The Rise of the White Lotus

Staring back at the dark bags under his eyes, Lexi heaved a sigh that sounded like a brief chuckle. Lexi had been too focused and busy preparing her body for giving birth. Now that the twins had arrived, her time was mostly preoccupied tending to her kids. Hence, she had set aside important stuff as their twins were illegitimate children because Lexi and Ethan Lu hadn't been wedded yet. 

Actually, Lexi had nearly forgotten about that fact because she and Ethan Lu seemed to live like a married couple. They were living under the same roof— happily. Had twins that were the fruit of their love, and supportive friends and family. Hence, she could not be blamed that the wedding that both of them looked forward to before was diverted to seeing the twins and showering them with love and care. 

"You will not reject me, right?" Ethan Lu slightly knitted his brows upon meeting the long silence as a response from her. Although she didn't seem to reject the idea, still, having no response from her was no better than rejecting his proposal. 

"Why would I?" Shaking her head sideways, Lexi chuckled as the corner of her lips curled upward. "Yes, my darling." After letting out her chuckles, Lexi raised her gaze to Ethan Lu who was now bearing a bright grin as of his whole front transformed from haggard form to being newly refreshed. 

*bruuut*

Just then, a loud fart was heard which halted Ethan Lu from embracing Lexi as both first time parents turned to Evan Lu who was innocent looking somewhere as if he was not the culprit of the bomb that was dropped. 

"Oh, baby Evan..." Chuckling, Lexi shook her head sideways as she turned her upper body and stretched towards her youngest. 

"Son, please be honest, are you sabotaging daddy from being lovey dovey with mommy?" Doing the same just like Lexi, Ethan Lu whispered as he had this feeling that his kids were mischievous even at this early stage of being a baby whenever he was around— to his subordinates as well. 

After all, the twins always behaved when Lexi was the one on duty. Meanwhile, when Ethan Lu and the three reliable subordinates of his were the night's watchmen last night, the twins constantly threw tantrums that traumatized the three and a bit to Ethan Lu. 

"What are you whispering? My baby boy is the kindest, right Evan?" Glancing at Ethan Lu's narrowed eyes, Lexi chuckled as she gently poked the tip of Evan Lu's cute little nose. "Love, diaper change please." Turning to Ethan Lu, Lexi grinned as she passed the diaper duties to her partner which made his brows twitch. 

"You'll do it right? It's my day off, someone said." Tugging Ethan Lu's conscience, Lexi slightly raised her brows and the ever so sly grin on her lips was clearly evident. 

Seeing Lexi's obvious teasing, however, Ethan Lu did say that and was the one who volunteered to be on daddy duty today... that includes the diaper changes and stuff like that. 

"Oh, oh sure! No problem! Diaper change? Pssh, easy." Awkwardly laughing, Ethan Lu waved his hand inches away from his face as he displayed that there was no problem in that.  However, despite his claims and how much he loved his twins, his natural reaction whenever he sees the baby poop and smells the not so redolent scent of the baby bomb, it still made him nearly puke. 

"Hihi~" Lexi could not help but giggle seeing the transition of Ethan Lu's expression. "Thanks, Love." Giving him his reward, Lexi left a peck on Ethan Lu's cheek that wasn't effective enough to divert the fact that he'd be the one changing diapers. 

*****

Five hours later...

"Uh..." Inside Ethan Lu's car, Lexi looked down at the red booklet with furrowed brows. Opening the one red booklet, there was a photo of her and Ethan Lu together. 

For some reason, although Lexi knew that they will register their marriage today, however, she didn't expect that it will happen so fast. Still, it was natural that Ethan Lu seemed as if he had planned this day. 

Lexi hadn't noticed but it was a holiday today and government estates shouldn't be opened. She had lost track of the days and was only reminded when they arrived at the marriage licensing office as the establishment was rather vacant. Regardless, there were still a few people that accommodated them and made their registration of marriage possible. 

"Yes, Mrs. Lu?" Beyond happy, Ethan Lu fixed his seatbelt as he turned to the front passenger seat with a glint flashed in his twinkling eyes. 

Of course, although they weren't wedded in his dream wedding that he envisioned with Lexi being the most beautiful bride of the century that would take him as her husband, he was still happy as he was now her legal husband. Now, there's no turning back  and Lexi was trapped with him for the rest of her life. 

After all, divorce only happens when both parties are agreeing with and having a mutual decision to it. The other way of being separated, it would be as hard as looking for a needle in a haystack. Therefore, this was a mission complete. 

"Nothing, it's just you know." Shrugging her shoulders, Lexi closed the red booklet and slowly faced Ethan Lu on the driver's seat. 

"I know what? I don't know anything." Blinking innocently, Ethan Lu kept it low as he didn't want to show his mischief. 

"I mean, we had expected this and that but I realized that it wasn't that bad and that instead of getting married first, we were already doing matrimonial activities and moved in together. Also, in the midst of focusing on our careers, we had the twins." Pausing, Lexi slowly leaned her back against the seat as she picked up their marriage certificates. 

"So, I realized that there's nothing really wrongdoing it the opposite way. We got where we want to be after all. That's what is important." With this said note, Lexi's lips curled upward as she turned to Ethan Lu who smiled back at her upon hearing her thoughts for today. 

Indeed, there had been way too many twists and turns in their relationship, yet their initial plans were always met. However, although they had the twins in an unexpected time, it was a blessing in disguise that can and would always be their strongest connection and a reminder of how much they love each other. No matter which route they have to take in their future days. 

"Urgh... how can you be so lovely? Come here, my wife." Moved by her sentiments, Ethan Lu sprawled his arms to her as he wanted to embrace her. 

Alas, just then, his phone rang which startled the two and cracked the beautiful atmosphere that was building inside the car. That instant, a vein popped up from his forehead as he grit his teeth and checked who it was that had completed decimated their lovey scene. 

Of course, who could it be? It was none other than the mighty Lyrick Jiang whose timing was always perfect. 

"What?!" Grinding his teeth, Ethan Lu growled the moment the line connected. 

"Master, please come back as soon as possible. I can't enjoy their concert any longer, please!!" On the other end of the line, Lyrick Jiang was literally weeping as he was close to having a mental breakdown. 

"Tch!" Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Ethan Lu ignored Lyrick Jiang's plea as he hung up on him. On the other hand, Lexi just chuckled as she heard his assistant by how loud his voice was. 

Although there were maids that were assigned to look after the twins, Ethan Lu still ordered the three to keep a close watch on the twins and their real babysitters. Hence, whenever the twins cry, they were the audience to their duets. 

"Let's go home. I already miss the twins anyway." Shaking her head sideways, Lexi chuckled as she buckled herself up.