The Rise of the White Lotus

When Lexi returned inside the function hall of the hotel, they had lined important guests including the immediate family members of the Tang Family up so they could personally present their gifts to the celebrant. Although Lexi was also considered an important guest, thankfully, she didn't need to take part in this activity that was just a masquerade of humble bragging.

Furthermore, this was also meant for Mr. Tang to judge his descendant's personalities by the present they prepared for him. So, in other words, this was a lowkey competition between the Tang family members to add some points to gain more favors from old man Tang. Hence, Lexi would do nothing for the moment and just enjoy the show.

Meanwhile, from the other entrance of the place, Morris Liu had finally returned minutes after Lexi's arrival. Both of them acted as usual as if they didn't have an emotional encounter as they had gone to their separate ways; Lexi on the side alone since she could not sight her best friend while Morris Liu joined a group of middle-aged businessmen who're part of Mr. Tang's circle earlier.

"Grandpa…" One reserved yet beautiful lady courteously bowed her head as she greeted Mr. Tang. Upon seeing her approach, Mr. Tang smiled as he slightly waved his hand gesturing to her to lift her head which she did.

"Please accept my gift. I wish you good health and long life, Grandpa." The woman meekly smiled as the butler on the side carried her wrapped gifts for him. Mr. Tang nodded in acknowledgment as a smile revealed on his lips that was hiding beneath his blanched beard.

Soon, as a 'tradition' in this kind of grand celebration, the crowd watched the butler carefully unwrapped what lies beneath the covers of the gift that Mr. Tang received from this unpopular granddaughter of his. 

"This is a renowned masterpiece of Bernard which I luckily got my hands…" As they revealed the gift, the woman began explaining what it obviously was and highlighted how previous it was. Of course, even the Tang Family had their own family drama going on as the situation slightly escalated. 

On the other hand, Lexi, who was witnessing everything, got less and less inclined to watch this drama. It was not a melodramatic situation, but clearly, Mr. Tang's offspring were fighting to the death to be the favored one.  

One major problem of some wealthy families.

"I wonder if I also have a sister or brother, what relationship will we have? Probably, a good one since we have Mom and Dad as parents." As Lexi watched the next granddaughter flaunts her shocking ten of millions worth gift to her grandfather, Lexis slowly looked around to find her friends instead. 

 Just then, she felt her purse vibrate from the inside. Hence, Lexi checked her phone and answered Jarred Guo's call. 

"Madam…" Lexi wordlessly listened as she continued her eyes to scan the area. Without saying a single word, Lexi ended the call once Jarred Guo finished talking. She then saw a waiter carrying a tray of champagnes and wines, thus, she smiled and politely gestured to have one wine for the first time of the night.

"Oh, dear… I guess a glass of wine is not enough?" She murmured as the side of her lips slowly curled into a devilish smirk. A muffled chuckle then followed it as she restrained herself from laughing out loud. 

Fortunately, everyone's attention was on the stage where Mr. Tang was receiving all the rarest gifts while the members of his family showcased their wealth and connections as an individual that they concealed by the words 'gifts to show sincerity'. Truly, people in the upper society were amusing in a way. 

As Lexi sipped another round of wine, she didn't pay attention to the current occurrence inside the same space as her as she was deep in her thoughts. Every person who sees her could not help but admire her from afar. 

Lexi was just too elegant, especially when she was nonchalant; she's akin to a masterpiece. They could only grace their eyes by looking at her beautiful existence but reluctant to approach her, afraid they would ruin the art. 

Just as Lexi was deep in her own thoughts, she snapped from her trance when she heard the Lu's name over the mic. Arching her brows, she turned to the stage where an unfamiliar-looking man stood in front of Mr. Tang as he slowly bowed his head. 

'Who is this?' Lexi inquired inwardly as she hadn't seen this person's face. Aside from Lyrick Jiang, Jarred Guo, Nico Zhuang, and a few men of her husband, Lexi could not remember that she had seen this man before. 

"Good evening, Mr. Tang. Our Master, Mr. Ethan Lu, is sending his apologies to Mr. Tang because there were conflicts with our master's end, so he could not attend this special day. Thus, to express his sincerity, he sent a little gift to Mr. Tang." The man tonelessly spoke as he gestured the gifts to be carried in. Since there wasn't just one gift, the other men in a uniformed suit just like the one who spoke helped the lone butler that had been carrying each guest's gifts. 

"Hahaha! Mr. Lu is always as grand as ever!" Seeing seven gifts being carried towards him, Mr. Tang heartily laughed. His reaction wasn't the same reserved attitude he bore earlier as he showed an excited response. 

"I see, his chosen theme is 'good things come in pairs'!" Nodding in satisfaction, Mr. Tang gleefully remarked as he appreciated the fact that Ethan Lu recalled that he believed in superstitions. 

However, just right after he chuckled, his brows knitted as he realized that they were only 7 gifts instead of eight. Not that he was being greedy, but if Ethan Lu wanted to wish him good things by his gesture, his numbers were inaccurate or rather, it gave off a different unpleasing meaning.

Upon this realization, Mr. Tang frowned while a batch of murmurs slowly filled the whole place. 

"Mr. Tang might wonder why there are just seven gifts instead of eight; the eighth and most precious one was already in your possession — our Madam's present, Miss Yang's. On behalf of our masters, we wished Mr. Tang for abundant fortune and great health." The man courteously bowed his head as he relayed Ethan Lu and 'Lexi's' regards. 

For a moment, the crowd including Mister Tang took a minute to process the Lu Corporation's representative said. Some that saw where Lexi was standing earlier, slowly turned their attention to her direction in a daze. 

'In the end, he would let no one think that they could snatch what's his…' Meanwhile, Morris Liu slightly shook his head sideways as he had foreseen this coming. 

After all, Ethan Lu's absence would surely cause some rumors and maybe unnecessary troubles for Lexi. Hence, at the very least, this particular elites would know where to stand before his wife and also, for him to know where to stand.