The Rise of the White Lotus

Churu's eyes gleamed as she thoroughly scanned Lexi from head to toe. She had visualized Lexi wearing the dress that Ethan Lu sent her. Yet, she could not help but gape her mouth as her pair of round eyes shimmered, enthralled by the modern goddess before her. 

"Pretty…" A compliment escaped her mouth as she watched Lexi's lips curl up into a subtle smirk.

"I know, thanks. I didn't spend hours preparing for nothing." Shrugging, Lexi winked at the cute dumpling; who was also wearing a red ruby dress made by her. She had a cute red ribbon on the side of her head and the same colored gloves that reached her smooth elbow. 

When Lexi decided to wear the modern qipao dress that was both reserved and daring at the same time. Churu also decided to wear something with the same hue. In that case, they seemed as if they are twinning— even if no one could see Churu.

"Will Ethan Lu attend the premiere night?" After she snapped from adoring Lexi's beauty, Churu tilted her head to the side as she asked.

She hasn't heard anything from her host about Ethan Lu attending the event and she didn't ask about it as she already assumed Ethan Lu would surely attend. However, when Lexi received a phone call from her manager earlier, Churu was intrigued as their conversation was about Abigail Fan picking up Lexi, not Ethan Lu.

"Unfortunately, he can't make it." Checking her makeup in the vanity mirror for the last time, Lexi nonchalantly responded.

"But he said he'll try to attend the after-party— though, for me, it's not needed because he's already buried with work." Lexi added in a matter of fact tone.

Indeed, Ethan Lu proposed that he would escort her tonight. However, after knowing that he would have to move back his schedule again for her, Lexi brutally refused. 

She could still remember his puppy eyes as if the whole world treated him unfairly. Still, Lexi was adamant that he could only attend if he finished his work earlier than scheduled. 

Apparently, Ethan Lu forgot to mention that he was one of the biggest investors of the movie that's why he was granted a cameo. Moreover, Lexi didn't ask as she already assumed that he must have used his flowery words again to get in.

"Oh…" Slowly nodding in understanding, Churu didn't say anything in return. Just then, the maid that brought Ethan Lu's gifts earlier, intruded in the walk-in closet after a knock.

"Young Miss, Manager Fan is downstairs." The maid courtly announced as she bowed. 

"Alright, I'll be there in a moment." Glancing through the mirror, Lexi raised her brows and responded that made the maid politely bow again before she left.

"Let's go, Madam Chu." Averting her eyes to Churu on the side, Lexi smirked and slowly nodded in satisfaction seeing the dolled up dumpling.

*****

Abigail Fan was sipping the tea that the ever kind Lillian Yang served. Its soothing aroma gently massaged her stressed muscles and every sip felt like her soul was being cleansed.

"Manager Fan, I appreciate you for reaching out to my dear daughter— she did give you a hard time in the past and I was unable to apologize as her mother." Softly delivering her utterance, Lillian Yang slightly bowed her head as she expressed her gratitude and remorse to the woman across her. 

Seeing this, Abigail Fan panicked as she clumsily put down the cup of tea on top of the small table separating her from Mother Yang. Waving both her hands sideways— gesturing that it was nothing with a sheepish smile on her lips, Abigail Fan staggered.

"Madam Yang, hehe, there's no need to apologize. That's the least I can do to my artist, in fact, I should be the one who should be ashamed and apologize for being unable to protect my artist." 

"I know you must have done your best to settle the matter." Chuckling, Lillian Yang comforting words tried to indirectly pat Abigail Fan on the head that made the manager bashfully smile. 

Lillian Yang and Abigail Fan only interacted a few times when Lexi was still active in her acting career. The very reason why, despite that Lillian Yang had this friendly and thoughtful demeanor and was still unable to get to know her daughter's manager, was because Lexi frequently made her run errands for her like a little assistant. Therefore, Abigail Fan rarely met Lillian Yang.

"Hehe, Madam Yang, you're too kind." Still sounding timid, Abigail Fan awkwardly tittered. Just then, a tall, refined figure was caught in the corner of her eyes which made her slowly turn to see the seemingly tempting being. 

Onto the last step of the staircase, Abigail Fan unhurriedly fluttered her short lashes to get a clear picture of Lexi. Her eyes haltingly meandered from Lexi's head to her black heels. 

She was wearing neither of the sponsored luxury brands that she painstakingly persuaded to support her artist. Still, instead of feeling disappointed, the new image Lexi displayed with her modern qipao wine red dress perfectly suited her personality.

"Stunning" Under her breath, Abigail Fan could only muster a word to express her astonishment. 

"Dear, you're so pretty." Satisfied and proud of her daughter, Lillian Yang walked to meet her daughter halfway to greet her.

"Mom," Lexi's smile reached from ear to ear as she heard her mother's praise. "Thanks to your genes." she added with a giggle.

"Oh dear, " Heartily chuckling back, Lillian Yang assisted her daughter to the long couch where she sat earlier. On the other hand, Abigail Fan abruptly stood up from her seat as a large grin came across her lips.

"Sister Lexi, you look perfect!" Excitedly announcing her compliment, Abigail Fan stated.

"Well, thanks Manager Fan."

Lexi and Abigail Fan accompanied Lillian Yang for several minutes before they excused themselves so they could arrive on time. 

Inside the van, Abigail Fan constantly glanced at Lexi with eyes filled with curiosity. Although Lexi had a room full of different stunning dresses, the one she was wearing was something that Lexi wouldn't purchase even if she has loads of money. 

"Hmm?" Arching her right brow as she sensed her manager's constant stare, Lexi hummed a questioning tune as she cast her a side glance. 

"Uhm… I am amazed that you already planned what kind of image you wanted on your comeback." She lowly muttered. 

"I didn't but a certain fan has." Slightly shaking her head as she recalled Ethan Lu's sweet cards, a subtle smile formed on the side of her lips; which piqued Abigail Fan's interest. 

"A fan?" 

"Hmm," Lexi only hummed in response, unwilling to explain further who it was as Lexi didn't feel like she had to mention that she's in a relationship. It was not that she wanted to keep it a secret but Lexi knew that her manager would fuss about it. Hence, to save herself some trouble before attending the event, Lexi didn't mention Ethan Lu.

Abigail Fan clearly understood her last reply, therefore, she swallowed down her series of questions and restrained her imagination from going wild. After all, knowing Lexi's personality, she would frankly answer her question at the right time.

"That's a very reliable fan." She murmured before silence enveloped inside their ride.