The Rise of the White Lotus

The next day...

"Say, big brother tan, is my big sis still asleep? Did you tire her out last night?" Around the dining table, Evelyn Lu was still wearing Lexi's lent clothes even though her face was already freshened up and seemed to have a little makeup on it. 

Knitting her brows together, she narrowed her eyes as she waited for her cousin's reply. After all, even though it was still early for other people, still, to busy people like them, seven o'clock should be late. Therefore, she woke up much earlier than usual as she wanted to have breakfast with Lexi and maybe spend the day with her before her flight. 

"Eve, you really amaze me in unexpected ways." Glancing at the investigative gaze of his cousin, Ethan Lu was rather calm as he responded and took a bite of the pizza Louis Lu bought from god knows where. "My love had been hustling for the last three months— much busier than when she was filming her last project. So, since her last showcase just ended yesterday, she has to rest so she could properly manage her own company."

"Oh..." Nodding in understanding, Evelyn Lu pouted as she leaned her back against the chair. Her gaze landed on the pizza on her plate before she asked, "Big brother Lou, where in the world did you buy this? I never thought that there was a secret pizza shop that opens at this time of the day."

"I asked my friend to make it for me last night because I was craving for some." Short and precise, Louis Lu clarified as he only picked it up since he already ordered it last night.

Ethan Lu and Evelyn Lu nodded in understanding at the same time. They didn't question Louis Lu as he was a peculiar lad and he does things in his own way. Therefore, the three young adults just enjoyed their breakfast in silence and peace. 

In the middle of their breakfast, Lexi's voice cracked the oddly quiet dining area. She was still in her pajamas and her hair was tied into a reckless bun. Still, there wasn't much difference in her look between last night and right now as she was still as beautiful as ever. 

"Morning," She greeted, taking Evelyn Lu and Ethan Lu's attention instantly. On the other hand, Louis Lu seemed not to hear her as he continued to eat his slice of pizza. 

"Morning big sis~" Sending a vibrant smile, Evelyn Lu greeted her back and her languid aura suddenly burst with life. 

"Good morning, love. Why are you up so early? You should rest more." Meanwhile, when Ethan Lu saw her approaching the dining area, he stood up from his seat and welcomed her halfway. 

"I smelled good food and I'm starving." Meekly smiling, Lexi honestly responded which made his brows furrow in confusion. 

Was she humoring him? How could she possibly smell the pizza from the dining room up to their room? 

"I came out to see if you were still here and smelled something good that made my stomach growl." Explaining the details, Lexi said as she stretched her neck to take a peek at what the three were having.

To her surprise, none of the three bothered to make breakfast and were having pizza early in the morning. Alas, what actually baffled her was that they managed to buy a pizza this early! Where?!

Regardless, the moment she set her eyes on that particular food on the table, she could not help but bit her lower lips as her stomach growled for some. 

"Big sis, come~! Big brother Lou asked his friend to make us breakfast last night~" Still jolly of the fact that not only was she was having a meal with her idol but she could now call her big sis! Hence, Evelyn Lu excitedly invited her over. 

On the other hand, Ethan Lu was still pondering how Lexi smelled the food from the dining area to upstairs. Well, although Lexi said she went out to check on him, still, this villa wasn't that small! Nevertheless, when he heard Evelyn Lu's invitation, he shrugged the matter off as he assisted Lexi to take a seat before he perched beside her. 

"This is just Lou's kind gesture although the intention was solely because he was craving for it last night— he has a huge appetite." While Ethan Lu served her a slice of pizza, he tattled on one of the things that was something unexpected from his cousin. 

"Oh..." Nodding in understanding, Lexi raised her gaze from the food that was being served on her plate to Louis Lu who was busy eating. 

When her gaze landed on him, her brows furrowed because what she was witnessing was that: Louis Lu was putting sugar on his pizza!

"Oh, I know it seems odd but Lou has a sweet tooth and his taste buds were sort of weird." Seeing Lexi's expression changed upon seeing the blasphemy in Louis Lu's act, Ethan Lu explained as he slid the plate closer to her. 

"You like sugar on pizza?" Still staring at the indifferent Louis Lu, Lexi asked. He didn't respond immediately as he chewed the food down before wiping his lips. 

"Mhmm." Blinking once, Louis Lu hummed a tune as he nodded his head as a response before he slid the sugar towards her. 

"Really?" In awe, her usual hostile treatment towards him was enormously reduced as she accepted the container containing sugar. Then, just like Louis Lu, Lexi sprinkled some sugar on top of her pizza before she unhesitantly took a bite. 

Her action made Ethan Lu and Evelyn Lu gasped in dismay as they watch Lexi put more sugar on her pizza. Meanwhile, Louis Lu stood and got another container of sugar to put on his own slice of pizza. 

"What the..." Dumbfounded, Evelyn Lu murmured as she altered her gaze from her cousin Louis Lu and then to her sister-in-law, Lexi as both seemed to have the same taste buds. 

Ethan Lu who was shocked the most stared at Lexi who was sweetly smiling at him while her mouth was stuffed with food. Although they have been together for quite some time, Ethan Lu didn't realize that there are still things that he didn't know about her. 

"You like it?"

"Mhmm, it's the best with sugar. You should try." Happily smiling while chewing, Lexi looked adorable as she offered him to take a bite. Alas, Ethan Lu shook his head as he already tried it before because of Louis Lu and he really thought it was blasphemy. 

No one suspected at how Louis Lu seemed to know that Lexi liked her pizza with sugar on it as he always offered food to others for them to have a taste just like what he did when he slid the jar of sugar towards her. Louis Lu only glanced at Lexi's contented side profile while she pestered Ethan Lu to have a taste which he agreed to in the end. 

'Weird... she really doesn't recall.' He murmured inwardly before he chewed down his last slice of pizza on his plate before drinking a glassful of water and wiped the corners of his mouth. 

"Eve, when you are done, we will have to drop by the main residence so you can say goodbye to grandpa." With that said note, Louis Lu slowly stood from his seat and left the dining area.