The Rise of the White Lotus

In the middle of the night, for some reason, Lexi woke up as she felt her throat was dry. Although the temperature inside the master's bedroom was chilly, Lexi was somehow sweating. Raising her gaze to see the sleeping face of Ethan Lu, a subtle smile formed on the side of her lips. Her hand slowly raised and traced his facial features: from his eyebrows to the bridge of his nose and then to his thin lips.

His face was well-made as it suited him the best— he was too pretty. No wonder he easily became a 'playboy' as women would really throw themselves at him with his charming smile. Maybe it was because she likes him now, that Lexi appreciated his looks and his personality even more. 

Even so, Lexi was glad that Ethan Lu was more than what meets the eye. Behind his playboy facade, Ethan Lu was gentle, lovable, understanding, and faithful. He let go of the title of being a casanova and gave up the company of many gorgeous girls— choosing to be by her side and accept all her crap.

Until now, she didn't know why he had chosen her— not in her best state at that. Yet, it wasn't that she was complaining but she could not help but wonder. After all, she had the initial motive of why she let him in her life in the first place because of the system. However, she could not thank the system enough for her second chance in life to give her the best she did not fathom to happen.

Who would have thought that after giving up her life— a flying dumpling would say the most ridiculous thing after death— congratulations! After that, she introduced her to the system and the task she must do. 

At first, Lexi never thought that she'd grow so attached to the system's guide and how it led her to this man with her odd and mischievous way of doing things. Nonetheless, she was grateful that she didn't die back then. Hence, she swore to live to the fullest with this second chance in life— no matter how tough things would be that she'd face in the future, Lexi was certain that she would persevere. After all, she realized that the people behind her were the strong support she could not imagine having: Her parents, her newfound friends, Ethan Lu, and lastly, the being that knew her inside out, Churu.

"What a thought at this hour…" Lightly chuckling, Lexi shook her head as she found herself having such a wonderful realization at this hour. Normally, whenever she woke up untimely, her mind was always blank until she goes back to sleep.

"Speaking of Churu… I wonder what she was doing, she didn't show up since earlier." Murmuring, Lexi carefully slid out from Ethan Lu's embrace, afraid to wake him up. After she successfully got onto the other side of the bed, Lexi was about to grab the glass of water Ethan Lu left on the bedside table but to her luck, it was already empty as they exercised a few more rounds before they went to sleep.

"Ugh…" Letting out a frustrated grumble, Lexi was forced to cautiously get out of bed and fetch herself a glass of water downstairs. 

The moment she stood up on the side of the bed, her body shuddered as the chilly inbound breeze brushed on her back. Since she was rather lazy, Lexi only picked up the clothes near her reach— a bathrobe.

Giving Ethan Lu a last glance, Lexi went out bringing the empty glass of water with her. Fortunately, the place had dim lights and hence, she could still see her way towards the kitchen where the fridge resided. She got another glass of water and returned the one she brought with her placing it on the kitchen counter. 

After Lexi replenished her throat, she let out a soft 'ahh,' as she felt a little better. Refilling her glass before placing the pitcher back in the fridge, she took her time this time as she headed back to the master's bedroom. Alas, just as Lexi was in the living area, a small being gleaming under the dim light caught her eyes that made her tracks halt.

Turning to see Churu sitting alone on top of the small table, her brows knitted seeing that Churu was faintly glowing. Churu's back looked melancholic and distant that Lexi felt a pang in her heart that pricked it. 

"Sissy?" Softly calling her, Lexi carefully made her steps towards her. When she reached near her and was standing in front of the small table, Lexi leaned her head to the side to see get a glimpse of Churu's side. However, before she could take a proper peek, Lexi stopped when she heard Churu speak.

"Lexi, can I ask for a favor?"

"Huh?" Confused, Lexi's brows knitted even more by the sudden request Churu was asking. Even so, she patiently waited for her to speak her request.

"Can you not use your reward for completing the task on me?" 

"You mean the one wish I have?" Frowning, Lexi heavily exhaled with a displeased look on her face. Well, after having the best people around her: friends, family, and a lover— Lexi already planned to use that wish for Churu to stay until the end. After all, Lexi had already concluded that Churu would leave her once the system task was completed' which she would not allow to happen.

"Yes, that one." This time, Churu turned around and mustered all her courage to face her host. 

To Lexi's surprise, there was a tear in the corner of Churu's eyes that she had never seen before. That instant, Lexi's heart uncontrollably pounded as she crouched down to meet Churu's eye level. 

"Sissy, what's happening? Why are you crying and why--" Upon a closer look, Lexi could not finish her sentence as her words choked in her throat. Hence, she could only finish her statement inside her mind.

'Why… why do you seem to fade…?' 

"Because I am happy— I am crying." Seeing that Lexi's eyes started to create a river of liquid on her eyes, Churu sweetly smiled. "Lexi, I'm sorry but I have a secret I have to tell you." Swallowing down a mouthful of saliva, the corner of Churu's lips trembled.

"There was another reason why I accepted this job as your guide, it's because… I really want to see you again, Tora. Even if we cannot become friends again, even if you wouldn't treat me well— I always wanted to know how were you doing even though you've become a small part of Lexi." As Churu uttered her words, her high-pitch voice cracked and a tear slowly stained her white, glowing cheeks. Her eyes deep within Lexi as if she was talking to another person inside her soul— the person she failed in the past

"Churu, what are you saying? Stop saying nonsense— why are you glowing and… fading?" Hurt and confused, Lexi desperately tried to grab Churu but the moment she did, her heart sank as her hands went through her— like an untouchable air. Lexi blinked a couple of times as she attempted to have a grasp of the little dumpling but still, she couldn't.

"No, no, no, Churu stop playing these tricks— I can't touch you." Her voice was frantic as Lexi helplessly tried to laugh that didn't sound joyous. Rather, that was her last straw to convince herself that Churu was only pranking her.

"Lexi, that's useless. You muted the system so you didn't know that you completed all the tasks. So, it's just about time to leave..." Smiling yet still tears were welling up, Churu was moved to see that Lexi was as unready as her. However, despite that her departure came much earlier than expected— Churu already accepted her fate.