The Rise of the White Lotus

"What a groggy dumpling..." Ethan Lu murmured as he stared at Churu on the couch of his office. 

He hasn't heard her report from last night because Churu wasn't in her right state of mind. Despite her current state, Ethan Lu respected her time to grasp whatever she has in mind. 

Perhaps, the news she discovered following Louis Lu was too much hence, she became like this. Although Ethan Lu was worried, he didn't want to press about it now. 

Until she recovered and regain her cheerful self, Ethan Lu would be patient. After all, even if his enemies were scheming behind his back like usual, he trusted that Churu wouldn't let that get out of hand.

To him, he sort of assumed the reason why Churu was protecting him. It was probably because she was originally Lexi's guide. Thus, after seeing what happened after his supposed death — both Churu and Ethan Lu had the mutual goal of him surviving. 

Both of them didn't want Lexi to end up like that, right? Therefore, Ethan Lu had this highest level of trust towards the reliable yet now a shocked dumpling. 

"Hey, are you alright?" Clearing his throat, Ethan Lu slowly stood from his seat and strode towards her. He perched on the space beside her and looked down. 

At the same time, Churu slowly raised her blank gaze, meeting his inquiring eyes. "He can hear me..." Her words trailed off being reminded how Morris Liu rushed out of his house and went to who knows where. 

"Huh?" Knitting his brows, Ethan Lu pondered for a second before his eyes widened in disbelief. "You mean Lou can hear you? How is that possible?" Just like how aghast Churu's reaction, Ethan Lu gasped in disbelief. 

He entirely misunderstood her as he was unaware that Churu went to Morris Liu's place last night. After all, he instructed her to follow Louis Lu and report to him after and not wander around. 

"No, it's the scumbag that can hear me," Seemed terrified, Churu's lips trembled. She doesn't know why she was scared out of her wits with this. 

Perhaps it was because she didn't like things that she couldn't comprehend. After what happened back when the system suddenly ended, and the cluelessness she had back in Tora's lifetime — Churu hated being clueless. 

It terrified her more than the evilness in hell! 

"Scumbag...?" Relieved that she wasn't referring about Louis Lu, Ethan Lu was still trapped in the loop of puzzlement. 

"You don't need to know," Churu shook her head as a heavy exhale escaped her mouth. How could she say that she went to Morris Liu because she didn't know where to go last night?

Moreover, even if she stayed out of Lexi and Ethan Lu's room, with her senses at its peak again, she would be able to hear their moans. On the other hand, aside from sadness, Morris Liu's place was more peaceful for her. 

"Uh, okay...?" Though curious, Ethan Lu didn't probe further since she didn't want to say it. Still, his curiosity was piqued. 

"Also, that Lincoln Lu is really suspicious. I didn't get any useful information but I'm sure Lulu knew a thing or two." Diverting the subject, Churu muttered her report bearing the same sullen tone. 

"I see..." Nodding his head, Ethan Lu was just hopeful that Churu would know a thing or two but he didn't entirely put any valuable feedback from it. 

If anything, it was to assure if Louis Lu would be truly on his side or not. After all, Lincoln Lu was still his cousin's father and Ethan Lu believed blood was thicker than water. 

Use him and Dennis Lu for example, or Ethan Lu and Dylan Lu, Edward Lu and Dennis Lu. Although they weren't like any normal happy family, Ethan and Edward Lu would still turn a blind eye on their misdeeds. They still have some soft spots for them regardless of how the other party thought of them. 

"Also, you know that Lulu killed people before?" Perhaps, Churu's intention was to divert her focus as well hence, although she didn't need to ask such questions, she asked anyway. 

Stunned, a sudden traffic took place in his throat. He knew that Churu was reliable but, how did she know? 

Ethan Lu didn't know the details, but what he was certain was that his cousin had his hands tainted with red. It was the time when Louis Lu was abroad and knowing his cousin, Ethan Lu knew there must be a reason behind it. Still, he knew it was entirely wrong no matter which angle he looked; he was not to judge. 

"Right, I didn't mention it but I can smell people's odor — not body odor though." Getting the answer just by his reaction, Churu shrugged her tiny shoulders. "I can smell someone's threat level, the reason I know if someone around is dangerous." Churu explained as her ability also has its pros and cons. 

Before, back when she was still Lexi's host, this ability of her was useless. But now, with the current system, she was reminded of something they should be wary about. 

"So, if someone who hasn't tainted their hands, or an amateur approached to kill you — I wouldn't be able to detect it." 

Meaning to say, if Lincoln Lu somehow smacked his head and hired someone who has no experience in killing, Churu wouldn't know. Still, this possibility was unlikely to happen since no one would even know that Ethan Lu has a dumpling guardian. 

"I see..." Nodding his head in understanding, Ethan Lu got the gist of her point. Although the possibility was low, he couldn't neglect it. It was also to remind him to tighten his security. 

Just then, Ethan Lu's phone rang, which startled him for a second. Checking who it was, Ethan Lu knitted his brows seeing it was Chris Yu. 

"What does he need?" Ethan Lu murmured before he answered the incoming call. "Yo, what is it?" He greeted the instant the line connected. 

"Bro, they rushed brother Mo to the hospital — he wasn't breathing..." Under the state of shock, Chris Yu's shaken voice mustered his strength to deliver the news. 

"What?!?" Although Ethan Lu's relationship with Morris Liu worsened, he was shaken to hear the sudden news. 

Little did he know, Churu's core suddenly felt a painful sting, as if a sharp dagger pierced it.