The Rise of the White Lotus

"He said… what?" Disbelief on what her mother just said, Lexi, darted her stunned gaze from Lillian Yang to Ethan Lu's grinning front. 

Just like what her mother said earlier, Lillian Yang did inform her that had occurred yesterday in this mansion. To summarized it all, Ethan Lu asked her parent's permission to court and marry her if she ever agreed. Hence, the headache she was experiencing right now.

Watching how her mother approved of him and Ethan Lu's interaction with her, Lexi heavily sighed in defeat. She knew Ethan Lu and thus, she should have seen this coming. However, Lexi didn't actually expect that he would ask her parent's permission the next day she agreed with his confession. Surely, he wasn't wasting a second in pursuing her heart which somehow urged her to run away.

"Oh, dear, you shouldn't be surprised by Ethan. Men are always like that—unpredictable, at times." Lillian Yang chuckled in delight seeing that her daughter had this ridiculous expression plastered across her face. 

Surprisingly enough, only Ethan Lu—and his careless yet sincere actions could bring out these kinds of expression of their daughter; that both Frederick and Lillian Yang missed. Hence, even before Ethan Lu officially asked their permission, they grew fond of the guy. After all, he was a good, kind, and genuine person. Whose parents who didn't want their child be with someone that would treasure their child as much as they cherished her?

"Hehe, actually Mom, I would also like to ask for your permission to take her to a date tomorrow." Clearing his throat, Ethan Lu sat properly as he politely requests for authorization from Mother Yang to take her daughter. 

Lillian Yang giggled with his old-fashioned style. In her perspective, Ethan Lu might not realize it yet but his way of courting her daughter was something that every girl would wish for a man. She slightly shook her head before she gently responded with her soothing voice, "Oh, Ethan dear… my daughter is a grown woman, you don't have to worry about me and your Uncle Fred but, I appreciate the thought."

"Hehe~ She agreed," Giggling back, Ethan Lu leaned closer to Lillian Yang and whispered. 

"Really? That's good to hear, then!" Happy for his progress," Lillian Yang clasped her hand together in glee. She giddily added, "Right, let me inform you of the do's and don't's for tomorrow."

"Hello? I'm still here" Indifferently murmuring while she played with her food, Lexi let out another heavy sigh. Their muffled conversation could still reach her ears that made her roll her eyes. Do they think she was not present? If Lexi and Elliot Gong joint forces earlier, now, it was her mother and Ethan's turn to gossip about her— well, not really gossip but a discussion instead?

"Mom, where's Dad by the way? It's late." After some time, Lexi was reminded of the time and normally, Frederick Yang would be home by this time. Moreover, they were informed that she'd be coming home today hence, knowing Frederick Yang, he should be home much earlier than usual.

In the middle of giving instruction to his future son-in-law, Lillian Yang was disrupted with her daughter's inquiry. She turned her head to Lexi's inexpressive front, then she smiled warmly and said, "Oh, right. Your father had a very important emergency meeting he needed to attend, but he said he'll buy you something." 

"Oh…" Nodding in understanding, Lexi didn't probe further and Lillian Yang returned on her 'giving tips' lessons with Ethan Lu.

The dinner ended much longer than usual as Lillian and Ethan's session took longer than expected. It wasn't surprising at all that Ethan Lu took so much interest and he only needed a notepad to jot everything down. Fortunately, it was about Lexi thus, he was extra attentive to Mother Yang's help hence, he easily memorized everything.

***

As usual, Lillian Yang asked Lexi to send him off which she abided without any complaints. She was used to it after all. 

On the mansion's driveway, Lexi was walking a step behind Ethan Lu while her mind wandered somewhere else. Sensing this, Ethan Lu walked slower for him to walk with her — shoulder to shoulder. He then slipped his hand through her fingers to bring her senses back.

"Hmm?" Lexi slightly flinched upon feeling his warmth against her hands. Given that it wasn't their first time holding hands, however, Lexi could not help but react whenever Ethan Lu slipped his fingers to hers without short notice.

"You're zoning out. May I know where's your mind wandering?" When his gentle gaze met her pair of upturned eyes, he slightly tilted his head on the side as his brows raised.

"Uh, nothing." Shrugging her worries about her father, Lexi meekly smiled -- letting him hold her hand as it was quite reassuring in some ways.

"Lie." Bluntly exposing her, Ethan Lu pouted with her answer. He added with a wink, "You can tell me if something bugs you -- I'm still your friend… with ulterior motives."

Rolling her eyes, Lexi shook her head as she knew he would pester her to spill the beans. "*sigh* It's nothing, really. It's just… I tend to overthink when I hear the word emergency." She then looked down to hide her worried eyes and was ashamed of how petty she could be. 

Yet, Lexi was indeed worried about the emergency meeting her father attended. After all, their company had just stabilized after the mess she had done in the past.

"Ohh…" Nodding in understanding, Ethan Lu stared at her downcast head before he turned his body to face her. Without a second hesitation, he gently placed his hand over her head while his head leaned forward and kissed it.

Even though Lexi didn't felt his kiss, however, she clearly heard the soft sound he produced. She then raised her surprised eyes to see him gently smile in return.

"I wanted to kiss your worries away but I'm afraid you'd run away," said Ethan Lu with a soft gaze. 

If he wasn't thinking about the aftermath of directly kissing her worries goodbye, Ethan Lu would have done it. But, with their current status, even if he was dying to do as he pleased, he prioritized her feelings first. Thus, he could only do this for now.

"OMGGGG~!! That's sooo sweeet~ yet, you should've kissed her directly~!!" Happy and disappointed at the same time, Churu hysterically flew and spun her whole small frame in the air.

On the other hand, Lexi blinked numerous times as she tried to process what he had done. Whether his action just now set her mind in peace or just distracted it—she could not fathom. It wasn't a direct kiss on her head but it sent warmth to her heart that was gradually swallowing it whole.

"Lexi, I'm sure Uncle Fred is doing fine… he's your father after all. I can go check if you want." Ethan Lu softly patted her head as his eyes traveled across every detail of her facial features. 

Unbeknownst to Lexi, Ethan Lu was more worried whenever she worries about something and even if she didn't tell him about it—he already decided to ask his assistant to check the current status of the Yang Company after this.

"Uh, yeah -- you're right. Don't bother, it's fine." Managing to waved off her main concern and Ethan's indirect kiss by lightly shaking her head, Lexi forced a smile on her lips that wasn't gone unnoticed by his keen eyes. Yet, Ethan Lu chose not to point it out as he only smiled in return.

Minutes had gone by before Ethan Lu reluctantly bid his goodbye. Before he goes, he reminded her, "Tomorrow morning, I'll pick you up."

Tired, Lexi only nodded as he watched his car slowly exited their huge gate and then, he sped away without any reserved.

"That guy…" she murmured as her gaze softened and let out a faint exhale.

"Is sweet? Caring? Loveable? Ideal hubby? Sexy? What is it~?" Guessing the sentence that Lexi was unable to finish, Churu instigated with her usual excited persona. Glancing at the flying dumpling on her side, Lexi resumed with a subtle smile,

"...is warm." With that said note, Lexi head back inside the mansion as her concerns about Frederick Yang magically vanished.

'He's my father… right.' She uttered inwardly when she reached the doorstep of their house.