The Rise of the White Lotus

Intrigued, Lexi’s brows knitted as she meticulously swiped the screen on her phone for it to unlock. Unconsciously, Lexi and the cute little bun thrust their head forward to see the content of Ethan’s text message.

[From: Mr. Ethan Lu

Hey, I am attending an event 2 days from now. Wanna be my date? ;)]

After reading the short yet concise mail from Ethan Lu, Lexi momentarily froze from her sitting, while Churu’s expression gradually brightened with excitement. When the information was finally processed on Churu’s mind, she jumped in jubilation.

”Wowowow! That’s the right path, Mr. Initial task -- chu!”

When Churu’s merry cheers reached her ears, Lexi was snapped back to reality. Re-reading the content of the message, Lexi gasped in disbelief confirming that she didn’t read it wrong. Indeed, Ethan asked her to be his date! Alas, she was also attending to a certain event with the same date. Hence, Lexi leaned back contemplating on her response -- ignoring the dancing dumplings on top of her desk.

Sensing that Lexi had a stern expression as her mind wanders far from her reach, Churu ceased on dancing as she looked at Lexi with confusion. Flying to scrutinized Lexi, as if guessing what she was hesitating about, Churu inquired.

”What is it, chu?”

”Nothing. It just felt so weird… you know, I’ve been engaged to Morris for a long time and Ethan is his best buddy. Why would he ask me to be his date? The ex-fiance of his best friend?” Lexi as usual blurted out her concerned. After all, Churu is her best friend and her life is an open book when it comes to this adorable small dumpling.

”Chu? Humans are so complicated, chu! Why not ask, chu?” Churu innocently responded. Indeed, why would Lexi always guess if there’s another option like asking? After all, it wouldn’t hurt if she admitted that she couldn’t comprehend about other things -- especially when it comes to other people’s action.

Shifting her gaze to Churu’s appalled expression, Lexi inexpressibly blinked with her long curled lashes fluttering. What Churu said made sense. She felt a little dumb not thinking about it in the first place. Thus, Churu merited another plus one from Lexi’s point of view.

Smiling gently, Lexi let out a faint sigh as she mustered her courage to ask. Ultimately, she was the type of person that would self-study and observed instead of plainly asking things. She believed that she should research about things she doesn’t understand instead of asking for someone’s assistance. Indeed, her pride reached its zenith and she always wanted to be knowledgeable with different discussion.

But now, she wanted to change -- for the better. Being too prideful and conceited, it’s understandable that she didn’t gain any real friends; it’s not that she needed them anyway. But the fact that she wanted to be a better person and live peacefully, she had to change some bad habits that she also loathed sometimes.

Hesitantly sprawling her hand to her phone, Lexi seemed she was given a hard task as she pressed ’reply’. Absurd yes, however, Lexi wasn’t used to this.

”Alright.” She uttered which made the white, tiny, busybody dumpling fawned on her shoulder as Churu attentively read each word Lexi typed.

[To: Mr. Ethan Lu

Good day!

I appreciate the offer, I do. Alas, I am also attending an arrangement with the same date; the Yue family event. But still, thank you for the offer.]

With that said reply, Lexi unhesitantly tapped the send button as if she was afraid that her resolve would waver. On the other hand, Churu was rendered speechless as soon as Lexi sent her reply.

Sensing the dumbfounded dumpling, Lexi’s brows knitted in confusion. She doesn’t understand what’s wrong with Churu. After all, she already took her advice into consideration.

”I said ask, chu! Not reject, chu!”