The Rise of the White Lotus Chapter 386 – Title: Brotherhood

Five months later…

“I’ll be looking forward to working with you.” The elderly businessman before Lexi slowly stood and shook hands with her.

“The pleasure is mine.” Smiling, Lexi slightly nodded her head before she personally sent the man off.

It has been six months since Lexi had the twins and just the third mark of the twins, Lexi slowly returned and managed her growing business. Of course, despite having a contract with Aubrey Ning, lending her resources and distributing her products, Lexi needed more clients and distributors to widen her range of supplies. Hence, the purpose of this successful deal she had with an international distribution company.

“Nick, how’s the photoshoot?” After sending the man off, Lexi didn’t need to return to her office as Nico Zhuang appeared by her side carrying her handbag and some doc.u.ments. Surely, Nico Zhuang was the best assistant she could have as he was diligent, always on point, and hardworking. Even without telling him, he always seemed to know Lexi’s thoughts aside from the schedules she has on hand.

“It was still ongoing.”

“Alright, let’s have a look.” With that said note, Lexi began taking strides and Nico Zhuang followed behind her.

While they were on the road, Lexi was in the back passenger seat, with the partition up so Nico Zhuang could not see that she was still pumping out some milk for the twins. Well, although Lexi had been back to business and her schedule was quite hectic, she was now a strong advocate of b.r.e.a.s.tfeeding as she didn’t want her b.o.o.b.s to be a mere decoration piece.

Moreover, her maternal instinct to this day was heightened. Therefore, if she was blessed with golden fluids, then, she’ll gladly use them to give the best to her twins. After all, there are mothers out there that wanted to b.r.e.a.s.tfeed their children but their supply wasn’t enough.

Soon, they finally reached their destination where the product shoot was taking place. Placing the stash she pumped inside the cooler she always carries with her, Lexi fixed herself before she unhurriedly departed her car. When she stepped her foot outside, Nico Zhuang was already there waiting for her.

Glancing at the always quiet and keen Nico Zhuang, Lexi suddenly had a question in mind. “Nico?”

“Yes, madam?”

“Don’t you miss being a captain?” Arching her brows, Lexi watched Nico Zhuang’s expression, hoping it would make a little change. After all, being with Nico Zhuang for as long as she could remember and asking Ethan Lu about the said man, she heard that Nico Zhuang might look weak and fragile, however, his agility, wits, and precision on decision making even without the masters command was topnotch. Reasons why he merited the position of being a squad captain.

“Miss?” Nico Zhuang slightly furrowed his brows as he pondered and thought about Lexi’s abrupt question. He didn’t understand why she was asking such things. Still, he gave a thought about it as he wanted to keep this boss-subordinate relationship clean and honest.

“To be honest, I don’t think ‘miss’ is the right term. But the answer is no. I do think about my life being a squad’s captain but then, I always end up thinking about my task right now and then about being a squad captain, there’s really not much of a difference. The only gap between the two is I can secure your safety without concealing and hiding in the shadows.” Raising his head and his eyes met Lexi’s pair of nut-brown orbs, Nico Zhuang, with little emotion laced in his voice responded his truthful answer to her.

Upon hearing his response, the corner of Lexi’s lips stretched a little upward before she nodded in understanding. “Alright, let’s go.” With that said note, Lexi dropped the matter as she resumed in her tracks and headed inside the studio building.

Reaching the studio, the loud clicking sound of the camera and flashes that come afterward was what welcomed them. There, Rika Song, with a light makeup that was showcasing her natural beauty, a white tube dress that reveals too much of her fair, porcelain complexion.

“Nice shot!” The photographer complimented and continuously took photos of Rika Song who was beautiful in every angle. Lexi who silently headed inside and received a few greetings from the staff watched her best friend work on the new product that they were about to launch.

“Bestie~!” After a while, when Rika Song and the rest were on their break, she excitedly rushed towards Lexi as if she was a baby that was happy to see her mother present at her work.

“Hi,” Smiling back to her hardworking and supportive friend, Lexi greeted back as her gaze traveled to Rika Song’s undeniably clear skin and beauty. “I’ll be throwing a little gathering later for the twins— you’ll come, right?” Tilting her head to the side, Lexi smiled as an unreadable glint flashed across her eyes.

“Oh, right! Almost forgot! Of course! For my babies!” Clasping her hand together, Rika Song nearly forgot that there will be a small dinner party as the twins turned exactly six months today. Hence the reason to celebrate these joyous months with the twins.

“Hehe,” Chuckling, Lexi’s smile was rather unusual as she concealed her excitement because the event later was not only for the twins but also for her best friend. Therefore, Lexi even though she wanted to tattle, tried her hardest to keep her mouth shut as she didn’t want to spoil the surprise later tonight.

*****

Somewhere in the city, Ethan Lu wordlessly entered a studio gallery of paintings. Since he has a meeting nearby, Ethan Lu decided to drop by his longtime friend’s gallery that was still keeping his distance ever since that day.

Entering the establishment, there were a few individuals inside that were viewing the abstract paintings. His eyes traveled to every canvass that was being hung on the walls along with his feather-like steps that seemed to step on a soft cloud.

Amidst his viewing, a particular canvass caught his eyes hence, Ethan Lu stopped and stood before the painting. It was an abstract painting yet, there seemed to be five shadows. The background had a mixture of orange, black, red, and dark blue haze.

“The title of that is brotherhood.” Out of nowhere, he heard the very familiar voice of Kevin Woo from his side which made Ethan Lu turn his head towards his direction.