The Rise of the White Lotus

If their jaw could just literally drop, then, Lyrick Jiang and Jarred Guo's jaw already crashed onto the concrete ground. Both could not hide their shock as they soundlessly gasped at the scene before them unfolding— holding their breath for a while. 

Both men watched their boss and the woman who was wearing her nighties as if she was going straight to her bed. They were sweet— super sweet to the extent that both men could see tiny red ants following their trail. 

As the two lovebirds seemed as if they were just having a late-night walk in the park, Ethan Lu's supposedly perfect subordinates could not help but speak under their breath. 

"Woah... Now, I understand why the boss kept her hidden." Jarred Guo was in awe as Lexi wasn't wearing any decoration on her face nor does she have any accessories. She was just in simple pajamas with her hair set loose— letting its volume bounce and smoothly follow her every move. 

"The real boss...?" With the same tone and volume, Lyrick Jiang ignored his young master as his gaze locked in Lexi's direction. After a second, he corrected. "No, a miraculous deity."

Of course, Lyrick Jiang had considered his theory of his young master having a relationship with the Yang's young mistress. Hence, for someone who was as much of a busybody as him, Lyrick Jiang used their waiting time, not thinking about speculations but, doing research about the Yang family— especially Lexi Yang. 

He had gathered information about Lexi and Morris Liu's engagements, the said woman's ambiguous scandals, and many more that someone wouldn't be proud of. Upon reading about the article between Lexi and Morris Liu, Lyrick Jiang was reminded of the fight incident that had happened months ago with Ethan Lu and Morris Liu. 

However, Lyrick Jiang didn't immediately conclude that it was about a woman because there are still many reasons why his young master could have turned so aggressive at that time. Still, he didn't single out that fact among the many theories that could have caused such a scene. 

Nevertheless, although Lyrick Jiang already saw Lexi Yang's photos, he was quite shocked as she looked more ethereal in person. Also, the fact that he worshipped a faceless woman secretly for his young master's progress— she didn't disappoint him!

"You look tired," Lexi, linking arms with her charming escort by the name of  Ethan Lu, slightly frowning as she lightly tilted the side of her head to the front while staring at him. Their steps were leisurely slow but did not falter even once until Ethan Lu paused in his tracks to face her. 

"I am..." Pouting like a little spoiled child garnering for sympathy, Ethan Lu smoothly buried his face to her shoulder while his arms sneakily wrapped around her slender waist. "Because my girl is being too mean to me— not giving me an energy kiss." Indeed, Ethan Lu hasn't moved on from the unkindly act that Lexi refused to kiss him goodbye earlier that morning. 

"So, you're holding a grudge on me?" Slowly sneaking her arms around his upper-back, the corner of her lips curled into a mischievous grin. 

"I do, I do! I need some compensation!" Still complaining, Ethan Lu slightly shook his shoulders as if feeling her petite arms around him wasn't enough— he's greedy. 

The next second, Lexi marginally lifted her right foot and shifted it on top of his shiny formal shoes— same with her other foot, fixedly setting them on top of his shoe. Her grip on his back tightened along with her faint giggle. 

"There, there. Let me cling on you like a koala." Humoring him, Lexi remained in her position. 

"Ahh... this koala..." By this time, Ethan Lu snapped from his awful acting as he chuckled from her silliness. Tenderly tightening his grip around her waist to secure her, Ethan Lu took a slow step forward with her foot on top of his shoe, and then his other foot— taking slow strides while she clung to him like a sloth.

Regardless of the added weight, Ethan Lu didn't complain and took this into his advantage to flirt with her along the way. As the two of them took their time reaching Ethan Lu's car, his two loyal subordinates watched them and could not help the corner of their eyes from twitching. 

The Yang servants were already done putting the luggage in the trunk with Jarred Guo's assistance and already went back inside the manor. However, their boss and their future lady boss hadn't reached them yet. 

For Pete's sake! From the Yang Mansion's entrance door, given the distance to the car, it would only take less than a minute to reach if they would only walk normally! Yet, Ethan Lu and Lexi were taking forever! Not to mention, tossing dog food all over the place!

"This is too much." Shaking his head in dismay as he grit his teeth, Jarred Guo managed to look away as the two approaching them were too much to watch. "I can't believe Nico survived watching them like this all the time. Poor guy, maybe that's why he's been so grumpy."

"Do you think they will take another hour to reach us?" Slightly leaning on the side, Lyrick Jiang inquired. Although he wasn't against meeting his heroine for the first time, alas, both of them were taking too much time just to reach their standpoint. Probably, even a person who was crawling would surpass them at this rate. Hence, no matter how long their patience, if they are being fed with dog food their rope of forbearance was running much too thin as well. 

"Beats me. Take a nap first— I'll wake you up when they're close." Letting out a heavy exhale, Jarred Guo humored at his hypocrite colleague. 

"As if I can take that advice." Clicking his tongue, Lyrick Jiang kept his stoic front as his boss and his heroine were coming closer. 

Soon, after a few minutes, ten to be precise— after their hearty giggles and reckless laughs that resonated across the whole yang mansion's driveway, Lexi and Ethan Lu finally reached their destination. 

Meanwhile, the two felt they were the ones who got tired instead of their boss because Lexi remained clinging to their boss until they reached their standpoint. 

"Now, you're more tired." Grinning from ear to ear, Lexi bit her lower lip to suppress the urging laughs that were attempting to escape from her mouth. Well, she purposely did what she did as she enjoyed teasing him and also, for the sake of having a rest for tonight. After all, their lust and love for each other always triumphed in the end. 

"Hey..." Shaking his head sideways, Ethan Lu lightly chuckled before turning his attention back to his subordinates. "Anyways, I haven't properly introduced you to these guys. This is Lyrick, my assistant and Red, driver."

Lexi meekly smiled as she returned the two a slight yet polite bow. If it was before, she would have been surprised as to why Ethan Lu would even bother to introduce her to his employees as if he was introducing her to his friends or family. However, Lexi got used to Ethan Lu's temperament and the fact that difference status in life or age wasn't very important to him if he considered a person as his friend. 

"Nice meeting you," Lexi modestly greeted as she altered her gaze from Jarred Guo to Lyrick Jiang. 

"It's an honor to finally meet you in person, Miss Yang." Thanks to years of being the perfect assistant, Lyrick Jiang managed to compose himself and sound professional despite his nervousness meeting his heroine. 

Still, Lyrick Jiang's mind was going on an all-out speech that he didn't dare to speak aloud while his soul was kowtowing. 

'Also Miss Yang, I haven't thanked you for lending your hand in helping my dear young master to get himself back on track— my sincerest gratitude. I remember back in the day, out of ten meetings, the young master would only attend one or maybe three at max. Then, he would party all night until morning with his friend Mr. Woo. So, just so you know my goddess, all of the blame for those responsibilities that were neglected were all pushed onto me! To me! God knows how much I had suffered back then. But, thanks to you, I was saved in the darkest days of my life...' Lyrick Jiang went on and on as he wept his sufferings internally. 

"Lyrick?... Rick!" Furrowing his brows, Ethan Lu snapped at his assistant. He narrowed his eyes as he peered at Lyrick Jiang who was just staring at Lexi like a fool. 

"Uh, yes young master?" 

"Let's go," Ignoring whatever hovered in his mind, Ethan Lu raised his brows and spoke in a matter of fact tone. With a nod, Jarred Guo and Lyrick Jiang hitched into the car while Ethan Lu assisted his lady inside the back passenger seat.

As she was being assisted inside with care, Lexi raised her brows and inquired with a giggle. "Please tell me you're not jealous of your secretary?"

"Of course, I'm not that petty." Without a second's hesitation, Ethan Lu denied without batting an eye. 

"Oh… okay, that's good then." Heaving a sigh in relief, Lexi subtly smiled and nodded before entering the back passenger seat, followed shortly by Ethan Lu.