The Rise of the White Lotus

After Lexi reassured Wren Tanaka that the banquet was great and sincerely thanked him, they finally got down to business.

"Miss Yang, your offer is indeed tempting… however," Wren Tanaka retracted his gaze from the documents on his hand and raised them to see the woman across him. He continued,

"I am a man that believes when something is too good to be true—it's suspicious. I don't mean to offend but, I am curious Miss Yang; why am I the person who has the most benefit from this construction?" Wren Tanaka smiled. Unlike his verbal insinuations, his tone was rather calm which was harder for someone to discern if he was displeased or not.

Lexi didn't respond immediately as she calmly returned his smile. "No offense was taken. I know you have no time to waste so I will be frank—I am bribing you, Mr. Tanaka." 

Upon hearing her last remarks, Wren Tanaka's interest was quite piqued as he looked at her in intrigued. In his perspective, he commended her for having the guts to utter such risky words. However, based on his observation, Lexi knew what kind of person she was dealing with. Therefore, instead of being insulted—he was rather amused.

"Bribing me? Haha, Miss Yang, I keep my business as clean as possible-- just so you know." Humoring her, Wren Tanaka chuckled as he put down the documents on top of the small table separating them. He then crossed his legs and leaned his back as he wanted to hear more from her.

"One meeting—you'll get the contract. It's a win-win situation." Pushing it through, Lexi remained cool and composed despite witnessing the little dumpling showering the man with kisses on the cheeks.

"One meeting? With who? Can I even trust the person you're arranging for me to date?" Propping his jaw by the back of his hand, Wren Tanaka purposely showed his interest in their discussion.

"Haha, of course." Lexi modestly chuckled. Despite hearing that he was quite interested, it was not enough to ease her mind until she hears him say 'yes', hence, she added; "Morris Liu, the CEO of Liu Empire."

'Aiya… women nowadays are scary and bossy.' While Wren Tanaka was staring at her and how this woman would make it far in the business world, he was reminded of a particular woman who was also not someone to mess with.

"Liu Empire? Now, that's something..." He slowly nodded, yet, his eyes showed indifference hearing the Liu Empire. 

"Whether you accepted their offer or not—you'll still get this contract, Mr. Tanaka." Briefly raising her right brow showing him a knowing look, Lexi smiled. However, her smile didn't show insincerity nor did it show genuineness; the reason why Wren Tanaka was proud of his keen eyes on potentials that his company could benefit in the future.

"Hmm… Liu Empire, one of the prominent families in the business industry. In recent years, CEO Morris Liu successfully parred with the Han Corporation. An insightful and scary man… not bad." Mildly rubbing his chin, Wren Tanaka verbally recalled the information he knew about the said company and the man who runs it now. Alas, his other thoughts and information, he kept it with him for the sake of the woman. He continued,

"You know what Miss Yang, you are actually an odd one. You can just give me an offer that both our companies can benefit—a win-win situation for you and me, right?"

"I can but, peace of mind is priceless."

Upon hearing her vague reasoning, Wren Tanaka raised his brows as he chuckled loudly. "that's very much true! Haha! So, it's something personal and I agreed to become a decoy. *sigh* why is it so hard to earn money…" 

"So, is that a yes?" Slightly tilting her head on the side, Lexi clarified.

"How can I refuse a great deal?" Wren Tanaka chuckled as he mildly shook his head. Standing up, Lexi and Wren Tanaka shared shake hands to close the deal. When he let her hand go, he advised;

"You should really be a businesswoman—you have the knack for it, trust me." 

"Haha, you think too highly of me, Mr. Tanaka. But, thank you." Meekly smiling, Lexi Yang softly replied as she unhurriedly retracted her hand from him. Still ignoring Churu who was trying to take a peek inside his clothes, Lexi fixed her eyes to Wren Tanaka and didn't dare travel it elsewhere.

"Well, what can I say, my eyes rarely deceive me. Anyways, I am free for the next two weeks—Gia will inform you when I can date Mr. Liu." Being back to his friendly tone, Wren Tanaka informed her as he assisted her to the door of his office.

"Thank you again, Mr. Tanaka." Lexi sincerely thanked him for agreeing for her proposal and for his indirect help that even Lexi didn't understand the reason behind it. Nonetheless, this would be the last straw to cut everything with Morris Liu. Also, the most peaceful way for him to keep away from her and her family.

Just as Wren Tanaka opened the door, an enormous man on a simple shirt was in front of the door akin to a giant rock blocking the way. Lexi raised her gaze until she was completely looking up to see that it wasn't a giant but a well-built man. Still, his size, height, and physique seemed he far surpassed all the bodybuilders in the world.

The man looked down on her with a poker face but to someone who would see it, they'd perceive it as dreading look as if he would strangle someone that instant. Yet, Lexi's expression didn't have much change. 

"Tito~!!!" Upon seeing the familiar man, Churu instantly flew to the half-giant man and buried her face on his muscular chest. "Sissy, let's stay here for a while~!! I might see more of these rare goods here~!" She added in a very hyper tone.

'Tito?'

"Oh," Seeing that the tiny humans were seemed to exit the door, Tito slowly nodded his head before he stepped on the side. On the other hand, Wren Tanaka gave her a side glance as he thoroughly examined every bit of her facial movements. To his surprise, she didn't even flinch seeing the man she had met that night in the Yue Event. After all, even if Tito's face was covered that night by a mask, his remarkable physique was not hard to recognize.

'Haha, this woman… I see, such rarity.' He thought inwardly as he certainly commended Lexi this time. Turning to face the woman, a friendly smile formed on the side of his lips as he spoke; "I apologize for not able to assist you personally out, Miss Yang."

"Mr. Tanaka, you're a busy man—I'm already grateful enough for sparing me your time." Lexi and Wren Tanaka exchanged flowery words and compliments before Lexi officially bid her farewell with a satisfied heart.

When she was gone, Tito entered Wren Tanaka's office with an inquiring look plastered across his face. "Isn't that one of the guests at Boss's party?"

"She is—I know you remember her." Wren Tanaka languidly sat the head seat of the sofa with a knowing smile. On the other hand, Tito sat on the long sofa where Lexi perched earlier.

"I do. She recognized me though. Did you expose us?" Tilting his head on the side, Tito relaxed his arms and spread them on the upper edge of the sofa—conquering the whole space.

"She did recognize you but it was barely noticeable. No worries, that woman will be a great business partner in the future. She's a natural." Smirking, Wren Tanaka picked up the documents she left for him and an unreadable glint flashed across his eyes.

He purposely asked his confidant to show his face to her to test Lexi that remained silent even after what she experienced that night. Just what he speculated, Lexi Yang was a smart woman. She probably knew if she wasn't careful enough and unreasonably run her mouth about that night, she'd be put in a tough predicament.

Granting that the Yang Company hadn't reached the height of the families in the top social ladder, and based on his thorough investigation, the said company was ever since clean from corruption and anything related that. Hence, it settled where it was and they never knew the depths of those families remained at the top.

"Cutest, who do you think I'd bring to a not so safe meeting? I'm meeting a very, very interesting man…" After the brief silence, Wren Tanaka rubbed his chin as he pondered about something and asked for a suggestion.

"Bring Leon."

"I figured I shouldn't have asked you." Shaking his head, Wren Tanaka snorted upon hearing Tito's suggestions.

Meanwhile, Churu was still on Tito's chest, snuggling. Hearing their conversation, she raised her head and scrutinized Wren Tanaka's face. Upon sensing that he didn't have a bad intention towards her host, she heaved a sigh of relief. However, she was intrigued about the 'interesting man' he said; which was Morris Liu.

"What's so interesting about him, hubby~? Spill the beans please~!!" Resurfacing her inner busybody, she inquired and flew in front of Wren Tanaka. She wanted to hear more before Lexi could exit the establishment.