becoming a trainee hypnotist—and discovering his Golden-haired Affinity.

And finally… cuckolded Richard.

A dull ache throbbed behind Gu Qinghan’s temples.

This passive ability was truly troublesome.

…

—Thump thump thump!

Just as Gu Qinghan drifted into thought, the sharp knocking shattered his focus.

Instinctively, he tensed, eyes locked on the wooden door.

Someone was knocking again.

“Can’t a person get five minutes of peace?” he muttered.

He wanted to grab a keyboard—but none existed here.

Settling for a pillow, he gripped it tightly.

Silence answered from beyond the door.

No reply.

Tiptoeing cautiously forward, Gu Qinghan pressed his ear near the wood.

Faint breathing drifted through.

“It’s me again… Liana.”

The familiar voice seeped through the door.

Gu Qinghan froze.

Why was she back? Hadn’t she sworn last night never to return?

Hand hovering over the knob, he eased the door open—

Creak!

The door swung inward, revealing the lone girl standing there.

Liana was as striking as ever.

She’d swapped her plain white robe for a dignified crimson dress, trimmed with black lace.

Knee-high leather boots accentuated slender calves; sheer black stockings hugged her ankles.

Her long hair was tied in a side ponytail resting over her right shoulder.

The very picture of a devoted wife.

Gu Qinghan narrowed his eyes, puzzled.

“What do you want *this* time?” he asked coldly, voice edged with caution.

*This foolish woman—why keep running to me instead of living happily with her husband? I’m a pure love warrior! Don’t drag me into becoming a cuckold warrior!* he screamed inwardly.

Liana hugged her arms, teeth gently biting her lower lip, cheeks flushed to her ears.

She knew exactly how he felt.

Promising never to return… then knocking at dawn.

It *was* strange. She felt it too.

But…

“I… have a request,” she murmured, voice soft and trembling.

Gu Qinghan studied her flustered state. “Again? I don’t have any more underwear.”

Liana’s lips parted, face burning crimson. “It’s… something else today!”

He sighed. This karmic thread wouldn’t snap.

“Speak.”

“Last night, Richard followed your lead and found work,” Liana stammered, eyes downcast. “A bar job—night shifts, rests by day.”

Gu Qinghan frowned. “So?”

“He’s sleeping now. I can’t go home… it violates the kingdom’s customs.”

Gu Qinghan glanced outside. The glaring sun stung his eyes.

*She has nowhere to go.*

“Your time is your own,” he said icily. “Your words yesterday.”

Liana flinched as if struck, her frame trembling slightly.

He was right.

That truth sharpened her shame.

Slowly lifting her head, she met his gaze—lips pressed tight, eyes shimmering with shyness and resolve.

“I want to buy ingredients… to cook him something nourishing when he wakes.”

She clenched her fists, forcing the words out.

“And?”

After a long silence, Liana took a shaky breath, eyes glistening.

“But… I don’t know the way to the market.”

Head bowed, voice barely a whisper: “Could you… please show me?”

…

In the end, Gu Qinghan walked out with Liana.

Diet Street buzzed with morning life.

Steam rose from food stalls; vendors called out; savory scents drifted through the alley.

A stroll here should’ve felt pleasant.

Liana followed silently behind him, face flushed, steps careful.

Gu Qinghan felt stifled.

*What the hell am I doing?!* he ranted inwardly. *This is the perfect chance to ditch her! Walking together just boosts her affection meter!*

But then he recalled her fragile expression… and what Hohenheim had done.

A deep, unwarranted guilt coiled in his chest.

“Don’t overthink it,” he broke the silence flatly. “I needed supplies anyway. Helping you was incidental.”

He strode ahead, erecting an invisible wall of distance—exactly as intended.

He *wanted* her to see him as scum. Unworthy.

Pace quickening, he nearly left her behind.

Liana stared at his retreating back, gritting her teeth to keep up.

Then—unexpected trouble.

Ten minutes later.

Crowds thickened near the market square.

Everywhere: couples. Newlyweds. Dating pairs. Courting youths.

All—*all*—male and female.

Cold sweat beaded Gu Qinghan’s brow. He jerked his gaze away.

In the City of Devoted Love, was shopping together *only* for lovers?

He was bewildered. Shaken.

(Truth was, the Kingdom of Pure Love had no such rule. But love, as a cherished ideal, drew admiring eyes. Hence the scene: public strolls = romantic bonds. Open PDA was celebrated.)

Gu Qinghan’s scalp prickled. He stole a glance at Liana.

She’d noticed too—face crimson, eyes darting away, flustered.

Awkwardness thickened the air.

*This is trouble…*

Hand pressed to his forehead, mind in chaos.

*Should’ve never agreed to guide her.*

Why did the whole world insist on forcing him to play the cuckold?