The Rise of the White Lotus

Meanwhile…

Morris Liu arrived at the silent home that he rarely dwelled in as he was only reminded of the remnants of Lexi. He headed straight to the kitchen counter and without further ado, he grabbed a bottle of wine and poured it to the wine glass until it was half-filled.

The last time he was in his own house, Morris Liu had an encounter with an apparition that talked to him until he fell asleep. Although it was silly, however, the very reason why he went home was that he needed someone to talk to him— even if it was the blunt imaginary friend.

"Well, well, well, Oi Morris Liu! When I told you to do what you initially want, I didn't mean that you should go back to Lexi's life!" Like a mother that witnessed her child going home late, Churu stumped her foot on the surface of the small table on the living area while her hand was crossed on her flabby belly.

Watching Morris Liu's icy front heading to the head sofa, Churu grinded her teeth as if she was asking him to explain. But to no avail, Morris Liu could not see her, unlike the previous time. Therefore, Churu looked up and her gaze passed through the ceiling, "Hey! I need to talk to this guy! What are you doing when I need to set this guy straight?!"

She fumed as she suddenly felt irritated because she wanted to talk with Morris Liu for a bit to give him a piece of her thought and stopped him from whatever he was thinking. However, the 'old hag' she always cursed seemed she stopped experimenting on the system as it was quiet these days.

"Damnit! Just when I wanted to curse this guy! Grr!" Slumping her bum on top of the small table, Churu scornfully watched Morris Liu drink whatever emotions he was under right now away. 

"Say, did you informed Mr. Main Task about your dilemma? Why why why? Are you really planning to win Lexi back? Hah! Don't dream! Want me to snap your neck huh?" Despite that Morris Liu could not hear her, Churu could not contain her surging anger as she could not let that happen. After all, Lexi was still on her moving on process and Ethan Lu had been a great support. However, the little dumpling was afraid that her host might waver in the end. After all, the system didn't mandate her to love just Ethan Lu. 

The system only stood as a guide to the right person for her and whether she followed it or not, that would be Lexi's choice. Also, having this blessing called love system that God only came up for fun— it was a once in a million opportunity that not every day, there's a person being blessed by it.

On the other hand, Morris Liu remained silent as he emptied the wine glass and filled it again then repeat the cycle. Inside him, he hoped that the ghost dumpling would appear so he could talk to her about something. However, he knew that it was only his wishful thinking. Hence, as he drowned himself with alcohol, memories of Lexi flashed before his melancholic eyes.

Flashback, Six years ago

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Two weeks had passed when Lexi came back from country Y. Ever since then, Lexi didn't visit him again after he stood her up on the supposed date that she arranged two weeks ago.

Still, Lexi always updated him about her activities along with her good mornings and sweet reminder to take care of his health.

Staring blankly at her another sweet message telling him that she knew he was busy and saw his schedule thus, she wasn't dropping by and bothering him. However, knowing that he had two days break after three days, Lexi was inviting him to take a vacation with her.

Without replying to her request, Morris Liu held his phone tightly before he threw it on the wall with great force. The sudden commotion inside his office made his assistant rushed her way inside.

"Sir!" Assistant Lin called out as her gaze traveled to the broken vase and some of the small furniture on the floor along with Morris Liu's phone.

"Get out!" Venting his frustration to his concerned assistant, Morris Liu growled that startled Assistant Lin before she instantly bowed her head and left the room after spouting her apologies.

Panting for air as he could feel his heart tightened, Morris Liu grinded his teeth as he knew that despite ignoring and hurting her for that— she still pretended that it was fine. "Lexi…" He mumbled through his gritted teeth.

Just two weeks ago, when the news that Lexi returned and she dropped by on his office, he received a call from the damnable Kong Shuren that night. The man congratulated him for being reunited with his beloved fiancee and as usual, he left him a good threat as his ender. Therefore, Morris Liu's situation turned messier as Kong Shuren ensured him that he'd 'protect' them if ever they get involved with their business and promised that they'd keep their mouth shut— just like him.

"Kong Shuren…" He muttered as a dangerous glint flashed across his eyes.

Morris Liu's eyes then landed on his cracked phone on the floor before he strode towards it and picked it up. Fortunately, it was still working despite the screen having several cracks. Without a second's hesitation, he speed-dialed Lexi's number.

Placing it in front of his ear, Morris Liu waited for the line to connect. It only took one ring when Lexi immediately picked up the call.

"Brother Mo?" Her voice had a touch of relieved and her gentleness immediately seeped through the other end. However, instead of being moved, her voice was akin to a dagger that pierced Morris Liu's heart.

'Why? How can you still sound so loving even after being ignored?' He grumbled inwardly as a piece of his heart fell off again.

"Let's meet at 8 pm at Hao's restaurant." With that said note, Morris Liu hung up without waiting for her to say anything. He could not wait a little longer. The more she hangs around him, the more Kong Shuren would eye on her. Hence, he must prevent that from happening before it's too late.

Pressing the button that connected to his secretary's desk, Morris Liu commanded. "Clear my schedule after 17:00. Also, book a plane ticket to Country Y." 

"Yes, Sir." Assistant Lin sternly responded. Her voice sounded she hasn't coped with her boss's sudden aggressiveness. Still, she was able to respond as a professional and executed the orders afterward. 

Upon giving his orders, Morris Liu weakly sat on his executive chair as he heavily sighed. "Right, I should just tell her about it and make her return to country y. Just six months… six more months and we're done." He mumbled as he made a decision.

He could not bear it anymore. He didn't want to hurt her anymore. Therefore, he should tell her and send her back to Country Y. In that way, she could stay away from this mess until everything was settled.

Unbeknownst to him, just when he decided to come clean and let her know about his plan, Kong Shuren also had a plan in his mind which almost made him insane.