The Rise of the White Lotus

Lexi watched her parents being taken away by Ethan Lu as he shows them around as if the place was his. Since they treated him with his same enthusiasm, Lexi let the family of three wander around while she would go on her own adventure.

Shaking her head, Lexi heavily sighed before she turned her back towards the opposite side where they headed. "Whatever…"

As Lexi roamed around the huge resort, her thoughts about Ethan and 'his' parents were thrown at the back of her mind as her astonishment to the establishment was fabulous! Although she was raised with luxury, Lexi knew that this place was on a different level. Besides, being in this place doesn't only require money but also connections to the whole club.

Obviously, there are also socialite guests, however, their numbers were insufficient to make the whole establishment crowded.

Aside from the resort's top-notch amenities, Lexi's last destination was the beachside. Peering at the horizon while the slight violent wind brushed passed her, a subtle smile formed on the side of her lips.

After a tiring four months of filming Taming Hearts, Lexi appreciated the place even more as her body and mind needed this break. Although she mostly idled around the Yang Mansion to rest, this place was just different and serene. The location was just too fascinating that she swore she wanted to go back again someday.

"He's really dependent…" She muttered with a subtle smile. Despite knowing that it should be expected from him that Ethan Lu was an expert in this field as well, still, it still amused her every time.

Since she had all the time in the world, Lexi leisurely went back to her hotel room to prepare herself for a swim.

****

Meanwhile, Ethan Lu happily toured the Yang parents. Since Ethan Lu had been here many times, he knew this place's map like it was written at the back of his hand.

"This is a private jacuzzi for lovers— quality time, Mom, Dad?" Comfortably addressing them as his in-laws, Ethan Lu widely grinned as he showed a private jacuzzi space for lovers. Winking at Frederick Yang, Lillian Yang chuckled as Ethan Lu cast his husband a knowing look.

"This is a good place, indeed." Clearing his throat, Frederick Yang diverted the subject as he complimented the establishment he recommended. As expected, Ethan Lu didn't disappoint him as it was a perfect place for them to spend their family time privately. 

Away from the city, from stress, and other major concerns for a while and just relax. Moreover, Frederick Yang couldn't date his wife more often after everything that had happened. Hence, he definitely liked the idea.

Since they had been walking around for quite some time now, the Yang parents excused themselves from Ethan Lu as they needed to take a rest. After saying their appreciation for his effort, they went in their own separate ways.

When Ethan Lu watched her parents enter the elevator before it closed, he tipped his sunglasses a little upward with a smug grin plastered across his face.

"Now, where is my lovely future wife?" He muttered as he excitedly searched for the person who held his heart.

Since Frederick and Lillian Yang needed to rest for a bit, they didn't finish the tour which means, Ethan Lu only needed to look for her in the areas where they didn't visit.

Looking for her to the infinity pool area, Ethan Lu only saw a few guests in their bikinis that were either taking photos or swimming. There were also some other dudes that were chatting quietly with other girls. If it was before, his flirtatious nature would be ignited seeing such gorgeous ladies— foreigners and not. He was probably one of those guys that were hunting for their prey.

However, now that his heart belongs to someone, he didn't give them a second look as his interest wasn't piqued. If only his friend could witness this: Ethan Lu deliberately missing his chance to flirt and have someone to play with— they would think that the world was ending.

Nevertheless, he would be lying if he said he didn't find those women attractive. It was just that, he had fallen head over heels to Lexi that in his eyes, none would compare to her beauty and allure. After all, he had somewhat caught a glimpse of her unclothed body.

Upon recalling that incident, Ethan Lu suddenly halted in his tracks and stood frozen like a fool. That's right, he had seen her naked body— even though it was dark, his perverted eyes could still remember her drool-worthy curves. 

"*gulp*" Having such thoughts in the middle of the day, Ethan Lu swallowed a mouthful of spittle before he profusely shook his head to get that memory off of his mind.

"Haist! Immoral, immoral me! Remember, I haven't forgiven you for what I did to her." Through his gritted teeth, Ethan Lu lectured himself for the time when he mildly crossing the line— taking advantage of her hand that made her semi ignore him for a whole month.

As he lectured himself while walking to wherever he could find her, Ethan Lu unconsciously headed to the beachside. On the entrance, he was still talking to himself inwardly, a woman's voice reached his ears.

"Ethan? Ethan Lu?!" 

Turning his attention to the source of the voice, Ethan Lu meekly smiled seeing a very familiar woman. "Loreen!" He greeted. 

The woman who was confidently wearing a black two-piece bikini with a black cover-up that highlighted her as white as a sheet of paper skin. Alas, Ethan Lu's didn't dare travel his eyes on her exposed skin as he focused on the woman's face.

His reason? It was not because he would lust over her but to him, he wouldn't like another man looking at Lexi's tempting body if she was wearing like this.

"Oh my gosh…! It's good to see you again!" The woman named Loreen gracefully walked towards Ethan Lu to give him a hug, but in the end, Ethan Lu took a step back as he raised both of his hands for a high five— which slightly startled the woman.

"Hehe, nice to see you too, Loreen!" Awkwardly chuckling, Ethan Lu feigned ignorance from the narrowed, investigative eyes of the woman. 

"Ha… hmmm, now, I am doubting if the man's in front of me is the Ethan Lu that I know." Slowly nodding her head, Loreen peered at him from head to toe and from toe to head.

"Haha, don't say something like... that." Ethan Lu's sentence was interrupted midway after he caught someone's figure on the corner of his eye. 

Since his radar to Lexi was too strong, he instantly knew who was that figure. But, the moment he turned to see her, a sudden slow, sexy music seemingly rang inside his head and everything went in slow motion.

Unhurriedly tipping down his sunglasses— to get a clearer vision, Ethan Lu's heart raced as he gulped another mouthful of saliva. Even though the weather wasn't that hot, for some reason, it started to get heated while watching Lexi not far away from his standpoint.

Currently, Lexi was drenched as she came out from the shore wearing only a two-piece lace-up ruffled bikini top, matched with a high waist, dark green bottom.

She was akin to a model walking for a commercial shoot for a bikini brand as her wet hair, flawless skin, and perfect curves were just too pleasing to his eye.

'Holy heaven…' Ethan Lu whispered inwardly as his gaze captured every detail of her whole being. It was as if he was engraving them to his mind so he would not forget them forever.

Everything went back to normal when Lexi turned her gaze to his direction. Arching her brows upon shifting her gaze to the seductive woman on his side, she scoffed before she turned her back on him and reposed to one of the beach lounge chairs.

"!!!!" Gasping in disbelief, Ethan Lu clearly saw the scornful look she gave him despite the slight distance.

"Huh? Who are you looking at?" Scanning the area, Loreen followed his gaze but to no avail, she saw no one.

"Loreen, nice seeing you but I have to go. See you around!" With that said note, Ethan Lu hastily took immediate strides to Lexi's direction— afraid she misunderstood him. 

Also, he wanted to have a serious talk with her about something that was truly troubled him to the maximum degree. "Tch, too much skin… too much skin." 

On the other hand, Loreen innocently tilted her head to the side before she muttered with a shrug, "alright," and went inside the establishment.

*****

Meanwhile, Churu who was leisurely sitting somewhere above. She rubbed her chin as a smile slowly formed on the side of her lips.

"Hehe, this seems interesting… Lexi jelly jelly— Ethan jelly jelly, hihi~" If only Lexi heard her, she'd surely reduced her facial mask sheets.