The Rise of the White Lotus

"Oy Morris Liu, wake up and get drunk again! I need someone to talk to!" Stomping on Morris Liu's sleeping face, Churu attempted to wake him up but to no avail, she knew that no matter how much she shouted at him— he wouldn't hear her unless he drank a whole bottle of wine. 

"Dang… I'm so sad." Collapsing her bum on the side of Morris Liu's peaceful sleeping face, Churu muttered with a heavy sigh. 

Last night, while she was having a one on one interview with Morris Liu to understand his train of thoughts, Churu received a notification about Lexi completing her task. 

[short flashback about last night]

"Hey, Mr. Bad Judgement, what do you think about LexiXEthan ship? I know you don't approve but I will appreciate it if you answer me with honesty." Sounding like a professional reporter, Churu only needed her cameraman, placards, and a proper seat to start a talk show on her own. 

"Haha," Staring at the serious dumpling sitting on top of the small table in front of him, Morris Liu could not help but chuckle. In his eyes, although she was just an apparition, he surprisingly thought that she's the best company and could confide what's inside his mind without being afraid that she might use it against him. Moreover, she was too vivid as if she had her own train of thoughts which made him think that she's a lost spirit— a dumpling spirit that experienced injustice. 

"Well, I don't think what I think even matters but since you're asking me— I think no man deserves her." 

"Hmm… hey! Don't start saying romantic things I will drag you to hell and personally torture you there. As if you don't know, I am like a manager there— next to Lucy and every other lovable soul will be treated with love by my whip!" In a boastful and threatening tone, Churu scoffed as she warned him to refrain from sounding hopelessly romantic. 

Nonetheless, her statement only made the usually cold man chuckle as he imagined a dumpling torturing a humans soul. Surely, he had never seen nor talked to someone who's as creatively silly as her. 

"Aiya, aiya, when you die, you'll understand." Slightly shaking her head, Churu sighed as she didn't know if she should be happy or not as she seemed like a liar running her mouth without anyone believing her or even becoming displeased. Nevertheless, at the very least, she has someone to pester as she was preparing her departure in the future. 

Just then, a notification sound rang inside her mind that snapped her attention about the system's report. 

[ CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed the otome love system! We wish the host the best happy ending with your Mr. Right! 

These are your last rewards for completing the task:

-The system guide's stay would extended for a week to bid your goodbyes. 

-The system guide's last wish would be granted.

Again, CONGRATULATIONS! ]

Churu read the system's report for as many times as she could and every time, her eyes dilated and her pupils constricted. "What…?"

She muttered in disbelief. In her knowledge, the system should have the last task of the host marrying Mr. Main Task. However, why did the report state that the system was completed?

She should have known beforehand if there would be a major change on the system such as this. Yet, she wasn't informed! Therefore, it really caught her off guard and her heart imaginably sank. 

She was just preparing for her departure by lessening her time with Lexi. Moreover, she was sure that Lexi wouldn't accept Ethan Lu just yet hence, what just happened?

Did they get married last night? That's impossible as Churu should have received a notification of accepting Mr. Main Task's completion then displayed the last task— which she didn't!

After some time, Churu immediately flew upward; passing through the ceiling and roof, leaving the silent Morris Liu that was delving into his own pool of thoughts with her last remarks. She flew higher and higher as if to lessen the still vast gap of the people watching her. 

"Hey! What do you mean Lexi completed the task?! There should be one last task right? What happened?!? Talk to me!" Churu agitatedly rattled in dismay. 

"Are you really playing a trick on me?! Explain!!" Alas, no matter how she shouted at the top of her lungs, no one answered back. 

She was akin to a howling wolf under the gleam of the lonesome moon but in a high pitch minion tone. Still, despite her cuteness overload, the melancholy that came across her eyes were too evident— the complete contrast of her small, adorable figure. 

"You… you're really cruel." Biting her lower lip as hard as she could, Churu mumbled after swallowing her other irrelevant words. 

She stayed floating on the same spot with her head hung low. She was unable to shed tears, still, Churu had this familiar striking pain piercing the deep wound on her heart from a thousands of years ago. 

Although she must be happy as this time, her mission was completed and Lexi would have her happy ending— but why did she felt otherwise? 

Moreover, she should be celebrating as her reward after this job was the only desire she had ever wanted. Yet, at this moment, after getting close to her lifelong wish, why wasn't she jubilant about it? 

Why?

Perhaps, it was because of her time in this world, with her host, and how for the first time she was treated as a vulnerable entity… or maybe because her lifetime wish changed overtime?

Perhaps, the answer was both.

Churu, at this time, finally realized that no matter how she reduced her time with Lexi— she was never ready to leave her. After all, her host always worried her to the core. 

Despite that it barely displayed on her, but Churu genuinely cared about Lexi. Sometimes, she even imagined seeing her happily getting married and becoming her bridesmaid— Silly, indeed. 

Someone like her hoping to witness such scene— ridiculous. 

"Well, at the very least, she would instantly forget about me and wouldn't dwell on the pain. Yes, that's important! Also, Mr. Main Task would take care of her! Yes! Right?!" Forcing a bright smile on her pale chubby face, Churu tried so hard to sound happy yet, her eyes depicted an endless sorrow of losing someone… forever. 

[Present Time]

"You know, for some reason, I understand you. Sometimes, it's better to let go of someone and wish for their happiness without you in the picture." Churu murmured. Even though she tried to cheer herself up last night, but up until now, the strong solitary emotion kept coming back stronger— making her sulk.

Turning to see Morris Liu's face, Churu heavily sighed. Apparently, when she came back last night, Morris Liu already dozed off. Therefore, despite trying to wake him up all night by beating him up, he didn't and her assault had no effect on him.

"Promise me that you won't intervene with their relationship and hold onto your words okay? Stay on the sidelines! If you ever dare, you'll see! I will really torture you when you arrive at my turf!" Her tone was low at first and then it escalated to threat as she warned him for the last time.

Well, this would be her last visit to him as she would rather stick like glue to Lexi for the following days— even if she was with Ethan Lu! She would never give her privacy for the time being.