The Rise of the White Lotus

The next day…

Since Lexi fell asleep rather late after lecturing Churu and her unstoppable mouth, she felt groggy and grumpy when she woke up.

Glancing at the time, her eyes widened seeing that it was already ten in the morning. Remembering that she and Ethan Lu agreed that he'd pick her up at ten, Lexi immediately sat on her bed with a shocked look plastered across her face.

Without further ado, Lexi hopped out of bed as she dashed towards the window of her room where she could see the mansion's driveway. And there, a flashy orange sports car stood among the rest of their luxury cars because of its bright color -- it was Ethan's!

"He's here!" She panicked before Lexi sprinted towards the bathroom inside her room.

On the other hand, Churu has already changed the dress she was wearing last night to a new one and slowly peeled off the facial mask on her face. Seeing that Lexi was running around early in the morning through the vanity mirror, Churu only shook her head as she refrained her mouth from saying anything. After all, she just got in trouble last night because of it.

"She's so stubborn." Churu sighed before she resumed arranging her cute headband.

****

Scanning at all her clothes, Lexi kept on stomping her right foot while her arms wrapped around her upper abdomen. She was still in a bathrobe and her hair had just been slightly blow-dried. She had this dissatisfied expression on her creased brows as she clicked her tongue repeatedly in annoyance.

"What are you still doing~? Stalling~?" Since Lexi was taking quite some time inside the walk-in closet without making any loud noise, Churu came to check what she was doing.

As expected, Lexi seemed she was having a hard time choosing what kind of outfit she'd go. After all, she didn't know where Ethan Lu would take her. Also, knowing him and his antics, it was hard to guess what kind of place they'd go on a date.

Would it be fancy? Simple? Comfortable? Crowded?

"Urgh! Whatever!" Ignoring Churu, Lexi face-palmed and grabbed the black dress that she really liked but haven't gotten the chance to wear even since she purchased it.

"Hayyy… how could she wear something so simple on a date?" Shaking her head as her gaze followed the busy Lexi's figure, Churu heavily sighed as she felt helpless on the dress Lexi chose for today's date. In her mind, she was wearing a grander dress than the woman.

At 11:30 am, Lexi was finally done with her makeup and all her rituals. For the record, this was probably her fastest record in prepping herself on a date. After all, even just going out, Lexi took longer hours to prepare—especially whenever there's a change in her outfit.

Staring at herself in front of the vanity mirror, Lexi let out a one heavy exhaled and a glint of determination flashed across her eyes.

"I will know my answers today," She murmured, still looking at her reflection as if trying to convince the person in the mirror.

Whatever answers she had in mind, no one knew but her. Regardless, she was definitely earnest to have them answered.

****

When Lexi arrived at the living area, as usual, her mother and Ethan Lu were already having a good chat over tea with her mother's signature egg tart that she loved since childhood. Lexi stayed where she stood for a while and watched the two at the living area conversed.

Although it was not the first time Lexi had witnessed this scene, however, after her talk with her mother, Lexi somehow, wanted to look at Ethan Lu not as a friend but as a man—even for a tiny bit so she could see the difference.

Hence, what she sees now, maybe there's not much of a big difference from before but Lexi must admit that the scene before her was pure genuineness and peacefulness. It was as if Ethan Lu was her mother's own child and even if Lexi wasn't there, he'd still stay longer and continue to accompany Lillian Yang.

After several good minutes, Lexi decided to approach the two with a subtle smile. "Mom," she greeted and hugged her mom from behind the sofa. Her sudden sweetness made Lillian Yang chuckled as her hand gently rubbed on Lexi's arm that was lightly wrapped around her neck.

"You're late, Ethan had been waiting for you since earlier." Lillian Yang softly reprimanded, but, by the sound of it, her voice doesn't sound near angry or disappointed.

"Hmm, I slept late and woke up late… I'm sure, Ethan doesn't mind -- just look at him." Lexi murmured as she reasoned out with her mom. She then unhurriedly retracted her arms away from her as Lexi straightened her posture. Glancing at the dashing man sitting across her mother, Lexi could not help but heavily sigh.

Currently, Ethan Lu was smiling as he sat properly. The thing is, his mouth was stuffed with egg tarts hence, his puffed cheeks. He looked half cute and half weird at the same time that made Lexi feel conflicted.

'Is this the guy I should open up my heart with?' She asked inwardly as the corner of her brows twitched.

Actually, Lexi was quite confused about the real Ethan Lu. Every time she was with him, he always changes his personality too quickly that Lexi couldn't keep up with it and could not discern which was real and which wasn't.

"Well, as I said, why won't you just ask him~?" Churu bluntly responded as she already sat on Ethan Lu's broad shoulder.

Glancing at the cute madam sitting on the mischievous kind of modern prince's shoulder, Lexi pursed her lips into a thin line as her thoughts were suddenly distracted and was changed into: "I should have bought her wig as well."

"Yes, I don't mind waiting for her, Mom." Ethan Lu grinned widely after gulping down the egg tarts with great effort. Glancing at Lexi, his eyes discreetly traveled from her head to toe that made him immediately looked away and turned his shocked expression to Mother Yang. Of course, his sudden change of expression puzzled Lillian Yang that made her brows marginally raised.

"Uh…" Scratching his right cheek, Ethan Lu pondered whether to say what bugged him or... was it a bad idea for him to say? Gazing at Lillian Yang, Ethan Lu awkwardly laughed and found an excuse, "Ha ha! It was nothing, Mom! I just had a mini heart attack after thinking where I placed my keys. Ha ha ha!"

"Ohh... " Nodding in understanding, Lillian Yang chuckled along with his awkward laughs. Unbeknownst to him, Lillian Yang already guessed whatever he has in mind and she found it rather sweet.

When Lexi sat beside her, Lillian Yang spoke with a comforting smile, "I guessed you'll be having your lunch outside?"

"Hmmm," Lexi answered in a hummed as she leaned her back against the sofa and placed her left leg over the other, revealing more of her skin.

This slight exposure made Ethan Lu's sneaky eyes looked away almost immediately as he incessantly tapped his fingers on his lap. He was very tempted to cover the little exposed skin she was revealing but in front of Lillian Yang, Ethan Lu wouldn't want to sound rude or anything of the sort. After all, this was their house and he could not do just anything he pleased even though he was almost doing it anyway.

'Hey heart, keep tone it down!' He grumbled inwardly.

"Fun Fact~!!" Just then, Churu shouted as she stood on Ethan's shoulder with her right hand raised.

'Oh, please… enough with your fun fact.' Rolling her eyes inwardly, Lexi shook her head and turned to see Ethan that was oddly looking on his right—but there's nothing there.

"Mr. Main task sees your clothes as revealing!" Despite Lexi's nonchalance, Churu still ratted Ethan Lu out with a poker face. She added,

"His heart goes bathump bathump so loudly, I can hear it!"

'Revealing?' Lexi looked down on the little exposed skin between the hem of her dress and her over the knee black boots. Briefly squinting her eyes, Lexi's lips curled into a mischievous smirk. 'Is that so?'