The Rise of the White Lotus

Chapter 167 Do you love me?

"Uh… is that so?" Lexi heedlessly replied as her focus was on Rika not far away from her.

In her mind, she knew that she was not trying to be dishonest with her or anything of the sort. However, Lexi still felt a little guilty that her new friend has always been honest with her ever since, yet, she didn't even tell Rika that the guy she had a crush on was also the same friend 'with ulterior motives' Lexi was talking about. Therefore, Lexi was conflicted about whether if she could fully trust Rika or not.

"Uh-huh…" As keen as Ethan Lu, he sensed that she was distracted about something, thus, a sly smile formed on the side of his lips.

"Can you say yes to two of my questions?"

"Hmm," Lexi consistently watched Rika as she bought two accessories that she could not clearly see. However, for some reason, Rika suddenly went out. Hence, Lexi didn't pay much attention to the man on the line.

"Do you love me?"

"Hmm—"

"Love you too, hihi~" Giggling, Ethan Lu was evidently happy about his mischief. And so, he responded as if he believed that she truly admitted that she loved him.

"Ethan!" Through her gritted teeth, Lexi just realized that this cunning man just took advantage of her inattentiveness. Still, she reminded herself that it should be a happy day and Ethan was just being Ethan.

"Hahaha! Aiya, I want to hear it again." Lightly chuckling, Ethan Lu's voice turned gentle as if his exhaustion diminished a little.

"Whatever," Shaking her head, Lexi has no words left for him as she was more shock to herself that she never got used to his naughtiness.

Just then, the shop assistant approached Lexi with a gentle voice and a reserved smile; "Miss Yang, would you like us to deliver the item to your residence?"

"Uh, pardon?" Due to the female clerk's almost whispered words, Lexi turned her head to where the shop assistant stood. Asking her to repeat her question, she meekly smiled back.

"Would you like us to deliver the item to your residence?" Repeating her words, the shop assistant did as she was asked.

"Yes, please." Understanding the question this time, Lexi nodded as she followed the clerk that she assisted her to fill the form.

As Lexi fill-up the form, she stopped midway as she raised her gaze, "Can this be delivered now?"

"Yes, Miss Yang." Since their regular clients were all socialites, the shop had incredible services. Thus, if they were told to deliver it in an instant, they would do it with additional charges.

"Alright," Upon her confirmation, Lexi meekly smiled again before nodding her head.

Instead of putting the address of the Yang Mansion, Lexi wrote the Lu Corporation address. She knew that Ethan Lu would be very busy for the following weeks, and he sounded a bit exhausted, Lexi wanted to give this gift to him hoping to cheer him up— even just a little.

She didn't indicate the sender's name but left a message with; "A reward for your hard work."

After placing all the necessary details, Lexi handed the form and with a smile, the shop assistant accepted it.

"You're shopping? Where?" Finally breaking his momentary silence, Ethan Lu inquired.

"Even if you'll know, you won't make it back with only two hours vacant time." Knowing him, Lexi read him like an open book as the man was sometimes too predictable when it comes to this. So, if she told him where she was, he would certainly rush his way to wherever she was.

It was not that Lexi didn't want to give her gift personally, but, she didn't want to be the cause of some important meeting would be pushed back because of her. After all, with her experience with the Liu and Yang Company, Lexi was very well-versed on how a huge company like the Liu Empire and Lu Corporation could be hustling. One of the reasons why Lexi didn't call him as she didn't want to disturb him in the middle of a meeting.

"Aww…" Pouting, Ethan Lu wished to work beside if possible. It's been days since he last saw her but those days felt like unending months to him. Besides, he was indeed enervated. Fortunately, Lexi kept in touch with him and they would spend hours in late-night calls sometimes— explains why he kept going.

"I got you something. Take a rest and eat— Rika is here." Faintly sighing, Lexi spoilt her own surprise present as she could clearly hear his heavy sigh.

"Present? For me?" Upon hearing her last remarks, spring suddenly bloomed inside Ethan Lu's office as this would be the first time she would gift him. His eyes sparkled as his imagination gone wild.

"Hmm, now, go eat and rest. The day is still long. I'll hang up now." Seeing that Rika went back with a slightly annoyed look on her face, Lexi's brows furrowed as she ended the call.

"Alright, see you… later," Before Ethan Lu could finish his sentence, the line disconnected— making him frown for a brief second before regaining his overwhelming anticipation as he recalled her gift.

Right away, Ethan Lu called his assistant; informing him about a package that he was expecting. When Lyrick Jiang told him he understood, Ethan Lu ended that call. He then spun the executive chair he was sitting on and hummed a random tune, expressing his bliss and excitement to what Lexi got for him.

"Love is patient, Love is kind, Love is gifting me something, Love is beautiful…" He continued to mutter about an endless 'love is this and that' like a broken record. It was as if every passing word were his seconds as he waits for his gift like a child waiting for Santa Claus to come.

****

Meanwhile, while Ethan Lu was delved in his Lala land, and Lexi was celebrating for herself— inside Morris Liu's office was surrounded with nothing but dread.

"Hmm? Did she ask to reconcile with you, again?" On one of the sofa, Mia Chen perched with her legs crossed and her back was comfortably resting. Looking at the icy man busy working on his huge stack of folders on his desk, her expression changed from reserved to a wicked one. It was as if the Mia Chen Lexi bumped and rode in the elevator was just one's figment of the imagination. Yet, her words only brushed passed on Morris Liu's ears as if he didn't hear a single word, or rather, he didn't acknowledge his company's presence.

"Weird… it was rather peaceful this time… don't tell me—" Narrowing her eyes, Mia Chen speculated. Alas, she was interrupted midway when the office door suddenly opened—revealing Chris Yu in his usual trendy yet casual attire.

Chris Yu glanced at Mia Chen before he turned his gaze to Morris Liu's busy figure. Without even asking, he already guessed what was happening in this gloomy office room. Even so, Chris Yu wasn't bothered as he strode and sat across Mia Chen— knowing what Morris Liu want him to do.

"Sexy…" Chris Yu whistled as he greeted Mia Chen with a malicious greeting. Staring at her delicate features before it traveled to her legs, he added with a smirk, "Want to go something private?"

Mia Chen rolled her eyes and without a word, she hastily grabbed her bag and stomped her way out. It was evident that he could not stand the man as she didn't even look back. When she left the office, Chris Yu burst out laughing that soon bounced on every corner of the room.

When he recovered from his endless waves of laughter, Chris Yu turned his attention to Morris Liu who was unfazed on what happened moments ago; as if he could not care less about the whole world. "Brother Mo, is it true that Lexi got a hold of Wren Tanaka…?" Chris Yu asked before he murmured the rest of his sentence, "...now, that's amazing."

Finally, Morris Liu raised his gaze to meet Chris Yu's laid back gaze. Sliding one of the drawers on his desk, Morris Liu picked up a piece of folded note before he placed it on top of the pile of documents on his desk.

"Make proper arrangements in one week." With that said note, Morris Liu leaned his back on the executive chair as he watched Chris Yu got up from his seat until he stood in front of his desk and picked up the note.

"Aight… what a dangerous guy we're meeting." Scratching his temple, Chris Yu quickly scanned the short yet precise content of the said appointment. Even without Morris Liu giving him every little detail, it was not hard for him to fill in the blanks as he already knew the major details.