The Rise of the White Lotus

"Engr. Choi, are you still with me?" Slightly tilting her head to the side, Lexi marginally raised her brows as the man across her seemed as if his mind was wandering somewhere else. 

"Uh, sorry Miss Yang. I was just a little surprised that I would be able to meet CEO Lu today, hehe." Engineer Choi scratched the back of his head as he awkwardly explained and apologized for his lack of professionalism. 

Well, who wouldn't lose their mind for a second especially to a low time businessman like him? It was the same as normal fans meeting their idols or a commoner meeting the emperor!

Still, what Ethan Lu said, it bugged him until now to the point that Engr. Choi had mixed emotions of hope and despair at the same time. 

"Engr. Choi, you must know by now that our family is in the same industry as yours— Yang Company?" Slightly nodding in understanding, Lexi leaned her back against the backrest of the single sofa inside the fairly spacious office. After that, she smiled and locked her gaze on him. 

"Uh, yes..." Sounding a little more awkward, Engineer Choi genuinely responded as he also made his research after signing a contract with her. 

Of course, the Yang Company was famous enough especially to the industry that they are in. They are the most sought after and trusted company for building large infrastructures and buildings. Hence, one of the questions that Engr. Choi never dared to ask was: why would Lexi Yang, the daughter of the Yang Company seek his aid instead of her father?

"I'm still glad that even after knowing that, you never asked me about it." Lexi smiled even more as a memory flashed in her mind. "Back then, when I was still very active in our company helping my father with the company affairs I knew of our competitors— big or small."

"Mr. Choi, that was also around the time you encountered the blessed Che family. I was a little interested in your dispute so I read a few articles about you and your company mainly because I wanted to entertain myself for a while— my apologies for being entertained with your misfortune." As she apologized, Lexi's voice gradually turned meek and sincere. 

Indeed, just like what she admitted to in the past, she was never an angel nor was she a devil. It's just that she doesn't care about other people's drama as long as she was not involved and it could entertain her on the sidelines. 

The harsh reality about this world where money rules and wealth equate power and power means influence. 

"But, despite that, I must admit that your company and your personal track record was indeed commendable. So, while I was contemplating whether to ask my father for this project— I was reminded of Engr. Choi, the man who doesn't have the hindsight for a good businessman but has a strong will for his people— you have my respect there."

The corner of Engineer Choi's lips twitched as he didn't know if he should be offended or flattered as her flowery words attached some insulting truths within them. 

"I can ask my father to renovate this place without me shelling out a single dime, but... maybe it's just my pride but this whole starting a business by myself thing— I literally wanted no financial help from them." Lexi never broke her eye contact with Engineer Choi even if he constantly looked down from time to time. 

Back when her parents found out that she rented the whole building for a few years— thanks to her dearest Ethan Lu— Frederick Yang did every means of persuasion available for her to accept his help. However, part of her was unwilling, not because she was ungrateful for her father's benevolent offer but because Lexi knew that she had to spend every dime from her income from her projects before while she was still an actress and her other source of income from their agency with Abigail Fan. 

In that case, Lexi could feel how it feels when she has to shell out money to fund the renovations, labor, and everything else. This experience, the anxiousness of seeing her bank balance decrease, as if someone is just sucking it dry, the worries that the budget might go past the estimation and many more. Regardless, the emotions upon seeing the building slowly transformed into her liking— Lexi would never forget this little accomplishment. Therefore, she never regretted refusing her father's help and Ethan Lu's. 

"You are an inspiring woman, Miss Yang. You have my full respect. " Engineer Choi watched how Lexi subtly smiled as she went into momentary silence. She might appear perfect yet she would bravely admit her flaws— referring to how she enjoyed his crisis with the Che family. Still, he wasn't offended in any way because that was a normal occurrence, especially in the top social ladder. Thus, he was in awe that someone like her, a person who could make a big decision to start from scratch on her own, knowing how tough the competition was, it was inspiring. 

Lexi only smiled at him as she was flattered by his last statements. But, she didn't know what to say that's why she diverted their topic to a more important one. 

"Anyways, as promised, since I liked the outcome of the renovation, I will recommend you somewhere who might need your service." Lexi grinned as she truly wanted to help the man. 

Not because she wanted to show her sincerity for laughing in his misfortunes back then but because someone like him, a very honest and softhearted person that would never turn his back on his people was a very rare thing in the world they lived in. 

Engineer Choi proved himself that he was honest enough as he always tries to lessen their cost without lowering the materials they needed. More importantly, he always updated Lexi about it which made her trust him even more. Therefore, Lexi approved of the fact that Engr. Choi could be trusted and placing him on Ethan Lu's side was a good move as the Lu Corporation could do with missing a few corruption scandals about the material with all their ongoing projects. 

"Miss Yang, I— I— thank you!" Her last remarks made him stutter as he thought Lexi had forgotten her promise three months ago. Although he never really gave much thought about it as he was already content about this project and the profit that salvaged his company— Engineer Choi was completely grateful for her. 

"I will never disappoint you with your friends!" He added in a firm affirmation yet, his eyes were tempted to well up due to extreme happiness. 

"Friends? No, actually, you met him downstairs and I already gave him your calling card— you'll be receiving an email later... or maybe in a minute." Just as Lexi grinned as she witnessed Engineer Choi's mouth gape open and his eyes dilated, a loud notification sound rang. 

Lexi raised her brows indicating for him to check the email which Engineer Choi instantly did. The moment his phone lit up, an opening email from the Lu Corporation welcomed his wrinkled eyes. 

Aside from the sender, what caught his eye was the subject which was a contract offer. 

Engr. Choi: "!!!!!"