The Rise of the White Lotus

462 Red Beams

"Hold on. I have to pick up this call — I'll follow you." On their way to the hotel's breakfast buffet, Ethan Lu slightly raised his hand before he waved it, gesturing her to go ahead first. Lexi just stretched her lips upward and then nodded her head before she resumed on her tracks.

Soon, she reached the hotel's restaurant. Since there are only a few guests, the area wasn't crowded. Actually, it was near to empty. Seeing a few young masters and misses that she has the chance to converse with last night, Lexi offered a slight bow and a polite smile which was returned in the same manner.

Looking around, Lexi spotted Rika Song, Jaime Liao, Elliot Gong, and Andy Chang sharing the same round table. Lexi wasn't surprised that her best friend adopted Andy Chang as she was her fan. Moreover, they got to bond last night, so knowing her best friend's friendly nature, she'd surely accompany Andy Chang.

Regardless, Andy Chang still seemed awkward around these two famous stars in the entertainment industry. After all, Lexi remembered Andy Chang telling her that everything felt surreal because she said even in her wildest dream, she never thought that she would be at the same place with Rika Song and Elliot Gong.

Not to mention, interact with them like… friends. After all, these two stars are akin to royalties in the entertainment industry. No one in the country doesn't know them or seen even one of their projects because everything that Rika Song and Elliot Gong starred was all a hit. Hence, Andy Chang was overwhelmed.

"Bestie~!" Noticing Lexi's approaching figure, Rika Song gazed up and then waved her hand in the air. Upon her calling, everyone on that particular table glanced at her. Andy Chang bowing her head, Elliot Gong rolling his eyes at Rika Song's pretentious sweetness, and Jaime Liao who nodded his head once as a greeting.

"Good morning." As soon as Lexi reached their table, she smiled. She didn't take a seat first as she just wanted to greet them first before she would grab breakfast for herself and her husband.

"Best — ha? What happened to you?" Sweet as ever, Rika Song's bright smile eventually faded the moment Lexi drew closer. Staring at her concealed swollen eyes, Rika Song narrowed her eyes as she thrust her chin forward.

"What happened to me?" Lexi slightly furrowed her brows under the investigative gaze that was cast on her. Shifting her gaze, she saw Elliot Gong do the same and then Andy Chang with an inquiring expression plastered across her face. The only person who didn't have a change of countenance was Jaime Liao, as he somehow guessed what happened but chose not to press on the matter.

"You cried." Rika Song crossed her arms under her chest as she leaned her back on the chair.

Truly, these two were overprotective towards one another, although they rarely get together these days. Their friendships were not just being friends, but over time, they were like siblings.

"Oh…" Slowly, Lexi nodded her head in understanding. They saw through her. Although Lexi's swollen eyes were properly concealed by the makeup, these people seemed to know her from inside and out. Thus, there was no point in lying. "I just had an argument with Ethan and I got a little emotional, but it's fine. It's my fault, anyway."

Lexi briefly explained as she shrugged her shoulders, gesturing that it was not a big deal. She also didn't forget to admit that she was in the wrong so they wouldn't get the wrong idea. However, regardless of what she said, Rika Song and Elliot Gong just added Ethan Lu to their blocked list — in real life and in any form of social media; he's canceled.

"You two, behave alright? It's my fault." Lexi arched her brows. By the looks of her friends, Lexi somehow sensed that these two weren't listening to her.

"I am behaving. Really, if there's one person who has a malicious thought right now, that would be Eli." Rika Song smiled. She slightly shook her head before pushing what she has in mind to her reliable scapegoat of all time named Elliot Gong.

"I won't deny," Elliot Gong raised his hands in defeat. "But I will behave." he added as he surprisingly ignored Rika Song's play pretend.

Lexi could only heavily sighed as she watched these two lie in front of her. They didn't even try their award-winning acting to make her believe that they would listen to her. Still, knowing they were harmless, Lexi just shook her head sideways.

"Whatever. I'll get something to eat." With that said note, Lexi sighed once again before she turned and left the table. Alas, instead of heading straight to the tray of foods, Lexi headed to the bathroom to check if she really looked obvious.

****

Meanwhile, as Lexi headed to the bathroom, Ethan Lu arrived at the restaurant. He looked around to search for his wife, but to no avail, he couldn't find her. "Fortunately," he spotted her friend's table hence, he walked towards it to ask if they saw Lexi.

"Hey, did you—" The moment he drew closer to them and was about to ask Lexi's whereabouts, Ethan Lu instinctively took a step back as he swallowed his inquiry.

There, Rika Song and Elliot Gong raised their head and the instant they lay their eyes on him, it seemingly beamed some red lights matched with a wide grin that was akin to the villain in a horror movie. Somehow, Ethan Lu heard them eerily giggled, which made all his hair raise.

'Uh… why does this feel familiar?' Going through his memory, Ethan Lu was reminded of Lyrick Jiang. Earlier when he approached him, Lyrick Jiang has the same red beam in his eyes as if he was triggered by something.