Iceberg's Deep Love - Chapter 11

Three hundred meters from Jianghuan Hospital, on the second floor of a café, a window seat offered a perfect view of the street below, bustling with cars and pedestrians.

 

The rhythmic click-clack of high heels on the stairs announced her arrival, followed by a cheerful voice, slightly apologetic, “Sorry I’m late.”

 

The woman who ascended the stairs wore her ear-length hair neatly styled. A pale purple blouse accentuated her elegant demeanor, while white wide-legged trousers emphasized her tall, slender figure. Spotting Gu Jihuan, she greeted her with a smile, “Doctor Gu, it’s nice to see you again. We met at the Lu family’s residence before.”

 

“Hello,” Gu Jihuan replied, rising to her feet. “Miss Lu, I appreciate you taking the time to come here personally.”

 

Lu Yuqiong set down her handbag and took the seat opposite Gu Jihuan. “What trouble? I insisted on coming myself. How could I blame you for the inconvenience?”

 

Gu Jihuan couldn’t help but smile slightly. The public relations matter could have been resolved online, and she had initially assumed a face-to-face meeting wouldn’t be necessary.

 

Yet for some reason, Lu Yuqiong had insisted on meeting, even suggesting a location near Jianghuan Hospital. Refusing her request would have been impolite.

 

Lu Yuqiong wasn’t one for beating around the bush. She spoke with crisp efficiency, her fiery energy evident in every word, revealing a straightforward and decisive nature.

 

After ordering coffee, Lu Yuqiong said, “I’ve seen the video. It’s just emotional manipulation, temporarily swaying public opinion. My PR team has already devised a counterstrategy. Take a look and see if it works.”

 

Lu Yuqiong sent the proposal from her phone. Gu Jihuan skimmed it briefly before setting the phone down.

 

“Since I’ve come to you, I trust your judgment,” Gu Jihuan said. “I don’t understand these things anyway. Miss Lu, you must have something else on your mind?”

 

“Indeed,” Lu Yuqiong replied, resting her chin in her hand with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I wanted to meet you in person and invite you to the Lu Family banquet next week.”

 

The Lu Family patriarch, Lu Yuan, had four sons. Although Lu Di’s business empire was built from scratch by Lu Yuan and Chen Yuefang, many Lu Family members later joined Lu Di’s company. The entire clan, with its intricate web of interpersonal relationships and financial ties, was a complex entity.

 

The Lu Family was deeply traditional, maintaining the custom of weekly banquets. All nieces and nephews in Jiang City were required to attend.

 

Gu Jihuan paused briefly to consider before replying, “Although Grandma invited me, I’ve already declined.”

 

Chen Yuefang treated her like family, but Gu Jihuan disliked being tied to the Lu Family.

 

Overwhelmed by the elderly woman’s persistent hospitality, she had only attended twice before. Whenever possible, Gu Jihuan refused.

 

“That was Grandma’s invitation, not mine,” Lu Yuqiong said. “We can bring male or female companions to the family banquet.”

 

“Are you suggesting… I be your female companion?”

 

Through their phone conversations, Gu Jihuan had already sensed Lu Yuqiong’s straightforward nature.

 

But this direct request still caught her off guard.

 

A companion brought to a family banquet… that likely meant they were at the stage of meeting the parents, right?

 

Lu Yuqiong nodded, answering directly, “Yes, I’m inviting you to be my female companion and attend the family banquet with me.”

 

Gu Jihuan declined. “If your goal is also the shares, then I won’t trouble you, Miss Lu. I’ll find my own way to handle the public opinion.”

 

As she spoke, Gu Jihuan stood up and said, “I’ll treat you to coffee today. Thank you for coming, Miss Lu.”

 

“Wait, you haven’t heard me out yet!” Lu Yuqiong quickly rose to her feet and blocked Gu Jihuan’s path.

 

There was no anger on Lu Yuqiong’s face at being rejected; instead, she maintained her radiant smile. “Just play along with me for a day. That’s all I’m asking.”

 

Lu Yuqiong had assumed that by helping Gu Jihuan, she would have an advantage over Gu Bei. She never expected Gu Jihuan to reject her so decisively.

 

It seemed the rumors were true: because of Lu Bei’s relentless pursuit, Gu Jihuan was determined to avoid the Lu Family at all costs.

 

“If it’s just acting, Grandma won’t approve, and the shares won’t come to you,” Gu Jihuan confirmed again.

 

“Mm, I know. That’s not my goal anyway,” Lu Yuqiong said, blinking innocently.

 

“Then what…” Gu Jihuan hesitated.

 

Lu Yuqiong explained, “Grandma is very traditional. She doesn’t accept same-s3x marriage, but I like girls. I want to test her limits first. Since she already likes you more than other girls, it’ll be easier for her to accept. Just think of it as me paving the way for my own future.”

 

Over the past three months, Gu Jihuan had interacted frequently with Chen Yuefang. She was a charismatic and decisive businesswoman who treated her juniors with kindness. However, as Lu Yuqiong had warned, the elder woman remained deeply traditional at heart, still scoffing at the now-legal same-s3x marriage.

 

Lu Yuqiong, ever direct, made her intentions clear without hesitation.

 

“Alright, I agree. But this is a favor between friends, not payment for your services. I’ll transfer the funds for the public relations campaign to you.”

 

Gu Jihuan had her own ulterior motives. Perhaps this incident would make Chen Yuefang dislike her, leading to the cancellation of the share-based dowry arrangement.

 

It might also deter Lu Bei from continuing his relentless pursuit.

 

Lu Yuqiong’s eyes filled with admiration. “Doctor Gu, to be honest, I’ve really grown to like you.”

 

“Like me?” Gu Jihuan’s gaze flickered slightly. She had become genuinely afraid of the word “like.” The Lu Family’s affection carried a heavy weight.

 

Lu Yuqiong nodded. “I admire your straightforwardness, your decisive actions, and your unwavering resolve.”

 

Gu Jihuan was naturally beautiful, instantly earning her a degree of goodwill from others. Lu Yuqiong’s goodwill had already reached a higher level.

 

Lu Yuqiong didn’t hide her intentions. She admitted she wanted to test Chen Yuefang’s limits, but not for her own sake.

 

She relied on her own abilities in her work. Chen Yuefang wasn’t her grandmother, so she had no need to curry favor with her. Nor did she require Chen Yuefang’s approval for her romantic partner.

 

But Lu Shinian was different. As Chen Yuefang’s only granddaughter, and with her obedient nature, Lu Shinian was in a difficult position.

 

Though Lu Yuqiong didn’t understand what Lu Shinian meant by “heartbreak,” she knew that if she, as her older sister, didn’t test the waters, Lu Shinian’s romantic prospects would be bleak.

 

Lu Yuqiong only told Lu Shinian that she liked Gu Jihuan, keeping her deeper motives hidden.

 

She understood Lu Shinian’s personality well. Knowing her sister disliked burdening others, she was certain Lu Shinian would try to stop her if she knew the truth.

 

Gu Jihuan maintained a professional, business-like attitude, and Lu Yuqiong, who also disliked unnecessary complications, offered her a “friendship discount” on the public relations expenses for Gu Jihuan’s reputation management.

 

According to the plan, they needed to collaborate with numerous prominent medical influencers. Even after applying a “friendship discount,” the costs remained substantial.

 

Gu Jihuan had never cared much about money before, but with one crisis after another, finances had become a daunting problem.

 

Fortunately, Gu Jihuan had a backup plan. She picked up her phone and sent a message to Jiang Min:

 

Minmin, lend me 100,000 yuan. It’s urgent.

 

Immediately after sending it, Gu Jihuan realized she had sent the message to the wrong chat window. She quickly retracted it, found Jiang Min’s correct chat, and resent the message.

 

Less than a minute later, Gu Jihuan received a notification that the transfer had been completed.

 

Jiang Min replied promptly: No rush to pay it back. I’m enjoying being your creditor, the debt collector of a wealthy woman.

 

She added: Need more? I have some extra I can transfer to you.

 

Jiang Min might seem unreliable on the surface, but Gu Jihuan knew better. When things got tough, Jiang Min was the most dependable person she knew.

 

No need. You have a family to support, unlike me, who only needs to worry about myself.

 

For Jiang Min, 100,000 yuan was a significant sum. As the only daughter of a family where her father was paralyzed and her mother bedridden, she bore nearly the entire financial burden.

 

Years ago, Jiang Min had the opportunity to work abroad, but she gave it all up to stay in Jiang City for her family.

 

Over the years, she had spent all her money on her parents. This 100,000 yuan was practically her entire life savings.

 

Gu Jihuan transferred the money to Lu Yuqiong. Her phone buzzed twice, and a new chat window popped up.

 

The nickname was “Shadow,” and the profile picture showed a pool of light and shadow cast by a streetlamp on the ground.

 

The message was brief: Give me the card number.

 

Gu Jihuan paused, then remembered who it was. She had previously communicated with Lu Shinian exclusively through text messages, only adding him as a WeChat friend the night before.

 

She quickly replied, Never mind, I sent the wrong message.

 

She had retracted the message almost instantly. If Lu Shinian had seen it, a minute had already passed. Could he have taken a full minute to type those few words?

 

Two more words flashed on her screen: Name.

 

Gu Jihuan immediately understood. It wasn’t that he had taken a minute to type; she had already attempted a WeChat transfer.

 

However, the large amount required name verification, and since they still didn’t know each other’s names, the transaction had stalled at this step.

 

Given the situation, Gu Jihuan was even less likely to reveal her name.

 

Instead, she replied jokingly, Ten thousand yuan isn’t much? Do rich people just hand out money like that?

 

No.

 

Usually, we don’t just give it away.

 

But lending it to you is fine.

 

Gu Jihuan stared at the brief reply on her phone, momentarily stunned. She seemed to have inexplicably earned someone’s trust.

 

Although she had decent relationships with her colleagues, Gu Jihuan knew that Jiang Min was the only person who would transfer money to her instantly.

 

Now, it seemed there was someone else?

 

At the Lu Family’s old mansion, a hillside villa, the heating had already been turned on despite the early autumn, making the house feel somewhat warm.

 

Lu Shinian, dressed in thin loungewear, took a sip of ice water and casually slipped his phone into his pocket.

 

Chen Yuefang emerged from her room and, noticing the glass in Lu Shinian’s hand, said, “It’s getting cold. Don’t drink ice water; it’s bad for your stomach.”

 

She then instructed the housekeeper, “You should have stopped her. Next time, don’t let her have ice water.”

 

“Alright, I won’t drink it. Don’t blame Auntie,” Lu Shinian said resignedly, handing the glass of ice water back to the housekeeper.

 

Lu Shinian had grown accustomed to drinking ice water abroad, but he didn’t mind complying. Obeying Chen Yuefang’s instructions seemed to be a habit ingrained in his very bones.

 

The housekeeper smiled warmly. “Shinian always listens to you. What we say doesn’t matter, but when you tell him to change, he does.”

 

“Naturally,” Chen Yuefang said, a hint of pride creeping into her voice. Her eyes softened with affection as she gazed at Lu Shinian. “He’s nothing like his father.”

 

Chen Yuefang and Lu Yuan had only one son, Lu Chengji. His name, meaning “inheritor of the family legacy,” revealed his parents’ high expectations.

 

Yet for nearly thirty years, he had refused to return home, unwilling to take over the family business or even set foot in the country.

 

Lu Shinian had no memories of his father, only stories. He was said to be a struggling artist abroad, living in poverty but refusing a single penny from the Lu Family. He had even declared his intention to sever all ties with the family, vowing to never speak to his parents again.

 

Perhaps because she felt her father had gone too far, Lu Shinian felt a pang of sympathy for his grandmother’s dashed hopes. Instinctively, he found himself more inclined to follow her wishes.

 

Lu Shinian followed Chen Yuefang to the living room and sat down. “The doctor came to check on Grandpa yesterday while I was out. What did they say about his condition?”

 

Chen Yuefang sighed. “Still the same. It’s been over a decade now. We’re nearing the end.”

 

Lu Shinian reassured her, “Don’t say that. There are plenty of cases where people have woken up after more than ten years. There must be specialists we haven’t consulted yet. Let’s keep searching.”

 

“You’re so thoughtful. I’m already content,” Chen Yuefang said with a smile, handing Lu Shinian a peeled orange. “Lu Chuan sent these fruits. They’re quite sweet.”

 

Lu Shinian took the orange as Chen Yuefang continued, “I know what he said at the company. You were right not to give him any face.”

 

Over a decade ago, Lu Yuan suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. Though his life was saved, he remained in a coma. He now resided in a specially converted room at home, equipped with professional monitoring equipment that operated around the clock. This was also why the house was heated so early in the season.

 

Ever since Lu Yuan fell into a coma, Lu Chuan had emerged, claiming that Lu Di was the Lu Family’s rightful heir. Since the son refused to inherit, it was only natural that his younger brother should take over.

 

Unfortunately, Lu Chuan had been completely suppressed by Chen Yuefang at the time and failed to achieve his goals.

 

Now that Chen Yuefang had retreated behind the scenes due to health reasons, he sensed another opportunity and naturally wouldn’t miss any chance to cause trouble for Lu Shinian.

 

Buzz, buzz. Lu Shinian’s phone vibrated with a message from Gu Jihuan:

 

Thank you for your trust.

 

Faced with this sudden trust, Gu Jihuan was genuinely stunned. After pondering for a long time, she finally sent back a cautious reply.

 

A faint smile couldn’t help but creep into Lu Shinian’s eyes. He could almost picture Gu Jihuan’s expression as she said those words to him in person.

 

Those pitch-black, bright eyes would likely curve into crescent shapes, her crimson lips would curve into a smile, and the tassel earrings at her ears would sway gently.

 

Like a dazzling, vibrant rose, capable of capturing all attention, her smile was saturated with an intoxicating floral fragrance.

 

“Who’s messaging you? You look so happy,” Chen Yuefang’s voice interrupted Lu Shinian’s thoughts.

 

“News about Yuqiong,” Lu Shinian said calmly, locking her phone and placing it face down on the table. “She’s doing an excellent job with the Lost Path project.”

 

Chen Yuefang nodded in agreement. “Yuqiong is a capable and good girl, much better than those kids in Lu Chuan’s family.”

 

Lu Shinian smoothly steered the conversation toward Lu Yuqiong and the Lost Path project, following Chen Yuefang’s lead.

 

Her thick eyelashes lowered slightly, concealing the emotions in her eyes. She rarely lied to Chen Yuefang, but today she seemed particularly adept at it.

 

Lu Shinian couldn’t let her grandmother know about her existence.

 

She would never forget the year her grandmother discovered her feelings for girls. In a rare fit of fury, Grandma had sent her abroad to study.

 

Chen Yuefang would never accept such a thing. Lu Shinian had always known this, and she had always lived within the boundaries her grandmother allowed.

 

Everything since her return to China, Chen Yuefang knew.

 

Except for their chance encounter at the bar and her uncontrollable desire to meet Lu Shinian privately…