Upon hearing this, Katarina’s brows furrowed tightly.
“Why are you asking about this?”
In an instant, the white-haired girl sensed something unusual in Gu Qinghan’s words.
This kind of professional interrogation knowledge held zero practical use for an ordinary person.
Yet this man before her was actually curious about it.
Hard not to suspect ulterior motives.
“Nothing much,” Gu Qinghan replied with a smile as he stood. “Just genuinely into crime novels—wanted to check if fiction matches reality.”
*She’s way too guarded,* he muttered inwardly.
“…”
Katarina shot him a dismissive glance, treating his childish excuse like background noise.
“Fine. I doubt you’d do anything reckless anyway.”
She let out a soft snort and began slowly, tone turning serious:
“In truth, our methods are simple—generally split into two.”
As she spoke, she raised one finger.
“First: entice with benefit.”
“If the suspect desires something, offer it to loosen her tongue.”
“This works well on those who commit crimes willingly, driven by craving.”
She paused, then lifted a second finger.
“Second: threaten with consequence.”
“If she fears punishment, make an example—shatter her psychological defenses.”
“This targets those with vulnerabilities.”
Gu Qinghan nodded thoughtfully.
Katarina’s advice aligned closely with his own thoughts.
But these alone wouldn’t reveal why Liana’s psyche shifted.
He needed more—like progression speed.
“Between the two,” he asked after a brief silence, “which is usually faster?”
Time was tight. Liana’s hypnotic state left him at most seven days.
By Katarina’s next checkup, Liana might already be lost.
Katarina froze, expression hesitant.
“What’s wrong?” Gu Qinghan’s brows knitted; a chill crept up his spine.
“If she’s deliberately hiding things…” Katarina bit her lip. “Months aren’t uncommon.”
Gu Qinghan’s face visibly darkened.
“Seems you’re in quite a hurry,” Katarina said, smiling sweetly.
“Is my worry that obvious?” He blinked, surprised.
Katarina stared for seconds—then let out a soft *pfft* of laughter.
“What do *you* think~?”
Gu Qinghan stood rooted, watching the top student shake with laughter. He sighed helplessly.
*Yeah… professionals see right through me.*
“Well,” Katarina continued, lips curving into a knowing smile, “breaking a psyche step by step takes time. It’s a battle of endurance—who cracks first.”
“But… there *is* a shortcut.”
Gu Qinghan’s eyes lit up.
“Please, go on!”
Katarina cleared her throat, satisfied.
“If you study her background and personality, you can merge both approaches.”
“Merge them?” Gu Qinghan frowned.
“Exactly.” She raised a finger.
“The thing she hates most and the thing she craves most? Two sides of the same coin.”
“Find that—and you strike straight to her core.”
“That… is her vulnerability.”
Gu Qinghan fell silent, replaying last night’s shifts in Liana’s behavior.
*Two sides of the same coin…*
He needed time to untangle it.
“One last question.”
He took a slow breath, smiling gently at Katarina.
“You never asked *why* I’m asking all this. Aren’t you afraid I’ll misuse it?”
Katarina blinked—then laughed again.
“I’ve never seen a would-be villain look so troubled.”
Gu Qinghan froze, words stuck in his throat.
“In this world, good deeds are hard. A problem causing you this pain… must matter deeply.”
With a playful giggle, she waved and vanished.
Gu Qinghan watched her go, dazed.
After a long while, a weary smile touched his lips.
“…Maybe she sees things clearest of all.”
.
.
After Katarina left, Gu Qinghan paced his room, turning her words over.
*The thing she hates and desires… is the same.*
What did it mean?
He knew little of Liana—but last night’s behavior and hypnotic feedback offered clues.
Right now, she truly had one obsession.
Loved it to her bones. Couldn’t resist.
—Being “scolded.”
He halted. Moonlight glinted cold in his eyes.
Rough treatment brought her joy, deepened her trance, escalated her emotions until defenses crumbled.
No wonder her hypnotic depth had shot up like a rocket last night—dangerously high.
Per Katarina: give her what she wants, and intel would come… eventually.
But time was a luxury he lacked.
And pushing further might max out her trance—something he absolutely couldn’t allow.
So he needed the *one thing* she both craved and loathed.
Two faces of a single truth.
He’d found what she loved: being scolded.
Then… what did she hate?
—*Not* being scolded?
His brows tightened.
A flicker of insight—then gone.
To confirm, he’d have to act.
A plan crystallized.
His heartbeat quickened.
He’d reached the point of no return.
Next step: break kingdom rules. Take the risk.
Time was bleeding away.
Before the next inspection—he had to move faster.
