The Rise of the White Lotus

Meanwhile…

"Right! I remember meeting Miss Yang through Mr. Tanaka. If not for him, I'd probably missed a great company to work with. Haha!" In the middle of the dinner, Mr. Tang exclaimed as this wonderful memory suddenly struck in his mind. Turning to Lexi, she was chuckling as she wiped the side of her lips by a napkin.

"Mr. Tang actually surprised me as I imagined him as someone who's strict — No offense, Mr. Tang." Shaking her head, Lexi expressed as her playful gaze glanced at Mr. Tang, who heartily laughed at her honest remarks.

"Haha! with Mr. Tang's reputation, he was frequently mistaken as an old-fashioned old man! Haha! Well, at the very least, he's old that's for sure!"

"Now that you mentioned it, I almost had a heart attack when I first had a meeting with him back in the days… *sigh* now, we're old." 

"Mr. Tang is a humble man. He reminds me to not judge the book by its cover." One after another, after hearing Lexi's unreserved impression towards the old man, they laughed along with them as they shared their own impression of the said man.

As they freely expressed themselves, it only showed how strong their bond was, because these statements could strain a flimsy tie if they didn't know who they were talking about. Fortunately, Mr. Tang wouldn't take these teasing to the heart. In contrast, he even enjoyed hearing their almost the same impressions about him.

"Hey, are you forgetting it's my debut today?" Pretending that he was displeased, Mr. Tang humored before another waved of laughter filled the whole table.

"Now that you mentioned it, I wondered why Mr. Tanaka didn't attend." Lexi harmlessly inquired as she has been meaning to ask about it. 

She expected to meet Wren Tanaka tonight knowing his connections with Mr. Tang. After all, she hasn't thanked the man that indirectly helped her find partners to help the Yang Company during its crisis. Moreover, she wanted to ask that very man an important question.

"Hmm…" For some reason, Mr. Tang rubbed his blanched beard as he momentarily pondered. 

"Actually, he just sent me a birthday gift and greetings with a half-hearted excuse of why he could not attend. That lad is surely enjoying his prime years." Mr. Tang indifferently shrugged his shoulder as he didn't show any displeasure about his absence.

Lexi only nodded in understanding and didn't probe any further. Little did she know, Wren Tanaka wasn't enjoying his 'prime years' just like what Mr. Tanaka assumed because, in reality, he was just stuck with a troublesome person whom Lexi was very familiar with.

Soon, the dinner smoothly neared its end as each of them shared their happy memories with Mr. Tang. Surprisingly, no one talked about serious business-related stuff, and no one inquired why Ethan Lu didn't attend. Hence, the dinner's atmosphere was lighthearted — just as Lexi wanted.

Still, from time to time, Lexi could sense an intent gaze from time to time. Therefore, she would often turn to its direction where Morris Liu perched. Yet, whenever she looked at his direction, Morris Liu would be either conversing with the man next to him or just merely listening to the conversation.

'He never changes…' She thought inwardly before Lexi returned her attention back to the conversation she was in. She didn't know why, but, for some reason, she didn't feel awkward around Morris Liu just like what she had expected.

After all, she once gave her whole heart to him and was willing to give everything she could offer. Thus, even though Ethan Lu was now dominating her heart, she could not help but wonder what kind of scenario would happen if she faced her former fiance again. 

Yet, these feelings circulating around her heart, it was the least she expected. It was as if she wanted to talk to him as if nothing happened between them. Perhaps, what she yearned was the closure the two of them deserved like how adults end things. However, Lexi took her time as different people currently surrounded them and she was certain that there would be free time for them to talk tonight.

What time would it be? No one knew. If it happens, it would eventually. 

"Oh, Mr. Tang… My father would truly feel guilty if you put it that way." Throwing the thought she has seconds ago aside, Lexi shook her head as she chuckled and humored back towards Mr. Tang's statement.

"Haha! Miss Yang, you should not forget what I just said to Frederick to guilt-trip him. Bwahaha!" Sounding mischievous despite his age, Mr. Tang laughed out loud. Meanwhile, Lexi could not help but think that her grandfather-in-law would surely enjoy the company of Mr. Tang as they were both easy-going despite their respectable yet intimidating reputation.

****

"Yes, I see them both here and you're right. Your cousin is not around." Inside the same event, Mia Chen, who wore the least glamorous dress she has, matched with heavy makeup, and a short wig to avoid someone from recognizing her, spoke through the phone. 

"Heh, well, I did my part. Now, Miss Chen, will I be hearing good news tonight?" At the end of the line, Dylan Lu's cunning voice was heard. 

"No, start celebrating because, by tomorrow morning, their relationship will be over" With that said note, Mia Chen unreluctantly ended the call. A smirk slowly formed on the corner of her lips as her gaze rested on Morris Liu's very noticeable figure among the men around the table he was in. 

"Brother Mo… you'll understand my love for you tonight, don't worry." Through a whisper, Mia Chen murmured before she turned around and left the hall. Just as she left the function hall, Mia Chen's phone vibrated again, which made her check who it was. 

Seeing that it was the foolish Kevin Woo, Mia Chen looked around at her empty corridor before she picked up the call. 

"Hey, how's the party going?" 

"It's fun." Forcing to sound cheery and soothing, Mia Chen faintly responded. 

"Mhmm…" Kevin Woo nodded. "Mia, I'm sorry." Sounding disheartened, Kevin Woo expressed. 

"Sorry? For?" Mia Chen knitted her brows in confusion as she didn't recall any problems between them. 

"For letting you attend your friend's party alone. I wanted to accompany you, but you know…" 

"You… Why are you even sorry if what you are doing is for our future? It's fine, I already told you. Also, all my circle of friends is here so, there's nothing to worry about. I'll see you tomorrow?" Though she sounded like an understanding girlfriend, Mia Chen could not help but internally scoff at how foolish Kevin Woo was. 

Who needs his company?

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then. I love you, Mia."

"Mhmm, bye." With that, Mia Chen hung up the phone before putting it in silent mode and placed it back on her purse. 

"Stupid." She ridiculed before heading to wherever she needed to go.