The Rise of the White Lotus

Seeing that Ethan Lu abruptly exited his office without asking his assistant to ready his vehicle, Lyrick Jiang knitted his brows together. He watched his seemingly carefree boss draw closer to where his desk was. From what he recalled, aside from the paperwork that Ethan Lu was scanning and signing, he doesn't have any meetings for the day.

Moreover, all their company affiliates and all of the families that were close to the Lu family were all invited to his official take over. Hence, all business discussions could be discussed later or tomorrow as it should be a jubilant day for everyone… or, that's what the people that had attended should believe.

"See you later, felicia~" Without a hint of anxiousness or worry, Ethan Lu grinned brightly as he waved his hand while passing by Lyrick Jiang's desk.

"Master!" Seeing that his boss was just leaving just like that, Lyrick Jiang abruptly stood up and unintentionally slammed his palms on the surface of the desk, sending tremors to the stacks of documents and his laptop lightly shook with the force that was exerted. "You are not running away, are you?"

For some reason, Lyrick Jiang sensed that despite the ever-smiling lips and eyes of his boss, his instinct tells him otherwise. He knew, deep down, there was something wrong— though unclear, he was worried that Ethan Lu was planning something else.

"Jeez…" Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Ethan Lu glared daggers at him as he peered at him with disdainful eyes. "Are you deaf or what? I said, see you later." Through his gritted teeth, Ethan Lu made sure to pretend to act naturally and speak in a manner to how he would normally respond to him. 

"Whatever, I just want some 'me' time, alright? I'll see you at the venue— I won't be late!" Waving his hand off in annoyance, Ethan Lu turned his back against the suspicious Lyrick Jiang and without further ado, he resumed in his tracks at a normal speed while sliding his hand inside his pocket.

Watching the retreating back of his master, Lyrick Jiang's front creased even more. Perhaps, his relationship to his boss these past few months gave him the opportunity to know his master well— even vaguely read him. Granted that Lyrick Jiang and his whole clan had been serving the Lu family all of their lives, aside from what Ethan Lu had been showing him and everyone else, Lyrick Jiang thought that his boss was a stubborn guy who liked causing trouble.

However, ever since that day… the day that his master had his own reasons to come to the office on his own volition. Ever since he started meddling with the Lu family affairs, and when he revealed that he has someone to protect, Lyrick Jiang met more of his master— more than what other people know about him.

He wasn't just a stubborn airheaded heir that other people deemed him to be, nor was he the brat that only wants all the luxuries in the world that Ethan Lu had been masquerading as for a very very long time. Rather, Lyrick Jiang met how deep of a man his boss really was. Hence, knowing this side of him, he could not help but worry about what his boss was thinking to give off this kind of odd vibe.

"Aish… I knew there's something going on when we weren't rushing to the Madam earlier despite the old master's visit." Shaking his head and muttering his words along with a heavy sigh, Lyrick Jiang plopped down on his seat and languidly pulled out his phone from his suit pocket.

Speed-dialing a number, the line connected just as he placed the phone in front of his ears. "Master is taking a walk or a ride or whatever, don't let your presence be known— he hates it." with that said remark, Lyrick Jiang didn't wait for the person to respond as he cut the line short.

Glancing in the direction where his master headed, Lyrick Jiang shook his head as his second priority resurfaced; gossip. Since he already gave the orders to safeguard the life of the new head of the Lu family, Lyrick Jiang tried to call Nico Zhuang's number. 

Alas, as expected, it was declined. Thus, Lyrick Jiang made use of his brief free time to send Nico Zhuang a message. It says: 

[To: Captain Z

Hey, answer my call— it's urgent! What happened?]

Still, despite the fact that the message was sent and was even read, Nico Zhuang dared to heartlessly 'seen' zone him! Surely, that cheapskate would at least give him a hint about what happened with the old master's visit! He was also concerned you know… aside from his curiosity about their conversation.

*****

Reading the chat of Lyrick Jiang, Nico Zhuang could not help but shake his head as his colleague seemed to forget to use the method of proper orders and reports if it was urgent. Nico Zhuang was certain that it was just Lyrick Jiang's endless gossip thirst, hence, he knew that he didn't need to give any of the details. After all, Ethan Lu already knew what happened and supported the old master's move— giving Lexi the choice to stay or leave.

Just as Nico Zhuang slid his phone back into his pocket, the entrance door of the villa slowly opened— revealing Lexi's unreadable expression. Her gaze, that gave no emotion, immediately landed on his delicate features. 

"Nico, I have to go somewhere… don't let me feel your presence as you follow me and keep my privacy between the two of us— tell that to the others who are also watching over me from afar." With that said note, Lexi began taking slow strides as she picked up her keys from inside her handbag and pressed the unlock button of her car.

"Yes Madam," Back to the basics, Nico Zhuang bowed his head and watched her car slowly sped away from him. When her car was moving farther away from him, he reached for his phone again and sent a short message to order the rest of his team to follow the madam without being noticed.

"I wonder where she is heading…" He muttered before another speeding car came into a full halt in front of him and without a word, Nico Zhuang hitched inside to follow Lexi.