The Rise of the White Lotus

"I see you are back to normal huh?" Elliot Gong snorted as he sat on one of the chairs that have his name written on it. Glancing at Ethan who perched on the seat next to him, Elliot Gong shook his head in disbelief.

Earlier, Ethan dragged him far from the set and when he asked where he was leading him -- Ethan Lu dared say he'd bury him alive! Just what's up with this guy? Shouldn't he be calm after his one month of absence? Elliot Gong assumed that Ethan's abrupt disappearance was connected with his friend's usual dilemma; the Lu family affairs.

However, what's with this sudden motive to bury him alive? Just what did he do to this troublemaker to disturb him in his work hours? More importantly, if he came there to mark his new target -- then so be it! Just let him be as Elliot Gong also needed to practice his lines and get into character.

"Hey, let me ask you; will you and the two other idiots date my exes?" Ethan rubbed his clean shaved chin as he had these thoughts lingered in his extravagant mind for quite some time now. He was just wondering how dire would their friendship to suffer if he indeed pursued Lexi. 

"Ehhh?! Of course!" Without batting an eye, Elliot Gong affirmed as if the inquiry was as easy as one two three. His eyes bore more disgust as if he asked a no brainer question.

On the other hand, Ethan Lu gasped in disbelief with his friend's unreserved response. He didn't expect that kind of answer as he thought that there still a small hope of dignity left with them, alas, he was wrong. Hence, Ethan Lu peered at his friend with repulsion as he sassed in dismay. 

"What?! What happened to our bro code, you undignified men!"

"What do you mean bro code? You almost monopolized all the ladies in the City and out -- leaving us with limited choices!" In a matter of fact tone, Elliot Gong justified. Indeed, that's how intense Ethan's playboy persona. 

In the past, Ethan's relationship only lasts a day and the next day, he got another girl accompanying him. Therefore, how could his friends know every single one of them? Elliot Gong continued with the same tone, 

"Also, all your past relationships were all bullcr*p! Can you remember every girl you dated in the first place?"

"Oh… make sense," Upon hearing Elliot Gong's clarification, Ethan Lu nodded and calmed down in an instant. After a second, he grinned in satisfaction as if he was enlightened even more. 

He confidently announced while raising his finger, "I call dibs on Lexi Yang!"

Ethan Lu's announcement was akin to a loud roaring thunder that made the handsome Elliot Gong dropped his jaw. He heard him right, right? His ears weren't deceiving him, right? Elliot Gong was utterly mind-boggled as Ethan Lu audaciously called dibs on the infamous Lexi Yang! The same woman who almost drove Morris Liu to insanity! The Lexi Yang who called them trash and useless! 

Of course, Elliot Gong could remember some of the insults Lexi spouted to them with her pair of sharp eyes and tongue. He just heeds them no mind as Elliot Gong was too calm to be bothered. Moreover, he never treated Lexi's verbal assaults with value as the girl was like a lost child chasing after Morris Liu. Hence, his leniency towards the woman was out of his kind heart.

But now, this Ethan Lu just announced that his next target was Lexi Yang? Did he somehow lose his mind while searching for his soul?

"Wh -- What did you just say?!"

"Uh-huh, I'm joining the undignified club -- birds with the same feather must flock together!" Ignoring his mortified friend on the side, Ethan's grin brightened that could be compared to the blinding sun. He added,

"So, you keep your distance from her from now own or else," Ethan squinted his eyes, as he made a slitting neck gesture as a warning to his friend.

Though without Elliot Gong's answer about his question, Ethan Lu had already decided on that. He was just curious about the aftermath. Also, part of his friend's statements actually made sense. In his perspective, if one of his friends ended up liking someone he dated -- Ethan Lu wouldn't actually mind as he had no feelings with any of his exes.

Furthermore, if that happened, he would instead give his wholehearted blessings. Just like Morris Liu, he never liked Lexi in the first place and chose another woman over her. Therefore, Ethan Lu was now entirely guilt-free to pursue the woman that his heart shouted.

"Hold up, you mean you'll pursue the girl? Are you out of your f*cking mind?! That's brother Mo's ex -- former fiance for f*ck sake!" Seeing how determined and confident Ethan Lu was, Elliot Gong could not help but feel bothered by it. Thus, the aggressiveness in his tone.

"So what? He didn't give a f*ck before. So, what's wrong if I want to cherish her now?" Ethan's brows knitted, displeased by Elliot Gong's reminder. He knew that fact already, that's why he had undergone extreme stress; enough reason for him to live in a temple for a month. 

However, one of the realizations Ethan Lu came to understand while he was away; why would Morris Liu get mad if Ethan was willing to catch the free-falling woman that he pushed to the edge of the cliff? 

"That's not the point! That woman attempted to commit suicide months ago because of that. And you, of all people, would want to chase her, console her wounded heart and then what? Dump her? Just like what you always do? Man, are you trying to kill her?" Having a rational thought, Elliot Gong overlooked at Ethan's keyword 'cherish'. He continued to argue as he perceived this as another game of his jerk of a friend. Alas, being reminded about something, Elliot Gong's brows raised and resumed after a beat.

"Wait, where's that friend of yours? Did she dump you? That's why you're gonna vent your frustrations now?" 

"Bullsh*t! Just shut your trap, alright? I'm not trying to kill her but instead, heal her! And if that means I have to confront brother Mo about it -- then, so be it!" Ethan snapped with all the accusations his friend spouted. In his understanding, Elliot Gong was jinxing his future love life. 

"Wow, what a heated argument~ I just wish Lexi was here to witness this, hihi… Go, Mr. Main task, confront that scumbag -- I got your back~" Churu who was the only being that witnessed their banter commented in glee. She was right; Ethan has decided to catch Lexi's heart the moment he came back. She added, 

"Let the cat and mouse game, commenced… chu~" She giggled as Churu anticipated Lexi's reaction and slowly realize her confused feelings.