The Rise of the White Lotus

"The first?" Her voice was soft and as the faint chuckle escaped from her mouth, Ethan Lu felt his heart skip a beat. Also, what does she mean this was her first time spending a night with a man? Does that mean Morris Liu and Lexi never…?

Those thoughts that hovered in his mind made his eyes sparkled like a beautiful milky way. "You mean first-- you and brother Mo…" Ethan Lu heedlessly blurted out and before he could finish his sentence, he bit his lower lip because somehow, he didn't want to mention his friend to her.

"Mhmm…" For some reason, Lexi didn't feel awkward hearing Morris Liu's name or indirectly telling him that she was a virgin at 24 years old. Maybe because he was too honest with her with no filter that it was contagious. Moreover, with Churu always being bold and talked about her lack of sex life immuned her.

Slowly, a huge grin formed on the side of his lips as an overwhelming joy enveloped in his heart. Although he never thought about it before, whether she was a virgin or not, he didn't matter. Still, Ethan Lu was more relieved that no man had touched her. In spite that she had been engaged with Morris Liu for a long time.

Raising his hand and extended it that passed to the bed's surface, he muttered. "Can you hold me?"

Lexi turned to see the extended hand that was waiting to be held. She rolled on the side of the bed and without a second hesitation, Lexi caught his cold yet it still able sent warmth to her heart.

"Ethan?"

"Hmm?" Raising his brows even if she could not see him, Ethan Lu hummed as he played with her slender hand.

"Nothing," Smiling subtly, Lexi let him fiddle with her hand and threw the thoughts she wanted to say at the back of her mind. After some time of heartwarming silence, her eyes gradually turned heavy until she fell asleep. 

After several minutes, Ethan Lu unhurriedly supported himself by his elbow before he sat straight. Looking at her, his eyes softened as he smiled at her peaceful sleeping face. He then stood and sat on the edge of the bed while his gaze was fixed on her.

Traveling his eyes to the untucked blanket on her waist, Ethan Lu heavily sighed. "Aren't you afraid I'd take advantage of you?" sounding helpless, Ethan Lu mildly shook his head as he started to properly tucked her in.

After securing that she was covered by a blanket, he stared at her again. His hand involuntarily moved and lightly brushed the little strand of hair on her face behind her ear.

"I love you, Lexi Yang." As sincere as he could sound, Ethan Lu muttered.

Call him romantic, hopelessly in love or a fool, Ethan Lu could not careless as he only wanted to shower her with love and affection. He wanted to take care of her, love her unconditionally, kiss her, make love with her, make her the mother of his children— and he could not wait for that time to come.

He had always thought that he would never love someone so deeply but now, he had fallen so much deeper than he expected and continued falling for her every single day.

"Please… don't fall for someone else, again." With that said note, Ethan Lu slowly placed a kiss on her forehead. 

*****

Days had passed in a blink of an eye and it was already the last day of their family outing. After that night in the hot spring, Ethan and Lexi acted just like before or rather, they were a little intimate with each other. Of course, this slight change was noticed with the Yang parents but they chose not to mention it as they only speculated inside their mind.

"Sissy, how was your manhunt?" Shifting her gaze to Churu who was sitting on top of her head through the vanity mirror, Lexi inquired. It had been days and Lexi could barely have a glimpse of this adorable dumpling— sometimes, she would be gone for a day to god knows where.

"*sigh* Sadly, I can only bath and sleep with a not-so-good looking man— how I wish you invited Elliot or Wren or Chris." Sighing heavily, Churu shook her head in dismay.

Lexi's brows creased upon hearing Chris Yu's name. She knew the man as she met all of Morris Liu's friends except Ethan Lu as he was somewhere in the world collecting girls here and there. However, ever since Churu came into this world, Lexi hadn't seen Chris Yu or Kevin Woo. Hence, how did Churu knew about Chris Yu?

"Chris? Chris Yu? Sissy, how did you know him?"

Realizing her slipped of words, Churu bit her tongue as she gulped a mouthful of saliva. She was so disappointed with all the guys in this place, thus, she accidentally blurted out the name of guys she liked. Alas, Lexi didn't know that she attended Morris Liu and Wren Tanaka's meeting where she met Chris Yu.

"Uhh…" Thinking of any acceptable reason not to expose herself, but to no avail, she could only lie. Looking away, Churu whistled. "Saw him in the Liu Office before."

"You're lying, Sissy. Tell me how did you know Chris Yu?" Lexi instantly saw through her lie as it was as clear as the day. She knew that Churu might leave important details behind, but she never told an untruth.

"Err… Alright, I attended the meeting between Wren and Morris— he was there." Sighing heavily, Churu felt helpless and told the truth. Surely, she hadn't mastered the art of lying as she wasn't created for that.

"You did what?" Staring at her through the mirror, Lexi was in disbelief upon hearing her reason. Recalling the date of the meeting she personally arranged, Lexi realized that it was also the day Churu asked her for a day off.

"B- but why? Why would you do that?" Lexi added as she was puzzled at Churu's thought process.

"It's not important, really! I am just curious and wanted to be with my hubby Wren." This time, Churu looked more natural as she was indeed curious about Morris Liu and spending more time with Wren Tanaka was also a treat to her.

Lexi narrowed her eyes as she observed Churu's expression. Seeing that she seemed she was saying the truth, she heavily exhaled. "That's all?" 

"Yes! Also, the meeting was a success!" Grinning widely, Churu was relieved that Lexi didn't press about the matter anymore. Hence, she slightly diverted her attention to this news.

"That's good…" Slowly nodding her head, Lexi resumed on fixing her make up as her parents arranged a dinner with them and Ethan Lu. 

Churu carefully watched Lexi and the thought of Morris Liu flashed in her head. "Hmm, you don't have any intention of getting together with Morris again, right?"

Lexi's hand halted upon hearing Churu's sudden question. In retrospect, Churu hated Morris Liu to the core that she could not even mention his name. However, now she was saying something that she would rather command not asked.

"What's with this question all of a sudden?" Arching her brows, Lexi raised her gaze as she put down the brush she was holding.

"Curious, maybe?" Shrugging her shoulders, Churu indifferently answered. After all, she could not rest assured with Lexi's decision until Lexi fulfill the system's task.

"I am starting to think that you are hiding something from me, tsk." Lexi shook her as she clicked her tongue in annoyance and resumed on dolling herself.

"Eh? I am just curious you know. Quick, what's your answer?" Flying and stopping in front of her, Churu serious inquired.

"No,"

"Even if he said he had his reasons for doing what he did?" Tilting her head on the side, Churu attentively anticipated at her response.

"Alright, what are you trying to do Churu?" Slightly annoyed at Churu's unusual questions, Lexi arched her brows as she leaned her back against the chair she was sitting on.

"Just answer me— I am curious." 

"Reasons like he had a mistress while being engaged with me? I tried to understand that before but now, no way. Me and Morris? Never." Rolling her eyes, Lexi didn't want to recall those times where she tried to mend the unfixable. 

Just then, a light knock from outside of her hotel room was heard. "Also, I can't do that to him." Tilting her head directing to the door, Lexi referred to the man outside who never hurt her and remained true to her.

"That's good then. I will stay here or maybe spend another night with the guy staying under your room." Churu murmured as she watched Lexi stood from her seat wearing an elegant champagne dress; looking classy and sophisticated as ever.

"Alright, bye~" Lexi waved her hands without giving the last dumpling a last glance before she opened the door and was welcomed by the dashing man named Ethan Lu wearing a formal suit.

Churu saw them linked arms with both of them bearing a satisfied smile before the door closed. 

"Lexi… you're still affected, aren't you?" Churu murmured as a concerned expression plastered across her face. For some reason, even though Lexi reassured her and she witnessed her relieved when she ended whatever Lexi had with Morris Liu, Churu was bothered by how smooth sailing Ethan and Lexi's relationship. It was as if it was the calm before the storm.

"I can't let the history repeat itself..." Churu muttered in a low determined growl as she looked up. Her gaze seemed to pass the ceiling as she scoffed mockingly. "...you hear me, old hag?!"