Three days had passed since then.

Just as Liana had said, she never sought out Gu Qinghan again.

Occasionally, through the window in daylight, he’d spot her strolling down the street—

now a truly admirable housewife.

Every glance and gesture exuded the refined charm unique to an intellectual woman.

Many praised Liana’s beauty, speculating what kind of man could possibly be worthy of her.

According to neighbors’ chattering descriptions, he was formidable in strength, wealthy, respectable, and deeply learned—

not resembling Richard in the slightest.

But that was none of Gu Qinghan’s concern.

Whether a pig rooted up the cabbage or a flower was stuck in manure—it was the couple’s own affair.

What Gu Qinghan cared about was the slice of white bread in his hand.

After days of hardship, he finally tasted true earthly delight.

No more gnawing on compressed biscuits!

He spread warm honey on the bread, drizzled egg wash over it, baked until golden and crisp—aroma flooding the air.

Then slathered butter, layered two slices of smoked sausage.

Absolutely delicious!

Such a delicacy was rare in this otherworld.

No wonder Gu Qinghan felt so moved.

After enduring endless trials, false accusations, and frame-ups, he felt he’d finally reached victory’s shore.

This otherworld was wonderful!

Yet happiness was always fleeting.

The moment Gu Qinghan recalled that grocery day, the bread in his mouth turned to ash.

Truth was, that day had been deeply abnormal—

especially Katarina’s sudden appearance at the end, wrapped in mystery.

Why had she followed him?

What hidden meaning lay in her final words?

The deeper he pondered, the more he felt like sitting on pins and needles.

She still suspected him—no doubt.

Assigning him to care for Liana was likely a trap.

It wasn’t trust in him as a shut-in that led to entrusting the girl.

Quite the opposite: Katarina distrusted “Hohenheim,” so she tested him.

Fortunately, the “Hohenheim” persona remained in the safe zone.

But Katarina’s trust was still incomplete.

Surely, she’d keep investigating him quietly, piece by piece.

He bit into the bread; steaming honey teased his taste buds—

yet to Gu Qinghan, it carried a faint bitterness.

Another reason stole his appetite:

His Hypnosis Depth had risen again.

That morning, while enjoying breakfast by the window, he casually cast a Hypnosis Depth perception toward the leisurely strolling Miss Liana—

and the result turned his face pale.

Hypnosis Depth (Loyalty): 44

[“Harbors complex emotions toward you: intense resistance, yet inexplicable fluttering anticipation.”]

“Damn it!” he cursed, slamming both palms on the table and shooting to his feet.

Hypnosis Perception—his most vital post-class-change skill—was precise and never lied.

Liana’s Hypnosis Depth had indeed increased.

But why? Heat surged to his head.

Per skill description, only the passive effect “Golden-haired Affinity” should raise loyalty!

Mr. Richard clearly hadn’t “sworn friendship” with him.

So why the rise?

“Perhaps… other paths exist for Hypnosis Depth to grow…”

Gu Qinghan bowed his head. Vaguely, he recalled a line from the black-bound tome:

*“All who are hypnotized do so willingly.”*

He took a deep breath, calmed himself, returned to the alchemy bench, and reopened the *Arcane Secrets of Hypnosis*.

If it was voluntary… would depth still climb?

His expression darkened.

Yesterday, Liana had clearly accepted hypnosis willingly.

At 40 Hypnosis Depth, she naturally held fondness for him—

a catalyst for deeper entanglement.

Agitation tightened his chest.

The best solution? Avoid Liana entirely.

But per Katarina’s words, he must occasionally play protector.

Good grief—what a “Green Hat Master” this had become.

The situation was dangerously precarious.

After weighing all options, only one path remained:

Break the hypnosis.

His eyes turned icy.

In the original game, Hohenheim possessed this power—

to abruptly awaken broken, hollow-eyed beauties from trance,

then watch them crumble: pale faces, trembling lips, shattered spirits.

That fear. That panic. That despair.

Exactly what that bastard Hohenheim craved.

Gu Qinghan clenched his fists.

He’d never seek such power.

But he *had* to find a way to undo the hypnosis.

He reopened the *Arcane Secrets of Hypnosis*, flipping urgently.

If clues existed, they were here.

Soon, he found it:

*List of Alchemical Potions*

Six bold characters glared from the page.

He turned—

[Vitality Potion]

Difficulty: LV.1

Ingredients: Deep-sea slug, coffee extract, edible leek.

Method: Roast and dry slug, grind to powder, mix with extract and herbal juice, boil, consume hot.

[Note]: Permanently boosts vitality once. Use with restraint.

Gu Qinghan stared blankly. Having played the original game, he knew *exactly* what “vitality” implied.

Not for innocent eyes.

He flipped on.

[Hypnotic Powder]

Difficulty: LV.1

Ingredients: Sleep Potion, Tranquilizing Potion, Aphrodisiac Incense Herb.

Method: Ignite herb, dissolve vapor into potion mix, dry.

[Note]: Half dose + halt commands 3 days = effect fades naturally.

Still not it.

Charm Potion. Stamina Potion. Stimulant. Endurance Potion. Tranquilizing Potion…

Items absent from the original game now filled the pages.

Hohenheim’s crooked script breathed unnerving authenticity—

so vivid it felt abnormal.

Heart heavy, Gu Qinghan pressed on.

After over a dozen pages of mental torment—

[Hypnosis Nullifier]

Difficulty: LV.2

Ingredients: One LV.1 Tranquilizing Potion, one Bewildering Spirit’s magic core, fifty liters Clarity Spring Water.

Usage: Bathe 30 minutes in magic-core-infused Clarity Spring Water, then drink the potion.

[Note]: Counters *only* Hypnotic Powder effects.

[Note]: Becomes ineffective at 100% Hypnosis Depth. Use promptly.

A faint glimmer lit Gu Qinghan’s eyes.

At last—the clue to escape the “Golden-haired Affinity”!

Thank you, “Green Hat Hero”!