The Rise of the White Lotus

"Eli, can we pretend that we're dating today too?" Unenthusiastic, Rika heavily sighed by the dogfood being served on their plates. 

Currently, Ethan Lu tagged along with their late dinner. As they eat, he kept on placing a different meager portion of dishes on Lexi's plate, while his sparkling gaze that emanating hearts and roses never left Lexi. While Lexi obediently consumed whatever he put on her plate and placed other dishes on him as well. 

The vibe around these two was too bright that could make someone blind. Although Rika was happy to see that Ethan Lu was like what he was in his Weibo post and indeed deserved the crown of being Mr. Romantic— she could not help but think where was her own Ethan Lu?!

"Sure," Without a second hesitation, Elliot Gong responded. However, his answer shared the same low enthusiasm as Rika. His appetite was barely hanging as he was being attacked by this semi-public display of affection. They only need to raise their chopsticks a little to feed each other for it to be a full-blown dogfood.

"Nice… romantic," Hearing Elliot Gong's lackadaisical answer, she responded with sarcasm. With that said note, both Rika and Elliot Gong were forced to watch and eat dog food. The only thing they were fortunate about was that they were exhausted for the long day of filming so, they didn't have enough energy to have an energetic reaction.

Meanwhile, the two culprits of why Elliot Gong and Rika were wondering what was wrong with them for not having such lovely aura just like them were trapped in their own little world.

"Did you lose weight?" Gently asking, Ethan Lu scanned her small face that seemed it slightly slimmed down after not seeing for a week and several days.

"No… Did you? I think you're the one who was losing weight, not me." Returning his question, Lexi narrowed her eyes. In her perspective, despite maintaining his dashing looks, the mild dark circles under his eyes were still evident. Moreover, his face's natural contour had been accentuated— that made him look manlier.

"I've been working nonstop but I am eating on time— hehe, your gift is very helpful." Showing his wrist to display the watch she bought for him, Ethan Lu grinned. "Whenever I look at the time, it reminds me of you. It's like it was saying: I have to take care of myself to have the energy to take care of you."

Upon hearing his cheesy lines, Rika and Elliot Gong let out a series of violent coughs. Elliot Gong pounded his chest by his fist as he almost choked by the food he was swallowing. While Rika drank a mouthful of water to help the food that had sudden traffic on her throat. Their reaction finally caught Lexi and Ethan Lu's attention as they looked at them with a questioning front.

"Careful, you're not in a marathon." Reminding them to slow down in eating, Ethan Lu's brows furrowed as he glanced at Rika and to his dearest friend Elliot Gong.

"Are you alright?" Checking both of them, Lexi concernedly asked. After several seconds, she heaved a sigh of relief seeing that they were both alright.

"Marathon?! Oi, for your information, we were eating in peace here until you suddenly become this oh-so-romantic hero." Elliot Gong's under-eye kept on twitching as he dissed his friend across him. 

"Bestie, is he always like this?" Leaning forward, Rika cautiously whispered. She was more surprised that Lexi was unfazed after Ethan Lu's cheesy lines.

"I'm used to it." Lightly chuckling, Lexi whispered and shrugged. Even though she said that but, Lexi might be a little used to it but the effect was still the same for her. It still moved her from time to time and honestly, she rather found it less annoying every time.

"Tsk tsk... " Instead of retorting back, Ethan Lu only clicked his tongue as he mildly shook his head in sympathy. 

Soon, the four of them continued and Ethan Lu never stopped from throwing cheesy lines every once in a while. He also had the chance to talk with Lexi's new friend; Rika. It only took them minutes to converse as if they knew each other long enough; though most of their conversation was about Lexi and how to get the girl.

The dinner lasted for two hours with Elliot and Ethan's constant banter, Ethan swooning over Lexi, Rika teasing Lexi, and Lexi being savage to Ethan every once in a while. Still, it was still a dinner well-spent with Lexi and Elliot being more comfortable with each other, Rika establishing her position as the president of EthanXLexi's ship, and Ethan being there. 

Since Ethan Lu volunteered to drive them to wherever they would eat, stating: "you guys look tired, I don't entrust my love's life to someone incapable of driving", and neglecting his own exhaustion, he still drove them there. Hence, he was still the one who would drive them back to the hotel they were staying in.

When they reached the hotel, Rika hurriedly went out first after saying her thanks while dragging Elliot Gong with her— leaving the two alone. After the two left, Lexi slowly unbuckled her seatbelt as she chuckled, knowing what Rika has in mind. Turning her attention to Ethan Lu on the driver's seat, her brows arched seeing that he was just staring at her without moving.

"Hmm?" Leaning her side against the front passenger seat, Lexi didn't hitch out as she stayed inside. Ethan Lu didn't respond and only reached out his hand and opened it for her to hold.

"I missed you. Let's stay here for a while." He said with a subtle smile plastered across his lips. It might be selfish of him to stall her time after her long day of filming. However, his longing for her just came too strong that it was driving him insane.

"How was work?" Pursing her lips on a thin line, Lexi slowly slid her fingers to fill the gaps in between his fingers as she diverted their subject.

Granting that they were already together since two hours ago, Lexi and Ethan hadn't had a proper conversation to catch up on what happened to them in the past week. Despite that they kept in touch through calls and chats, it seemed it wasn't still enough.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Ethan Lu momentarily frowned recalling all events that occurred in the past week as he consistently worked in the Lu Corporation. He already expected that it wouldn't be that easy but still, he's body, mind, and schedule had a drastic change that he was still adjusting to this chaotic world of top-tier business.

"Tiring… Thanks to you, I can move forward." 

"No, don't thank me. What you're doing is your own choice and only you can push yourself forward." Disagreeing, Lexi softly shook her head as she uttered her honest opinion.

"I know that but still, it is also my decision to have you as my motivation." Ethan Lu smirked as he teasingly winked that made her let out a mild scoff.

Gazing down, Ethan Lu led their hands to him, he held her hand with both of his hands as both his thumb lovingly rubbed the back of her hands.

"Lexi, Love… will you still be with me if you know I have to be a wicked man?" His gaze was bitter and his brows creased. He always had this thought in mind while he was going deeper into their family affairs— much deeper than had already been. Hence, he was terrified of what would happen if Lexi found out about it.