With a lighthearted atmosphere, the three delved into knowing each other more; gone was the previous feeling of agitation of making sure that the first impression wouldn't end up in turmoils.

Han Taiyi was doing most of the talking while Chu Lizheng would occasionally add something to her stories and nod when she would look at him for affirmation. ​​

Lillie listened earnestly as Han Taiyi tells her of the things that happened in the academy since she left and gratify her questions with almost truthful answers.

"So, for how long were you married? How did you two met? Do you have children already? Oh my god, are you pregnant—not to be rude or not that I'm saying you're—"

"One question at a time." Chu Lizheng was quick to cover his friend's mouth before she could complete what she was about to say. He came closer to her ear and muttered, "You were being rude."

"I'm sorry!"

Chu Lizheng resisted the urge to facepalm.

Lillie laughed, "No, no, it's alright. To answer your questions; we've been married for almost a year now—"

"Oooh! Newlyweds?!"

"—and he's actually my childhood friend—"

"Aww, so romantic!"

"Taiyi, don't cut her off."

"—we have no children and I'm not pregnant yet, sadly." Lillie finished, not bothered by Han Taiyi's interposes between her sentence.

Her last answer seemed to have saddened Han Taiyi. Well, Lillie had casted a crestfallen expression that's why she did, too.

The expression was, by far, the most genuine one she ever made since she wore this fake face.

"Don't worry, you and your husband are still young and new to marriage life. People will understand that you two are still on the honeymoon phase. They wouldn't expect you to have a kid early...maybe." Han Taiyi beamed, trying her best to send her positivity to their new friend.

"Don't add maybe." Chu Lizheng sighed.

"Anyhow, I'm sure you'll be blessed with one soon enough! It's guaranteed—just do more of that bedroom—"

"Alright, Taiyi." Chu Lizheng covered her mouth once again. "I'm sure she already knows that part."

Lillie observed their relationship with amusement. The smile that she kept on her face the whole time didn't feel heavy anymore as she finds herself genuinely enjoying their company.

She likes these two.

"Speaking of which, where is your husband?" Han Taiyi noted just now that the other talk of the town was missing.

"He's at our cabin, he'll join us shortly."

"His name is Jun Jihuo, isn't it? I don't think I've heard of his name in the Academy before." This sentence just proved that Han Taiyi was one of the people who was eavesdropping earlier at the harbor because Lillie haven't said Ethan's fake name to them yet.

Han Taiyi realized her slip-up as her breath was stuck in her throat and heat crept to her face. In her mind, she was crazily pulling her hair and spewing all of the very, very colorful words she knows.

Thankfully, Grand Disciple Life spared her from further embarrassment and didn't pried into it. "He didn't attended the Academy." She said. "His family moved at another country to pursue his study on business management."

"Aw, that's a shame. You two would've been the cutest couple at school—"

"If the school ever allows it, that is." Chu Lizheng chimed.

Han Taiyi's head dropped. "Ay, you're right."

"But you guy's love story is really romantic!" Han Taiyi gushed, holding her face dreamily. "I would like that kind of love story with my future hubby too. Imagine being separated from your childhood friend, who was also your first love. Then when the two of you reunited after many years, the flame of love persists to burn brightly. And while catching up, you two confessed your undying love for one another and decided to get married! It's as if it came straight out of a romance novel."

"You might've changed a few details and exaggerated the story too much. Also, who would marry a brute like you—oof?!" Han Taiyi karate chopped Chu Lizheng's side.

"I wasn't talking about Ah Ming's love story! It was from a book I read before." Han Taiyi glared, her hand clenched into a fist. "And who are you calling a brute, you sissy boy?!"

Lillie was silent.

Unnoticeably, she bit the inside of her cheek—but not out of anger, rather, out of sheer amusement at the accuracy. Her's and Ethan's love story really did came from a cheesy romance novel she read once when she was a teen—with, more or less, details rewritten to make it sound realistic and believable.

While they were brainstorming an anecdote for their fake background, that certain book just popped up from her mind. Lillie thought it was perfect, so she adapted it.

It was nice to know that this new friend of hers share the same interest of her young self. Hmm...reading those kinds of novels again was actually not a bad idea, now that she think of if. She could probably get a few...lessons that might help her 'tremendously' improve her relationship with Ethan.