"Are you...alright?"

"I'm good." ​​

"You looked traumatized."

"Just surprised."

"Master made you fetch him hairy tofu, didn't he?"

"...I didn't know they exist."

"Now you know."

Lillie arrived back to the courtyard and place the books on Grandmaster Wei's desk in his office.

When she's about to make her way towards the kitchen, she saw Ethan coming out of the storage house with a large basket latched onto his shoulders like a backpack.

That's when she noticed that he was a bit dazed. A hint of bewilderment etched his usually schooled expression.

Lillie immediately knew who the culprit was and the method said culprit used to extract a reaction out of Ethan.

"Where are you going now?" She walked next to him, deciding to accompany him to wherever he's heading.

"Master asked me to get lotus roots and pods." Ethan thanked his lucky star that his wife came back just in time.

"Care to share what master made you do while I was away?" Lillie noticed that weariness was gradually creeping up on his eyes.

But, nevertheless, he seem to have more energy to spare for his next task.

Ethan did as told and narrated all the grueling things Grandmaster Wei made him do. After he was done helping around the kitchen, Grandmaster Wei shooed him out and ordered him to fill up a humongous water jar with spring water that he'll use for his cooking.

Spring water that you won't find near Gentle Tempest Courtyard. Grandmaster Wei was 'gracious' enough to direct him the 'right' location.

Ethan ran back and forth for 16 times just to fill the jar to its brim. After that, Grandmaster Wei told him to grab tofu on the storage house.

The inkling that there's something not right going on was the fact that the tofu wasn't in the refrigerator.

Grandmaster Wei said that they're inside a stack of rectangular, wooden trays covered by a straw mat.

Ethan should've trusted his guts and expected Grandmaster Wei's tendency to get a reaction out of him.

Hairy monstrosity was what greeted him. If Ethan was a lesser man, he would've screeched to the highest pitch he could possibly accomplish.

Hearing his wife laugh beside him, a normal response to that would've been, "don't laugh, it's not funny."

But this is his wife, and her laugh is music to his ears. It doesn't matter if she's laughing at his misery, he'll gladly make a fool out of himself just to make her laugh.

He's relieved to see her in such a good mood, considering what happened last night. Hopefully, her memories of that dreadful night won't come back to hunt her dreams again.

Ethan hates the idea of leaving his wife alone. So, he has come into a decision. He filled himself with courage and strength to implore the master to let him and Lillie share one bedroom!

Later—he promise—after the energy he used in these excruciating tasks returned. As if he'll enter a battlefield in a weak state. That's just asking for death.

Soon, the two stopped by the bridge and look at the picturesque scenery. Vibrant green lotus leaves and pink flowers suspend on top of the water.

Cool breeze blew the lotus' scent and it was the most wonderful thing Ethan had this day.

He imagined that he'll only get to see a beautiful lotus field such as this on paintings or pictures. Work didn't really let him have the availability to visit places for his own entertainment.

And when he does have time, he'll only spend it by staying home.

But now Lillie's with him, he had someone he could take places to and enjoy it with.

"Here, wear these." Ethan accepted the pair of rubber boots from his wife and put them on.

"Was the master being specific about the lotus roots?" Lillie asked as she wear another pair of boots, rolled up her pants and sleeves.

"The big ones." He quoted Grandmaster Wei.

With a single nod, Lillie led Ethan in the water. As much as he wants to do it by himself and let Lillie simply stay on the pavilion to rest, he knows better than to enter a losing battle.

Sinking their hands on the cool, muddy water, the two felt for the lotus roots below them. Lillie pulled a large one and showed it to Ethan.

"This big." She instructed, then washed the root from mud and algae.

"Noted." Ethan said and he took the lotus root Lillie got and put it in the basket.

Lotus leaves were taken down as the pair harvested a good amount of lotus roots, pods, and even some flowers.

By the time they were about to surface, Ethan's foot was stuck on something.

Balance was lost, and he fell with a loud slash.

"Jihuo!" There were other people around, so Lillie called him by his alias.

Ethan cursed mentally. D*mn, his reflexes failed him. Hope this isn't frequent.

The water only reached their knees. So when Ethan stumbled, his hands and knees caught him, fortunately not soaking him up to his head and messing his disguise.

He'll have to reapply it eventually after he showers.

"Are you alright?" Lillie carefully padded towards him. "I warned you to be careful."

"I'm fine. Sorry, my mind was occupied." Ethan hauled himself up. He turned to his back and watch his wife slowly reach for him.

His outstretched arm was expecting her hand.

Not her whole body crashing into his as they both lose their balance and landed on the muddy water with an ever louder splash.