The Rise of the White Lotus

When Lexi entered the room, Mia Chen was already there, watching Morris Liu with love and care. Even just a glance, Lexi could understand her worries as she had someone she loved and would have the same fear if Ethan Lu would be the one lying there. 

As she closed the sliding door, Mia Chen was snapped back from her stupor and instantly turned her head towards Lexi who entered the room. "Oh, it was you." As usual, her voice was soft and gentle, like the soothing waves of the ocean. 

Mia Chen meekly smiled as she expected her today. After all, she was the one who insisted to update Ethan Lu about Morris Liu's huge progress after three months of being in a deep slumber. "I'll go outside so you can freely talk to him." She excused herself and began taking small strides out. Alas, just as she took two steps from her standpoint, she halted when Lexi called her name for the first time.

"Mia…" Lexi stared at her as Mia Chen slowly raised her gaze to meet hers. "When he regains his consciousness, I will leave you two alone." The side of her lips slightly curled upward as Lexi nodded once in reassurance.

Lexi knew that Mia Chen might just be pretending to understand her visits or just kind. Regardless even if Morris Liu and Mia Chen broke up, she has been beside him in the past three months. Hence, Lexi was convinced that she still loved him unconditionally. Not to mention all of the offenses she did to her in the past.

Inside Lexi's mind, maybe the reason why Morris Liu fell for her was that she was really kind and loving. Although she was also kind and loving towards Morris Liu before, however, Lexi's unending understanding was exclusive only for him. 

Therefore, there was a huge difference between the two. After all, Lexi's attitude problem might have improved but she wouldn't be as understanding as Mia Chen if one of Ethan Lu's exes showed up and regularly visited him if he's in the same situation as Morris Liu.

"Also, thank you for letting me visit him."

"Don't thank me, you are all his friends." Mia Chen lightly shook her head as she refused to be thanked for something she shouldn't be credited for. She was there because she wanted to be and they were all of the very few people that visited Morris Liu, Mia Chen knew that they were the only ones Morris Liu wanted to visit him but that wasn't the case concerning her. Thus, how could she forbid others if Mia Chen was after all the one who was uninvited?

"I'll go home today— take your time with him." With that said note, Mia Chen resumed in her tracks and with a meek excuse, she left Lexi inside the room.

Lexi only watched Mia Chen's petite and tired figure leave the room with her brows slightly knitted. 'Was saying good things to her had come off as a little awkward?' She wondered because Lexi had always been mean to her in the past and she never struck up a conversation with her in the past three months. Hence, this was the first time.

She only shrugged her thoughts off as Lexi made her way towards Morris Liu. Since Morris Liu's condition was now more stable at this point and they were just waiting for him to wake up the precautions lowered and his visitors are now allowed to get close to him without wearing the proper protective dress.

Lexi gently smiled as she drew closer to the withering Morris Liu. She moved the lightest stool inside the room and placed it by his bedside before she perched on it. Staring at his side profile, an indistinct sigh escaped her mouth.

"Brother Mo, I failed to bring you flowers today because we rushed here when we heard about the news." Honestly, Lexi was still feeling a little awkward talking to him like nothing happened between them. 

However, the willingness for him to recover, as if she had a strong connection for his recovery, made all the awkwardness wash away by that strong faith. Also, she was told that people under a comatose state could still hear their voices hence, she always blabbered about her plans and the progress of her skills in formulating skincare products.

"I bet you're enjoying your long break… I mean not in a negative way." Lexi scratched her jawline as her last remarks sounded a little weird and could lead to a different meaning. "Anyway, it's been three months since I started enhancing my skills and our last product showcase will be held in a few days."

Lexi stared at his unmoving figure and that had made the smile on her lips slightly lessen. "You know, I am broke but happy. I used to remember you would always scold me because of my spending habits— now I know why. It is easier to spend other people's hard-earned money but when you spend your own it's so much different, I would weep with every swipe, issued cheque, and cash I spent." Lexi lightly chuckled as she recalled all those experiences she had.

"But actually, despite that drama, I learned a lot of things. I learned how to budget my money, allocate allotment to my expenses and live a little simpler. Nonetheless, it was fun— although I have to see Ethan's pouting face every time I asked him to split our food expenses and other necessities." Lexi placed her hand on the edge of the bed and as if straightening an imaginary crease, she smiled once again.

"I haven't told you yet but I am now living with Ethan… Brother Mo, thank you for everything. I hope when you wake up, you'll be as happy as me with our partners and remain friends just like before." Lexi could not believe that she was saying this kind of stuff. 

Never in a million years, had she thought that there would come a day that she would be able to bring herself to say such brave words to him. Still, right now, instead of hate, she was thankful that he pushed her away because if not, she wouldn't be able to love Ethan Lu or be loved by him. 

Just then, Morris Liu's forefinger slightly moved. Since Lexi's gaze was on the edge of the bed, she caught that slight movement and that small reaction made her eyes dilate. 

"Brother Mo?" Surprised, Lexi raised her gaze and scrutinize his slowly moving eyelids that soon cracked open. 

In an instant, Lexi pressed a button that could make the medical experts rush their way to the room. She then stood on the side while looking down on Morris Liu. 

His vision was blurred yet he could hear Lexi's familiar voice call his name out. Thus, with great difficulty, Morris Liu blinked his eyes to get a clearer view. There, Lexi's image slowly got clearer which made his whole being release a long held anxiety in relief. 

All the events that happened to him were still jumbled yet, there was one thing that was certain: Morris Liu was glad that she was unharmed… or at least, in this dream, she wasn't. 

Raising his weak, dry arm, Morris Liu attempted to reach her with considerable difficulty. But, his desire to touch her, even if it's just a dream, had finally triumphed. 

At the same time, a cluster of medical staff intruded the room and rushed their way towards the bed. Behind them, Mia Chen, Chris Yu, Kevin Woo, and Ethan Lu followed suit and witnessed the man that was on the brink of death, was now awake and was cupping Lexi's cheek.