The Rise of the White Lotus Chapter 402 – Watch his back

Looking to the window of the back passenger seat, Lexi tapped her forefinger on her lap in a slow constant rhythm. She wasn’t saying anything nor was she inquiring where they were headed as her mind drifted somewhere only she knows. Hence, this odd silence that dawned inside her car made Nico Zhuang glance at her from time to time.

“Madam, all your schedules for the rest of the day were canceled. Should we head back to the Yang Mansion?” Sensing that Lexi showed no signs of inquiring like what she usually does about her schedule, Nico Zhuang cleared his throat as he decided to break the silence.

Lexi didn’t respond immediately to him as if she hadn’t heard a single word being uttered from the front passenger seat. Therefore, Nico Zhuang could only take it as a ‘yes’ and drove to the Yang Mansion where the twins were being tended to under Lillian Yang’s supervision. Afterall, Lexi could not trust just anyone with her twins without her mother’s presence. Which was the reason why she or Ethan Lu would usually take turns in dropping the twins off to her parent’s place.

“Drive to the hospital where Hannah Gan’s father was being rehabilitated.” After some time, her tapping finger stopped as she opened her mouth and muttered her orders. Surely, this abrupt command made Nico Zhuang furrowed his brows in confusion.

“I need some distractions for a moment.” Guessing what Nico Zhuang’s first thoughts were at this moment, Lexi vaguely explained. Indeed, her mind was gradually being filled with Ethan Lu and Avah Tong which she didn’t want to spread around the twins. After all, the more she thinks about it, the more this unknown rage builds up inside her.

She wasn’t angry with Ethan Lu but rather, to herself about getting affected by it. She knew for a fact that Avah Tong deliberately spoke such nonsense to get on her nerves. However, no matter how she calms her subconscious mind, she couldn’t.

She needed some time to think and distractions so when she has to face her husband and confront him about it, Lexi could act and talk like an a.d.u.l.t. Whatever truth she might face ahead.

“Alright…” Slightly nodding his head, Nico Zhuang unhurriedly made a u-turn to the destination where Hannah Gan stated where her father was being rehabilitated. “But, you can just not accept that woman in AL entertainment, you know.” This time, instead of speaking as her assistant, Nico Zhuang’s tone was the person that became a close friend to Lexi through the course of their time being classmates.

“Huh, now you’re talking.” Upon hearing Nico Zhuang’s advice, Lexi faintly scoffed as the corner of her lips stretched into a smirk. “Why would I do that though?” Still staring outside the window, and the flashing side of the road that could make one feel dizzy, Lexi slowly rolled down the window.

“She’s impatient enough to show herself and objectives— but isn’t it reckless to let a person having any ill intentions to my family let loose? I’d rather lock the cage she voluntarily entered.” 

Glancing at the rear mirror, Nico Zhuang unconsciously gulped because this was the very first time Lexi spouted such threatening words. It was not that it was his first time meeting pretentious and scheming people with the environment in the Lu Family. However, for some reason, right now, Lexi seemed like she had naturally been raised in the same environment.

Was this her own maternal instinct? To protect her family, was she willing to go to such extremes? 

‘Master, you must deal with your past… I don’t like the feeling that Madam will have to do it in your stead.’ Nico Zhuang murmured inside his mind before he refocused his gaze back on the road. Aside from the uncomfortable feeling he felt while seeing the slight smirk on Lexi’s lips, he was more worried that this matter would harm Lexi. 

****

“How was he?” Looking through the small mirror that displayed the silent middle-aged man patiently sitting on the bedside table while looking through the garden view outside, Lexi audibly inquired to the nurse that assisted her.

“He had been doing pretty well after he got admitted. But, he’s still in the process of withdrawal and sometimes, he would still retaliate.” Meekly smiling, the head nurse that courteously assisted Lexi explained the current situation of the patient. Although they knew that Lexi had no relation to the patient, still, since she has her connections— they treated her as if she was a family member and answered her inquiries.

Surely, having money means having the power to do almost everything. 

“Is it safe to approach him?” She still had her eyes on the man inside, Lexi asked before arching her brows a little and shifted her gaze to the head nurse beside her.

“Yes.” Nodding her head, the nurse confidently replied as it has been a while since the man was admitted in this place and already returned to his proper state of mind without the influence of alcohol. With that said note the nurse guided Lexi inside and left her a few notes before leaving her and her assistant inside.

“I don’t remember owing you any money.” The middle-aged man only glanced at Lexi on the side and seeing this unfamiliar face, he was rather calm and nonchalant before he returned his gaze back to the window as he delivered his thoughts.

“You don’t.” Scrutinizing the side profile of the man, he had a slight resemblance to Hannah Gan, especially their eyes. “I came here because of your daughter.” Bearing the same cold tone, Lexi briefly uttered that was enough for the man to understand. Lexi then dragged the chair and placed it on the side of the bed.

“Huh, what? Did she tell you how useless of a father I am?” Scoffing, the middle-aged man bitterly asked as he turned to face the gorgeous face of his visitor. 

“Isn’t that right, though?” Tilting her head to the side, Lexi arched her brows as she humored the man with the truth. It was not that she was only taking the side of Hannah Gan, however, with the record that not only was he a gambling addict but also a drug addict and alcoholic— words are not needed.

“What do you know?” Glaring at Lexi and the slaps of truth she was spouting, Mister Gan snapped his tongue showing his displeasure. “My daughter and you will not understand. I did what I did to protect her— you don’t know anything.” 

“That’s right— I don’t. I don’t have the right to teach you proper parenting. But, if you claim that it was for her then, live like you mean it. I have many plans for your daughter’s career and the only thing you can do is live in peace and don’t make problems for her.” As blunt and harsh as she could sound, Lexi mercilessly said those words that would surely pierce directly to the man’s heart. Yet, she didn’t care because what she hated the most was hypocrites who claimed that it was to protect someone so they had to purposely hurt them in return.

It was just unfair.

Just as Lexi placed her palms on the armrest of the chair, preparing to assist herself to stand and leave, she halted as she heard the man’s bitter chuckle. Arching her brows, Lexi stared at the man as she slightly thrusted her chin forward.

“You really don’t understand, do you? I am not a good father and got entangled with the people I shouldn’t. Tell me, how can I go back being a good father even if I wanted to if it means involving my daughter to bad people? You won’t and will never understand that because you don’t have someone you wanted to protect so much you will sacrifice your own self.” Grinding his teeth, thankfully, Mister Gan was sober enough to be hurt by Lexi’s harsh words.

“Let me tell you, even if you say a million times that I shouldn’t cause trouble but, if you let me out of here— I will go back to that same environment whether I am willing or not. That’s how it always was.” Bitterly chuckling, Mister Gan scoffed as he peered at Lexi’s unchanging and unmoved countenance.

“Then, treat this as your jail.” With that note, Lexi slowly stood up as she knew that the man was a lost cause. She only went in here to distract her mind and to also confirm the legitimacy of Hannah Gan’s statement. That’s hitting two birds with one stone.

“Now I know where I saw you— Lexi Yang?” Just as Lexi was heading out, her tracks stopped when she heard the man speak again. Surprisingly, someone who was drowned with drugs and alcohol was able to take time in the entertainment industry.

“You are with Mr. Lu, right? You should watch his back, I happened to overhear a discussion about him.” Watching Lexi’s back, no one knows if he was bluffing as Lexi and Ethan Lu’s relationship was not a secret. Hence, it was really hard to tell if this man was spouting the truth or not.

“Believe me or not, that’s the truth and only information I know. All I want in exchange is let me stay here forever— I don’t want to go back there.” Seeing that Lexi wasn’t turning around, Mister Gan could not see her expression, hence, he desperately explained further as he really didn’t want to be discharged and be dragged around with bad people.

“Be careful. If I know you are just trying to terrorize me, you will regret saying such words.” Without turning to the man, Lexi’s widened and sharp eyes could almost make a hole in the door. Her jaw tightened as the veins on her forehead slightly popped out. With that said note, Lexi resumed in her tracks and Nico Zhuang bearing the darkest aura ever followed behind.