The Rise of the White Lotus

Lexi let out an audible cough as the atmosphere around the table somehow got a little dark. Rika Song and Elliot Gong who would usually banter at this time that oddly made the surrounding liven up remained quiet. None of them talked, especially Andy Chang, and Jaime Liao who were mutually thinking they're not in the right place to link them together. Hence, the 'peacefulness'.

Lexi felt awkward as she had guessed that her friends were giving her husband a cold shoulder. After all, Ethan Lu might have gone overboard earlier, but she did as well. Besides, she already said that it was her fault!

'*sigh* what a position did I put my husband to? *sigh*' Realizing more than she expected, Lexi pitied her husband. Regardless if it was her fault or not, just because she cried, her friends were already treating Ethan Lu coldly. 

Surely, her pettiness and arrogance not only hurt her husband, but it also put him in a tight position. How naïve of her. Still, she appreciated Ethan Lu even more because he was being too understanding towards her friends.

After all, no one would dare offend him as he was one of the most respected men in the business industry. People would immediately curry favor to him if they get the chance to share the same space as him.

However, right now, he was being deliberately ignored by her friend. Little did Lexi know, not just her friends were beaming red eyes on Ethan Lu, but also his subordinates on the other table.

"Anyway, I wanted to thank you guys for coming last night. I can't tell you the full details, but it's very much appreciated." Attempting to strike a conversation that they could all relate, Lexi awkwardly chuckled, bearing an awkward smile.

"I don't mind. I'm on a break, anyway." Waving his hands off, Elliot Gong was the first to answer.

"You don't have to thank me bestie~ It was fun and what are friends for, right?" Rika Song sweetly smiled as the corner of her lips curled into a grin, exposing her even white teeth that were whiter than a paper. "Also, my fiance enjoyed the party last night although he irked me in the afterparty." Shrugging her shoulders, Rika Song added with an eye roll. Jaime Liao just meekly smiled at his fiancee's remark because it was true. He enjoyed the glamorous celebration of Mr. Tang as he met interesting businessmen that were inclined in the medical field.

Andy Chang, on the other hand, just smiled and nodded, expressing to her boss the same thing as everyone wanted to imply: it was not a big deal and everyone enjoyed, anyway. Although she was now a little awkward with the stone-cold Nico Zhuang.

"Anyway bestie, are you free today? I can finally see my wedding dress today and it will be fun if you can see it with me!" Giddy as she was, Rika Song's pair of eyes sparkled as her custom made dream wedding dress will arrive today.

To everyone's information, Rika Song and Jaime Liao's wedding would be in three months. Hence, all preparations were almost finished before they tie the knot.

"I don't accept 'no' as an answer though. You too, Eli. You have to see how beautiful my wedding dress so you won't be surprised on my wedding day — I need you two to keep level-headed on my day, okay?" Rika Song said in a matter of fact tone. After all, she was too confident in her dress. She wouldn't be surprised if it would stun her friends to the extent of questioning the Lord on how could a person be so beautiful in a wedding dress.

"Bwahaha!" Just thinking about their expression, Rika Song loudly laughed while covering her lips by the back of her hand. She then almost choked, which made her coughed.

"You are beautiful enough." Elliot Gong cast her a side glance as his compliment sounded insincere. "So, I don't think I need to—" He added, revealing his obvious intention to refuse. However, he was interrupted midway as Rika Song glared at him while grinding her teeth.

"I mean, of course! Lexi, you can't refuse your best friend." After clearing his throat, Elliot Gong instantly changed his attitude as he urged Lexi to come as well.

Both of them treated Ethan Lu as if he wasn't there. Aside from ignoring him, they didn't throw any shades to him or badmouth him. After all, they knew that Lexi would be more hurt if they did what they wanted to do to "avenge" her. Still, they wouldn't be so forgiving for making their friend cry no matter what reason he has.

Furthermore, if Rika Song and Elliot Gong noticed the red marks on her fair wrist, Lyrick Jiang, Nico Zhuang, and Jarred Guo noticed it too. Therefore, Ethan Lu was surrounded by people who wanted him dead right at this moment. Even his subordinates were giving him a deadly glare, which never happened before.

"Of course, I will." Meekly smiling, Lexi nodded her head once before she slid her hand on Ethan Lu's lap. She lightly squeezed it out of habit and he mouthed, 'I'm sor — I love you.'

Ethan Lu turned his head to her side after he wiped the corner of his lips using the table napkin, "Have fun." Ethan Lu smiled. He didn't mind the isolation these two were giving him as he understood them. Well, he too was a friend, and it reminded him how he would use his title and surname to protect his friends.

Although their ways were not the same, the intention was. Therefore, he didn't take this to his heart. He knew for certain that Rika Song and Elliot Gong — his former friend now his wife's best buddy — would calm down after a few days.

"I'll be back later." 

"Take Nico with you." Ethan Lu reminded but Lexi mildly shook her head to the side.

"I'll be borrowing Red today. Nico will have to drop Andy in her place." Lexi explained which Ethan Lu agreed. Well, Jarred Guo was just as reliable as Nico Zhuang in terms of protecting Lexi. Hence, there wasn't anything to discuss further.

Soon, the meal ended with Lexi's friends still ignoring Ethan Lu, and Ethan Lu remained composed. Still, what transpired last night and that morning, both husband and wife realized something. 

In marriage, friends, loved ones, and family sometimes got themselves involved in it one way or another. In this case, Lexi had her own militia and if Ethan Lu crossed the line, they would hound him without a question, while he has none. 

Sad.