The Rise of the White Lotus

Upon agreeing with Morris Liu's request and Lyrick Jiang moved all important meetings of his boss much earlier than scheduled, Ethan Lu hustled the whole day traveling back and forth for site visits and essential meetings with different business affiliates.

After his last meeting, he was now on his way to his last destination— meeting his dearest friend Morris Liu. For some reason, Ethan Lu was quite restless with this abrupt meeting as he had a hunched that it wasn't just a business meeting as what he told him to be. He didn't know why but his instinct tells him it wasn't a good idea.

However, no matter how his gut feelings tried to stop him, Ethan Lu could not just back out as this meeting was professionally arranged and ghosting Morris Liu was not a good business etiquette. 

"Young Master, are you alright?" Glancing through the rear mirror, Lyrick Jiang flatly inquired as his boss seemed he was unusually quiet and was lost in his thoughts.

"Hmm, where's the location again? At Chris's club?" Ethan Lu deflected Lyrick Jiang's inquiry as he didn't turn his gaze to his assistant. Instead, he looked at the mirror and watched the road where they were heading as he asked.

"Yes, Young Master." Slightly nodding his head, Lyrick Jiang returned his eyes on the road. Since Ethan Lu purposely diverted their conversation, he didn't probe anymore as he directly answered his inquiry.

"Right…" Slowly nodding his head in understanding, Ethan Lu meekly responded— ending their conversation.

Ethan Lu slid out his smartphone from inside his suit pocket as he still has at least twenty minutes of free time before they could reach their destination. Therefore, he decided to call his energy booster as he hadn't heard from her the whole day.

Speed dialing Lexi's contact number, Ethan Lu placed the phone in his ear and listened to the rings until it was picked up. When the line connected, Ethan Lu subtly smiled when he heard her beautiful voice. That very instant, he wanted to command his assistant to make a u-turn and just go to her instead.

"Hey… done with work?" Lexi softly asked as she halted from choosing which outfit she should wear inside her walk-in closet. Ever since they came home from the island, she would often exchange a few messages with him periodically as he was pretty busy. Still, Ethan Lu would still make a call every once in a while just to check on her despite his tight schedule.

"Not yet, on my way to my last meeting for the day." Although Ethan Lu tried to conceal his exhaustion, Lexi immediately discerned his lack of energy.

"Uh, it's late… have you eaten dinner?" Glancing at her wristwatch and seeing that it was 8 in the evening, Lexi's brows creased as her voice was filled with concern. Ethan Lu had been very transparent with her and even sent her a copy of his schedule which was packed which completely concerned her. Fortunately, his assistant was decent and scheduled time for him to have a meal. Still, she was worried that Ethan Lu had been neglecting his health.

"Nope, but I had a bite earlier, though it's not as sweet as you…" Sensing her obvious concern, Ethan Lu lowly replied and to wash her worries away, he deliberately teased her. Unbeknownst to him, not only did he affect Lexi but also Lyrick Jiang whose ears kept twitching.

'Young master, please hide your vulgarity.' He pleaded inwardly yet, he chose to keep his thoughts to himself as he focused on the road and pretended that he could not hear his boss cheesiness.

"Ethan." Trying to remain calm, Lexi dawdled in a warning tone. "Don't try to distract me— eat." Lexi shook her head as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Haha," Ethan Lu chuckled, "Alright, alright, I will." Conceding in defeat, he softly swore so she would not get worried again.

"So, what's my lady doing?" Hearing her heavily sighed on the line, Ethan Lu inquired. To his knowledge, Lexi was busy doing research as she would attend short classes and seminars in a few weeks after the premiere night of the movie she last worked on.

"Preparing to meet Rika-- a night out." In a matter of factly tone, Lexi resumed on her mix and match outfits as she was going to have a night out with Rika as the woman was dying to party. Despite not being a fan of loud parties, Lexi didn't mind because it has been ages since she last went out with a friend.

"I see… where?" Slowly nodding his head, Ethan Lu furrowed his brows in interest. Although he trusted Rika as she already swore her loyalty to him and made an oath to protect Lexi in his stead whenever he's not around. Still, Ethan didn't want to lower his guard. After all, his future wife was so gorgeous not to attract other men's attention.

"River Lounge." Without a second's reticence, Lexi responded indifferently. "Don't try to follow us. Just rest because..." Halting midway, Lexi picked up a fitted dress and put it in front of her as she looked at herself in the huge mirror. "Tomorrow is another busy day."

"Hah, so, it's just you and Rika?" Nodding slowly even though Lexi could not see his action, he still did yet, he could not convince anyone from following her advice.

"No, Eli, Gael, and Sophie-- the leads from the movie." 

"Oh… alright," Upon hearing Elliot Gong's name, Ethan Lu devilishly smiled as he stretched his free hand and tensely closed them causing them to produce a faint cracking sound.

'Eli, Eli... wait till I collect your debt.' He uttered inwardly to his innocent friend who was oblivious about this debt Ethan Lu was talking about.

Lexi and Ethan Lu proceeded to catch up within twenty minutes that seemed shorter with having each other talking on the line. Not only Ethan Lu shared his boring schedule and how he wore his business smile all day long-- Lexi also enthusiastically shared some new knowledge she gained while researching.

"Young Master, we've arrived." Lyrick Jiang who aside from Lexi heard all cheesy lines his boss threw with every chance he could grab, flatly reported.

"Oh?" Glancing at the place from the back passenger seat, Ethan Lu nodded as he heavily sighed. "Love, we've arrived at my last stop." Reluctantly bidding his temporary farewell, he frowned.

"Okay, good luck! I also need to prepare." Lexi smiled as she cheered him on to his last meeting.

"Mhmm..." Humming a tune, Ethan Lu didn't want to hang up as his restlessness from earlier resurfaced. "Love?"

"Yes?"

"Nothing, I just miss you." His voice turned sullen. For some reason, Ethan Lu had a strong urge to embrace her and would not let her go. 

"Haha," Letting out a muffled chuckle, Lexi shook her head as it has only been days since they came back from their vacation and yet, he sounded as if he hasn't seen her in ages. "I'll hang up, else you'll get late."

"Hmm," With that said note, Lexi did hang up. Ethan Lu let out another heavy sigh and looked at his phone. Being reminded about something, Ethan Lu composed a short yet precise message to a certain some.