The Rise of the White Lotus

"Sure! It's not like you're a stranger." Ethan Lu agreed without reluctance as he already expected that Louis Lu would ask that the first time he saw that he was there. Moreover, he's the only family member he was quite fond of as he was like a big brother to him with their two years difference.

Upon hearing that he agreed, Lexi's brows arched yet she didn't say a word as this was his home and he could welcome anyone he wanted to welcome. Still, she was neither pleased nor dissatisfied about it, but she would keep an eye on this man to know if he was Ethan Lu's friend or foe.

"I told you, man, you are always welcome here since you're a cheapskate." Clicking his tongue as he chuckled, Ethan Lu humored being reminded of how tight-fisted Louis Lu in terms of money. 

He's the complete opposite of him as Ethan Lu often drained his bank account buying stuff he wanted even if he didn't entirely need them. On the other hand, Louis Lu would only spend his money on things he needed and would rather invest them in businesses.

To Ethan Lu's perspective, his cousin Louis Lu was the perfect candidate to be the next head of the Lu family. However, since he was not a direct grandson of Edward Lu but his brother, Ethan Lu was still the chosen heir to be the next head of the Lu family. Regardless, Louis Lu didn't say a word as if he had known that all along and established his own company overseas several years ago. Truly, he was an admirable man in Ethan Lu's eyes— whether it was his insight, his personality, and all his qualities.

"Haha," Chuckling back in a deep muscular tone, Louis Lu slightly shook his head as he indirectly admitted that he was indeed a cheapskate. Meanwhile, Lexi couldn't relate as she was wary with the man. She knew that Louis Lu knew she was observing him yet, he pretended that she wasn't.

"Anyway, I never heard that you had a fiancee." After sharing a few laughs, Louis Lu changed their subject as he finally shifted his gaze to Lexi. This time, his eyes were sharp as if he was daring her and showed no restraint of concealing it. Surprisingly enough, Lexi was unfazed with this sudden change of demeanor that only made her smirk. 

'So he's also wary of me.' She thought inwardly. Lexi was glad that she had that impact on him so he knew that Ethan Lu had also support like her. After all, Ethan Lu was too kind and she was afraid that this man would betray him… or so she thought.

"Hehe, well, I actually don't mind having a wife right now if Lexi would say yes…" Smiling brightly, Ethan Lu, as usual, uttered his most desired at the moment in a friendly tone. He added still bearing his bright smile, "... also, please refrain from looking at my heart like that— I don't like it."

With that said remarks, Lexi's brows twitched as she turned her head on the side. She didn't expect him to say such bold words while having a smile that was barely genuine. Since Lexi hadn't witnessed Ethan Lu's ways on how he dealt with the Lu family and only saw the bright side of him, she was surprised to see him like this for the first time.

In retrospect, although Ethan Lu would always say that his family was a bunch of troublesome people, she was clueless about how Ethan Lu transformed into a different man before those cunning men. Moreover, the way he interacted with people he introduced to her was all light and carefree. Hence, who was this smiling man next to her whom she could barely recognize?

"Heh, sorry. I was just trying to know what's on her mind— she's feisty." Chuckling as he averted his gaze from her to Ethan Lu, Louis Lu meekly smiled.

"Hehe, you don't have to brother." Still smiling, Ethan Lu remained adamant as he honestly put a stop on whatever Louis Lu had in mind. 

Watching his demeanor slightly changed, Lexi got more and more drawn to him. She had already admired Ethan Lu by his carefree nature and seeing this side of him, she was fascinated.

'He also had this side of him, I see...' With that thought in mind, her unaware tensed shoulders relaxed as she secretly heaved a sigh of relief. 

Although he showed no sign of being hostile towards his cousin, seeing that he knew when to draw the line reassured her that Ethan Lu wasn't as gullible as he acted whenever he's around her and his friends. 

*****

After several minutes, Ethan Lu assisted his cousin in the only guest room inside his villa. Since he lives alone and seemed he never had a plan on inviting people over his house, Ethan Lu only had two rooms for sleeping— the guestroom and the master's bedroom. 

Aside from that, all rooms were rather gaming rooms where he had some arcade machines and the other one is his study where he does his take-home documents from work. Therefore, Lexi agreed to share a room with him even though he didn't propose it. 

Inside his enormous bedroom, Ethan Lu grabbed a new blanket and a pillow and placed them on the long couch inside. Since Lexi expected him to do this, she sat on the single sofa and watched him arranged his place to sleep. 

"Ethan, what do you think about your cousin Lou?" As she watched him finish, Lexi inquired as Ethan Lu sat on the long couch. 

"Hmm? He's a brother to me— well, a difficult one." Nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders, Ethan Lu honestly responded. "Although I admire him and think that he's more deserving to be the family head instead of me— I can't let personal feelings get in my business."

"Ohhh…" Nodding in amazement, Lexi didn't expect his last remarks. 

"Hehe, you don't like him, don't you?" Grinning, Ethan Lu asked yet, he sounded as if he was stating facts which were indeed true.

Although he seemed he wasn't paying attention to Lexi, however, he only needed one glanced and Ethan Lu would understand her every gesture. He instantly recognized the familiar aura she had always borne in their early stages of being acquaintance before they became friends. Hence, it was easy to know that Lexi was wary of Louis Lu which was understandable in his opinion. 

"Well, I have trust issues and I don't trust those types of people." Without sugarcoating her words, Lexi also shrugged as she leaned her back on the couch. 

"Hehe, baby, you'll be a terrifying businesswoman— can you just support me and become a house husband instead?" Widening his grin, he humored her. He knew that Lexi had been in the business industry for a long time before shifting to the entertainment industry because of Mia Chen. Thus, this common instinct for a business person was expected from her. 

"Can you even cook?" Rolling her eyes, Lexi sassed as Ethan Lu only knew how to cook noodles— his specialty just like he claimed. 

"I can learn…" With that said note, he unhurriedly stood from his seat and took slow strides towards her. When he was in front of her, he placed both his hand on the single sofa's armrest and bent down until his face was one palm length away from hers.

"Also, I can make you excitedly come home." Suddenly, a controversial glint flashed across his eyes and a smirk formed on the side of his lips.