The Rise of the White Lotus

[Lu main residence]

"Hmm…" Humming a dawdling tune, Edward Lu rubbed his blanched bearded chin as his eyes narrowed. Thirty minutes ago, his ever cute grandson surprised visited him and now, the conclusion of the visit was a huge dilemma. Well, it was not that surprising as he was always there to save the day, anyway.

"My grandson, what are the things you want to hear from me then?" Raising his gaze, Edward Lu set his wrinkled eyes to Ethan Lu's poker face while his right brow arched. 

"Grandpa, you know what I came here for: what do you think about my conclusion? Is your son that dumb?" Ethan Lu bluntly intrigued as his gaze never once left his grandfather. In his eyes, Edward Lu was oddly calm despite hearing that his beloved granddaughter-in-law had encountered such a situation.

"Hey, is that how you should talk to your grandfather? Tch. I knew it I shouldn't have transferred the majority of my shares to you. My dearest precious Lexi should have just been my heir!" Humphing, Edward Lu's focus had been diverted. Instead of delving into Ethan Lu's main concern, he complained his displeasure as his grandson and granddaughter-in-law were too busy. 

Fortunately, Lexi never forgot about him and occasionally give him a call whenever she could. Moreover, Lillian Yang would always send him her homemade tea, hence, his frustration wasn't that severe. Still, he was displeased that this grandson of his would only go to him every time he needed his help. How unfilial!

"Grandpa, you know everyone's eyes were on me. Your position as the former master should not be questioned as biased. Our men have been lacking activities and before my rules are implemented, we cannot risk anything just yet." Still bearing the unfazed front despite his grandfather's whims, Ethan Lu explained the obvious. 

Although he really didn't need to verbalize this because Edward Lu must have figured that out, still, he did. After all, his grandfather had been rather emotional lately hence, Lexi would often give him a call.

"Humph!" Letting out another humph again, Edward Lu peered at his uptight grandson with disdain. Just how long had it been since they had conversed? Why does his grandson seem he matured— too matured— overnight? Oh well, being the head of the Lu family, it was automatic that he needed to consider everything.

"Your Uncle? Tch," Going back to the real subject, Edward Lu snapped his tongue in mockery. "Didn't I tell you the reason why I never picked him as my heir? He was easily manipulated without his knowledge. What a fool of a child." Edward Lu shook his head sideways as some memories flashed across his mind which made him scoffed. If not for the fact that Dennis Lu was his biological son, he would have already banished him from his sight.

"So, does that mean he's really the one behind it?" knitting his brows, Ethan Lu was mildly surprised about his grandfather's response. The reason why he went in here was because of what his grandfather told him why he never appointed Dennis Lu as his heir; plus his own point of view to his uncle.

"No, son." Without batting an eye, Edward Lu shook his head as he responded which threw Ethan Lu in a pond of question marks. Thus, he remained silent as he patiently waited for his grandfather's elaboration.

"You're deductions are more or less what I will think if it was me. Granted that your uncle is indeed a fool for being greedy of greater power and control for authority, but not to the extent of revealing his true colors. If so, I, myself would skin him alive." Edward Lu nonchalantly shrugged his shoulder as he uttered his words in a matter-of-fact tone.

Although he was lenient to his son, it would be a challenge in his power and leadership if he gave some extra privileges to his sons. Therefore, he was extra strict with his kindred, especially to his sons when they were just boys until both Ethan Lu's father and Dennis Lu grew up and started their own family.

Regardless, that doesn't mean he didn't know Dennis Lu's ambitious personality. He just turned a blind eye on it because, well, he wasn't as unbiased as they thought he was. He still loves his sons in his own unconventional way, that is.

"To what I see, my boy, your uncle is being used as someone's shield to divert your eyes from them. Your uncle will never order his assistant to personally hire someone to threaten my precious Lexi knowing what you might do. Well, my assumptions may be right or wrong as the information is too vague but, I survived all these years thanks to my hunches." Edward Lu continued as he ended his statement with a rather complex tone. That was just to say that it was just his personal opinion since it was not a secret about the constant disagreement of Ethan Lu and Dennis Lu.

"I see…" Slowly, Ethan Lu's eyes blinked as he nodded his head in understanding. At the very least, he and his grandfather's thoughts matched. Hence, that gave him the conviction to judge properly and thoroughly investigate the matter.

"But, if it's proven that your uncle is involved in some corruption in the company, Ethan, I beg that you'll give him to me. I think it's partially my fault as his father." At this point, Edward Lu's nonchalance and cheery aura slowly transformed into a solemn one. Since Ethan Lu was now the family head, even if he was the former master, Ethan Lu still has the last call on what punishment he wanted to do for those people who schemed from behind him; especially those core members of their family.

"It is your duty to discipline your child, no need to beg me, grandpa." With that said solemn note, Ethan Lu slowly rose from his seat as he got what he needed to know. 

"Tch, brat." Clicking his tongue, Edward Lu shook his head sideways as he watched his grandson prepare himself to depart after slightly bowing his head to give his respect to his old man. 

Just as Ethan Lu was on the door, he turned back as if he had forgotten something. "By the way grandpa, please stop calling Lexi your precious — she's my precious." After saying his piece, Ethan Lu resumed his tracks and left — rendering Edward Lu speechless by nitpicking the small details. 

"That brat!" Edward Lu ground his teeth as he unintentionally slammed his fist on the surface of the table. The teacups and utensils clacked and shook from the impact as the old man was throwing a huge fit.  

****

[Back in the Yang Mansion: Lexi's Room]

It was already ten in the evening and yet, Ethan Lu has not yet arrived at the yang's manor. On the other hand, Lexi already helped her parents — by watching them — put the twins to sleep as they read some children's books. 

Soon, both Frederick and Lillian Yang resigned to bed after catching up with their daughter about her day and the current occurrence in Yang Company. Still, after all that, Ethan Lu hadn't arrived and neither was he picking up his phone. 

Waiting for her husband to arrive, Lexi perched on her original room's balcony. With a glass of wine to chill her body and relax her mind, while wearing a bathrobe with a dumpling print on the sleeve part. 

"Dennis Lu… where did you hide the child?" Under her breath, Lexi mumbled as her gaze stared at her wineglass while she mildly twirled it. 

Recalling her earlier meeting with Avah Tong, Lexi was genuinely concerned about the child. Avah Tong might not know it or was just pretending not to, but Lexi was also a mother. She could imagine the grief of her twins being taken away from her. 

Perhaps she wouldn't just turn into a deranged woman, but she would wreak havoc if necessary. Avah Tong's story and everything was surprisingly consistent but that didn't single out the fact that she was not trustworthy. 

Even so, upon hearing the details of that night where she lost everything and was even put inside a psychiatric ward, Lexi was more or less intrigued. What Avah Tong told her was just vague memories of that night as she was under the influence of some kind of strong drugs. 

Therefore, she too was uncertain who took the child away from her as her vision played with her. Still, knowing that Dennis Lu has been ordering her to make an abortion or just leave the country, Avah Tong was certain that he took the child. In that case, no matter how much Avah Tong screamed that her child was his, there wouldn't be any proof since the child's whereabouts were unknown. 

Or so… that's what Avah Tong's assumption was that made her so certain that Dennis Lu took her child away. However, no matter how the pieces fit together, Lexi had this unsettling feeling that there was more in it. 

Let's take it in Lexi's perspective:

Certainly, Dennis Lu knew from the start that he was the father. Still, from the very beginning, he had foreseen that Avah Tong's plans were all for naught with Edward Lu around. Yet, Avah Tong was one step ahead of him as she foolishly made it known to Ethan Lu that she was pregnant. 

Hence, enters the dilemma. Dennis Lu could not send Avah Tong away just like that because Ethan Lu was protecting her at that time. If he daringly does, he would expose his affair with someone half his age and his scheme to control Ethan Lu by using Avah Tong to make him fall for her. 

Surely, this alone was a pure humiliation for Ethan Lu's ego as a man— having his woman at that time being in bed with his uncle— it's sickening! Even Lexi feels extremely disgusted just with the thought. 

Regardless, Avah Tong was left untouchable for her whole pregnancy until her plot was exposed by Edward Lu. Now, after losing the Lu family heir's good graces, Avah Tong was left defenseless. Hence, it would be natural that Dennis Lu would enter the picture again. 

However, the one thing that Lexi questioned about the whole situation was that: why didn't Dennis Lu send Avah Tong and her child away? Why take the child alone and let her stay?

Why would he let Avah Tong be discovered by Ethan Lu and make her be admitted as a crazy person? Just why?

After all, he could've sent his woman and an illegitimate child far away from the country. Dennis Lu wasn't lacking in wealth, so supporting the child wouldn't hurt his pockets. Therefore, it would be a neat move if he resolved it that way instead of taking away the child and let Avah Tong run freely after many years. 

Just as Lexi was deep in her trance, she somehow didn't notice that Ethan Lu's car arrived minutes ago and already headed inside. After several minutes, Ethan Lu finally reached her room that the two of them used as their room after they got married. 

"Penny for your thoughts?" Seeing that his wife was mindlessly staring at the glass of wine, Ethan Lu slowly made his way towards the balcony where she was at before leaning on the sliding door's jamb. 

Upon hearing the sudden interruption of the silent air, Lexi snapped from her stupor and immediately turned towards her smiling husband. However, instead of jolting from her seat and giving him a warm welcome home hug, Lexi raised her unreadable gaze and halted it on his eyes. 

"Why stare at me like that?" Furrowing his brows by the way she looked at him, Ethan Lu reached for the empty glass of wine before pouring himself a drink. As he took a sip, he glanced back at her with a confused look. 

"Love, did you know you were sharing one woman with your uncle?" Blinking once, Lexi unhesitatingly blurted out which made Ethan Lu nearly choked on his drink and let out a series of painful coughs. 

"What?!"