The Rise of the White Lotus Chapter 288 – I don't want the Madam to scold me.

Just as Benjamin Shao’s hand was about to reach the facial wash, it was snatched away at lightning speed. Nico Zhuang’s hand was too fast, much faster than the blink of an eye as Lexi, Benjamin Shao, and Stella Du blinked their eyes to confirm that it was indeed snatched away by someone.

“This product might not be on the same brand but it was designed to complement the serum’s active ingredients.” Pretending to be innocent, Nico Zhuang continued to converse with one of the guests that approached their booth.

The three that were stunned by his talent at snatching things, raised their heads to see Nico Zhuang smoothly referring to Lexi’s product to his client. For a second, Benjamin Shao and Stella Du watched the culprit with a blank expression.

On the other hand, Lexi heaved a sigh of relief as Nico Zhuang saved her by the skin of her teeth. She glanced at his hand and they were already covered with white gloves that didn’t seem suspicious at all due to his noble attire.

‘Thank God Nico is always more reliable than Red and Rick.’ Letting out another faint sigh, Lexi praised the heavens for having a reliable assistant just like Nico Zhuang.

Recomposing herself, Lexi smiled as she straightened her posture and turned her attention to Benjamin Shao— completely ignoring the troublemaker Stella Du.

“Mr. Shao, I do indeed like experimenting on mixing a variety of ingredients to get the most effective result I am looking for. But, I am under the facial cleanser category which, I admit that it wasn’t the best end product I had formulated.” Nice and smooth, Lexi lied without batting an eyelash as she took a gamble on whether Benjamin Shao would look down on her with his life experience or would pique his interest instead.

After all, Lexi had been researching about her future competitors and observed, based on each article she had read, what kind of person each of the company heads were like.

“Oh? Then, will Miss Yang be so kind to show me your best product so far?” Smiling gently, Benjamin Shao had seen the organic ingredients of the facial cleanser. However, since it was being presented to another guest, he didn’t want to throw a huge fit just because he wasn’t prioritized. Still, he was only interested in the best product that a person would be too proud to present and be the judge of it.

“Uh, wait…” Snapping from her stupor, Stella Du whispered as her growing excitement suddenly crashed to the ground.

“Yes, Miss Du? Do you need anything?” Feigning ignorance, Lexi smiled at the muddled Stella Du. She added with the same soft tone. “Miss Du, you seemed to have lots of free time on your hands. I wonder who is selling your product?”

Just then, just before Stella Du could come up with an excuse to stay longer and accompany her acquaintance Benjamin Shao, another female voice rang out near the side of the booth.

“My, my, isn’t this Mr. Shao?” Her voice was so loud and seductive that it caught the attention of everyone nearby. The woman took unhurried steps in front of Lexi’s booth with her heels producing click-clack sounds.

“Miss Ning, I didn’t think I’d see you here.” Still bearing his gentle smile, Benjamin Shao greeted.

Lexi, and the rest who recognized the woman named Aubrey Ning; the rival company of Marble Belle that was led by Benjamin Shao, almost dropped their jaws. Benjamin Shao’s attendance in this eventful trade show was already unexpected. However, another big shot from the industry sent another shock to them… excluding Nico Zhuang of course.

“Oh, Mr. Shao, we really think alike! I never thought you’d attend such an event as well.” Though the two seemed to interact in a flowery way, one could sense the animosity between the two. Aubrey Ning then turned to Lexi’s direction and her eyes sparkled which made Lexi’s brows to slightly raise.

“Miss Yang! I had been looking for your booth— I forgot to ask where your stall was located at!” Clasping her hand together in excitement, Aubrey Ning resumed her steps and stopped in front of Lexi.

‘Uh, what’s going on…?’ Puzzled at how did this big shot female CEO, Lexi’s idol who single-handedly established her name and company from scratch could possibly know her. It wasn’t because she was an actress before right?

After all, she has been on hiatus from the showbiz industry and her current activities weren’t known to everyone. Therefore, how did Aubrey Ning know that she was in this trade show and said she has been looking for her as if Lexi was the one who invited her in the first place.

Of course, Lexi’s groupmates and the nearest booth stalls near theirs were all in awe as the center of their focus was all on Lexi. Even Benjamin Shao was tossed into the ocean of question marks for this abrupt information: Lexi being acquaintances with his arch-enemy in the market.

Meanwhile, Stella Du nearly choked on the halted words on her throat. She knew Benjamin Shao because of her family influence. However, she had also met this Aubrey Ning and her encounter with her wasn’t a good memory.

‘This Lexi Yang… did she really invite Aubrey Ning here to be the center of attention?! You surely have too many tricks up your sleeve but I am not done yet!’ Gritting her teeth on the side, Stella Du felt as if she was being left out on the side as everyone was ignoring her because all of their attention was on Benjamin Shao, Aubrey Ning, and Lexi Yang.

*****

[Lu Corporation]

“*sigh* I wonder what my love is doing.” Suddenly stopping from his paperwork, Ethan Lu let out a heavy sigh as he was reminded about Lexi’s well-being.

“Master, Madam is probably showcasing her products.” In a matter of fact tone, Lyrick Jiang responded as he served the tea and placed it down on the side of his master’s desk. “Also, Master, please stop using Madam to stall your work— you still have a big event later.”

“Hey, Lyrick Jiang, I still haven’t forgotten that you betrayed me the other night!” Irked at what he said, Ethan Lu glared daggers at his assistant as he recalled the night when both of them were forced to choose what method they would prefer to be killed.

“I wonder if Miss Ning accepted my invitation to drop by in my love’s showcase.” Going back to his worried self, Ethan Lu let out another sigh as he reached out for the cup of tea Lyrick Jiang placed down. Alas, since his mind wandered for a second, he accidentally touched the hot surface of the tea that made him retract his hand back in one swift move.

“Aw! Damn it!”

“Master please be careful. I don’t want the Madam to scold me. Also, the real question about Miss Ning and Madam is if they will come to terms with each other.” Sounding helpless seeing that his master could hurt himself just by reaching for his tea, still, Lyrick Jiang was more intrigued by how those two could come to terms.

Knowing Aubrey Ning’s personality and his savior the goddess of hope and wisdom, Lyrick Jiang was more willing to watch how Lexi would deal with Aubrey Ning than he anticipated his master’s official take over.