The Rise of the White Lotus

Frederick Yang's immediate approval slightly stunned Lexi as she knew her parents very well and they would at least have second thoughts. After all, this was a serious matter to consider. Yet, her father just agreed without any questions asked? She then shifted her gaze to her mother on her side and Lillian Yang gently nodded as if she was saying 'you heard your father right'.

"Uh…"

"Lexi, your father and I are not fools to not know what your struggle is right now. Also, Ethan had been very open to us— so we know." Still bearing her motherly smile, Lillian Yang reached for Lexi's hand and gently sandwich it between her hands.

"Also, it is not like we don't know our stubborn not so little girl when it comes to love." Faintly letting out a chuckle, Lillian Yang slightly shook her head sideways as she recalled how crazy her daughter could be when it comes to love. After all, even though it was already in the past, that side of Lexi of giving her all— body, heart, soul, and emotions to a certain man would never be forgotten.

"Mom…" Softening her gaze as she peered at Lillian Yang's side profile, Lexi bit her lower lip to restrain herself from sobbing as she was utterly moved by her parents' endless support. Why did she become so blind to not be able to see this in the past? 

Lexi then moved her gaze and looked at Frederick Yang and his subtle smile that was plastered on his lips as if he was silently telling her that he was and would always be proud of her choices. "Dad…" Just as she addressed her father, Lexi choked as she could not contain all the overwhelming emotions she had right now. 

Understandably, aside from her first shocking encounter with Edward Lu and the glimpse of Ethan Lu, the confirmation of her pregnancy came as a shock as well, now this… her parents letting her follow her heart's desire without a question being asked.

"Silly girl, did you really think we don't trust you and Ethan to handle this? Also, if things get tough, you can always come home— the two of you." Chuckling to conceal her tears of joy about several things Lillian Yang was fortunate about, she could not help but alter her gaze to her husband that had the same emotion beneath his eyes.

Sure, the Lu family might be tough people to deal with and if anything happened… both Yang parents would always welcome their daughter and son back to their family. Also, the little possibility that their family business might get implicated by this power struggle inside the chaotic Lu family, Frederick Yang laid all his faith and staked everything on Ethan Lu.

After all, that was the burden Frederick Yang cast upon his future son-in-law: to protect Lexi at all costs and never hurt her— physically or emotionally. It would be silly of him to entrust everything to him but, perhaps, it was his fatherly instinct and Ethan Lu's unwavering sincerity.

Moreover, now that they would be having a child together, Frederick Yang felt more at ease as he knew that if Ethan Lu would come to know that Lexi was pregnant with his child, he would surely give his extra effort of two hundred percent into the protection of his family.

"You two… how can you be like this…" At this time, Lexi could not help but bawl her eyes as she literally sobbed— moved by her parent's endless understanding. This… this was the family she once gave up because of a wrong choice yet, the more she realized it, the more she found herself selfish and ungrateful.

Her parents, Lillian and Frederick Yang were one of the treasures she was gifted by the heavens to have a family. Maybe, one of the reasons why Morris Liu and Lexi didn't work out was because Lexi was indeed meant to be with someone that she would be able to fill the missing part of Ethan Lu called family love while he, on the other hand, was for her to feel everything despite the short time of being together.

Granted that Morris Liu's family was not any better than the Lu's, alas, since childhood, both Yang parents unconditionally loved him like their own son. Up until today, despite what happened between Lexi and Morris Liu, they still cared for him because in their perspective they could never unfamily their family… and Morris Liu was the son they never biologically had.

After some time, Lexi finally stopped her tears yet, Lillian Yang's heartwarming pats remained on her back. "Mom, *hiccup* Dad," Raising her head and slightly drew away from her mother, Lexi wiped her tears and her already runny nose.

"Nico is outside. He must be waiting for me." Being reminded that Nico Zhuang was probably outside waiting for her and guarding the area like usual, Lexi felt a little bad for keeping him out in the cold. After all, the night breeze should have been blowing in any which direction.

"Nico?" Suddenly, hearing a somewhat familiar name, Lillian Yang and Frederick Yang creased their brows in confusion. After a minute, Lillian Yang who was sharp with everyone that her daughter was friends with and everyone she talked about recalled the person that Lexi always blabbered to her about— praising him to the heavens. 

"You mean, your classmate who's now your assistant?" To confirm if she was right, Lillian Yang asked. Lexi only nodded as a response before she clarified one little detail.

"He is the one I always talk about but actually, I just now found out that he is one of Ethan's men." Letting out a brief chuckle, the scene when the three volunteered to kneel on the washboard flashed across her eyes.

"Oh…" In unison, both Yang parents slowly nodded in understanding. Although they were reassured by Ethan Lu that he was keeping an eye to Lexi and her surroundings without Lexi getting suspicious, they didn't know who it was because to them, the most important thing was that Lexi was busying herself with her career without interruption or worry in the world.

"Then, what are you waiting for? You should invite him inside and we can have dinner! You should eat, dear. You don't want our baby to starve, right?" Like usual, Lillian Yang clasped her hands together as she was too excited to prepare dinner. But, most importantly, to reveal all of the baby stuff Lillian and Frederick Yang purchased.

Lexi only nodded in response before she headed to her room to prepare for the event she must attend. Alas, she actually forgot to send Nico a message as she was excited to see Ethan Lu… to see and give a hug to that fool named Ethan Lu. After all, he was a worrywart and he must be overthinking more than anyone else right now.

"Ethan Lu… just you wait." A glint flashed across her eyes and with that said remark, Lexi started to doll up and rummage her walk-in closet that was kept tidy all this time. She scanned through all the dresses that she hadn't worn before as she forgot to wear the dress she was supposed to wear tonight.