The Rise of the White Lotus

After three days…

"Want me to accompany you, love?" On the bluetooth earpiece that was on her ear, Ethan Lu offered. Actually, he sounded more as if he was inviting himself and needed his own approval.

"No, this meeting was set months ago and I should meet Mr. Tanaka alone." Rolling her eyes as Lexi gulped a mouthful of H2O from the bottled water.

Currently, she just finished working out hence, she called him after seeing a message from him saying: [Love, I need some energy. *sobs*]

"Aww… I wanna go too," He murmured on the line. Lexi could clearly imagine him doing puppy eyes.

"Didn't you say you have a meeting?" Diverting their subject, Lexi arched her brows as she glanced at her watch.

"I do—in five minutes, I'll be going in a war again." He heavily sighed showing his distress from his heavy workloads after his romantic date with her that has an abrupt ending that he regretted the most. He could still remember how Lexi pretended that she mind and boss him around almost half a day until she confessed that she was joking.

"War? Be sure to leave no one unkicked then." Without thinking much thought on her reply, Lexi flatly cheered with the most encouraging words she could.

"Hehe, my future wife sure is so scary… hmm, now that I think about it, why don't you meet my grandfather, eh? Maybe, my Uncles as well so they should fear the future Madam Lu." Having the not greatest idea of all time, Ethan Lu still suggested even though it has risk. After all, the yang parent welcomed him with open arms and he should let her meet his 'family', even if it means he has to upgrade the security of his privacy and Lexi's safety.

"Uh, wait… we should discuss it on our second date because it's very risky." After further contemplation, Ethan Lu changed his mind and wanted to tell her the important details she must know before meeting the other Lu family members and their frightening family rules.

"What? We are not yet getting married, duh?" Knitting her brows, she snorted as Ethan Lu was always ahead in everything.

"Hehe, don't worry. I already told Grandpa: I'm getting married."

"What?! When?" Shocked by his seemingly old news, Lexi stopped in her tracks as she waited for his response.

"The day before I asked your parents permission. Hehe." Ethan Lu giggled as he imagined Lexi's reaction after knowing this. 

Just then, a knock coming from outside his office reached his ears. After he permitted the person to come in, Lyrick Jiang entered his office.

"Young Master, the meeting was about to start." As usual, Lyrick Jiang flatly reminded his behaved boss. However, his composed demeanor was startled inwardly when he heard his boss's next cringy words.

"Aww… Love, I still want to talk to you." He complained in the most adorable way he could sound.

"Hah, remember what I said. Go now, I still have a meeting to prepare." Lexi shook her head upon hearing his usual protest. She added, "I'll hang up now." With that said note, she unhesitantly ended the call; knowing Ethan Lu, he would stall more time if she didn't. 

Unbeknownst to her, the most grateful for her act was Lyrick Jiang. Even though he hadn't known the identity of the woman that his boss was smitten—he already worshipped her. After all, Ethan Lu was discreet about the information about the woman he was keeping. 

Understandable, because with how other Lu family members play just to snatch his throne, he must protect everyone he cares about. Also, if Lyrick Jiang knew about her identity and messed up even once, Lexi would be eyed as Ethan Lu's weakness. Therefore, Lyrick Jiang wasn't meddling with his boss's personal space. 

****

After her call with Ethan Lu, Lexi didn't waste a second and started preparing herself for her meeting with Wren Tanaka. Checking every piece of documents for her proposal that she prepared months ago, Lexi nodded in satisfaction. Since everything was prepared, she left her room wearing a smart-casual that still looked elegant and grand with her wearing it.

[Inside Lexi's car]

"My hubby Wren Wren~!" Churu's face flushed in excitement just the thought of seeing Wren Tanaka after a long time. Compare with Lexi's quite nervous heart, Churu felt otherwise.

"Huh, after what you've done to Eli—the nerve." Glancing at the front passenger seat, Lexi's brows twitched on how Churu dolled up just for this day. She wore the best dress that Lexi made and even the matching headband was properly ribboned around her small white head.

"Let's go, Let's go~! My date is waiting for me~!" Churu cheered as she instructed her to drive so she could see her date.

"Uh… okay? But, let me tell you, WE are going to a meeting, not a DATE." Stressing the words she wanted Churu to understand, Lexi raised her brows waiting for the little dumpling's reply.

"Definitely! It's a date." Churu turned her head to the driver's seat and had this 'understood' expression plastered across her face that made Lexi heavily sigh.

"Gosh…" Lexi murmured in defeat because Churu had already twisted her words to her liking. 

Thus, Lexi could only focus on pretending she was not seeing her later. However, even Lexi was unconvinced about that because for sure, Churu would do ridiculous deeds later.

***

Soon, Lexi arrived at the L-Tech Innovative Financing Company. The establishment wasn't as huge as the Liu Empire but it has almost the same size as the Yang Company.

Just like any company, Lexi went to the front desk and informed them of her appointment with the Chief Executive Officer. After further verification, she was assisted to the top floor of the building where the CEO's office of the said company located.

After a knock of a woman imposed as the secretary of the Wren Tanaka, Lexi heard the faint voice "come in" before the woman opened the door. She led the way and Lexi followed.

"Oh, Miss Yang! It's good to see you again!" The moment Wren Tanaka sees Lexi, he stood from his seat and welcomed her with his arms open. 

As usual, Wren Tanaka was wearing a flashy business attire that suited him very well because of his good looks. His overly-pierced ears were calling everyone's attention especially those he was meeting as he depicted a trendy and cool businessman.

Lexi slightly bowed seeing the respectable young CEO of the successful company. "Good to see you too, Mr. Tanaka." She courtly greeted.

"Hubby~!!" At the same time, Churu flew towards the handsome man and hugged his cheeks. She added, "Did you miss me~!"

"Come, take a seat." Wren Tanaka offered and gestured her to sit on any of the sofas in the middle of his office. "Gia, you may leave now," He added as he meekly smiled to her.

'Yes, leave now. I can smell your covetousness in here!" Churu glared at the gorgeous secretary as she growled. On the other hand, Lexi was ignoring the little dumpling as much as possible.

When the two of them were the ones left, Wren Tanaka didn't go on business mode and exchanged unnecessary pleasantries. Instead, he asked about her well being like a concerned longtime friend.

"How are you after the party, Miss Yang?"

"It was great, Mr. Tanaka. I still want to thank you for inviting me." Disregarding the fact that she almost had trauma after that party, still, she gained a lot after that night. After all, she met tons of successful businessmen, even the untouchable ones, in that party and after that, she received some calls offering the Yang Company some deals and projects because of their impression of Lexi.

"Really? Like, really?" Raising his brows, Wren Tanaka seemed he was observing her every action that only Churu could notice.

"Hayy… how can you be so great hubby~?" Churu softly exhaled as she complimented her so-called 'hubby' by his sly interrogation.