Han Yu's mind sifted through thoughts quickly.
He needed her to distrust her clan deeply.
He needed her to see him as the only person who understood her and protected her.
He needed her to feel gratitude.
He needed her to feel safe when near him and unsafe when away from him.
He needed her to think independently, yet rely on his judgment for key decisions.
He needed her to see him as an unpredictable but reliable force.
He needed her to grow.
He needed her to hate selectively.
And, eventually, he needed her to turn her blade against her own clan.
'That'll take time...' Han Yu suppressed a sigh.
The complicated part was that he actually felt sympathy for the girl. He was not a heartless person, not truly. But sympathy alone would not protect him. Sympathy would not save Xuan Qing or Meng Jueyan. Sympathy would not get him home.
He had to balance his heart with his mind.
