The mansion was unusually quiet that evening.
Soft lights illuminated the long dining table.
The food had already been prepared.
But only one person was sitting there.
Lu Bolin.
He held a book in one hand while slowly eating with the other.
His movements were calm and precise.
Every bite was small.
Measured.
As if eating was simply another process to complete.
Across the room, Auntie Zhang watched with mixed emotions.
For three years, Lu Bolin had always waited for Gu Yichen to return before eating.
Even if it meant sitting at the table for hours.
But today…
He started dinner alone.
And he didn't seem bothered at all.
Auntie Zhang finally spoke carefully.
"Young Master… should we wait for President Gu?"
Lu Bolin looked up from the book.
"Why?"
"He usually returns for dinner."
Lu Bolin considered that question.
"If he is hungry, he will eat."
Auntie Zhang blinked.
"But…"
Lu Bolin calmly took another bite.
"Food becomes cold if it waits too long."
The logic was simple.
But hearing it from him still felt strange.
Auntie Zhang didn't know what to say.
Meanwhile—
Across the city.
Inside Gu Corporation's underground parking garage.
Gu Yichen stepped out of the elevator.
His assistant walked beside him, holding a tablet.
"President Gu, the international meeting tomorrow—"
"Cancel the evening schedule."
The assistant paused.
"Yes, sir."
Gu Yichen checked the time.
7:10 PM.
Normally, he would still be working.
But for some reason—
He suddenly remembered something.
Lu Bolin used to wait for him at dinner.
Every night.
Even if Gu Yichen never showed up.
The thought created a faint sense of irritation.
Not toward Lu Bolin.
Toward the situation itself.
Without saying anything else, he got into the car.
The driver started the engine.
"Home, sir?"
"Yes."
Meanwhile—
Back at the mansion.
Lu Bolin finished his meal.
He wiped his hands carefully with a napkin.
Then he stood up.
"Thank you for the food."
Auntie Zhang smiled gently.
"Would you like dessert?"
Lu Bolin shook his head.
"No."
"Then I'll prepare tea."
Lu Bolin nodded.
Then he walked toward the living room.
The mansion library had many books, but he had already selected the ones he wanted.
Psychology.
Behavior analysis.
Human interaction.
He opened another book and sat on the sofa.
The system appeared quietly.
[Host behavioral consistency confirmed.]
Lu Bolin turned a page.
"Yes."
[Villain routine disruption detected.]
Lu Bolin glanced at the notification.
"What kind?"
[Villain leaving company earlier than usual.]
Lu Bolin paused slightly.
"Interesting."
[Estimated arrival: ten minutes.]
Lu Bolin nodded calmly and continued reading.
Exactly eight minutes later—
The front door opened.
Footsteps entered the mansion.
Gu Yichen removed his suit jacket as he walked inside.
His eyes immediately scanned the dining room.
Empty.
The table had already been cleared.
Gu Yichen stopped.
That was new.
He walked further inside.
The lights in the living room were still on.
Lu Bolin sat on the sofa reading quietly.
His posture was relaxed, one leg folded slightly beneath him.
The warm light softened his pale features.
He looked… comfortable.
Gu Yichen frowned faintly.
"You already ate?"
Lu Bolin looked up from the book.
"Yes."
Gu Yichen checked the clock.
7:28 PM.
"You didn't wait."
Lu Bolin blinked.
"You were not here."
Gu Yichen's expression didn't change, but his gaze sharpened slightly.
"You always waited before."
Lu Bolin thought for a moment.
"That was inefficient."
Gu Yichen stared at him.
"Everything is inefficient to you now?"
Lu Bolin closed the book gently.
"Not everything."
Gu Yichen walked closer.
"What isn't?"
"Observation."
Gu Yichen let out a quiet breath through his nose.
"Still studying people?"
"Yes."
"Still studying me?"
"Yes."
The honesty was so direct it almost felt like provocation.
Gu Yichen crossed his arms.
"And what have you learned today?"
Lu Bolin answered calmly.
"You returned home earlier than usual."
Gu Yichen narrowed his eyes slightly.
"That's your conclusion?"
"It indicates behavioral deviation."
Gu Yichen scoffed.
"You think I came home early because of you?"
Lu Bolin shook his head.
"That possibility is statistically low."
Gu Yichen paused.
"…Low?"
"Yes."
"What is the higher probability?"
Lu Bolin answered simply.
"Work schedule variation."
For some reason—
That answer irritated Gu Yichen more than anything else.
He stepped closer.
Now they were standing very near each other again.
"You really believe that?"
Lu Bolin looked up at him.
"Yes."
Gu Yichen stared at his calm expression.
Not even a hint of expectation.
No hope.
No desire.
Just quiet certainty.
Gu Yichen suddenly realized something strange.
He had come home early.
And Lu Bolin didn't care.
At all.
That realization created a faint, unfamiliar feeling in his chest.
The system appeared again.
[Villain emotional fluctuation increasing.]
Lu Bolin observed Gu Yichen silently.
Gu Yichen finally spoke again.
"What are you reading now?"
Lu Bolin turned the book toward him.
"Emotional attachment theory."
Gu Yichen raised an eyebrow.
"And what does it say?"
"That attachment often begins with repeated exposure."
Gu Yichen's gaze sharpened.
"Meaning?"
Lu Bolin answered calmly.
"People become more comfortable with things they see often."
Gu Yichen leaned slightly closer.
"Are you trying to apply that theory to me?"
Lu Bolin thought about it.
"Yes."
Gu Yichen laughed quietly.
"You're unbelievable."
Lu Bolin nodded politely.
"Thank you."
"That still isn't a compliment."
"Oh."
Silence settled between them again.
But the atmosphere felt different from before.
Heavier.
More focused.
Gu Yichen suddenly reached out.
Without warning—
He took the book from Lu Bolin's hands.
Lu Bolin blinked.
Gu Yichen glanced at the pages briefly.
Then he placed the book on the table.
"You're thinking too much."
Lu Bolin asked calmly,
"Why?"
"Because emotions don't follow formulas."
Lu Bolin considered that.
"That contradicts several psychological models."
Gu Yichen leaned down slightly.
His voice dropped lower.
"Then those models are wrong."
Lu Bolin met his gaze.
For several seconds—
Neither of them moved.
Then Lu Bolin said quietly,
"Would you like to help me test that theory?"
Gu Yichen's eyes darkened slightly.
"Test it how?"
Lu Bolin answered simply.
"Spend more time together."
Silence filled the room again.
The suggestion was so unexpected that Gu Yichen didn't respond immediately.
Lu Bolin continued calmly.
"It will provide useful data."
Gu Yichen slowly straightened.
"You want to spend time with me for research purposes."
"Yes."
Gu Yichen looked at him carefully.
"You really don't care about me anymore."
Lu Bolin thought about the statement.
Then he answered honestly.
"I care about understanding you."
That answer…
Was somehow worse.
Gu Yichen stared at him for several seconds.
Then he suddenly smiled.
A dangerous smile.
"Fine."
Lu Bolin blinked slightly.
"You agree?"
"Yes."
Gu Yichen leaned slightly closer again.
"If you want to study emotions…"
"Then I'll show you how dangerous they can be."
The system immediately displayed a notification.
Villain Interest Level: 24%
Lu Bolin mentally recorded the data.
Progress was accelerating.
Gu Yichen turned away and picked up his jacket again.
"I'll have dinner."
Lu Bolin nodded calmly.
"Enjoy your meal."
Gu Yichen paused halfway to the dining room.
For some reason—
He looked back again.
Lu Bolin had already reopened his book.
Reading quietly.
As if the conversation had meant nothing at all.
Gu Yichen frowned slightly.
Then he continued walking.
But inside his mind—
A strange thought formed.
If Lu Bolin was studying him…
Then perhaps he should study Lu Bolin too.
After all—
The person sitting in that living room right now…
Was becoming more interesting every minute.