The Rise of the White Lotus

Ethan's brows furrowed seeing that the supposed drank girl came back from her sleep. What's more? She thought he was someone else.

Immobilized, Ethan Lu's question slipped out of his mouth even before he knew it.

"You thought I was who?" 

"A thief! Who else?" Wobbling sideways, Lexi smiled like a person who just reached the legal age hence wasted her night away.

Lexi dragged her body up to the edge of the bed which confused Ethan. "Oi, where are you going?"

"I am not yet done for my celebration! Let the party continue!" Lexi raised her hand as she announced her answer. He abruptly stood from her seat which made her head dizzy.

"Oi, oi, ey," Seeing her abruptly stood then flailed trying to get on her footing, Ethan panicked as he gravitated where she'd fall with his hands placed in a palm length distance from both her sides.

Lexi nearly dropped from her left but thankfully, Ethan's arm was firm and strong to catch her from falling.

"Hehe, reliable man." She tapped her arms as Lexi was assisted back to her footing. However, even before she could take a step forward, her shoulders were held by Ethan.

He put little pressure on her shoulder to sit her down back to bed. "Jeez, Lexi Yang! No, where is Lexi Yang? Give her back!" Ethan sassed as he never thought that Lexi would be more troublesome the longer she was conscious.

"Lexi Yang is offline -- only two point ow is happy and kicking!" Lexi frowned as she raised her head to meet Ethan's dismayed countenance.

"Ahh! Stop! No puppy eyes!" Covering his pair of eyes in distress as he perceived Lexi's drowsy eyes as puppy eyes with its slight shimmer; he panicked.

"Ahh, why is it so hot?" Lexi murmured, ignoring Ethan's dilemma as he frantically covered his eyes. She fanned herself but to no avail, the effect of the beer made her body temperature rose.

"No, the AC is on --" Still covering his eyes, Ethan's words halted realizing her situation. He moved his fingers apart to peek at her but the moment he did, his face turned beet red.

"Wha-- what are you doing, Hey!" 

Currently, she was taking off her shirt -- revealing her flat, flawless tummy, the reason why Ethan sudden flushed face.

"It's hot… are we in hell?" 

Ethan gritted his teeth and dashed on her to stop whatever she was doing. He put down her shirt to cover her exposed tummy with great discretion.

"Two point ow, we are not in hell but if you continue that -- we'll end up in heaven instead! Jeez, I'm a man -- don't test a man's self-control!" Ethan exasperatedly apprehended. All he wished now was for her to sleep! 

How could he forget? She had consumed too much alcohol and her body temperature was undoubtedly close to boiling. 

Lexi frowned even more as she could not comprehend what's up with Ethan. Moreover, why is he there on 'her' room. Alas, her expression instantly softened when a cute adorable dumpling landed on his shoulder.

Lexi raised her hand and was about to touch Churu but the mischievous dumpling snapped her fingers which made Lexi's hand passed through her and landed on Ethan's cheek instead.

In Lexi's perspective, she was touching the dumpling but in reality, it was Ethan's cheeks! Churu pursed her lips as she didn't know she could ever use this useless automatic skill of her in her journey as the system's fairy guide mother.

Lexi used her thumb and caress Ethan's firm cheeks. Meanwhile, Ethan froze the very instant Lexi softened her gaze and touched his cheeks. That very moment, his chaotic mind turned blank. He was completely immobilized as his eyes were fixed on her gentle and relieved eyes.

*ba thump ba thump ba thump*

Ethan was being deafened by his own heartbeat as he could hear it race in an unimaginable speed. Something inside him urged him to do a very unforgivable sin that could ruin the newly established trust between them. But, with great effort, he somehow suppressed the desire that was gradually creeping on his heart.

"You know, I never knew what real friendship was before you. I am thankful that you became my friend…" Lexi muttered in the most sincere deliverance she could do. Her words were somewhat pleasing and not at the same time due to the word 'friendship.' Still, Ethan passionately smiled in return.

"Thank you…" Lexi smiled brightly as she wrapped her arms around the huge dumpling's neck. In her eyes, Churu evolved into a human-sized dumpling.

"...sissy." 

The warm atmosphere surrounding them cracked when Ethan Lu heard her last remark.

"Si -- Sissy?!" He gasped in disbelief as he could not believe that Lexi thought of her as a sister, not a brother! It was already painful enough to be her brother now, but sissy? How could Ethan Lu accept that?

Churu smile turned more bright as another great scheme flashed across her genius mind. With a flick of her fingers, her one time use of helping her host physically was activated.

That instant, Churu jumped behind Ethan's behind, putting all her weight on her bum. Her action caused Ethan to lose his balance and crash on top of Lexi.

"Chichichi, I risked my probation time of the facial session in this Mr. Initial task!" Based on her observation, Ethan was an honest guy despite his bad reputation from his dating list. However, it was evident that he respects Lexi and doesn't want to cross the line of friendship.

So, if Ethan Lu was reluctant to cross the line, she'd rather push him to do so.