The Rise of the White Lotus

Several days later, it was finally the day Frederick and Lillian Yang departed for their business trip and Mr. Tang's birthday celebration at night. Within the past few days, Lexi and Ethan Lu had temporarily resided at the Yang Mansion as they could not bear to go back and forth every night from the Yang residence to their home. Moreover, perhaps because they are already parents, they were still having this strange separation anxiety.

"Take care Mom, Dad." Smiling, Lexi's eyes softened as she gently reminded her parents to enjoy the trip and not exhaust themselves too much over the call. She wanted to personally drop them off but her father insisted that there was no need.

"Don't worry about us, dear. We will keep in touch and ask for updates of our adorable twins." Lillian Yang chuckled as she mildly shook her head. Lexi has been such a worrywart still, Lillian and Frederick Yang were moved regardless. She wasn't like this in the past but ever since she had grown more matured and became a mother herself, Lexi sometimes acted as her parent's mother.

"Anyway, dear, we prepared a gift for Mr. Tang and it probably arrived at home. Should we send it to your office or you'll pick it up later?" Diverting the subject, Lillian Yang was reminded of the late delivery of their supposed gift to their business partner. Hence, she asked Lexi so she could ask someone to deliver it to her as Lillian Yang was unsure of Lexi's tight schedule.

"I'll pick it up since I have to run an errand near the house."

"Okay… oops, time to board. See you in a week, dear~ Kiss the twins for me~!" Despite Lexi not seeing her every gesture, Lillian Yang nodded her head before she chuckled and reminded her again to kiss the twins for her.

"Yes, see you in a week, Mom. Take care." Lexi meekly smiled before she heard the beeping sound indicating that the call finally ended. She placed down her phone back to one of the drawers in her desk before a heavy sigh escaped her mouth.

Tonight, she has to attend a party and make a public appearance for the first time in a long time. It was not that Lexi was against it as she was doing it on her own volition but rather, she still preferred that Ethan Lu would be there to accompany her.

Sadly, he has an important deal that concerns the government as Ethan Lu had been firming his ties to some politician he was supporting. Regardless, it would be a waste to deliver the good news to Mr. Tang about their relationship if the other was not there.

"Whatever… it is what it is." Lexi shrugged her shoulders as she threw her thoughts to the back of her mind. Before turning to face her computer screen before checking some articles regarding the scandal of HG Holdings' CEO and Cherry.

Skimming through the latest forum thread of the said discussion, Lexi slowly nodded her head in satisfaction. So far, Hannah Gan's reputation was more likable as Lexi ordered AL Entertainment to publish an article of the celebrity's good deeds: that includes her secret charity affairs, her simple happiness of eating in a small cafe and so on, so forth.

Nevertheless, it was safe to say that Hannah Gan was back in the limelight— her shine gleaming brighter with every project and photoshoot. Of course, since Lexi wanted to make her the ultimate superstar and AL entertainments biggest money tree, she made sure to keep track of her projects and each script that was offered to her.

"Oh? Che Diayu?" While Lexi was scrolling down, something was caught from the side of her eye which made the cursor move and click the interesting article. The title? It was "Facts about a celebrity heiress you didn't know."

Although the name wasn't dropped, the person who posted this article didn't even exert effort to choose a picture that could make Che Diayu recognizable. It was just a slightly blurred photo but just with a glance, those who knew Che Diayu would know it was her.

"So, here are the facts about this celebrity slash an heiress of XX Holdings, and we better give her the alias of Miss Jewel, that you didn't know:

Miss Jewel likes jewelry that she would clad herself with shining, shimmering, splendid accessories to cover up her very rotten attitude. This girl, Miss Jewel, was known as the bubbly sweet girl but behind that sweet, innocent smile, Miss Jewel was the darkest character that could shake the heavens!

Miss Jewel once claimed a man beyond her reach as her beloved boyfriend while seducing other men on the side. What? :O"

Lexi could not help but chuckle as she read the amateurishly written article that was too creatively blunt with his/her words. Perhaps, it could be considered just a plain blog to diss Che Diayu for fun.

 However, what Lexi was certain of was that the person behind this has deep grudges against Che Diayu. Well, it was not that shocking as Che Diayu had a hateful character that would lead her to her own doom one of these days.

Hence, that day has slowly arrived. Too bad, one way or another, Lexi also took part in her downfall as she literally dragged her father's name in her artist's scandal to salvage their situation. Still, she felt zero guilt about it. After all, Lexi just merely returned the issue that was theirs in the first place.

"Huh, Rika must see this. I'm sure she'll love this." Shaking her head sideways, Lexi was reminded of her best friend who also resented Che Diayu's big head. 

Just then, Lexi heard a knock from outside her office before she permitted the only person who would knock on the door instead of hearing Nico Zhuang's voice over the telephone. 

Slowly, the door silently creaked open and revealed Nico Zhuang's composed figure. He slowly headed inside after a slight bow and carried another batch of documents that Lexi needed to be reviewed for their next product launch. 

"These are the last batches to be signed and approved for today before we proceed to Mr. Tang's birthday celebration." As usual, he bore his stern voice intact as he put the documents on the other side of the desk.

"Alright." Lexi nodded her head in nonchalance as she glanced at the few documents she must review and approve for the next two hours. Looking up, Lexi knitted her brows as she sees Nico Zhuang not leaving like what he usually does after delivering some paperwork.

"What?"

"Madam, I am still bothered about your deal with Miss Tong. Is it really alright to let her get in contact with Sir Dennis?" Nico Zhuang hesitated for a second but relayed his thoughts out loud in the end. Well, he was present when Lexi was negotiating with Avah Tong. 

Nico Zhuang might not say it aloud but after thinking about it for quite some time, he could not keep his thoughts in his mind anymore. After all, what they were dealing with was undoubtedly concerning. Plus, letting Avah Tong partake in it would just add with their worries if she ever betrayed them. After all, Avah Tong was clearly not a person that they could take her words seriously. She was shameless enough not to see her wrongs therefore, it would not shock him if she ended up colluding with Dennis Lu.

"Hmm? That Dennis might get rid of Avah himself, save me the trouble of appearing as a bad person. Also, that woman was selfish, she must have known by now who she should side with even if it means swallowing her nonexistent pride. Don't worry about it, Nico." Lexi arched brows upon listening to what concerned him before she lightly shrugged her shoulders and leaned her back against the chair.

Usually, Nico Zhuang would keep his thoughts inside him but now, he did otherwise. Therefore, Lexi figured that he was truly bothered. After all, Nico Zhuang had this not-so-surprising mentality to protect the person he accepted as his master. The transparency of their relationship was just an added bonus as Lexi first knew him as her classmate and friend.

"I am just concerned, Madam." Slightly bowing his head, Nico Zhuang expressed his worries that might befall her. After all, Lexi might be smart and wise but, the people she was about to mess with were also vicious and scheming. Even his master has to take a few steps back or else, he would be ensnared by their traps.

"Thank you, Nico. I have everyone watching my back, including you. Is there something I should be worried about if I have tons of eyes looking out for me?" Lexi briefly chuckled as her gaze slightly narrowed, as if smiling. The corner of her lips curled a little upward as well which slightly relieved him.

"No."

"See? As long as we don't forget to be wary, then, I don't think they can even get close to me or to Ethan. Anyway, you'll have to accompany me later but with some distance. Ask Miss Chang to be your date since I can't let others know I sneaked my bodyguard inside the event— Mr. Tang will be displeased." Diverting the subject, Lexi spun her chair and faced the monitor. She closed the unnecessary tabs as she muttered her orders which made her fail to notice Nico Zhuang's twitching brows.

"Why would I need a date?" Cringing to her orders, Nico Zhuang's stoic face slightly scrunched, showing his displeasure of the idea. Well, it was not that he was against Andy Chang as his companion, but rather, the idea of having a date.

"I'm playing as a cupid, duh? Don't complain, I need more invites for tonight's party." Lexi rolled her eyes as she humored the upset Nico Zhuang. Regardless, she would really need more people as the party for later would be quite interesting as a little diversion from the tension in the Lu family affairs.

"Huh…" Rendered speechless at Lexi's teasing remarks, Nico Zhuang slightly knitted his brows. "Okay." Nevertheless, Nico Zhuang still nodded his head as he agreed to Lexi's orders. He knew her plans for later hence, he didn't give much thought about her humor: whether she was serious or just purely teasing him. With that said note, Nico Zhuang wordlessly left the office and didn't glance back at Lexi.

****

[Beauty DR: HR Department]

Thirty minutes later, Nico Zhuang finished some documents that only needed to go through him and his approval even without going through Lexi. Hence, knowing he only has another one and half hour left before Lexi would prepare herself to the said party, Nico Zhuang decided to head to Andy Chang's office.

Arriving at the HR Department, Nico Zhuang, as usual, was greeted by employees with a bow. Though his surface never changes with this kind of treatment, inside him, he would never probably get used to it. After all, the only respect he received was due to his strength and skills to make the shadow guards in the Lu Family respect him— he subdued them all and gained his position as a captain. However, now was entirely a different situation or to what he believed. Even so, that was one of his least concerns.

As Nico Zhuang arrived in front of the HR Director's office, he lightly knocked three times before he heard Andy Chang's gentle voice say "Come in". Thus, ignoring the fact that she didn't even get to know who was outside nor the absence of her assistant, Nico Zhuang slowly opened the door.

"Pie, can you—" As the door opened, Andy Chang was unsmilingly going through some folders before she was about to order the person that entered; which she assumed as her assistant to run an errand for her. 

However, the moment she lifted her head towards the direction of the door, Andy Chang was momentarily stunned seeing Nico Zhuang's classic inexpressive front while looking straight at her.

"Mr. Zhuang!" Andy Chang instantly jolted from her seat as she unintentionally raised her voice. "Uhm, I'm sorry I didn't know you'd be coming. Is there something you need?" Hurriedly, Andy Chang made her way to properly welcome one of her bosses before her big boss Lexi. Since she was slightly shaken by his sudden visit, she clumsily hit a few folders that slid down to the floor.

"I'm sorry, oh dear…" Flinching at the crashing noise of the folders to the floor, Andy Chang felt ridiculously anxious as she didn't know whether to tend to whatever needs Nico Zhuang has or to fix her desk and files on the floor.

"I came here because I need a date for tonight's event." As he watched her pick up the scattered papers on the floor, Nico Zhuang uttered without batting an eye. When those remarks were dropped, Andy Chang's movement ceased as her head unconsciously raised to see his ever inexpressive front.

"Huh?"

"Correct. I am asking you to be my date." Unconscious how those words could lead someone to misunderstand him, Nico Zhuang was just purely asking out of politeness as he didn't want to force her despite Lexi forcing him to do so.