The Rise of the White Lotus

Heading inside, Ethan Lu stopped as his piercing gaze struck his old man. "Grandpa, explain to me why you ambushed her like that?" His tone had no trace of human emotion as he could finally release his fury. 

"Ah...?" Appalled by the instant attack, Edward Lu's face slightly distorted. 

"I don't know if I can trust you with her as I never really thought you'd physically try to harm her. Who was it?" Ignoring the puzzlement of Edward Lu, Ethan Lu continued as he didn't take a seat. 

"What are you saying brat? Why would I harm her? It was an accident alright? Your little guy suddenly shifted his car in a speedy reverse mode so it collided with the vehicle that came close from behind!" Agitated as he was displeased by Ethan Lu's tone and how he blamed him for that, Edward Lu explained as he clarified their side of the story in one go. 

Indeed, what his orders were, was to place a car from behind the person's ride whom he was eager to meet. Who would have thought that Nico Zhuang was a sharp one as his thought process immediately worked double-time and drove in reverse mode. Thus, his order had a mishap and accidentally collided with Lexi's car. 

"I see..." Hearing his frustrated side of the story, Lexi's dissatisfaction towards the old man slightly reduced. She actually didn't know what exactly happened as she was napping at that time. She was only woken up when the impact from the mild collision almost threw her from the back passenger seat to the front. 

"Old master, are you really telling the truth?" Oddly enough, Lexi bothered to ask this simple question as the answer was an obvious 'yes'— which she heard the instant she just thought about it. 

"I'll trust the old master this time. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding." To settle the matter and to calm the raging Ethan Lu who wasn't buying anything from his grandfather's explanation, Lexi nodded her head in understanding before she tugged Ethan Lu. 

"Grandpa, I do really hope that it was just mere mishap." His words were akin to a heavy warning to his grandfather as he didn't conceal his doubts. 

Given that he dearly loved Edward Lu despite his odd methods, still, Ethan Lu would never let anyone who tries or would want to harm her go anywhere near her, even if he has to go against his own grandfather. After all, their family that he was raised in was not about how old or young they are. Everything in the Lu family was about their ranks in the family.

*****

The supposed to be a peaceful lunch date with Lexi ended with Ethan Lu's presence as he clearly showed his unwillingness to trust him with her nor trust her with him. Accompanied by the same displeased Evelyn Lu who was glaring daggers at the old man while Louis Lu indifferently ate the small portion of his meal. 

"Aiya, aiya, what a lovely atmosphere these kids have!" Scoffing in dismay, Edward Lu did a slow clap as the 'supposed to be fun getting to know the future granddaughter-in-law' wasn't near to what he expected. 

"Lexi, can we pretend that these three don't exist?" Focusing his attention on her, Edward Lu tried to ignore the three of his kins presence as he tried to salvage his first date with Lexi. 

"Sure, Old master." Lexi nodded in acknowledgment. In her eyes, for some reason, she felt bad for him as two of his grandchildren had to give him cold shoulders while the other one was just indifferent about many things including this one. 

Still, Lexi could not blame Ethan Lu or Evelyn Lu to treat their grandfather like this as he was the one who raised them to be like this. Therefore, no matter how she felt remorseful, the Lu family system just worked like this. 

"Haaay... when will you call me grandpa...?" Disheartened, Edward Lu heavily sighed as his bright mood was drastically sullen. Lexi offered a meek smile as she continued to eat in silence.

Soon, the awkward lunch finally came to an end. For some reason, Evelyn Lu wasn't as outspoken like she was yesterday as she only spoke to Lexi whenever she had the opportunity. Still, she was still considered quiet which didn't shock Lexi as this was the main residence and she probably had a bad memory from here or something of the sort.

As Louis Lu bid his farewell, Evelyn Lu reluctantly followed. She wanted to stay with Lexi for a little longer but, since Louis Lu had to tend to his own business affairs before personally sending her home, Evelyn Lu didn't retaliate and only glanced at Lexi with a sad front.

Meanwhile, Lexi could only offer a warm smile as she sensed the sadness that flashed across Evelyn Lu. She watched them bid their goodbyes to the gloomy old master of the Lu family until they left. Meanwhile, Ethan Lu was just silent without showing any emotion… or rather, he seemed impatient as if he could not wait to go home. Surely, whether what his grandfather said was the truth or not, he could only try to reduce his anger yet, he was still displeased.

"Ethan, can I talk to the old master alone?" Slowly, Lexi turned her head to the side and gave him a warm smile. Of course, her request made Ethan Lu frown as he furrowed his brows. Regardless, when he heard her say the word "please", Ethan Lu could only sigh in defeat and nod before going out of the dining room.

"What? Dear granddaughter-in-law, your request for our time together is long overdue don't you think? Haaay… that brat is surely audacious when mad." Shaking his head sideways, Edward Lu could not help but let out a heavy sigh as he wasn't surprised with the extent of his grandson's bottom line.

"Old Master, I don't know whether to buy your excuse or not but…" Pausing for a while, Lexi glanced at him for a second. "I hope it will be the last time, I won't really know what action I will take if something happened to my child."