Li Yifei soon realized that she wasn't as eager as she thought she was about traveling with Lillie. If it was before the revelation, then she would've been ecstatic.

But after everything that happened, she felt awkward and ashamed around Lillie's presence.

​​

Even if Lillie assured that her actions were helpful—though Li Yifei thinks she's just being polite—and it resulted in a positive impact, she still can't help but feel guilty for comprising the Empire's livelihood and for causing stress.

"I can see steam seeping out of your head," Gabriel Bai sat down beside her on the plane's seat, pressing the icy can of her favorite flavored soda on her cheek. "What's causing this so much brain activity?"

Li Yifei flinched back from the cold and snatched the drink from his hand, pouting at both his action and teasing.

"I was thinking about everything that happened for the past weeks." She softly muttered, sinking into the comfortable seat and opening her soda.

"What about it?" Gabriel propped his elbow on the armrest, schooling an uninterested countenance to not gain their mothers'—who were chatting enthusiastically about idle matters—attention.

They're out of earshot but not out of sight.

Their families—sans their elder siblings—are still unaware of their romantic relationship. Gabriel and Yifei aren't ready to announce it to them yet. All they know was that they're just simple classmates and gaming buddies.

"I...feel bad, still. How could she forgive me so easily...after everything I've done."

Gabriel instantly knows what she's talking about.

"In your defense, An Jiaying was already scheming those things even before your involvement. Besides, you were there just to give her a false sense of security, made her think she's invincible just because she had an influential backup. Other than that, you didn't do much. And I bet you know how capable my sister is. For her, An Jiaying was just another annoying fly." He explained, absentmindedly drinking his iced coffee.

Although, Gabriel won't admit that it did upset his sister and father because of the mayhem it caused. The employees were so frightened and thought it was their fault that half of the Empire's properties were stolen.

But everything was resolved in just a few days. Lillie calmed everyone with her presence. The employees believed in their CEO's capabilities and trusted her judgment. When she said she would handle everything and no one was at fault, it was like the tornado in their mind was lifted.

"Furthermore, as reckless as it was to pretend to be the Great White, none of us didn't think of the possibility that big sis was actually her."

His elder sister incessantly reminded that because of them, she's a step closer to unveiling her enemy's face, and that she gained a powerful ally; them.

Li Yifei's aware that Lillie could easily defeat that shameless green tea b*tch into a puddle. But she was naively sure that Lillie wasn't White Bird because of her friendship with Major General Tang Hejiu.

An Jiaying had been eyeing her elder brother for years and became a threat to his relationship with Lillie when she accidentally stumbled upon her schemes to overthrow the White Phoenix Empire.

Honestly, the original plan was to simply dispose of that crazy bitch in the most humiliating way possible. She didn't care if she'll use the Thrilled Phantom's name to do it.

But as consequence, the Bai family might come after her if they ever affiliated the group's name with An Jiaying.

And she knows better than to make an enemy out of them.

The commission to pretend to be White Bird and gauge Lillie's reaction about it was a blessing in disguise and some bonus of sort to make things more exciting—plus the pay was quite a sum.

"But Gab, what if whatever I did somehow gave the people who hired us a clue about Sis Lillie's identity? Then it'll be all my fault. I betrayed Sis Lillie, I don't deserve forgiveness. Whether it's hers, my brother, and even yours." Li Yifei's voice cracked and her eyes turned misty. The can on her hands wrinkled slightly under the pressure she unconsciously exerted.

Pat.

"Don't think too much about it, Yifei."

Li Yifei was startled by Lillie suddenly appearing behind their seat and planting a consoling hand on her head.

"Sis," Gabriel called her, relief etching his voice. No matter how much he tries to comfort Yifei, she would always feel bad. If it was coming from Lillie, maybe she'll feel better.

"You should stop beating yourself up for what happened." Lillie softly said, retrieving a handkerchief from an inside pocket of her blazer, then dabbed Li Yifei's eyes dry.

"Sis...sister-in-law, were you listening the whole time?" Li Yifei sniffled. Her cheeks heated up in embarrassment from both Lillie's gesture and for being caught crying.

"I couldn't help but hear your conversation. I apologize for eavesdropping, but what Gabriel said was right." Lillie sat down to her left. "Because of the confidence you imbued in An Jiaying, she became arrogant and recklessly exposed her true nature and schemes. Because of you, a threat was disposed of promptly. There was no ill-intent with your actions."

"But still, your identity might've been compromised because of me." Li Yifei clenched her hands until they turned white. But Gabriel was quick enough to notice so he grabbed her hand, intertwining his with hers. "Between Gabriel and I, I'm the one who wronged you the most."

"There's a reason why people are having a hard time exposing my identity. If that person who hired you gained something from that incident, then I would just evade suspicion like I normally do. It's hardly the first time."

"But what if..."

"Well, if the day comes when everything was revealed, then there's no use denying it." A sly smirk suddenly tugged her lips. She tilted her head at her and added, "But then again, they have to get to me first before I get to them."

"Sis, you're so cool." Gabriel and Li Yifei sighed in unison.

"What are you guys whispering over there?" Agathe Crevier and Han Rushi approached their children.

Gabriel and Li Yifei quickly unlatched their hands from each other.

"Sis was giving us some spoilers about the Nightingale's new updates." Gabriel grinned, feigning excitement. "Yifei was so touched, she cried."

"I feel so honored to be able to bask in sister-in-law's brilliant mind," Li Yifei sniffled. "I can't wait to brag this to everyone else."

"Hey, hey, if you feel honored, don't just go around spreading this to everyone. Keep it to yourself."

"Aiyo, these children, ah." Han Rushi sighed as her daughter started the usual banter with Agathe's son. "It's always about games."

"Is that the only thing you two ever put your efforts into?" Agathe mirrored her friend-slash-in-law's exasperation. "And you, Little Flower, you shouldn't encourage them further."

"Well, it's an effective business marketing." Lillie casually shrugged. "And they're my precious patrons."

"You're charging them?"

"We're happy to pay, Aunt Agathe."

"My dear Feifei, call me mom."