The Rise of the White Lotus

Indeed, the very reason why Victoria Tang came in the middle of the night was that she knew Louis Lu too well. It was impossible to know his whereabouts in the day as he was a workaholic person and his schedule was surely packed.

Only at night, Louis Lu had this habit that all business-related works should not bother his sleeping pattern as he was very well conscious of his health. Therefore, Victoria Tang was certain that Louis Lu would be in Ethan Lu's place as he was frequently cost-cutting to reduce his expenses as much as he could.

"Err…" Scratching his jaw, Ethan Lu pondered on what to ask or to say as he had too many things he wanted to know. "Until now, I am shocked that Lou has a child. He never mentioned it to me."

"Ethan…" Under her breath, Lexi cast Ethan Lu a side glance as he seemed to forget what Victoria Tang said earlier: to meet the father's child. Just that statement and Victoria Tang's cluelessness about Louis Lu's whereabouts, it was easy to guess that Louis Lu didn't know about this news.

"No, I never told him about Vin." Again, another heavy scoff slipped out from Victoria Tang's lips as she lightly shook her head sideways. Breaking her gaze away from her little boy, she turned to face Lexi and Ethan Lu before a forced smile displayed in the corner of her lips.

"Actually, I never had the intention to let him know in the first place." 

"Huh? Why?" Furrowing his brows, Ethan Lu asked first which Lexi also wanted to know. 

"I don't know… maybe, I don't expect much from him and what happened between us— it's something that shouldn't have happened in the first place. Also, he was just starting his company back then so, I don't want to burden and pressure him more." Pursing her lips into a smile, Victoria Tang shrugged with a heavy sigh.

Upon hearing her response, Ethan Lu and Lexi fell into a momentary silence. Lexi might not say it but, to her, they agreed that Victoria Tang's reasoning was utterly selfish. Granted that maybe, just maybe, what happened between them was an accident and they didn't love each other, still, that fateful night they shared together had given them a beautiful blessing. Therefore, whether Louis Lu would take responsibility or not, Lexi thought that Victoria Tang should still let him know at the very least.

On the other hand, in contrast to half of Lexi's thought, Ethan Lu just glanced at Victoria Tang with an unreadable thought on his front. Meekly smiling, Ethan Lu spoke as he marginally raised his brows.

"Then, what's the reason as to why you decided to let him know now?"

"Because… Vin was diagnosed with aplastic anemia and I am hoping to get his help before his condition becomes worse." Victoria Tang heavily sighed as she turned her gaze back to Vincent Tang's small sleeping figure. 

"What?!" Upon hearing the real reason why Victoria Tang decided to reveal her child to Louis Lu, Lexi and Ethan Lu asked in unison.

"hmmm, I didn't want to wait for months when my child could not travel any longer. Also, my family is here so maybe they can help financially." Trying to stay strong as she was reminded that her child was sick, Victoria Tang concealed her worries and fears with a smile. 

"I guess they were right. Pursuing my passion as a painter can only sustain me and my son's daily needs." Hanging her head low, Victoria Tang faintly chuckled in mockery as her huge pride was lowered when her son's life was at stake.

When she came to know that Vincent Tang, her one and only precious treasure was diagnosed with the said disease, Victoria Tang knew that she must go back to the country and ask for help. 

After all, her income as an aspiring artist was only enough to put food on their table and buy something for her child on occasion. Well, to be precise, it wasn't that little but compare to the lifestyle she had before, there was a clear and vast difference.

"You know Vic, that's not like you." Out of nowhere, in a matter of fact tone, Ethan Lu raised his brows again to give her a knowing look. "I get why you have such thoughts but, pursuing something you love and still be able to take care of your son and his needs proved that what other people said was not entirely right." Shrugging nonchalantly, Ethan Lu added that it made Lexi turned to his direction. 

"Let's call it a night. Rest first and I'll arrange a meeting between you and Lou."

Hearing his last remarks, Victoria Tang raised her hopeful gaze to Ethan Lu's nonchalant front and then to Lexi's satisfied smile. Bowing her head, Victoria Tang was overwhelmed to hear this great news. Therefore, she could not thank them enough with just words. Alas, a sincere gratitude was all she could offer at the moment.

"Thank you, really."

"Tch, stop acting like that. I'm not used to it, haha." Clicking his tongue before a smirk formed on the side of his lips, Ethan Lu waved his hands off before he exchanged some more banter with Victoria Tang.

Soon, after a while, Lexi and Ethan Lu let Victoria Tang rest as they departed from the guest room. As they headed towards their own bedroom, Lexi constantly shot Ethan Lu a glance. 

"Say it." Knowing that he knew that she was looking at him yet, deciding to keep his mouth shut, Lexi arched her brows as she demanded. 

"Err…" Stopping in his tracks, Ethan Lu turned to face Lexi as he scratched his temple with the tip of his forefinger. "I am just thinking why people always try to keep the truth to themselves instead of sharing it."

When Ethan Lu heard the reason behind Victoria Tang's secret motherhood, he could not help but think about the mistake his dear friend Morris Liu had done. Well, he understood that the fear of rejection and disappointment was indeed nerve-wracking and could put a person in immense pressure.

However, in Victoria Tang's situation, whether the child would be fatherless or not, she should have at least told Louis Lu about Vincent Tang's existence and whether he believed it or not, then, that's all on him. In that way, one way or another, she did try to give the child the right to know who was his father.