The Rise of the White Lotus

It took them two hours before they arrived somewhere Churu was unfamiliar with. Looking around, Churu knitted her brows upon seeing the surrounding. It was peaceful, away from the city, and was surrounded by trees. 

The mild whisper of the wind stroked her cute cheeks, the leaves hummed in sync, and the tree canopies shielded them from the midday sun. Overall, it was a nice place to unwind as it seemed it was isolated from the busy world outside.

Glancing up to the nearby stone stairs where Lexi parked, Churu caught the small tip of a temple. "Lexi, why are we here? Aren't we going to meet the twins?" Churu asked as she turned to Lexi, who changed her heels into comfortable sneakers.

"They say today is the fourth death anniversary of Ethan." Stretching her lips a little up, Lexi secured her car before a heavy exhale slipped from her mouth. "It's not true though." Lexi shifted her gaze to the direction where she could see a glimpse of the temple.

"Let's go." Lexi invited and began taking stride towards their destination. However, Churu didn't move a muscle as she remained floating in the same position. "Also, the twins, mom and dad were probably there." She added with a gentle smile.

"Churu?" Sensing that Churu wasn't following behind, Lexi turned around and tilted her head to the side. "Something wrong?" 

"Lexi, is he really not dead?" Churu stared at the bitter glint that flashed across Lexi's eyes. Churu had already noticed that something was wrong. She just couldn't pinpoint it out and her reunion with Lexi distracted her.

But now, now that Churu got two hours alone time with Lexi and while staring at her more, Churu finally understood what was happening. Hence, she was sorrowful.

"Of course!" Lexi gritted her teeth, tightening her jaw beneath her cheeks. "He's there, in the temple."

"How about the twins? Are you sure they are still alive?" Churu's eyes dimmed in pity. Upon hearing the audacious question, Lexi scoffed in disbelief as her eyes sharpened.

"How can I not be sure that my children are still alive? I was with them just a few days ago!" Despite that Lexi was offended on Churu's remarks, she explained. Searching for her phone, Lexi tapped on it a few times before showing the screen to the flying dumpling. "See! That's them, alright?! Do you believe me now?"

Churu stared at the photo Lexi confidently showed. Alas, that instant, her heart broke to pieces. The pain in her heart was so painful that it rendered her speechless. 

In the photo, Lexi was smiling brightly with two toddler size dolls beside her. What's more? Churu noticed the individual portrait of Lillian and Frederick Yang in the background. By the looks of it, they also passed.

Still, what's more heartbreaking of all was that Lexi believed that they were all alive. Just how much damage had they caused Lexi to leave her state of mind to such extent?

"Tch, don't cry. I'm not mad about it." Seeing that Churu was tearing up while looking at her, Lexi slightly shook her head as she assumed Churu's tears as tears of regret for questioning her. 

"Let's go." Lexi placed her phone back to her pocket before she led the way. Churu just silently followed as she wiped the overflowing liquid falling from her eyes.

****

"Hey, Love…" Lexi gently placed her hand onto the man's bandaged hand as she gently smiled. She lovingly stared at Ethan, who was unrecognizable by all the bandages wrapped in his whole body and face. 

"Mom and Dad were probably late again but don't worry, they will arrive later — for sure." She talked to him as if Ethan Lu was alive, which left Churu's heart in a state of enormous pain as she bit her lower lip as hard as she could.

On the way here, Lexi prepared a private facility under the temple where she could hide Ethan Lu's body. However, just by looking at the pitiful, withering figure of Ethan Lu, Churu was certain that he passed on. The only thing that sustained him was the technology this era could offer, but if one takes those off, Ethan Lu would stop breathing as well.

So, technically, he was undoubtedly dead.

"See? Ethan is doing well and recovering. I'm sure he will wake up one of these days." Proud, Lexi glanced at Churu before she returned her loving gaze to her husband. 

By the looks of it, Lexi knew about his condition, but she was waiting for an impossible miracle. Or maybe Lexi's mind had become too messed up that she deluded herself that everything would be fine.

Churu could only watch Lexi and Ethan Lu's figure as she slowly drew away from them. She could not bear to watch them any longer, she just couldn't. Her heart was being pierced every second just seeing them.

"Yael, why?" When Churu passed through the wall, she mumbled to the nurse outside. "What is this you're showing me?" 

"This is what will happen to your beloved human if you fail your new task." The male nurse snatched a glance at the sullen demeanor of Churu as she hanged her head low. "And it will not end there because eventually, that Lexi will end up in a psychiatric ward without getting her justice."

Churu didn't respond for a while as she processed everything in one go. "Yael," 

"You know, you've been stalling time since earlier. Fortunately, your previous human saved Father hence, he's giving her special favors." Unaffected to Churu's gloomy mood, Yael smiled as she stated in a matter-of-fact tone. 

She then snapped her fingers as a flashed pierced inside Churu, giving her information about the new tasks. Just as she was about to snap her fingers again to redirect Churu, Yael stopped upon hearing Churu's whisper.

"Thank you, Yael."

"As if a demon is ever sincere." Though surprised that Churu acknowledged her efforts for the first time, Yael humored before she unhesitantly snapped her finger with a genuine smile on her lips.

****

4 YEARS EARLIER.

Ethan Lu chuckled with the thought of Lyrick Jiang and his worried face. Fortunately, his assistant was a man, or else Lexi would kill him. Once again, Ethan Lu heard the call for the passenger of the flight while he used his passport and ticket as a fan.

Just as he was on his way, his tracks stopped upon hearing a very unusual minion voice calling his name. Turning to find the source of it, Ethan Lu flinched when Churu suddenly appeared in front of him.

"I SAID DON'T GO!" Fuming mad, Churu repeated with both her hands on her waist while he experienced the shock of his life.