The Rise of the White Lotus

The next day…

"Morning, sissy~" Lexi calmly greeted the dumpling sitting beside her pillow.

It was a great morning for her as she didn't have work for a week starting today. Hence, Lexi relished herself by rolling while being wrapped with the thick blanket on the bed.

"You didn't sleep with Eli last night?" Sensing that Churu was acting weird since yesterday. If only Lexi wasn't busy, she would have had pointed it out.

"He was tired yesterday and he was asleep before I arrived." Frowning, Churu seemed she was extra dejected by the matter.

However, part of her was disheartened from her abrupt unnecessary conversation with that insignificant being. Yet, Churu decided not to inform her host about it as she didn't want to make things difficult for her. After all, Churu was certain that one way or another, Lexi would fall for Ethan Lu which was a good thing.

"Sissy, what's the problem?" For some reason, Lexi sensed that there's something more why Churu was depressed, thus, she asked while covering half of her lower face with the white comforter.

"I just told you… I want abs." 

Lexi thoroughly scrutinized Churu's expression and after giving her the benefit of the doubt, she slightly shook her head as she rolled her eyes. 

"Sissy, is there a guy like you around us? What you're doing makes me think that; what if they're a guy guardian like you and he watched me bath? It's very alarming." 

"Don't worry~ as long as I'm here, only Mr. Main task can see your body~" in a split second, Churu returned to her usual cheerfulness, alas, Lexi could discern that she was forcing it. Still, Lexi chose not to take notice and kept her questions with her.

"Alright, then. At least, I have someone like you with me."

"Give me lots of facial masks and beautiful dresses and headbands then~!" 

"Yes, yes. I haven't forgotten. I will buy the material tomorrow, okay?" Smiling gently, Lexi closed her eyes again to take another nap.

When Lexi fell asleep again, Churu's smiling face gradually disappeared. Surely, the words from the woman yesterday caused some effect even if Churu had shown her fierceness and tried to shrug the matter off.

Staring at Lexi's peaceful sleeping face, the little dumpling let out a heavy sigh. Only Churu could understand her sigh as she almost forgot her ending of this story.

Indeed, she never thought that her ending would become hard as she never expected that she'd get too attached to her host. With Lexi's profile and how she was an unlikeable character that Churu thought it would be good entertainment and a refreshing occupation if she took the job as her guide.

However, as time goes by, Churu grew fond of her as she herself was surprised by Lexi's other side. She might seem unapproachable and very hard to pleased but when one got to her soft spot, Lexi was actually appreciative of simple gestures. Therefore, Churu knew that sooner or later, she'd fall for Ethan Lu. After all, the guy's personality perfectly matched hers and he loved her dearly without any reason.

'At least, there's someone that will take care of you when I'm gone.' Churu murmured as a meek smile formed on the side of her lips. 

Thinking that Ethan Lu would be enough to fill the void in Lexi's cracked heart and had the ability to heal it, Churu felt relieved despite knowing that their memories together would be forgotten by her host someday.

*****

At 10 am, Lexi was finished preparing her baggage and dolling up. Since she hadn't had breakfast, she decided to grab some in the hotel's buffet. Glancing at Churu from time to time, Lexi was relieved that Churu was back to her usual self.

'I guessed you moved on from Eli, eh?' She teased while on her way to the dining area.

"Hmph! I am loyal to my hubby Tanaka~!" Being reminded of that particular person, Churu's eyes gleamed with excitement. On the other hand, Lexi giggled as the shamelessness and the lack of dignity of this adorable one was undoubtedly extreme. 

'One could not judge the book by its cover, indeed.'

When she arrived at the said area, Lexi saw that there are only a few production staff left while others were already in the hotel's lobby with their equipment and baggage -- waiting for their chauffeur.

Nonetheless, Lexi wasn't obliged to ride with them as the artists had their own personal rides because everyone had their own scheduled for the day. Probably, only a few of them were as free as Lexi.

Without giving much thought about them any longer, Lexi served herself before she took a vacant seat and started eating her food in peace and modesty.

"Say, are we really going to hitch a ride with Elliot?" Sitting on her usual spot which is the center of the table, Churu tilted her head to the side with a curious look.

"Hmm, we can't do anything about it. I really need to get used to interacting with him for the sake of everyone." Letting out a faint sigh, Lexi whispered as she recalled Arnold Shen's words last night.

"Ohhh… That's good." Churu nodded which made Lexi arched her brows in suspicion yet, she chose not to probe about it since Churu had been acting weird and saying weird stuff most of the time.

Unbeknownst to Lexi, Churu saw a familiar man who was hiding his face with the newspaper and constantly peeking at her back from time to time. Seeing that Ethan Lu was present and had gone incognito for some unknown reason, Churu's mind went wild knowing that Elliot Gong would drive Lexi home.

"Hehehe,"

'Sissy, you know that you're making a scary face, right?' Glancing at Churu, Lexi rolled her eyes as she could not comprehend what kind of scheme Churu was hiding beneath her sleeves. Nonetheless, she knew that whatever plan this little dumpling has in mind, it wouldn't harm her in many ways.

Just then, Elliot Gong's gentle voice reached her ears. "May I sit with you?" 

"Oh, sure." Acting comfortable even if Lexi wasn't relaxed at all, she agreed the moment she confirmed that it was indeed Elliot Gong. With that permission, Elliot Gong sat opposite her and put down his plateful of fresh fruits.

"So, how was your night? Did you inform your manager?" Elliot Gong casually opened a conversation as he didn't have the problem interacting with her -- it was her who was uncomfortable with him and every other guy except Morris Liu… or so he thought.

"Good. Yes, I did." Evidently forcing herself, Lexi cast him a quick glance before turning her attention back to her soup.

"Haha! It's okay, I know you're only comfortable around brother Mo and it was already good progress that you followed Director Shen's advice." Of course, as someone observant like Elliot Gong, he knew that Lexi was only forcing herself to respond to him and didn't shun him without batting an eye. Alas, he instantly pursed his lips when he realized he mentioned Morris Liu's name.

Scrutinizing Lexi's expression, Elliot Gong was relieved and puzzled at the same time as she seemed unaffected after hearing Morris Liu's name.

'Is the discomfort I'm causing her that much it's distracting her?' He speculated inwardly.

Behind them, two tables away, Ethan Lu's eyes widened in disbelief as he saw Elliot Gong approach her and Lexi's side profile as she smiled and let him join her table. What's more? They were casually conversing and smiling at the same time. Just what are they talking about?!

His grip on the newspaper tightened causing it to creased as he grinded his teeth in annoyance, "Elliot Gong… you are so dead."