The Rise of the White Lotus

When Ethan Lu's car slowly went further away from her sight until it turned into a dot, Lexi headed inside and saw her mother, Lillian Yang staring at the dress she bought for her so-called "grandchild". There were also baby bottles that Lillian Yang purposely didn't let the maids keep in the guest room where all the baby stuff was hidden.

Rolling her eyes and shaking her head, Lexi slowly resumed her on her path but instead of going back to her room, Lexi went to the opposite side of the sofa across her mother. She watched her mother examine the cute dress in her hand with glittering eyes as if she was envisioning something that Lexi hadn't thought of before.

Lillian Yang was busy in her Lala land and since they were already busted, she didn't bother to conceal her sparkling excitement. She was aware that Lexi was perched across her and was watching her with a poker face. However, Lilian Yang didn't immediately turn her head to her daughter as she wanted to stare at the dress for a bit longer.

"Mom, are you really that happy? I mean, how could you and dad conclude that there's an incoming baby?" Letting out a heavy sigh, Lexi's gaze never looked away from her mother. Her secret cries earlier in her room helped her vent her frustrations and dismay hence, Lexi was much calmer this time.

"Oh, dear," Gently putting down the dress to her lap, Lillian Yang slowly turned her head across her as she raised her gaze. Smiling like a nation's mother's heartwarming caress, she added in a soft tone. "Can you blame us? We were blessed to only have a daughter after so many years of trying. So, the thought of having an addition to our family— how can I and your dad stay still?"

"But… I just don't want you to be disappointed and sad." Slightly frowning, her shoulders moved down a bit as she leaned her back on the backrest of the elegant-looking couch.

Indeed, this was one of Lexi's worries when she caught the scene earlier. Although she was shocked at first and was dismayed at the fact that her parents already thought that she was sleeping with Ethan Lu, the question: 'what if she won't get pregnant? Wouldn't that destroy the happiness that her parents had right now?' hovered on her head and topped all of her other emotions.

After all, she was told that she was a miracle baby after so many years of her parents trying. Moreover, Lexi had witnessed how her mother secretly cried with her previous miscarriages. Hence, she was worried to see their happiness being crushed if their expectations weren't met.

"Lexi," Seeing the gloomy front of her daughter and unbending worry, Lillian Yang subtly smiled before she stood from her seat and slowly, she strode around the small table in the middle of the set of sofas. Lillian Yang perched beside her daughter and reached for her hand before holding them with both of her gentle hands.

"We already thought about that but we still decided to go shopping for these things because it makes us happy and prepared if that's the case. However, if not, well, your dad and I will be fine. We can gift them to our friend's grandchildren." 

Lexi only traveled her gaze to her mother's reassuring smile before she heavily exhaled. "I still can't believe you two are fine about me getting pregnant out of wedlock."

"Dear, what time are you living in? It's the 21st century— I think that's normal nowadays, premarital sex."

"Mom!" She absolutely couldn't believe her mother's last remarks, Lexi's brows uncontrollably twitched in disbelief. 

"Gosh..." Lexi shook her head as her mother was akin to the holy mama mary. Swear and vulgar words were the last thing one should expect coming out from her mouth as Lillian Yang was pretty meek and reserved.

Granted that Lexi was well-versed that her parents were pretty open and understanding, she had never once had a conversation with her mother about her sex life— what more, her parents' sex life, as that was the last thing Lexi wanted to know. Therefore, just like her disturbing shock when she saw the pieces of baby equipment and outfits, Lexi was as equally as shocked just now.

Seeing the gradual change in her daughter's beautiful expression to an ugly one, Lillian Yang heartily chuckled. Her lovely laughs soon soothed the whole living area and resonated across each corner. "Oh dear, I never thought I can tease you like this." Lillian Yang uttered in between her giggles. 

"Also, I trust Ethan— do you know what he said when he confessed to us that he liked you?" Lillian Yang added as she tried to suppress the rest of her giggles. Lexi didn't answer back as she only stared at her mother with a vigilant gaze. 

Well, how could she know? Although Lexi knew that Ethan Lu came to her house the moment he returned after his soul-searching skit— Lexi didn't ask the details as she was rather busy at that time with Taming Hearts and nearly forgot about it.

"When Ethan came here that day, he looked so nervous I thought he was feeling unwell. Then, when he finally got the right amount of courage, he bravely announced that he likes you… in front of me and your dad— it was a silly scene, I will never forget it." As Lillian Yang recalled the day Ethan Lu dared to sit them down and say that he came there as Lexi's suitor, not her friend. 

"Dear, when I heard him say that, I told myself 'wow, this child.'" Lillian Yang lightly shook her head still bearing her gentle smile. "And then, he said he really likes you to the degree that he's willing to marry you, so his confession turned into something I never expected— Ethan, he, in the most sincere way he could, asked us for our blessing to marry you, funny right? But, hearing him say that he not only wanted you to be his lover but also his wife— I felt it." 

Lexi shortly pursed her lips hearing this story that sounded so familiar. Well, Ethan Lu always did tell her that he was pursuing her with an intention to marry her. Still, hearing that Ethan Lu did not only verbalized it to her but to her parents, she was utterly moved. 

"So I know, even if you'd get pregnant out of wedlock, Ethan will take responsibility— he is the only man aside from your father that I can entrust my daughter with." Lillian Yang ended with a sweet smile that rendered her daughter speechless. 

Although her daughter has been long engaged with Morris Liu in the past, Lillian Yang had always been against it at first. However, with the young Morris Liu showing genuine care and concern with how he helped Lexi get back on her feet again after that kidnapping incident, she finally agreed to it. 

Still, the difference she felt between Ethan Lu and Morris Liu was like heaven and earth. Lillian Yang, never once had the slightest doubt about Ethan Lu's intentions that he had towards her daughter. She never knew why but her motherly instincts told her she could trust him. 

After all, Ethan Lu has always been sincere since day one and that personality never waned until now. Rather, as he became more comfortable around the Yang couple, Ethan Lu turned more and more genuine. 

It was still a mystery to them how this man could be so humble despite his family status. Which led them to a question: was the news that Ethan Lu was a rebellious child, just mere hearsay?

Regardless, if Ethan Lu accepted their daughter along with her flaws then, they wouldn't mind Ethan Lu's past as well. What's important to them was that the Ethan Lu they fortunately met is a nice, reliable person.

"Thanks, Mom." Meekly smiling back, Lexi tightened her grip on her mother's hand that was tenderly holding hers. "Thanks for letting me know and your advice back then." Referring to the advice that Lillian Yang had told her to open her heart to him and give Ethan Lu a chance— she was grateful that she had said those words to her. If not, perhaps, Lexi would still be denying her feelings and there would be no Lexi and Ethan Lu right now. 

"Mother knows best, dear." Chuckling, Lillian Yang mildly rubbing the back of Lexi's hand with a contented smile. She added, "I am just glad that you'd return to us— my sweet loving daughter."

"I will visit when I don't have class." Diverting the subject, Lexi uttered and her mother only responded with a nod. 

Both the mother and daughter duo then checked out the baby stuff together. Lexi accompanied her enthusiastic mother and left a few comments on their choice of clothes and asked a few questions about what the purpose was for the other tools which Lillian Yang gladly answered. 

Soon, Frederick Yang also joined them as he canceled all his appointments that day to spend the rest of the day with his family. He also boasted about his baby spaceman outfit and the baby boy toys that he had kept hidden all along. 

That day, the whole Yang mansion gleamed with laughter and ease with the family of three catching up on business matters and Lexi's newfound knowledge on the business line of her choice.