The Rise of the White Lotus

Finally, it was the day that Andy Chang and Lexi would meet Cherry who was oblivious about Lexi's appearance. On their way to a nightclub where they would hang out, Andy Chang constantly cast Lexi a glance from time to time. 

Neither of them talked despite sharing the ride together and were just sitting next to each other. Andy Chang was anxious about Cherry's reaction about her boss's appearance while Lexi was deep in her own thoughts. 

Meanwhile, Nico Zhuang who was driving the car glanced through the rear mirror. For some reason, he felt quite uncomfortable at the atmosphere circling inside their vehicle. It was not that he was afraid about their arrangement tonight, but Lexi had been unusually quiet as if she was lost in her thoughts. 

Just what kind of thoughts were keeping her head preoccupied these past two days? Knowing Lexi, she would always inform him about her plans— whether it was for the company or for AL entertainment. Hence, he was curious because Lexi wasn't telling him a word about any new plans so far. 

"Madam, we've arrived." Clearing his throat, Nico Zhuang announced right after he caught the establishment's bright signage. 

"Mhmm," Humming a tune, unlike what Nico Zhuang had expected, that she would not respond immediately, Lexi was still conscious about her surroundings and caught a glance of the place's signage as well. 

Turning to her side where Andy Chang perched with her hands on her lap, like a behaved child afraid to disturb anyone, the corner of Lexi's lips stretched a little upward. 

"Are you having second thoughts?" Lexi meekly smiled as she saw Andy Chang slowly turned to look at her. 

"No, Madam Yang." Andy Chang shook her head sideways as a glint of firm resolve flashed across her eyes. 

"Alright, let's go." Nodding her head in a slow manner, Lexi faintly exhaled as she looked away and watched their car's speed slow down and stop several steps away from the entrance. 

"You know where our room is right?" Without turning to the driver's seat, Lexi began checking her bag out of habit. 

"Yes," Knowing that her question was for him, Nico Zhuang stoically responded along with a nod. 

"Alright," Hearing him respond, Lexi lifted her head to her side before she slightly tilted her head to the side indicating for Andy Chang to go with her. 

Clearing her throat, Andy Chang saw Lexi depart their ride without a word before she exited the car from the other door. Standing out, Andy Chang took a step back before Nico Zhuang sped away towards the place's parking lot. 

Standing still, Andy Chang peered at Lexi's figure who was scanning the place's entrance. There were several people outside, some were smoking, others seemed like they were waiting for their squad, while the rest were entering the club. 

"Why are you standing there?" Arching her brows, Lexi noticed that Andy Chang was just standing foolishly. She didn't even notice that Lexi turned to look at her as she had sensed that Andy Chang was not following her. 

"I— I'm sorry. It's nothing." Snapping from her trance, Andy Chang stuttered as she apologized. For some reason, she felt ashamed that she agreed to Cherry's demand and dragged Lexi into this kind of place. 

Well, for her, this place seemed like it didn't suit Lexi. After all, it was a nightclub for normal citizens and not for elites. Granted that Lexi told her that she didn't mind, Andy Chang could not help but feel bothered by Lexi's impression of her or what it would be after coming here. 

For pete's sake! She just barely was able to cling onto Lexi's good graces. Thus, she was more afraid of what she would think of her now more than Cherry's shakey future. 

As the two entered the nightclub, they were welcomed by the deafening loud music echoing throughout the whole place. Just like any other night clubs, the people inside were intoxicated in their dancing while swaying along with the music's every beat. 

Flashes of rainbow lights moved in whichever direction and sometimes it blinked to make the whole place livelier. Nevertheless, it was still not a very captivating sight for Lexi. Perhaps, it was because she had grown matured that these kinds of places don't excite her anymore. 

Sensing the ashamed look on Andy Chang's aura, Lexi was about to plug her ears as the music slightly irritated her. However, she already took advantage of the fact that Andy Chang was deeply indebted to her. Thus, Lexi minded her own actions and pretended that she didn't mind everything at all as she headed to the very few private lounges of the place. 

Fortunately, the place was dark aside from the flashing lights from time to time. Therefore, Lexi managed to have a smooth journey without anyone recognizing her. 

Soon, the loud music slightly faded as they arrived at the hall where there are private lounges. Stopping in her tracks, Lexi stepped aside which made Andy Chang raise her head with a questioning look. 

"Lead the way." Raising her brows, Lexi uttered in a matter of fact tone. If not for the fact that Lexi looked up information on this place before going in, she wouldn't know where to go. After all, Andy Chang had been too distracted by god knows what and didn't notice that Lexi was the one who was leading the way and not her. 

"Oh, right. Sorry." Realizing that Lexi managed to lead the way even without knowing the little details of the meet up, Andy Chang snapped out of her internal struggle and immediately resumed in her steps— passing by Lexi and heading to the said lounge where Cherry managed to book. 

Soon, they arrived at the door where the said woman was waiting inside. Glancing at Lexi, Andy Chang swallowed a mouthful of saliva as she reaffirmed her gradually wavering resolve. 

Just as Andy Chang lifted her hand on the door's handle, Lexi felt her phone vibrate that made her reach for the handle of her small handbag. Raising her hand, gesturing to the woman to hold up, Lexi picked up her phone up just in time to see her husband calling her. 

"You can go inside first. I have to pick this up." Lexi excused herself and witnessed Andy Chang slightly nod before she headed to the most silent place she could find. 

Thankfully, the restroom was at the end of the hall and the sound of the music from the dance floor could be vaguely heard. Without further ado, Lexi entered one cubicle and answered the incoming call. 

"My love! Where are youuu~?" The moment the line connected, Ethan Lu's voice was immediately on the line asking for his wife's whereabouts. 

"I'm at a club—"

"What? What are you doing in a club?! Where's Nico?" Shocked, Ethan Lu jolted from his office chair upon receiving Lexi's response. Even without Lexi seeing it, he had suspiciously narrowed his eyes as if trying to see through Lexi's thoughts at this moment. 

"Didn't I tell you that I'd be meeting Cherry with Andy? Your former lady cleaner?" Hearing his voice raised and envisioning his suspicious gaze, Lexi rolled her eyes before her right brow arched. 

"Oh... right," Shutting up for a second, Ethan Lu nodded in understanding as he recalled Lexi saying that she had an important meeting tonight and asked him to fetch the twins at his in-law's home. 

"Sorry, I forgot about that. Anyways, let me pick you up after and let's fetch the twins together?" Shrugging his shoulders, Ethan Lu dived into the reason for his call as he already planned to pick Lexi up in her office— forgetting that she had a last arrangement for the day. 

"It's fine. I'll just see you in our parent's home. I don't think it will take long." Shaking her head to the side, Lexi meekly refused as she could not help but smile at his sweet gesture. 

After all, Ethan Lu has always been so sweet despite his busy schedule. He might forget tons of things just like her schedule or an uninteresting story she told him. But, he never forgets to take care of her. Making time for her and picking her up a few times in a week.

Surprise her with flowers even if there was no occasion and so much more. Alas, the location of the club she was in would take at least an hour or two to drive from Lu Corporation. Therefore, Lexi didn't want him to travel that long instead, he should just go straight to her parent's home and rest there while he waits for her arrival. 

"Aww..." Frowning, Ethan Lu heavily sighed because being rejected wasn't a good feeling ever. "Okay, Mrs. Independent. Be careful okay? I love you~" Regardless of his displeasure, Ethan Lu could only abide by her words because it was his homily to obey. 

"I love you too, love. I'll see you later." Lexi meekly chuckled before she responded and hung up. Knowing her husband, he wouldn't bring himself to end the call himself therefore, Lexi would always be the first to cut the line without waiting for his reply. 

Just as Lexi was about to exit the cubicle, she heard the main door of the restroom open up that was followed by the loud laughter of a woman. 

"Yes, Mister Bai! Andy is with me tonight!" Lexi didn't mind hearing the woman's voice as she prepared herself to exit the cubicle. However, just as she unlocked the cubicle's door, she halted upon hearing Andy's name being uttered. 

Lexi's brows knitted as she had an unsettling feeling about the woman's tone. Hence, she decided to stay at the cubicle and overhear whatever conversation the woman said to the man on the other end of the line. 

"What do you mean? Of course! She's very much available tonight! Oh dear, how could she refuse you?" The woman gleefully chuckled which made Lexi narrowed her eyes as she found herself leaning closer to the partition separating her and the woman outside. 

"No, no! Don't worry, I'll prepare her for you tonight okay? Yes, same place— got it!" Sounding proud, certain, and achieved, the woman kept on throwing more flowery words to the man on the line before the call ended. 

When Lexi heard the faucet running, she decided to exit the cubicle— welcoming the long mirror that reached the end of the wall. In an instant, by the mirror, her eyes moved to the side and saw a woman washing her hands. 

For some reason, the woman felt the intent pair of eyes glued on her. Thus, she raised her head and stared back at the person through the mirror. For a second, her mind didn't load seeing a familiar face of a celebrity before it widened and her eyes blinked several times. 

"Woa—" In disbelief, the woman with curly dark hair that had pink highlights, red blinding lips, dark eyeliner, and heavy makeup abruptly turned her head to Lexi for a clearer view. 

She glided in front of Lexi as her eyes gleamed with sparkling stars. Slowly, her hands linked together as her red lips parted apart. 

"Chang'e? Are you Lexi's impersonator? You really look like her..." In awe, the woman inquired as her eyes traveled to Lexi's facial features. 

"Cherry?" Arching her brows, Lexi ignored the way Cherry was looking at her as she guessed that this was probably Cherry. Staring back at the woman, Lexi's assumptions that this woman might be Cherry wavered because of certain expectations were ruined by reality. 

Was it her heavy makeup? Her tactlessness? She didn't resemble Hannah Gan at all!

"Huh? You recognize me?" Surprised, Cherry gasped as her palm rested on her chest. "Well, I know I am quite famous now. Ahh! I see." Uncertain at first, Cherry's mood escalated as if she realized something. 

"You also want to enter our work, right? Well, you will sell well with that look. No, you will be our hottest model because you look like Lexi! Oh gosh! You don't know how many men will line up just to be with Chang'e! Haha!" Cherry nodded her head as she screened Lexi from head to toe before she pretended that she was acceptable to be in the industry but sounded excited at the end. 

Lexi clearly saw the money sign in Cherry's eyes as she envisioned the money she would gain if Lexi indeed joined the industry. The only feeling that Lexi felt at that moment was relief. 

'Fortunately, my husband is not hearing you or it will be the last time you'll be able to speak.' Lexi thought inwardly as her relief began to form into disgust at how unremorseful this woman was at what she had done.