A twitch tugged at the corner of Gu Qinghan’s mouth.
*When did I ever say that?*
*Are you trying to knock him out cold?*
Watching Liana’s wine-flushed cheeks, Gu Qinghan swallowed the words.
She was tipsy too.
At that moment, no one in the room seemed sober except him.
“In that case, I’ll take my leave. You two rest well.”
Relief washed over him inwardly as he turned to go.
No sooner had he spoken than Richard—utterly plastered—lurched up and seized Gu Qinghan’s wrist.
Coughing thick with alcohol, he struggled to lift his head.
“You’re my friend—”
“That’s enough!” Gu Qinghan snapped, shoving bread into his mouth. He sank back into his seat, chest tight, face cycling between pale and flushed.
Things weren’t simple.
What looked like an ordinary drinking session felt like stepping into a dragon’s den.
His gaze shifted to Liana.
She swayed slightly, sipping wine alone, muttering: “So many bottles…” then “The room’s spinning…”
Hard to tell if she was genuinely drunk or faking it.
Gu Qinghan’s eyes sharpened. He locked onto her flushed cheeks and silently chanted:
*Hypnotic Depth Perception.*
Magical energy surged. A report flashed in his mind—
**Hypnotic Depth (Loyalty): 48**
*[Complex emotions detected: intense resistance paired with inexplicable longing and anticipation.]*
Gu Qinghan: ?
The golden text shifted—confirmation. A very bad sign.
Loyalty had *risen*.
His expression stiffened. *How?* He hadn’t seen her since yesterday!
A chill prickled his scalp.
Hohenheim’s words echoed from the black-page inscription:
*All who are hypnotized do so willingly.*
*Self-seduction.*
Only possibility.
Just as he wrestled with panic, Liana rose beside him, a soft smile gracing her lips.
Slowly, she parted her crimson lips, cheeks flushed.
“I’ve been waiting for a moment like this.”
Her lashes lowered; her gaze softened. She reached out, fingertips grazing his cheek.
Gu Qinghan’s scalp tingled. A buzz filled his ears.
“Sitting with you… talking face to face… makes me so happy,” she whispered near his ear.
He stiffened. Her hazy eyes held breathtaking warmth.
“Have you been avoiding me lately?”
Pheromones thickened the air. Heat rose under the wine’s influence.
She laughed softly, palm resting on his shoulder as she leaned closer.
“We haven’t had a proper chance to meet…”
Throat dry, Gu Qinghan forced calm. *Breathe. Stay steady.*
He mustered a faint smile. “Liana… Richard’s still here…”
He glanced toward the table’s far end.
Richard had slumped back into a drunken heap.
*Seriously? Wake up when it counts!*
Another twitch at Gu Qinghan’s mouth.
In seconds, Liana settled onto his lap, arms looping gently around his neck, gaze dreamy.
“Drink with me… talk with me, okay?”
Her tipsy smile was dangerously sweet. Warmth seeped through thin fabric.
Crimson lips neared his ear, breath carrying floral sweetness.
“I have so much to tell you.”
She poured wine—blood-red liquid catching the light on her flushed skin.
The strap of her dress had slipped, revealing porcelain shoulder. Unaware, she focused on the glass.
“I’ll pour… please enjoy.”
Her ring finger held a glittering diamond. Glasses clinked softly.
Both were under the influence.
She gulped, coughed lightly, and giggled behind her hand.
“Sorry… first time drinking. Still getting used to it.”
Gu Qinghan’s own buzz softened his tension. His eyes dropped to the ring.
*Glittering.*
Noticing his stare, Liana beamed. “You saw it?”
Eyes hazy, she lifted her hand toward the magical lamp. Light fractured brilliantly across the stone.
“This… was your gift to me. The day we first met.”
Gu Qinghan froze. *My gift?*
“I gave you this?” He blinked.
“Of course! Who else?” Liana giggled, deeply tipsy.
After a beat, he smiled faintly. “Right. My apologies—I’d forgotten.”
He drained his glass. Breathed deep. Then asked, voice measured:
“By the way… I might be too drunk. Can’t recall my name. Will you tell me, Liana?”
She blinked, head tilting, confusion blooming. Then she covered her mouth, dimples flashing.
“Richard is Richard… How could you forget your own name?”
Silver-bell laughter filled the space as she nestled in his lap.
“Richard is my favorite person… my fiancé.”
Gu Qinghan smiled back. “You’re right.”
The weight in his chest lifted.
*Of course.*
Self-seduction? Only in novels.
Liana had mistaken him for Richard. That explained the loyalty spike.
Only possibility.
Flushed and swaying, she murmured, “You’ve been so busy… I sometimes think I should get a job too. To ease your burden.”
She giggled, then fell quiet. Head lowered.
After a long silence, eyes glistening, she whispered:
“I get lonely at home… I overthink things.”
“Hold me… please?”
Gu Qinghan’s heart skipped.
Slowly, he reached out and brushed the tear from her cheek.
He knew the role he now played.
Not Hohenheim.
Her most dependable husband.
“If anything troubles you,” he said softly, offering a warm, sunlit smile, “tell me. I’m here.”
