The Rise of the White Lotus

”This is frustrating.” Lexi exasperates thinking of ways to make a deal with Wren Tanaka. Given that she said her words to Ethan in confidence, alas, for some reason, she felt pressured.

”You should relax, chu~!” Churu turned her attention to Lexi sensing her frustration and a bit stress.

Lexi opens her one eye then quickly glance at Churu who’s staring at her with concern. For some reason, Lexi felt her burden wasn’t as heavy as she thinks it was because there is someone who shares it with her.

Oddly enough, Lexi must admit that having Churu on her side isn’t as bad as she thought in the first place. In retrospect, Lexi was used on working alone, afraid that if she trusts anything to anyone -- it might mess up her work. Hence, Lexi grew distant to everyone aside from Morris who she held dear.

However, the past should stay in the past and now that she regained a chance in life with an additional cute little dumpling isn’t as bad at all.

”Hey white bun, want to…” Lexi was about to ask Churu to go shopping with her and probably go to a spa to pamper herself but halted midway when she was reminded that she was ’broke’.

”What, chu~!” Churu tilted her head in confusion.

”I mean… do you want to get your nails done?” Lexi clears her throat then change her invitation.

”I don’t have nails, chu.~” Churu innocently corrected. Lexi’s brows twitch hearing her obvious answer. Of course, Churu is akin to a cheap made stuffed toy without any other features aside from her face, body, and little cute hands and feet.

”Uh, yeah…” Lexi murmurs. Surprisingly, part of her felt bad for the talking dumpling as she can’t experience these perks being a human. After contemplating for a while looking back at Churu’s adorable face, an idea pop on Lexi’s mind.

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”Hmm?” Lexi hummed anticipating for Churu’s reaction. Currently, since she can’t treat Churu to a spa or even buy anything for her, Lexi decided to pamper her herself. To her surprise, though Churu can’t be seen by others, she can use some stuff that Lexi hands over to her. Hence, Lexi bought a facial mask for her and Churu -- an economical way to save a lot of money and time.

”It’s relaxing, chu~!” Churu almost melted by the feeling she was experiencing with the facial sheet on her whole face. On the other hand, Lexi smiles in satisfaction seeing the cute dumpling being excited and merry.

Surely, Lexi was growing fond of Churu in a way that she now considered Churu as her only friend and probably a sister she never had.

”Well, the best weapon I can have is my looks!” Lexi sassed then put on a facial mask on her face. For some reason, even though Lexi wasn’t in a high-class derma clinic, she was content just with Churu as her company while pampering themselves.

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”Chu -- I think I’m prettier than ever~!” Churu exclaimed following Lexi whose on her way to the small restaurant where she dines with Ethan Lu. Since Lexi was craving for the dan dan noodle she had a few days ago with Ethan Lu, she decided to visit the small restaurant because their hired chefs can’t copy its taste. Hence, even if she covered herself with a face mask and huge glasses, she still went out to eat.

’I know. Next time, I’ll treat you something better.’ Lexi responded telepathically.

”Really?!” hearing her reply, Churu’s eyes glimmer in anticipation. She added; ”why are you being too nice, chu~?”

’Don’t know.’ With that said honest answer, Lexi entered the simple restaurant. As usual, the place was packed but had still enough space for a few customers to seat and enjoy the ’home’ atmosphere it gave off.

After Lexi said her orders, she sat at the corner table at the diner, waiting for her food. Soon, the mouth-watering, enticing aroma the god gifted creation was served which made Lexi smile a little in excitement albeit evidently.

Knowing that no one recognizes her around and Ethan Lu wasn’t there -- Lexi ate her bowl of noodles with delight yet in a disciplined manner.

Unbeknownst to her knowledge, the moment the food was served to her and her attention was solely focused on the noodles, a dashing man with his tantalizing eyes and perfectly carved facial features entered the premises. The moment Ethan Lu step his foot on his favorite restaurant, a smiling girl on the corner of the place immediately caught his eyes which made the side of his lips curled upward.