The Rise of the White Lotus

Seeing that Nico Zhuang listened to her last persuasion, Edward Lu shortly nodded his head before slowly clapping his hands. "Impressive, Miss Yang." Chuckling in between, Edward Lu complimented her and her influence on this young lad.

"Why don't you take a seat and accompany me for a while, Miss Yang?" Again, Edward Lu gestured and pointed to the couch across him where Lexi would take a seat. 

Relieved that Nico Zhuang listened to her under Edward Lu's watch, Lexi nodded her head once and took unhurried strides towards the seat he pointed at. Lexi deliberately acted according to her instinct and showed her displeasure about his intrusion and how they were halted outside. Hence, she wanted this man to wait.

On the other hand, Edward Lu showed no sign of impatience. Rather, he watched her figure in amusement. No one in the Lu family aside from his dear gifted grandson would disrespect him so boldly. Surely, Ethan Lu's unyielding attitude was contagious in the long run. Still, Lexi impressed him more and more; first, for deciding to face him, and then declaring that Nico Zhuang was hers… and now this.

'Heh, I wonder if my cute grandson is a bullied husband,' He thought internally as he imagined Lexi bossing Ethan Lu around and making him do the household chores.

As soon as Lexi sat down, she straightened her back and smiled, a smile that didn't reach her ears. Meanwhile, Nico Zhuang stood behind not far away or too close to her. His distance was enough to make her feel his presence.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Chairman Lu." Slightly bowing her head, Lexi apologized. Her tone was indiscernible if she was truly sincere or not. Still, no one spoke a word about it. Edward Lu raised his hand and as if on cue, one of his men moved and served tea for her.

"Relax, Miss Yang. I came here because I want to chat with you for awhile— tea?" Unfazed by her unreadable gaze, Edward Lu calmly offered and the guard placed a cup of hot tea for her.

"Thank you," Thanking him, Lexi didn't reach for the cup of tea as she had gotten a whiff of the aroma and it's certainly not the ones that her mother gave them. Although she wasn't thinking about any ill intent as she believed that Edward Lu wouldn't just put anything in it. Still, since she had been taking extra precautions about her uncertain pregnancy, Lexi had been a little picky about what she was putting in her system.

"Hmm? Why don't you have any tea? Did you think there's poison in it?" Innocently tilting his head to the side, Edward Lu inquired with a gleeful smile. For some reason, as Lexi stared at the old man a little longer, he somewhat looked-like the older version of Ethan Lu. Well, Ethan Lu had his grandfather's eyes and smile after all.

"Nothing like that, Mr. Chairman. I only drink tea made by my mother so, I apologize if it came off that way." Bearing the same smile, Lexi courteously responded this time. 

"I see… your mother must have been good at creating her teas. Maybe, if I get more luck in this lifetime, I can have a taste of it— I like tea." Waving his hands off, Edward Lu gestured that there was no offense taken and he fully understood her reasoning. Appearing to be glad, Lexi only nodded her head once as a response.

"Anyway, how have you been Miss Yang? My grandson was too secretive and a cheapskate because he never let any information about you to slip— that brat!" Since Lexi seemed she wouldn't strike a conversation with him or was she trying to get into his good graces, Edward Lu started a conversation instead. However, being reminded of Ethan Lu's extreme measures whenever he sent one man to know his hidden woman, his tone escalated quickly.

"I am doing good, Chairman Lu. Thank you for asking. I hope Chairman Lu was also well." Chuckling at his abrupt change of emotion, Lexi responded. Yet, the first impression she had of him remained unscathed.

"Hehe, I'm sorry. Whenever I am reminded of my grandson, I can't help my temper to rise." Edward Lu heartily laughed to his slip of temper. Well, he was glad that at least, Lexi finally had a change of expression as he was afraid this would turn boring.

"He has the ability to do that to others." Recalling how her blood boils sometimes to Ethan Lu's antics, Lexi could not help but humor the old master of the Lu family.

"Aiya, aiya, at least, someone can relate to my struggle to that brat." Shaking his head, Edward Lu heavily sighed his frustrations. After all, if Ethan Lu was like a ruthless beast to the rest of the Lu family members, he would turn abnormal whenever he was in front of his grandfather! Therefore, Edward Lu would rather wish to enjoy the scenery on the beach with girls walking in bikinis instead of talking to his heir if it was not necessary.

For some reason, both built a faint connection as they talked about Ethan Lu and the stifling atmosphere turned a little lighter. Still, their agendas in mind and Lexi's impression remained in one piece. After a few exchanges of good laughs about the oblivious Ethan Lu, Edward Lu finally felt impatient as Lexi wasn't asking anything.

"Miss Yang, aren't you curious as to why I am here?" 

"Chairman Lu, I am. However, who am I to question the head of the Lu family?" Shrugging off the momentary connections she had with him, Lexi returned to her demeanor earlier. 

She purposely called him Chairman as Ethan Lu hasn't officially taken over the company and it would only be proper to address him like that. Moreover, her addressing him like that would draw a line between them because no matter how much Ethan Lu loves and treasures her, to Edward Lu, she was a mere outsider.

"Hehe, Miss Yang, you are good with your words." Nodding in satisfaction, Edward Lu's impression towards her leaped another stage. Clearing his throat and going back to his solemn self, Edward Lu smiled.

"Well, I will make it simple and short, Miss Yang. I want you out of my grandson's life." Bearing the same smile… the same tone as if he was merely asking an easy request, Edward Lu said without blinking nor his words even faltering.