The Rise of the White Lotus

The next day…

Currently, Lexi was in an outdoor shoot and she was waiting for her turn. While she waits, she apathetically skimmed through the script on her hand. However, Lexi already memorized and practiced them countless of times in the past month, hence, the unchanging emotion on her surface. 

Lexi had consumed the instant slimming pill she received as a reward from completing her side quests. God knows how much she gained weight from her stress eating due to numerous reasons including Ethan's absence. Fortunately, the system gifted her that miraculous reward as she didn't have to worry about her weight gain and instant went back to her original 136 lbs weight.

"I wonder what time I am going to start..." She languidly murmured.

[Short summary of her whole month]

Lexi was confused as well because she didn't give much thought about Ethan before; as he always messages or calls her from time to time. The longest period he didn't contact her was three days. 

However, this time was different! She hadn't heard from him for a month now and Lexi could not help but feel bothered about it. Was it because she was used that he always hanged around her; that his abrupt absence made her somehow look for him? Or, was it just because she was bored doing unimportant works in the past month?

Granting that she helped her father in the Yang Company, Lexi didn't have to move around that much as the company was running smoothly again due to the partnership between them and Liu Corporation.

Moreover, her father, Frederick Yang had preferred Lexi dealing easier task that she could finish in a day or two. It was obvious that her father was warding her off to meet Morris Liu as the whole Yang Company were focused on that said project, and if she gets herself involve in, the chance of crossing Morris Liu's path was high.

Therefore, despite that Lexi didn't mind if she bumped into Morris Liu or not, she still abided his father's request for the sake of his peace of mind. However, even though Lexi didn't want to dwell on it, she felt utterly empty and useless. She never felt this before but now, it's disturbing that Lexi was undergoing existential crisis!

[end of her boring month summary]

"There's sooo much good looking guys here chuu~!!" Churu screamed as her eyes sparkled in awe. Though the dangerous type of guys was the best in her eyes, Churu could still appreciate the men on the set.

"Hmm…" Lexi hummed a tune, alas, unlike Churu, Lexi didn't share the same enthusiasm. 

Suddenly, while Lexi was blankly staring on the manuscript -- a man's voice resonated in her side that she somehow sounded familiar.

"Miss Lexi Yang?"

Lexi turned her head to the voice's source and there, she saw the gentle countenance of Elliot Gong. Of course, she knew this man! 

She had met him in some events in the past and also, Elliot Gong was one of Morris Liu's friends! Lexi had heard that Elliot Gong was part of the main cast but for a change, he specifically auditioned for the second male lead; even though the first male lead suits him best.

"Elliot Gong?" Throwing the matters that had been bugging her, Lexi arched her brows as her front turned back to the snob, proud countenance.

"Hi. It's nice to see you again." Taking several steps forward, Elliot Gong approached her with a friendly smile.

Scrutinizing his gentle smile, Lexi mumbled inwardly, 'he's always this friendly as ever.' 

"Hmm, me too -- nice to see you." Meekly smiling, Lexi obviously ended the conversation just like how she interacts with him before.

Back when Lexi was still head over heels with Morris Liu, she had numerous encounters with his friends except Ethan Lu. With her craziness back then, Lexi left an unforgettable memory with them that made them all avoid her... well not everyone as Elliot Gong wasn't one of them.

In contrast, Elliot Gong always had this friendly vibe around him and he often spouts friendly advice that annoyed Lexi in the past that caused her to say nonsense bullsh*ts. Yet, whenever they meet, he never changed his approach.

"So… you're really the person to portray Chang'e?" Looking at the ongoing taping from their position, Elliot Gong comfortably inquired.

"Hmm." Raising her brows, Lexi hummed in response as she looked down on her script again. It's not that she was being friendly or anything of the sort, but to Lexi, whatever Elliot Gong had in mind, she just wanted to act as civilized as possible since they will be working together.

Furthermore, Lexi's role had more interaction with the second male lead which was Elliot Gong's role, hence, it's better to interact with him beforehand -- even just a brief hi and hello. 

Elliot Gong nodded in understanding. His eyes still fixed on the set from the distance. However, even though they were not discussing anything, he just stood there without a word which made Lexi raised her brows.

"Uhm?" Looking at the man standing beside her, Lexi produced a question sound with a 'why are you still here?' expression plastered across her face.

Elliot Gong also raised his brows in confusion as he finally turned his gaze on his left. Seeing her knowing countenance, he just gently smiled before answering. "Nothing. Just thought you need company."

"What makes you think I need that?" Arching her brows, Lexi slightly leaned her back on the chair she was sitting on. 

"Hmmm," Pondering whether to say his reasons or not, Elliot Gong meekly smiled. Seeing this, Lexi already guessed why -- because of her suicide attempt.

"Ah, right. No, it's fine. I'm good." Waving her hand off, Lexi spoke first as she didn't want to force him to say what he was about to utter.

Just then, Lexi's phone rang and without a thought she saw the caller ID: M.I.A. which made her eyes lit up.

'It's him!' She instantly thought but Lexi didn't answer immediately and let the incoming call redirected to her voicemail. 

After it ended, as expected, Ethan called again and this time, Lexi picked up the call with an inexpressive tone. "Yes?"

"Hey, how are you?" On the line, Ethan's voice was gentle and was soothed the moment he heard her voice.

"Good." Out of habit, Lexi responded like how she always does.

"Hehe, where are you?" He asked, used to her usual short responses.

"Sir Eli, Director Shen said get ready in 30 mins." Just then, a staff approached Elliot Gong and informed him to get ready which he agreed with a gentle smile and nod, "Alright…" 

Elliot Gong then turned his head back to Lexi, he said before going, "It's nice to see you doing good. I'll see you around." 

"Uh, yes… see you." Lexi slightly bowed her head in return and watched the retreating back of Elliot Gong.

"Is that Eli?" On the line, Ethan Lu's tone slightly changed as he inquired about the familiar voice of his friend.

"Ah, yes. It's our first day of shooting the film and he's one of the main casts." Lexi explained without noticing the slight change in Ethan's voice.

"Alright… I will be going now. See you."

"Okay," Lexi paid no mind with Ethan's last sentence as she thought he has just said it out of habit.

Unbeknownst to her, the moment she hung up, Ethan made a sudden phone call to Elliot Gong asking for his whereabouts before speeding away to the said location.