The Rise of the White Lotus

"...yes!" When everyone heard that one single yet a joyous word, Ethan Lu's gentle and loving smile grew a little wider. Without wasting a second, he took the ring from the small box and reached for her hand. He slowly but surely placed the ring on her finger that perfectly suited her measurement. 

"I love you and thank you." Softly, Ethan Lu bit his lower lip as he found it hard to distinguish which emotion to feel. Yet, words are not needed anymore as he pulled her into his embrace and buried his face on her shoulder while wrapping his arms around her. 

Both Lexi and Ethan Lu silently stayed like that as Lexi was still sobbing and hiccuping while Ethan Lu's eyes soon welled up due to overwhelming happiness. 

Meanwhile, when Ethan Lu successfully put on the ring and hugged Lexi afterward, a loud resounding "aww~" and applause synced in the harmonious interlude in the background. 

Happy smiles were evident on their lips while others with a frail heart could also not help but be moved which made them cry a little. Most of them only knew Lexi since the Taming Hearts set yet, after getting to know more about Lexi, they feel happy for her as she truly deserve this love. 

Abigail Fan who was with Lexi ever since she joined the entertainment industry and witnessed her changes, she felt proud. Among them, she fully understood Lexi as Abigail was there when she was crazily in love and hurt by her first love. Therefore, seeing how happy she was right now with Ethan Lu, Abigail Fan's heart felt at ease and felt proud of Lexi. 

'Lexi, you've gone through a lot. You really deserve this.' Abigail Fan whispered internally as she wiped the tears in the corner of her eyes. 

"Eli, why are you crying as well? Aren't you a man?" Rika Song who had a little bit of mascara smudge under her eye turned to Elliot Gong on her side while sneezing the mucus out of her nose using a tissue. 

"What? I am not crying but you are." On the verge of crying, Elliot Gong felt moved and was beyond happy for his friend and Lexi. Alas, just as his eyes began to sweat, Rika Song just decided to interrupt to divert his attention. 

"Heartless! Aren't you moved? His proposal is so sweet! Raising my standards like this— how can I get married now?" Still sobbing, Rika Song went backward as she shamelessly accused Elliot Gong of not crying just like what she was doing. Nevertheless, she was extremely glad that her ship finally sailed going forever. 

In the other corner of the room, Lyrick Jiang came prepared as he wiped the tears on the side of his eyes with a plain handkerchief. From the very beginning, the moment he heard his master sing in a heartfelt tone and Lexi sobbing with every flower she received, aside from Lillian Yang who was the second person who was crying her eyes out, Lyrick Jiang came in third place, maybe. 

Giving Lyrick Jiang a side glance, Jarred Guo's under-eye constantly twitched. Although the proposal was indeed moving, alas, it wasn't enough for a man like Jarred Guo to cry. Nico Zhuang as well as he retained his stoic yet relieved front intact. 

"Oy, stop crying." Jarred Guo who was tired from all the sneezing and crying of the softie Lyrick Jiang, he muttered in distress. 

"I *hiccup* I'm so happy for master and goddess~! I can't stop crying *hiccup*" At this time, Lyrick Jiang's usual composed tone cracked in between his sentiment. Well, he was indeed happy for Ethan Lu and his goddess for this wonderful engagement. Therefore, unlike the usual dog food that his master fed them, this was the kind of dog food he would not refuse. 

"Let him. He will recover in a while." Shaking his head, Nico Zhuang cast Jarred Guo a glance before shifting it back to Lexi and Ethan Lu who were still hugging each other while his boss was seemingly crying on her shoulder. 

"Whatever. By the way Rick, can we eat already? Are we allowed?" Shrugging in nonchalance, Jarred Guo let Lyrick Jiang continue his melodrama act as he rubbed his stomach as he was already starving. Lyrick Jiang only nodded without a word and pointed to the direction where he could get food which Jarred Guo immediately headed towards without wasting a second. 

****

Lexi and Ethan Lu embraced each other that made their hearts connect. Even without a single word being uttered, their hearts already knew what the other was trying to say. 

When Ethan Lu was able to stop his crying, he drew himself away from her shoulder and then wiped the residue of his tears of joy that were left on the corner of his eye. 

Smiling brightly, he let out a chuckle as his arms involuntarily raised and wiped the tears that were still flowing from her now puffy eyes. 

"I'm sorry for making you cry like this." Despite his sorry, Ethan Lu was actually glad to bring this kind of impact to her as he knew that it was tears of joy just like his. He then shifted his gaze to Frederick Yang and Lillian Yang that already joined her husband on the side. 

"Mom, Dad, thank you." In a soft and sincere tone, Ethan Lu slightly bowed his head to their direction that made both of the yang parents smile and nod in acknowledgment before he returned his head to face Lexi again. 

"Come here, my love." Seeing that Lexi was still hiccuping, Ethan Lu gently reached his hand to comfort her again. Alas, Lexi shook her head sideways. 

"How could you *hiccup* make us cry like this." In between her hiccups, Lexi glared at him while frowning that seemed like a pout. 

"Hehe," Ethan Lu glanced at the people around them that also had their tissues or handkerchiefs while wiping their tears. "I wanted to share the moment with them and also it is my oath that I will protect and cherish their friend, their sister, and their daughter. So that every time I look at you, I will know the legions who would come after me if I ever hurt you." With that last remark, Ethan Lu glanced at the yang parents who were smiling from ear to ear. 

"Not them!" Through her gritted teeth, Lexi loudly retorted. "US!" After that, Lexi rubbed her tummy that made his gaze and everyone around them follow where her hand landed. 

"Me and the baby!" Lexi added as she cast him a conflicted gaze before letting out a heavy sigh.