Han Xue did not confront Lin Mo.
That would have been emotional.
Instead, she designed an experiment.
Not in a lab.
In reality.
The Test
She submitted a proposal late at night.
A false optimization plan for Project Aurora.
On paper, it looked promising.In reality, it was subtly flawed—nothing catastrophic, but enough to cause a silent failure two weeks later.
Only three people had access to it.
Herself.The board liaison.And Lin Mo.
If Lin Mo truly was just an investor, nothing would happen.
If he knew outcomes in advance…
He would react before the failure occurred.
Han Xue leaned back in her chair.
—Let's see how far ahead you're standing —she murmured.
The World Reacts First
The system noticed immediately.
Alert:Heroine Han Xue has constructed a false-fate node.Purpose: Verification through delayed causality.Risk Level: High
Lin Mo paused mid-step.
—Smart.—She's testing the future, not me.
He reviewed the proposal.
One glance was enough.
The failure wasn't obvious.
But he saw it.
Because the system showed him what would happen.
Projected Outcome:Minor instability → loss of credibility → opportunity window for Hijo de la Suerte #2 to intervene
Lin Mo exhaled slowly.
—So that's your move.
The Correct Response
If he fixed the problem immediately, it would confirm her suspicion.
If he ignored it, the protagonist would benefit.
Either choice exposed him.
Unless…
He chose a third path.
Lin Mo forwarded the proposal to an external consultant team.
No comments.No corrections.Just one line:
"Stress-test this independently. Full authority."
The fix would come.
But not from him.
Han Xue Notices
Two days later, Han Xue received the report.
The flaw had been identified.
Corrected.
Neatly.
By people who shouldn't have seen it coming.
She stared at the screen.
—He didn't interfere… —she whispered.—But the future still changed.
Her pulse quickened.
That was worse than confirmation.
That meant indirect control.
Crossing Lines
Later that evening, she found Lin Mo alone in the observation corridor.
Glass walls. Soft light.
—You didn't touch my proposal —she said calmly.
—I didn't need to —he replied.
They stood side by side.
—You anticipated a failure that didn't exist yet —she continued.
Lin Mo didn't deny it.
Thought, deliberate and controlled:
—Say nothing.—Let her finish building the truth herself.
Han Xue turned to him.
—You don't manipulate people —she said slowly.—You manipulate timelines.
Silence.
The system held its breath.
Heroine Awareness Threshold: 68%
Lin Mo finally spoke.
—Does that scare you?
She considered the question.
—No —she answered honestly.—It scares me that you're careful with it.
That was the moment.
Not romance.Not trust.
Alignment.
System Update
Heroine Han Xue:Status: Partial AwarenessHostility: NoneInterest: StrategicProbability of Alliance: Rising
Lin Mo watched the city lights.
—She passed her own test —he thought—.—And now she's part of the problem.
A faint smile appeared.
—Good.—I prefer enemies who can think.