The Rise of the White Lotus

Right after Lexi exited the lounge, the corner of her lips curled into a sly smirk. Her last warning to Cherry was actually a bluff but, to a woman like Cherry, it certainly scared her. 

After all, Lexi had gained pieces of information and showed that she was concerned about Cherry's well being. It wasn't that Lexi wasn't entirely concerned per se but more like, unbothered. 

Regardless, to take advantage of the deal, and to the money she just shelled out tonight, Lexi needed more to satisfy herself. Therefore, knowing that in a few hours, Cherry's involvement in the scandal would surely make Mr. Che and the unknown caller would reach out to her truly made her night. 

The easiest way to track the unknown caller was Cherry's phone. It was not like Lexi wanted to pull an all nighter with Cherry because her husband and the twins were waiting for her. Hence, just a little bluff actually worked with Cherry. 

Soon, Lexi and the two reached outside and neither of the three uttered a single word. On cue, Nico Zhuang jogged back to the parking space to fetch their car while Lexi and Andy Chang waited for him. Since Lexi had reached her objectives, she didn't notice Andy Chang that kept her head low since they left the lounge. 

"Miss Yang?" Just as their ride arrived in front of them, Lexi heard Andy Chang's voice which reached her ears. 

"Hmm?" Turning to her side where Andy Chang stood, her brows furrowed upon seeing the conflicted expression plastered across the woman's face. 

"Thank you," Not knowing what to say or where to start, Andy Chang could only express the emotion that triumphed among all emotions circling inside her heart. 

Aside from the rage she had for Cherry, and disappointment for herself, she was grateful for Lexi and her existence alone. If not for her, she would still probably have this 'escort' thing as her sideline while being Ethan Lu's house cleaner. 

Granted that her salary as a cleaner in Ethan Lu's villa was huge, still, it was not enough because she still has to do escorting services from time to time. But now, her salary as an HR director was more than enough to provide for herself and her siblings living in the province. Therefore, Lexi was her hero. 

In her eyes, Lexi was an angel without wings and yet, her light was brighter than any real angels. 

Even if Cherry had slapped her with how dirty she was— mentioning Mr. Bai as her number one client— Lexi didn't give her a disgusted look, rather, she acted normal as if she didn't mind. That alone was enough to move her heart thousand folds. 

"Andy..." Offering a smile to the bowing Andy Chang, Lexi slightly shook her head. "Everyone I take in, I consider them my people regardless of their past." Lexi stared at her as she watched Andy Chang slightly raise her head. 

"And, no one can touch my people— I won't let that happen. Let your past be your lesson learned— no one is perfect and I am not the one to judge whether you are deemed worthy as a person or not— it's you." Bearing the same smile, Lexi gave her the most genuine advice she could think of based on her experience. 

After all, Lexi might not understand the reason that urged these women to cling onto a double-edged sword called prostitution. Because one thing that Lexi was certain of, was that she would never resort to such a decision even if she has zero money in her bank account. 

To her, there would always be a way to earn money. It might be tough, but life has always been tough. Resorting to such servicing would only add to one's misery in her own honest opinion. 

For some reason, Lexi's words touched Andy Chang's heart as tears began to form on the side of her eyes. She bit her bottom lip as hard as she could so to prevent herself from crying out loud. 

Granted that Lexi took her in after the incident on their first encounter, she wasn't particularly close with Lexi. She just did what she had to do in the company and worked hard to be in the position she was right now. Therefore, this was the first time Lexi uttered words that Andy Chang wanted to hear deep in her heart.

After all, those words... she could not even say that to herself. With all that she had gone through, Andy Chang herself could not help but judge herself. But, having one person not thinking like what she thought of herself and others think of her, her heart was undeniably moved. 

"Thank you, Miss Yang. Thank you," As Andy Chang bowed her head again, her voice cracked as she thanked Lexi over and over again. 

Lexi could only chuckle as she assisted her to stop. "You don't have to thank me. Cherry is wrong— everyone can have second chances if they give themselves a chance." Wiping the woman's tears, Lexi offered a warm smile to her. 

****

Meanwhile, Nico Zhuang who was watching the girls through the side mirror getting intimate scrunched his nose up. In his eyes, Lexi seemed like she was seducing a fragile lady. 

After all, Lexi might be kind most of the time but she was always cold. He knew it because he spent his entire day with Lexi. Therefore, he only sees Lexi warm up when Ethan Lu was around and the twins. 

"So glad master is not around." Out of habit, Nico Zhuang murmured as he heaved a sigh of relief. Well, Ethan Lu's title as the master of pettiness had been kept intact in his subordinate's mind, heart, and soul. Therefore, they could not help but feel relieved whenever Lexi was shaking hands with another man or just her, comforting a lady. 

****

"Miss Yang, I won't bother you anymore. I will be on my way, no need to drop me off." After wiping her tears and recovering with Lexi's company, Andy Chang meekly spoke. 

"Are you sure?" Worried, Lexi slightly knitted her brows. 

"Yes," Nodding, Andy Chang uttered in resolve. "I can take a taxi from here to my apartment. Thank you." She explained so as to not worry Lexi anymore. She didn't want to bother Lexi because she knew that there was a shorter route to take if she goes straight home instead of heading to Beauty DR's headquarters where she rented her apartment nearby. 

"Alright, take care." Agreeing, Lexi didn't ask once again as she bid her farewell and hitched inside their car. 

As soon as Lexi entered the car, Nico Zhuang glanced through the rear mirror as he didn't speed away immediately, waiting for Andy Chang to enter. 

"No, she's not coming with us. Drive straight to my parent's home." Seeing that Nico Zhuang hadn't started driving the car, Lexi informed him because Andy Chang just decided not to hitch a ride with them just now. With that said note, Nico Zhuang just glanced at the side mirror where he could see Andy Chang standing while smiling at the back passenger's window as if she could see Lexi despite the tinted window before he stepped on the pedal and sped away.

****

Soon, Lexi arrived at the Yang Mansion where she saw Ethan Lu's car parked outside while some of the twin's things were being unloaded from his car by the servants as usual. Heading inside, Lexi was welcomed by the normal occurrence at the Yang's living area with her parent's presence while Ethan Lu was enjoying a cup of tea and conversing with Frederick Yang.

"Hey, love~!" As soon as Lexi arrived inside, Ethan Lu's love radar rang numerous times before he turned to her direction. Seeing the love of his life after a long tiring day, Ethan Lu's heart melted as he waved his hand like a little kid being fetched by his mother from his first day of school.

"Hey, I'm sorry I took longer than expected." Smiling, Lexi's heart softened as she headed to her husband and placed a peck on top of his head before wrapping her arms around his neck while she stood behind the sofa he was sitting on.

"Lexi," Catching Lexi's attention before the two go lovey-dovey in front of them, Frederick Yang cleared his throat as he called his daughter's name.

"Yes, Dad?" Raising her head to meet her father, Lexi smiled before she shifted her gaze to her mother sitting on the opposite couch while patting Evan Lu's bottom as her baby boy was sleeping in Lillian Yang's embrace while Lady Lara Lu was soundlessly sleeping beside them like an independent lady.

"You remember Mr. Tang? He was going to be celebrating his 65th birthday next week and he was inviting us. Unfortunately, I have an important business trip in country H at the same time. Will you attend in my stead?" Not beating around the bush, Frederick Yang stated after a heavy sigh.

Hearing the said man, Lexi's brows furrowed a little. Of course, she remembered Mr. Tang because she was the one who got his contact number back in Seraphina Yue's official take over. After that event, Mr. Tang took an interest in their company and invested a huge sum of money— one of the reasons why her father's company slowly got back on his feet.

Only after that did Morris Liu stop putting pressure on their company so it went all smooth-sailing and Liu Empire continued all projects they had with their company. Therefore, Lexi knew exactly who Mr. Tang was— even Ethan Lu knew the man because he was just teasing her back then.

"Sure, Dad. When? So I can clear my schedule." Agreeing, Lexi didn't bat an eye as they owed the man a favor. Moreover, it was also a chance to thank Mr. Tang for trusting their company despite the crisis they were going through in the past. "Let's attend together, my loves. I'm sure Mr. Tang will be glad to see us together now." Resting her left cheek on Ethan Lu's head, Lexi meekly invited her man to be her date.

"Uhh…" Scratching his jaw, Ethan Lu frowned along with a deep sigh. "I can't, wifey. I also have an important meeting that day. I also got invited earlier when I bumped into Mr. Tang in the golf club where I had a meeting." Sounding unhappy, Ethan Lu heavily sighed once again.

"Aww…" Pouting, Lexi was slightly sad upon hearing that Ethan Lu could not make it as well. However, she knew that her husband's schedule was quite hectic hence, she could not do anything about it. "That's fine, I'll just go alone then." She added before meekly smiling at her father.

"So, we are borrowing the twins until my business meeting since your mother is coming with me and we'll be away for a week." Seeing that Lexi had saved him, the side of Frederick Yang's lips stretched into a grin as his eyes twinkled.

"Huuuh?" Furrowing her brows, Lexi was reminded at the scene she saw outside and realized that the people were unloading the twin's stuff instead of loading the things they should carry back to their place.

"It's okay, Love. Mom and Dad just wanted to spend time with the twins— try to understand." As if on cue, Ethan Lu sent his reinforcement which made Lillian Yang and Frederick Yang nod in unison.

"Oh ho, use this time for quality time, dear~" Chuckling, Lillian Yang audibly humored as she covered her lips with the back of her hand. Her gaze altered from Lexi's speechless front and then to Ethan Lu who was grinning from ear to ear.

"I don't know anymore if you are Ethan's biological parents or mine." Shaking her head sideways, Lexi helplessly commented because every passing day, this 'fact' got clearer and clearer to her. 

"No need to fuss about it, dear. You are adopted— Oops, sorry." Still chuckling, Lillian Yang humored which of course, caused them to laugh out loud except Lexi.

"Laugh more." Threatening the only way she could, Lexi glared at Ethan Lu who was immediately choked by the rest of his laughter and let out a series of coughs before completely stopping. 

"No, Ma'am. It's not funny." Clearing his throat, Ethan Lu held his laughter while his in-laws snickered.