"Um...aren't you going to remove your hands?"

"Hm, they're kinda...on a 'very' comfortable place." ​​

"Husband, I would let you fondle me later, but now is not the time and place." Lillie calmly said. "There are other people, if you fail to notice."

"They aren't near us." A devilish smirk etched the corner of his lips as he pulled the two of them out the pond. "You aren't getting all flustered as you would normally be this time. Why is that?"

Lillie wrung her soaked clothes. "It's called immunity, dear husband." She nonchalantly explained, neglecting the fact that he couldn't see the red spreading through her cheeks because of the fake skin.

Ethan hummed, clearly not convinced as the mischievous smirk turned into a full grin. "Immune to my charms? Hoho, dear wife, I won't let that happen."

He pressed his body on Lillie's back. The cold water seeped through her skin and his warm breath blew her exposed neck.

Shivers run down her spine and goosebumps prickled her the surface of her skin. "Ethan." Lillie quietly warned.

Ethan raised both of his hands like a guilty criminal. The mischievous grin still present as he said, "I'll hold onto your word, wife. Later it is, then."

Instincts told her that she'll regret saying what she said.

The journey back was quiet and uneventful. But mostly because Lillie was too busy calming her heart from pounding so loudly to start a conversation, and Ethan was busy thinking of the perfect opportunity for him to bring up the "sharing one bedroom" situation to Grandmaster Wei without being maimed

Grandmaster Wei came out of the kitchen to take a breather and wonder what took his errand boy long from returning with the lotus roots and pods.

Just in time, his eyes landed on two drenched and muddy figures up ahead, tottering towards him with a squishing sound from their shoes.

His precious second disciple and his errand boy looked at him sheepishly, as if children caught doing something they weren't suppose to do by their parents.

Grandmaster Wei didn't even need to ask, already having a grasp of what happened.

Instead, he let out a long, defeated sigh and said, "Go clean up and change, you two. Quickly, before you catch a cold."

Death peered his head out of the kitchen's entrance frame and narrowed his eyes at the couple with a I-know-you-two-did-something-dirty look.

The underlying meaning in Death's eyes was replied with an elusive eye roll from Lillie.

***

Steaming and mouth watering food were laid out on the tables of the main hall's dining area. The people cleaning around the compound were all present, their hard work compensated by a delicious breakfast.

Grandmaster Wei had always been generous to those who deserves it, that's why many of the people in the Academy favors him the most.

Ignoring his hot-temperedness, Grandmaster Wei is an outstanding teacher. One can expect even a fool to improve tremendously under his wings.

You start weak and without knowledge? You'll end as an expert within months with Grandmaster Wei's teachings.

Unfortunately, Grandmaster Wei is extremely picky when it comes to choosing his direct disciples. Even after all of his years in the Academy, Grandmaster Wei only has two.

Those are the Grand Disciples Life and Death.

Although there are others under Grandmaster Wei's tutelage, but they're not considered disciples.

These individuals are the only ones who have the privilege to enter and stay at the Gentle Tempest Courtyard, and are the ones assigned in maintaining it.

As of now, these individuals are dining altogether with Grandmaster Wei and his direct disciples—an honor it was, considering they're not connected by discipleship.

Even the Headmaster can't persuade Grandmaster Wei to accept more disciples. So instead, he allowed him to take assistants.

Lillie silently ate her Lanzhou beef noodles with gusto. The richness and perfect amount of spiciness from the warm broth was ideal in this cool morning.

The beef was juicy and not greasy. It's not gamey, not hard to chew, and it simply melts into your mouth.

Senior Brother had also outdone himself again with the noodles too. He's always been an avid fan of noodle-based dishes—ramen, in particular—and have learned how to make them from scratch.

His love for it is evident from his loud slurping and the bowls piling next to him. Grandmaster Wei scolded him of his manners, but didn't deprived him of having another bowl—which was surprising.

Staring down at her empty bowl, Lillie contemplated if she should have another one too.

She wouldn't let herself eat until her stomach could no longer stretch. That wouldn't end well.

Being a glutton requires responsibility, for it may regale you with dire consequences.

Like having a stomach ache.

Concluding that it's not worth the stomach ache, Lillie choose to nibble on some vegetables instead. The lotus roots she and Ethan picked were sweet, savory from the braise, and crunchy.

Food always taste better and much fulfilling when you work hard for it. Ethan didn't realized how hungry he was until he saw his own stack of dishes, rivaling Death's.

"Have your fill, husband. No need to be shy." Lillie placed more meat and vegetables on his bowl of rice. "You need to replenish the energy you used in helping around."

The people around them urged him too. They offered him the dishes on their own table, refilled his cup with tea, and one even wanted to feed him.

"Hey now, leave that to Grand Disciple Life."

"What? I was just being nice, teehee."

"Don't act cute! It's not fitting for a brawny guy like you."

"At least I try to be cute! That's why ladies like me better than you!"

"Why you!"

Lillie laughed faintly, glad to see that everyone took a great liking to Ethan and approve of him.