The Rise of the White Lotus Chapter 345 – Dad… why are you here?

Sensing that the constant motion stopped, Lexi’s brows creased a little before her eyes naturally opened. Making a slight movement, she instantly heard Ethan Lu’s deep and gentle voice tickle her ears.

“Are you awake, my love?” Opening his eyes, Ethan Lu immediately placed a soft peck on top of her head that was resting on his shoulder.

“Mhmm…” Humming a tune, Lexi slowly retracted her head away from him and stretched it a little to ease her neck. “Why didn’t you wake me up? What time is it?” Lexi inquired as she felt that their journey on the way to this place was longer than she expected. After all, she woke up earlier and saw that their car was still moving thus, she fell back to sleep again.

“It’s seven. I didn’t want to disturb your nap.” Turning to face her slightly weary eyes, Ethan Lu gently offered her a smile. “Shall we?”

“Mhmm…” Smiling back, Lexi lightly nodded her head before Ethan Lu exited the car and immediately assisted Lexi out.

When Lexi set her eyes on the house type restaurant in the middle of nowhere, her brows arched. Now she understood why the long travel time, as it seemed they were out of the city. Away from the bustling fanciness of the city restaurants and he chose a simple and peaceful place where privacy seemed to be their priority.

“Baby,” Turning to Lexi who was scanning the restaurant several steps away from them, Ethan Lu brightly grinned as he showed her the blindfold in his hands. “Let me put this on.”

“What are you planning?” Arching her right brow up, Lexi altered her gaze to his sly grin and then to the blindfold he was holding up.

“It’s a surprise.”

“Ethan, I swear, I am hungry.” Rolling her eyes, Lexi didn’t give much thought about it as he always did these kinds of surprises. For example, flowers early in the morning or gifts out of nowhere without any occasion. Therefore, she didn’t think that his surprise this time is a ring and a scene that will make her bawl her eyes out like a little girl.

“Love, please?” Tilting his head to the side, Ethan Lu pleaded using his ultimate puppy eyes and an adorable front that he would only do in front of her.

Lexi stared at him for a good one minute before she heavily sighed in defeat. “Alright… I concede.” With that said note, his cute display instantly brightened as phase one of operation proposal eventually succeeded.

Without wasting a second, Ethan Lu put the blindfold on her. In his mind, fortunately, Lexi was wearing flats today hence, there was no need for her to change her footwear that he prepared so she wouldn’t trip while walking with a blindfold on.

“Okay, you’re all set!” After securing the blindfold, Ethan Lu gleefully announced before he reached for her hand and assisted it around his arm.

“Love, careful.” As they slowly took strides forward with his guidance, she heard his concerned remarks which made her faintly scoff.

“Of course,” Lexi responded in a matter of fact tone as she walked with darkness in her vision. Yet, although she was temporarily blind, holding on to him made her feel secure and safe. Hence, Lexi slowly let him guide her to this surprise.

Soon, they finally reached the soundless restaurant which made her knit her brows. Lexi could not hear anyone talking, that she assumed Ethan Lu made another flashy move for booking the whole place for both of them to dine.

Lexi was about to apprehend him for senselessly spending his money for a simple dinner and booked the whole place again that they already talked about. Alas, just as she opened her mouth, she heard Ethan Lu’s voice again.

“Love, do you trust me?” Shifting his gaze on her, Ethan Lu asked with a full smile on his face.

“Uh…”

“From this moment on, someone else will guide you somewhere. Do you trust me, love?” Ethan Lu then moved his eyes away from Lexi to the man who was subtly smiling before them. It was none other than, Frederick Yang.

“Ethan, I swear I will beat you to pieces if this is another prank.” Through a warning tone, Lexi threatened which made Frederick Yang bit his lower lip afraid that he would burst out laughing.

“Love, I will accept all beatings and kneel on the washboard for half a day if this is a prank.” Clearing his throat, Ethan Lu gave her father an awkward smile as Lexi just revealed how much of a henpecked husband he was.

“Alright, okay!” In her mind, Lexi already rolled her eyes as hunger made her patience run thinner. Even so, since Ethan Lu was so persistent to surprise her, she still agreed. Moreover, Lexi knew that Ethan Lu would never entrust her to someone that he didn’t fully trust.

‘Who is it though? Lyrick? Jarred? Nico?’ Lexi guessed who would be the courageous person knowing Ethan Lu’s level of pettiness. After all, for her to go to God knows where she has to cling to him until then.

“Thank you,” Ethan Lu raised his gaze to meet Frederick Yang’s smiling eyes as he spat his gratitude. Lexi thought that his words were for her as she only shrugged her shoulders in nonchalance.

His hand then brushed her arm down to her hands before he guided it to someone else’s arm. Ethan Lu gave Frederick Yang another thankful smile before her father wordlessly nodded as if saying, ‘I got it, son.’

Lexi’s hand felt the material of the sleeve of the man she was clinging on to. She estimated the arms measurement and it wasn’t anyone in her list. It was not Lyrick Jiang or Jarred Guo as they don’t fit the size of the slightly chunky arm— neither was it the petite arms of Nico Zhuang. Yet, there was this sense of familiarity that made her heart at ease.

As soon as Frederick Yang started guiding her to the other side of the restaurant, Lexi got a whiff of his scent. The very instant his scent caressed her nostrils, Lexi bit her bottom lip as she slightly hung her head low.

‘Dad… why are you here?’ She inquired inwardly as her heart began to pound and her instincts told her that Ethan Lu had planned something big for her.