The Rise of the White Lotus

Ethan Lu was drowned with vinegar as he watched them conversed and eat the whole time! The poor newspaper he used as a cover was abused and was near tearing apart with how roughly he has been taken care of.

At the same time, he cursed his dear friend countless times and even the ancestor of the whole Gong family was included. "Is the reason why he argued with me the last time was because he was interested in her? Great! Just great Eli!" Through his gritted teeth, Ethan Lu grumbled as the poor newspaper received his wrath.

While he was being cursed, Elliot Gong suddenly sneezed as he felt a cold shudder run through his spine. 'Who is cursing me? Am I caught by brother Mo? D*mn! Not too soon!' 

"Hehe, sorry." Unlike his worried inner thoughts, Elliot Gong managed to smile and apologize to Lexi which she understood with a nod.

Since they already consumed their meal, Lexi slowly wiped the corner of her lips with the table napkin. "By the way, are you the one who's going drive?" Intrigued about his words last night, Lexi knew that Elliot Gong was provided with the best treatment from his agency as he was their money tree. Hence, it would be less awkward if they were other people with them inside his car.

"Yes. I informed my manager about our set up so he took care of my things and brought my car for us to use." With his ever gentle smile, Elliot Gong said without a second hesitation. 

Since he would die anyway when the news reached Morris Liu, he'd as well go all out for the sake of his job. In retrospect, Elliot Gong never had this headache as his roles and Lexi whenever they starred with the same movie had little interactions.

In other words, this was the first time Elliot Gong took a role that he purposely chose due to his busybody self as he wanted to know how was Lexi after everything that happened. However, never did he thought that it would lead to this kind of a mess.

In spite of the danger of his life and career, at the end of the day, Elliot Gong was still professional in his field and would worry about it later. What's important now was to make her comfortable with him so after their week break, she could act with her best state. After all, Arnold Shen seemed he had decided about the change in their script. Thus, Elliot Gong was certain that there would an additional screen time for them.

Of course, Lexi knew this as well. She wasn't dumb enough not to understand that simple instruction from Arnold Shen. She knew that Arnold Shen informed them about it beforehand so they could make adjustments which were too kind of him.

"Alright, I'll see you outside then." Nodding in understanding, Lexi meekly smiled that didn't reach her eyes.

"Alright. I'll prepare my car, I'll see you outside." Elliot Gong also nodded as both of them silently agreed.

As if on cue, Lexi and Elliot Gong left their table and walking side by side, they exited the dining hall. 

Still aggravated on the scene slowly unfolding before his very eyes, the newspaper he kept on abusing finally snapped and was torn apart without mercy. Ethan Lu watched them leave together that made his heart race -- not that kind of 'bathump' he usually hears whenever Lexi was near him but the kind of 'bathump' that was filled with fury.

****

On the hotel's lobby, Lexi and Elliot Gong exchanged contact numbers before they went separate ways; Elliot Gong to the parking space while Lexi checked her luggage.

After Lexi confirmed that her baggage was all good and complete, her brows arched as her attention was caught by Churu who kept on giggling nonstop on her shoulder.

'Sissy, what's so funny?'.

"Hihi~ nothing~! I just remembered the night I spent with Elliot Gong~" Lying without batting an eye, Churu's giggled gradually turned into creepy laughter that made Lexi's under eyes twitched.

Apparently, Churu was entertained as she secretly watched Ethan Lu drowned with vinegar as he jumped from his conclusion to another conclusion through the course of their meal. Surely, his reaction and how he stopped himself from lashing out that very moment was too funny she could not forget for the rest of her life.

'You've become weird, sissy.' Shaking her head, Lexi asked a bellboy to bring her things outside which was acted accordingly.

Outside the premises, Lexi waited for Elliot Gong's car to approach as she stood there. She was wearing a classy sunglasses and some of her hair danced in the air along with the strong wind. Even with a simple outfit, a loose v-neck white blouse, the front was tucked in her black fitted leggings while its back was let loose. Her leopard-print patent stiletto heel added to her elegance.

In other words, Lexi stood out that others that passed by her could not help but give her a double look. If not for the sunglasses, one could recognize her. 

Minutes had passed before she heard the honk noise from the speeding red sportscar that stopped in front of her. Elliot Gong then exited from the driver seat wearing a round vintage sunglasses that perfectly matched the shape of his face.

He jogged his way to Lexi's side before he smiled as he glanced down on the luggage on her side. "Let me help you." He offered, slightly thrusting his chin toward the direction of her luggage.

"Sorry for the trouble then," Accepting his offer, Lexi nodded. With that said note, Elliot Gong then picked up bags then carried them to the trunk of his car.

Lexi watched Elliot Gong lift her baggage and surprisingly enough, he seemed he had been working out pretty well as it seemed he didn't exert much effort as he placed her bags to the back of his car.

After Elliot Gong put the last bag, he closed the trunk with a 'phew'. He was relieved that his manager took care of his things as Lexi had lots of bags with her. Understandable, she was a woman with many needs after all.

As soon as he recovered his strength, Elliot Gong strode back to her position and asked, "Is that all?" 

"Hmm." Nodding, Lexi was certain that she didn't forget anything.

Since she was certain, Elliot Gong uttered "alright!" and without further ado, he opened the front and only passenger seat like a gentleman and gestured for her to enter, "If you may,"

Seeing this, Lexi arched her brows but still nodded, "Thank you…" For some reason, she felt that she wanted to call her manager and pick her up instead. However, since Elliot Gong was making an effort and it was hers who had a problem, Lexi shrugged off her reluctance.

Just as Lexi was about to enter his car, a large hand wrapped around hers which halted her steps. Even before she turned her head to whoever it was, her hand already sensed the familiarity of his warmth.

"Hmm? Love, why are you riding to another man's car? You're making me jealous." As playful as he sounded, Ethan Lu's fingers slipped in between her fingers and all his jealousy since earlier magically disappeared.