The Rise of the White Lotus

At Hao's restaurant…

Morris Liu arrived at exactly eight in the evening. As expected, Lexi arrived much earlier and was waiting for him in one of the VIP rooms in the fancy restaurant.

As he entered, Lexi was already there wearing a tube black, fitted dress with a red blazer suit placed on her shoulder. Her hair was tied in a low loose bun displaying her jaw and slender neck. When she heard him entered, she turned to see him and a content smile formed on the side of his lips.

Standing up, Lexi's eyes sparkled with love and without further ado, she rushed her way towards him— wrapping her arms around him. "I missed you,"

Her action, of course, made Morris Liu stiffened as his hand slowly attempted to return her warmth. However, just as his hand was about to land on her back, he stopped. Instead, his hand went to her shoulder and slowly pushed her away.

"Lexi…" He lowly muttered. Seeing the distress expression flashed across her face, his brows slowly creased. He wanted to hug her as well, however, not after she agreed to return to Country Y.

"Oh, you're probably tired— let's take a seat first." Forcing a smile on her lips, Lexi let him go as she turned around and awkwardly gestured him to take a seat. It was evident that she was hurt once again seeing that he was distancing himself, but she couldn't care less and deluded herself that he was just tired.

Just as Lexi took a step forward to her seat, Morris Liu grabbed her slender hand which made her halt. "Lexi, I'm sorry." Perhaps it was his endless guilt or he was tired seeing that she was getting hurt with everything he does, Morris Liu could no longer hold back.

Lexi bit her lower lips upon hearing his apologies. That very instant, the terrifying feeling of entirely losing him slowly vanished. Turning around, the corner of her eyes molded tears as her heart softened. "You're such a bully."

Seeing that she was finally revealing her emotions, his eyes softened and slowly pulled her to his embrace. "Sorry…"

Lexi let him transfer his warmth to her as she wiped the little tears on the corner of her eyes. She didn't mind the past week that she felt heartbroken without hearing from him because just one word from him, all her heartaches would vanish in an instant.

After coaxing her for a while, Lexi and Morris Liu finally took their respective seats. As usual, Lexi enthusiastically shared her life in Country Y. She also flaunted her capabilities as she explained that she finished her classes due to her high grades and advanced knowledge on certain classes that made her passed each exam through hard work and countless sleepless nights. Overall, she had fun despite going through such tough times.

Meanwhile, Morris Liu listened to her every story as his gentle eyes locked on her. In his mind, he should have done this before to save both of them some slack. However, he knew that he could not reverse the time. Therefore, he could only prevent her from hurting here onwards.

"Lexi…"

"Hmm?" Raising her clear eyes across her, Lexi hummed a merry tune as a satisfied smile formed on the side of her lips. God knows how happy she was because her beloved returned to his original self— cold and aloof to others but to her, he would patiently listen to her stories with interest.

"I have something to tell you… I need you to return to Country Y." 

Lexi blinked numerous times as she absorbed his words for several seconds. Scrutinizing his front, he didn't show displeasure nor he seemed he was mad at her. Instead, Morris Liu appeared he was asking for a favor which she didn't mind fulfilling if he told her the reason.

"Lexi, I need you to stay in Country Y for another six months because--" Just as Morris Liu was about to explain the details to her, his phone suddenly rang which interrupted him midway. He wanted to ignore the call, however, when he saw Chris Yu's contact number on the screen, he excused himself and answered the call.

"Brother Mo, did you say you're in Hao's restaurant with Lexi?" The moment the line connected, Chris Yu's panicked voice came through which instinctively alarmed Morris Liu.

"Why?"

"The place was surrounded by Kong Shuren's men and I saw the manager from the restaurant walked with one of them. Brother, be careful of what you say to her— he might be listening." Without faltering, Chris Yu firmly warned.

"..." Without responding, Morris Liu ended the call as his heart sank. He was certain that if he told her about his predicament, Lexi would understand. However, if Kong Shuren was listening right now and found out that Lexi knew something, that would be a different story. That man... he would surely drag her in this pit of bloodshed— not just her but the whole Yang family.

"Brother Mo?" Slightly tilting her head to the side, Lexi raised her brows, waiting for the explanation of why he needed her to return to country y.

Meeting her inquiring eyes, Morris Liu's words were stuck on his throat as overwhelming emotions came rushing in his heart. He could only stare at her like a fool because one wrong word from him, her life would change forever— just like his.

"Why do you want me to go back to the country y?" Repeating his words on her own question, Lexi probed as Morris Liu seemed to act differently after the call. She would be lying if she said she wasn't curious about what it was about. Was there's a problem in the Liu Empire? Does he need to abruptly leave? 

"If there's a problem with the company, you can leave— I don't mind."

"Let's break up." Out of nowhere, Morris Liu proposed flatly. In his perspective, Kong Shuren was purposely filling him with dread and he realized that the man wanted him to cut her off his life. He wanted him to experience an agonizing misery and bend by using her as his shield. This short encounter, Morris Liu realized that he should completely let her go.

"What?" Slightly taken aback, Lexi chuckled afterward as she took it as a joke. Alas, seeing that Morris Liu's expression darkened, she swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

"I want you to return to Country Y because I-- I want to break off the engagement. You can move on much faster if you stay far away from me." Through his gritted teeth, Morris Liu tried his hardest to sound blank as if he bore no emotion.

"What are you… no," Mildly shaking her head, Lexi assisted herself to stand up despite losing her strength to stand up straight. Breaking off the engagement? Those were the last words she wanted to hear from him. Even when she came back, Lexi was more relieved not hearing from him instead of hearing these very words. Hence, she wanted to pretend that she heard nothing.

"Lexi!"

"No! Brother Mo, I didn't hear you— I didn't hear anything, I should go home. I forgot I have to do something." Hastening her pace, Lexi clumsily grabbed her purse and rigidly prepared herself to leave.

"Lexi, liste--"

"No! I am not going to listen to nonsense! I don't know what's the phone call all about but, I am not going to break our engagement." Staying adamant, Lexi bellowed as she clutched her small pursed before she strode towards the exit. Just as she reached the door, Lexi halted in her tracks. "You are not breaking the engagement with me and don't you ever think talking to my father about it— I'd die." With that said note, Lexi left the unnecessary threat that she'd never known she would do in the end.