Gu Qinghan grabbed a towel, wiped the soles of his shoes, and tossed it into the trash bin right before Liana’s eyes.
In mere seconds, Liana’s gaze shifted—from initial longing, to blank confusion, then visibly flaring into anger.
Why?!
Why won’t you abuse me?!
This isn’t interrogation at all!
Now, the girl’s eyes were red-rimmed. She curled motionless in the corner, staring blankly at empty space.
Meanwhile, Gu Qinghan’s face remained utterly still. Silently, he murmured inward:
“Hypnotic Depth Perception.”
Magical energy stirred within him. Instantly, the girl’s latest mental state surfaced—
Hypnotic Depth (Loyalty): 92 points.
[Hypnosis nearing completion. She harbors intense emotional attachment and craving for you. At the mere sight of you, physiological reactions become uncontrollable.]
[Caution: Emotions are overpowering rationality. Monitor for marked psychological shifts and distorted behavioral tendencies.]
Gu Qinghan’s heart sank.
It rose again.
Though slight, he’d edged closer to danger.
One misstep, and he’d be dragged under.
“I’ll need to be even more careful from now on…”
He glanced at Liana, then dropped a casual, “I’m heading out to prepare dinner,” and vanished.
The narrow, dim room fell silent once more.
Liana sat dazed in the corner, staring at the vacant spot, her pearly teeth biting her lower lip.
This “interrogation” felt far more torturous than she’d imagined.
“I… absolutely will not surrender…”
Her final whisper echoed through the hollow darkness.
…
This torment stretched across three days.
Gu Qinghan delivered three meals daily—never letting hunger touch her.
At first, Liana tried provoking him with sharp words, hoping to spark anger.
But time wore her down. She realized: impossible.
No matter how she taunted, Gu Qinghan remained unmoved, face as placid as still water.
“Don’t act like a child. Dinner time. Open up~”
The delicious morsel on the fork stole her anger.
Staring again at that unreadable face, despair crept in.
Impossible.
Mr. Hohenheim’s emotions ran as deep and boundless as the ocean.
No provocation could stir them.
Powerlessness washed over her.
Punishment… would never come to her.
It felt like countless ants gnawed her skin—yet her chained hands couldn’t scratch.
“Hss… Hah… Hss… Hah…”
Her delicate cheeks flushed. She slumped to the floor, body trembling, sweat soaking her clothes.
Three days felt like three months of agony.
No.
Don’t give up.
Grit your teeth. Hold on.
Only obsession kept her silent.
*What if… a reward still waits?*
Such fragile fantasies continued to torment her.
Gu Qinghan’s gaze swept over her shuddering form. His eyes darkened.
Time for the next phase.
Pushing further would yield nothing.
He gave a quiet farewell and stepped out as usual.
On the street, the forced smile vanished. He hurried toward the grocery store.
Tonight’s planned meal: fruit pizza.
Another unfamiliar dish.
Equally suitable for feeding.
Equally devoid of “reward.”
But ingredients still needed preparing.
…
An hour later.
Returning with groceries, Gu Qinghan reached for his keys—
A voice from behind froze his hand.
“Mr. Hohenheim?”
His eyes flicked to the door—ajar by a sliver. Heart hammered.
“Ah, Mr. Richard. Long time. How are you?”
A stiff smile. He faced Liana’s fiancé, pulse roaring in his throat.
*If Richard sees inside… everything collapses.*
“Groceries? Looks like enough for two,” Richard remarked, blinking at the bag, brow furrowed slightly.
“Ah, I eat quite a bit…” Gu Qinghan replied calmly, smile steady.
“Anyway—heading to work early today?” Smoothly, he redirected.
“Not exactly…” Richard offered a wry smile. “I’m going out to look for someone.”
Gu Qinghan’s breath hitched.
“Someone?”
“Yes. Haven’t seen Liana in days.” Richard scratched his head awkwardly. “Might be lost. Thinking of reporting to the Inspection Brigade—ask an Inspector to help.”
A buzz filled Gu Qinghan’s skull. *Katarina.*
*She’d inspect me first. No doubt.*
He chuckled lightly. “Miss Liana? I ran into her just this morning.”
“Huh?” Richard froze.
“Where?”
“While buying lunch.” Gu Qinghan lifted the bag with a gentle smile.
“Then… maybe we just missed each other,” Richard mused, frowning.
“Exactly,” Gu Qinghan nodded. “You two share the room on rotation. Easy to cross paths at different times.”
Richard nodded slowly. “You’re right, Mr. Hohenheim.”
“But I’m still uneasy. Better file a report, just in case.”
Gu Qinghan stilled. A flicker of surprise in his eyes.
“Really necessary?”
“Yes. She’s my fiancée.” Richard paused mid-step, glancing back hesitantly. “Besides… things have been unsettled lately.”
A shadow crossed Gu Qinghan’s gaze. *An opening.*
“Something happened?” he asked, feigning confusion.
“You haven’t heard?” Richard sighed. “Someone smuggled across the border wall.”
*Border wall.* The words alone summoned the Kingdom of Pure Love’s sworn enemy.
“These days are dangerous. If Liana meets them… she could be kidnapped.”
“People from the Empire of Indulgence are extremely perilous.”
“So… I really should go report.”
