The Rise of the White Lotus

Since it was the most convenient way for Lexi, she agreed after Ethan Lu spouted his suggestion. Of course, even though Elliot Gong didn't want to agree, he still did since it was already gone this way. Hence, he'd rather stick with the plan and ignore his friend who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

After transferring Lexi's things to Ethan Lu's luxury car, they could finally start their 'journey'. On the front passenger seat, Lexi perched there out of habit. Since it was Ethan Lu's car, of course, he was the person who would drive it. Besides, Lexi was in the front passenger seat thus, how could he push the responsibility to his unreliable friend? 

At the back seat, Elliot Gong altered his gaze from the driver's seat to the front passenger seat. Based on his brief observation, Lexi and Ethan indeed knew each other well. Though there was still some distance, he could tell that Lexi was comfortable with him; which was surprising no matter what angle Elliot Gong looked at it.

Ethan glanced at his side and seeing that Lexi forgot to buckle up, he smiled. "Want me to help you?"

Lexi raised her brows and saw him pucker his lips, pointing at something. Her gaze followed what he was referring to. There, Lexi was reminded that her bad habit occurred again. However, before she could even secure herself, Ethan has already moved and started putting her seatbelt which made her stiffened a little.

Since that odd day when all her senses were heightened and Lexi took notice of Ethan Lu's faint refreshing scent for the first time, she somehow could not help but sniffed his scent while he was buckling her seat. Smelling his scent with complete discretion, she turned her head away to the window as she didn't want to get distracted by him.

'Why does he smell…' 

"So good~?!" Finishing her sentence, Churu grinned with a knowing gaze.

'Shut up, Sissy.' 

Ethan Lu turned his dashing face to see her looked away which made him smile before he returned to the driver's seat. "Alright, you're all good." He informed with satisfaction before he glanced through the rear mirror where Elliot Gong looked at them with disdainful eyes.

"How about you?"

"Ahh, don't bother with me." Elliot Gong waved his hands off, gesturing that he didn't need his fake concerned. Seeing that his friend saw through him, Ethan Lu indifferently shrugged his shoulder. 

In spite of the fact that he was still vexed on Elliot Gong and whatever funny reason he had to act according to what he saw with his own eyes, Lexi's presence calmed him down. What's important at the moment is Lexi didn't get mad at him and he sensed that she was relieved that he did. Whether it was his delusion or not, Ethan Lu wanted to believe that way.

***

As they drive going back to the city, the inside of the car was surrounded by dead silence as none of them talked for a while. 

The first one who broke the silence was Elliot Gong's question matched with an investigative gaze, "So… what's up between you two?"

"Huh? Didn't you hear me? I'm courting her." Glancing at the rear mirror to give his friend a ridiculing look, Ethan Lu unreservedly answered. 

It was not that he didn't like saying this statement repeatedly as he always wanted to let the whole world know that he loved her, however, he was still pissed at his innocent friend.

"Err, is that true?" Shifting his eyes and fixing them on the back of the front passenger seat, Elliot Gong directed his question to Lexi. In his mind, Ethan Lu might say heedless stuff but Lexi might say another. Hence, he would never listen to his friend knowing how aggressive he could be when it comes to women.

"Hmm… you can say with dating." After a minute of contemplation, Lexi audibly answered. Whatever term of excuse Ethan and Lexi might use in their current status, she already agreed with their set up and thus, admitting that they were dating but not exclusively was enough explanation.

"Hihi~" Hearing her say they were dating, Ethan Lu giggled as his heart melted that instant. If not for the fact that he was driving while Lexi was on board, he would accelerate his speed due to extreme happiness.

On the other hand, Elliot Gong was particularly shocked upon hearing Lexi's confirmation. He could not believe what she said just now. Although Ethan Lu might announce and blabber mindless stuff, but not Lexi Yang! Therefore, he was rendered speechless as he tried to absorb and understand her words.

'Was she doing this to forget brother Mo? No, no, that would be impossible. Has she moved on? Like really?' In a fraction of seconds, Elliot Gong's mind was filled with thoughts that he could not utter as they were stuck on his throat.

Only one word successfully slipped from his mouth, "How?"

"Hehe, don't worry my dear friend. I also asked that question to myself when I fell for her." Being reminded of how foolish he was, Ethan Lu chuckled as if he was a father reminiscing his good times and was sharing it with his kid.

"Did you get your answer, then?" Casting the 'driver' a side glance, Lexi smirked as she somehow adjusted on the two men's presence.

"Does it matter? I liked you, I love you, should I know the reason why?" Without backing down, Ethan Lu grinned as he gives her a glance before focusing his attention back on the road. In his perspective, whether Lexi would retort or not, at least, he could genuinely convey his feelings to her. 

Also, by doing this, it could make her notice him at the least. Therefore, it was a win-win situation for him either way.

"Wow, he's too honest~ say something sweet as well sis~!" After having enough of her silence, Churu chimed it as Ethan's words are hard to resist.

Yet, Lexi only cleared her throat and looked away while biting her lower lip. Indeed, she had the same thought just like Churu as he found Ethan Lu becoming more and more open and honest after his confession. 

Alas, what would she say in return? She wasn't good at it and her feelings for him were rather complicated. She knew she liked him but not romantically as of yet. However, the more she looked at him, the more she thinks that Ethan for some reason looked kinda attractive.

"*sigh* Lexi, don't fall for his sweet words, he's a veteran when it comes to flattery." Gazing at the driver's seat, Elliot Gong moved a little closer to Lexi as he warned her through a whisper.

"Pfft-! Shouldn't I?" Chuckling by how wary Elliot Gong was, Lexi slightly shook her head as she vented her overwhelming feelings to teased the man on the backseat.

"Tsk! You should listen to me. I know him and he's bad news!" Elliot Gong had taken advantage of the fact that Ethan Lu was preoccupied with his driving and even if he wanted to beat him up, he couldn't.

"Well, I think I agree with you there." 

Soon, the atmosphere through the whole long ride lightened up as Elliot Gong constantly slandered Ethan Lu while Lexi agreed and somehow, both of them gossiped about Ethan Lu's and his weird habits as if he wasn't there. 

"Hey, I'm still here!" Having had enough of their snicker, Ethan Lu's face turned crimson red as the two joined forces and gossiped nonstop. Despite that, Lexi didn't realize that her discomfort earlier gradually vanished as time goes by.