The Rise of the White Lotus

5 days had passed since Ethan recuperate at the Yang Residence. In those days, Ethan and Lexi's friendship somehow progress and Lexi was quite comfortable with him.

Peering at the peaceful garden through the mirror from the guest room, Ethan had a subtle smile on his face. In the span of five days, Ethan neither felt bored nor had the urge to go out to have some fun.

For some reason, he felt content just staying at one place. But this place or rather, the people living in this peaceful manor was what he had been seeking for.

The Yang residence might be twice as small as the Lu Mansion, alas, to Ethan, it was much better, warmer and peaceful. 

"This is what a home should be…" he mumbled recalling all the meals and interaction he had with Lexi's parents; and with her.

They never treated him as an outsider and did welcomed him with sincerity and their full genuineness without any ulterior motives. Ethan Lu was the observant type of person, hence, he knew when a person had other agenda when approaching him. Yet, he had a habit of instead of shooing those people away, he'd play with them until he had enough fun before delivering them to their doom.

Moreover with his social status, Ethan met tons of those kinds and he could tell that Lexi and her parents weren't those types of people.

Thinking about his best buddy Morris Liu, he chuckled. "Ay, my brother, tsk tsk tsk -- you did waste this good deal." 

Ethan Lu had always admired Morris Liu. Therefore, he was quite disappointed that he didn't see the diamond on his side and picked up a normal stone instead.

Indeed, from his perspective, the only flaw in Morris Liu was having that little lover of his. Even so, as long as Morris Liu wanted Mia Chen to be by his side, then, he couldn't care less -- he wouldn't understand 'love' anyway or so, he thought.

Ethan wasn't a good or bad person. He does what he thinks is right and apologize if it was wrong; he lives as simple as that.

Still, part of him, in the deepest and most desolate part of his heart, he was grateful that Morris Liu and Lexi Yang cancelled their long engagement. If it weren't for that fact and Lexi's unstable mentality months ago, Ethan won't be where he stood now.

Therefore, all is good. He gained a friend, a good auntie and uncle that were willing to welcome him if he ever wanted to visit again.

A faint knock from the outside snapped Ethan back front his trance. Turning his head to the door, Lexi's bare yet gorgeous face entered his current room. As usual, she didn't close the door and left it wide open.

Seeing her unconcealed smiling eyes, Ethan Lu bit his lower lip -- repressing himself from grinning. He was surprised that in contrast of her intimidating arrogant look, that she always bore, Lexi was much kinder than he thought she was. 

If it wasn't for the incident a few days ago, Ethan Lu knew that it was impossible to get this close to her. Thanks to his luck this time, he could see this side of her.

"I did it." Lexi announced attempting to conceal the victorious smile on her face albeit she failed.

"Did what?" Ethan's brows creased. Lexi pursed her lips and strode towards the small round table beside the window and sat opposite him.

"CEO Tanaka agreed with the proposal I sent him." This time, Lexi couldn't masked her happiness anymore and smiled brightly showing her even white teeth.

Ethan heard her achievement and was happy for her. However, on the surface, his expression didn't much change as he was in trance witnessing her genuine and warm smile. For all he knows, only a selected few are able to behold this sight which sent ripples of unknown emotions inside his heart.

"Ethan, did you hear me?" Lexi slightly tilted her head with a confused expression plastered across her face. 

'Shouldn't he be happy as well?' Lexi thought inwardly seeing him in a daze. She added after a second of contemplation, 'It's probably because of his mild head injury.' 

"Na ah ah, chu~!  He was stunned by your beauty, chu~!" As usual, Churu honestly uttered her observation from Ethan's countenance, alas, Lexi heed her no mind as she knew very well that Churu is one of those fans that ships their idol to someone they had chemistry with.

"Uh, sorry -- the injury." Ethan excused as he awkwardly smiled and pointed his head. Afterwards, he nodded in satisfaction and said,

"I'm happy for you. Come, lemme give you a pat."

"Shut up," Lexi rolled her eyes seeing him back to his usual self. "By the way, Doctor Xu said you can go home tomorrow. Thank God!" 

Hearing the news, Ethan frowned especially when she seemed relieved at the latter part. He mildly scoffed, "Huh, you seem happy about it."

"Of course, I am." 

"Right…" Ethan murmured before he forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Oh ho, Sissy, he's sad!" Churu commented cheerfully, while spinning like a ballerina in the middle of the table.

"Who would be happy to know their friend is not well?" Lexi clarified -- thanks to her dumpling back up. After all, she still has a task to accomplish. When Ethan heard her clarification, his hands involuntarily moved and without second guesses, he twirled the tip of her hair by his index finger since that is the nearest he could reach.

"Right," He responded as his gaze softened and stared at his hand where he plays the tip of her silky and undamaged long hair.