The Rise of the White Lotus

540 You don't drink coffee, Miss Chang.

"What are you doing?" Nico Zhuang's deep cold voice assailed her ear. Yet, the shock of nearly falling and the woman she was trying to chase after caused her to be in a momentary daze.

Raising her head, Andy Chang mindlessly looked at the direction to where Avah Tong headed but to no avail, Avah Tong was gone. "Why...?" She whispered which made Nico Zhuang to knit his brows.

"Are you alright?" Despite the abrupt intrigue, Nico Zhuang asked as he assisted her light body to get back on her feet. His inquiry, fortunately, snapped Andy Chang back to the present time.

"I — thank you," Awkward as she may sound, Andy Chang forced a smile on her lips. "I just thought I saw someone I know." She vaguely explained.

Nico Zhuang nodded his head in understanding before he glanced behind her. "I see. Be careful next time..." He reminded, and she responded by another "thank you", and a nod.

He didn't dwell on Andy Chang's odd behavior as he had a much important task: meet Avah Tong.

With that said note, Nico Zhuang excused himself as he headed to the front desk. He was notified about Avah Tong's arrival but, since he didn't see her around, he thought she was assisted somewhere.

"Where's Miss Tong?" Nico Zhuang lightly knocked his knuckle on the surface of the front desk to catch the lady employee's attention.

Upon meeting her gaze, Nico Zhuang stretched his lips a little, attempting to conceal his nonchalance in interactions. Although Nico Zhuang has a respectable reputation in Beauty DR, he was mindful of his demeanor so he wouldn't scare away Lexi's employees.

"Oh, she just left. She said she'll contact Madam Yang." The lady answered, which caused Nico Zhuang's brows to crease. Yet, he didn't ask further questions as he knew the lady employee wouldn't know, anyway.

"Is that so?" He nodded slowly.

Just then, Andy Chang appeared on his side. "Miss Wei, have you seen the lady here earlier? The one wearing a white blouse?" She inquired. Her eyes glinted with hope as she set them on the lady clerk.

"You mean Miss Tong?" Puzzled at the sudden inquiry, Miss Wei tilted her head to the side as her thought bubble was filled with question marks.

"Miss Tong...?" Andy Chang repeated with a questioning tone. Her earnest to know the person she saw standing in this spot dwindled.

Did she mistook someone else as that person?

"Do you know her?" Arching his brows, Nico Zhuang watched Andy Chang's reaction with discretion. It was weird for her to bear such an expression just with the sight of Avah Tong.

"I'm not sure..." Shifting her gaze to Nico Zhuang's delicate facial features, a faint sigh escaped her stretched lips. "Maybe, I mistake her for someone else." Andy Chang helplessly sighed once again.

"Miss Chang, come with me." His sudden invitation snapped Andy Chang from her muddled mind. Looking up, she saw Nico Zhuang turned and began taking strides towards the main entrance and exit of the building.

"Yieee~" While Andy Chang mindlessly stared at his tall figure, Miss Wei cast her a knowing look as she raised her brows in an up and down motion. "You can do it, Manager Chang~!" Miss Wei added, holding her fist up as a sign of encouragement for Andy Chang.

"Miss Wei," Although Andy was sad about the uncertainty of the person she saw, she could not help but helplessly sigh at the teasing of her colleagues.

Even though Andy Chang was certain that Nico Zhuang asked her to come because of formal reasons, her colleagues mostly teased her about him. She was unsure where it began and she didn't mind being teased as it wasn't true.

Still, it would be embarrassing if this would reach Nico Zhuang. Regardless, she must first follow the man or she's afraid he would be displease. He's still her superior after all.

"Miss Chang,"

"Y-yes!" Just as Andy Chang decided to follow him, Nico Zhuang called her out again which made her stutter for a bit and took hurried strides, following his trail.

****

To Andy Chang's surprise, Nico Zhuang led her to the coffee shop one block away across Beauty DR. She shouldn't have to think of other things, but somehow, part of her was assuming unnecessary thoughts again, which was distracting her focus.

"What do you want?" Glancing to his side, he saw her flinch, snapping from whatever thought occupying her mind.

"Uhm," Distraught, Andy Chang turned to look at the menu as she cleared her throat. However, she couldn't decide, but knowing she was with her boss, she just blurted out the first thing on the menu.

"Double espresso."

"One hot chocolate and one espresso, please." After nodding, Nico Zhuang ordered as he handed his card that was clipped between his middle and forefinger to the cashier.

Andy Chang snuck a look at his side profile. She didn't know if he heard her wrong as she was certain she said double espresso. Still, she didn't correct him because she wasn't that fond of coffee so there's no difference.

Surely, she's being such a dumb girl with him around.

After that, they perched at the corner table he specifically chose. There were some employees from Beauty DR that has seen them together, which caused them to whisper to one another.

With that, Andy Chang glanced at Nico Zhuang's stoic front. He was staring at her yet, he wasn't saying anything! She was beginning to feel self-conscious about this.

"Uhm..." Clearing her throat, Andy Chang attempted to strike a question but to no avail, words wouldn't come out from her throat.

Just then, the waiter arrived with their order and a single slice of chocolate cake. The waiter assumed that the yummy hot choco was for her hence, he placed it in front of her.

"No, that's not mine." Andy Chang softly said, waving her hands which was answered by an understanding nod.

The waiter then carefully placed the hot choco in front of Nico Zhuang then the espresso to her. After placing the slice of cake on the table, he courteously bowed and left.

"No, it's yours." When the waiter left, Nico Zhuang finally open his mouth and spoke. As he said so, he carefully slid the hot choco in front of her while he picked up the espresso for himself. "You don't drink coffee, Miss Chang." He indifferently said.

Little did he know, that small gesture made her heart leap to her throat.

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