Over the next few hours, Liana endured inhumane treatment.

Quill pens, whips, candles, bit gags, blindfolds…

On the alchemy table, most of the dazzling props had been used—each now dusted with orange cat fur.

They were no longer clean.

And Liana could only watch it all unfold again and again, utterly helpless.

"I’m sorry… Little Feather, Little Whip, Little Candle…"

Exhausted beyond measure, her long hair tangled, her dull eyes fixed on the orange cat.

Only the cat reveled in its indulgent moments.

"Don’t… think you’ll make me submit…"

She murmured the same words, voice weaker now, mind drifting into haze.

Gu Qinghan paused, glanced at the wall clock, and smiled faintly.

11 a.m.

Liana was spent. Pushing further would yield little. A break was needed.

"It’s late. You must be hungry. I’ll grab lunch and be right back."

He tossed the rope aside, lifted the orange cat, and turned to leave.

Before closing the door, he cast one last look at Liana.

Her will was crumbling; her mental defenses pierced like a sieve.

Good.

Perfectly as planned.

A smirk touched his lips as he locked the wooden door and stepped onto the street.

This plan had been set days ago.

Breaking Liana’s heart required more than ordinary scolding.

The harsher the punishment, the more she thrilled—and the less she’d speak.

So unconventional methods were necessary.

Placing props on the alchemy table was step one.

But not enough.

He wanted her to witness how joyfully, how comfortably the "others" received their reward—

while she could only watch, forever denied.

For refusing to answer his questions, her cruelest punishment was this:

watching her beloved props tainted by another’s scent.

Powerless. A spectator.

Only this could truly wound her now.

"Still not talking? Stay silent much longer, and another prop gets defiled~"

For Liana, nothing could be more torturous.

A direct strike against her psyche.

A faint glimmer lit Gu Qinghan’s eyes; his lips curled upward.

Flawless plan. The real challenge? Choosing who’d "perform joy" before her.

No ordinary human would do.

Even if someone shared such twisted tastes—and would cooperate—the kingdom’s doctrines would be violated.

Too risky.

Only non-human options remained.

He quickly settled on the perfect accomplice.

After unlocking the passive ability "Golden-haired Affinity," Gu Qinghan had unintentionally mated with a cat.

The side effect: every female cat that had mated with it now favored him.

Seven or eight in total.

Diet Street was small. Cats followed simple patterns. He found one swiftly and set the plan in motion.

It worked brilliantly.

After a morning of staged indulgence, Liana’s expression was utterly broken, her gaze hollow.

Just one final push.

If all went well, tonight would bring results.

Cradling the female cat, he gently stroked her nape, savoring a rare, quiet contentment.

Thanks to this orange cat, the plan moved smoothly.

For lunch, he’d reward her with savory dried salted fish.

Two and a half days remained until Miss Katarina’s next inspection.

Plenty of time—if all stayed on track.

…

Gu Qinghan returned quickly, lunch in hand.

Only minutes had passed—just enough for hunger to stir in Liana.

Curtains drawn tight. Faint light seeped through the gaps, touching a dusty corner.

Liana sat expressionless, eyes vacant, staring at nothing.

"Don’t zone out. Time to eat!"

Smiling, Gu Qinghan picked up knife and fork, feigning warmth as he began feeding her.

Shaken by the morning’s ordeal, she remained unresponsive.

Only after he repeated it three times did her lifeless eyes flicker.

"…"

Her pupils shifted slightly, glancing dully at the food, then away.

As if she didn’t care at all.

Gu Qinghan hid a smirk. She could fool others—but not him.

Days of observation had revealed her habits.

This was precisely when hunger would bite.

No room for stubborn delays.

"Open up~ Let me feed you."

He set the orange cat down gently, lifted her chin with one hand, speared a cherry tomato with the fork.

"Ah~"

Predictably, no response—only a cold stare.

"Seems Miss Liana isn’t feeling cooperative."

With a faint smile, he applied gentle pressure, parted her jaw, and slipped the fruit in.

"Mmm!"

Tangy-sweet juice bloomed on her tongue. A flicker of life returned to her eyes.

"Don’t try resisting by starving yourself, okay?"

Still smiling, he offered a honeydew melon slice to her soft lips.

This time, she steeled herself and took the bite.

Sweetness melted in her mouth. Her eyes glistened faintly.

*So delicious…*

*But why…*

*…is he treating me like this?*

"Mr. Hohenheim… you’re too cruel," she whispered, head bowed.

Gu Qinghan smiled gently, pretending not to hear, and offered a watermelon cube.

"Mmm."

Her movements grew smoother.

Chewing softly, savoring the sugar’s gentle caress, her mood lifted just a little.

Then Gu Qinghan spoke, voice calm.

"I admit… my actions were excessive."

He placed a banana slice into her mouth.

"So, Miss Liana—if you don’t wish to continue… please just tell me what I need to know."

"You, of all people, know exactly why it came to this… don’t you?"