Iceberg's Deep Love - Chapter 13

Ding-dong—In the small steakhouse, the sound of the door opening and closing always triggered the bell above, its crisp chime echoing through the space.

 

Sister Chen, the owner of the steakhouse, was meticulously calculating accounts, occasionally glancing at the seat by the floor-to-ceiling window.

 

Warm yellow light streamed down from the overhead lamps, illuminating a black leather pouch resting on the wooden table.

 

The same light caught the gold buttons on Lu Shinian’s black shirt, reflecting a faint, dazzling glow. Her silver woven tweed midi skirt accentuated her slender waist, giving her an elegant, elongated silhouette. Yet she didn’t appear frail; the light tracing her profile exuded an indescribable, subtle aura.

 

Sister Chen vaguely remembered this woman—Doctor Gu had brought her here last time. But with closing time approaching, Gu Jihuan still hadn’t arrived.

 

Lu Shinian had been waiting for quite some time. Sister Chen hesitated, wondering if she should approach her.

 

However, unlike Doctor Gu’s warm and approachable demeanor, Lu Shinian radiated a faint chill that kept people at arm’s length, making her seem unapproachable.

 

Ding-dong—Just then, the door bell chimed again, and a figure stepped inside.

 

Gu Jihuan patted the water stains on her clothes and said helplessly, “Sister Chen, could you grab me a towel to dry off? Why did it suddenly start raining?”

 

“Of course,” Sister Chen replied, hurrying to fetch a dry towel.

 

The rain outside wasn’t heavy, but it was enough to dampen Gu Jihuan’s hair. Water droplets dripped from her hair, leaving dark stains on her shoulders.

 

When Gu Jihuan left the hospital, it hadn’t been raining, and she hadn’t thought to bring an umbrella. But as soon as she reached the hospital entrance, raindrops began to fall.

 

Autumn rain in Jiang City is usually light, and since she was already late for her appointment with Lu Shinian, she decided to brave the rain.

 

However, the rain grew heavier as she walked, soaking her hair completely.

 

Before Sister Chen could return with the towel, a slender, pale hand appeared before Gu Jihuan, offering a silk handkerchief. “Here, use this to dry off.”

 

The handkerchief in Lu Shinian’s hand was a simple white square with black dandelion patterns—a rather distinctive design.

 

“Thank you,” Gu Jihuan said, taking the handkerchief with a bright, sparkling smile.

 

A hint of tenderness softened Lu Shinian’s gaze as he said gently, “Didn’t you say you had to work late? You shouldn’t rush and forget your umbrella.”

 

“I did have to work late,” Gu Jihuan replied, her voice apologetic. “An emergency came up, and I feel terrible for making you wait.” Two damp strands of hair clung to her neck, yet her eyes still sparkled with a radiant smile, shining like stars.

 

She didn’t seem flustered or disheveled at all. Instead, she exuded a serene contentment, as if she had just strolled through the rain, her entire being radiating a bright, cheerful glow.

 

Gu Jihuan and Lu Shinian had agreed to meet at eight o’clock, but an emergency surgery had come up at six, and it was now past nine.

 

Sister Chen emerged from the back, glanced at the towel in her hand, smiled softly, and tucked it away before returning to the counter to continue her accounting.

 

“I’ve never seen anyone so cheerful while working overtime,” Lu Shinian remarked, accepting the silk scarf. It still felt damp, but she folded it neatly and tucked it back into her bag.

 

“Maybe I’m just different,” Gu Jihuan said with a playful wink. Lu Yuqiong had proven remarkably reliable; in just three days, she had completely reversed public opinion.

 

First, entertainment gossip accounts dug deep into Feng Chun’s background, uncovering his affiliation with an MCN agency notorious for sensationalizing fake news. This agency had a history of falsely accusing businesses to extort compensation, escalating conflicts to generate viral attention.

 

Later, numerous medical experts and bloggers stepped forward to educate the public about Type A aortic dissection, affirming the appropriateness of Gu Jihuan’s treatment methods.

 

Furthermore, the hospital publicly reviewed Feng Chun’s surgical plan, finding no procedural flaws. The medical affairs department issued its final ruling on the complaint.

 

By Friday, Gu Jihuan had resumed her surgeries. Today alone, she performed three operations and admitted an emergency case, keeping her relentlessly busy.

 

Yet, perhaps due to her personality, Gu Jihuan didn’t find the workload burdensome. On the contrary, she preferred the hectic pace to the recent lull.

 

“You truly are different,” Lu Shinian chuckled softly, reaching out to smooth a few strands of hair that had fallen across Gu Jihuan’s ear.

 

But before his hand could touch her, he realized the gesture might be presumptuous and froze mid-air.

 

“What’s wrong?” Gu Jihuan, however, understood the meaning behind her gesture. Tilting her head, she leaned closer and murmured, “Is my hair messy here? I can’t see it. Can you fix it for me?”

 

“Okay,” Lu Shinian nodded.

 

Gu Jihuan’s earlier attempt to dry her hair with the silk scarf had been too rough, leaving the strands near her ear tangled in a knot.

 

Lu Shinian carefully threaded her fingers through the strands, applying gentle pressure while being mindful not to hurt her. She painstakingly untangled the knotted strands, one by one.

 

When she withdrew her hand, the tips of her fingers were damp with the moisture from Gu Jihuan’s hair.

 

Sister Chen had specially reserved a steak for Gu Jihuan, along with a plate of iron-plate tofu kept warm in the kitchen.

 

Gu Jihuan wiped the water stains from the table and waited patiently. Then she noticed the incongruous black leather bag.

 

Never one to mince words, she blinked and remarked, “Are bags this big in style now? You could fit ten bricks in there!”

 

As she spoke, she gestured emphatically, her expression slightly exaggerated, her bright, darting eyes radiating an indescribable liveliness.

 

“This is what I wanted to talk to you about today,” Lu Shinian said, gesturing toward the bag. “Open it and see.”

 

Zzzip—the zipper slid open. Gu Jihuan froze, staring at the neatly stacked bundles of hundred-yuan bills inside.

 

For a moment, Gu Jihuan felt like she was in a TV drama, in some secret location for a major illegal transaction, with so much money piled up like this.

 

“What’s the meaning of this…?” Gu Jihuan’s mind short-circuited. She really couldn’t understand how the wealthy thought.

 

“An agreement,” Lu Shinian said, pulling out a document from the bag and handing it to Gu Jihuan. “The bar incident has been resolved. This is compensation.”

 

“Ah?” Gu Jihuan blinked, then carefully examined the agreement.

 

The document clearly stated that the bar dispute would be considered settled upon signing, with no further claims or investigations, and that the matter would be resolved privately with a monetary settlement.

 

Gu Jihuan noticed the signature on the agreement—Zhao Chenming. But no matter how hard she tried to recall, she couldn’t remember ever meeting anyone by that name.

 

“We should have reported that kid,” Gu Jihuan muttered under her breath.

 

Lu Shinian paused, then said slowly, “It’s not out of the question. If you want…”

 

“Forget it, forget it. We’ve already signed the agreement,” Gu Jihuan said, barely keeping up with Lu Shinian’s train of thought.

 

Still, Gu Jihuan couldn’t shake her worries. “He had ulterior motives toward you. Letting him off so easily… won’t he hold a grudge? What if he tries something again? You’re so pure and kind. In this circle of wealthy people, you’re bound to get taken advantage of…”

 

“Taken… advantage of…?” Lu Shinian’s voice wavered slightly.

 

“Mhm, mhm,” Gu Jihuan nodded earnestly, her eyes filled with genuine concern. “You absolutely must protect yourself.”

 

In her eyes, Lu Shinian was truly a breath of fresh air among the wealthy—a white lotus flower amidst the domineering capitalists.

 

Just look at Lu Bei’s ruthless tactics, then consider Lu Shinian’s act of kindness in taking her home when she was drunk. Compare Zhao Chenming’s sleazy behavior with Lu Shinian’s unwavering willingness to lend her money. These privileged heirs were clearly meant to serve as stark contrasts to Lu Shinian.

 

Compared to these people, Lu Shinian seemed almost harmless.

 

Lu Shinian couldn’t help but lower his gaze and chuckle softly. She really does enjoy talking to Gu Jihuan, he thought, she always makes me smile.

 

She might be Grandma’s good child, but she was far from a harmless little flower. At least, Zhao Chenming and Lu Bei certainly wouldn’t think so.

 

“Don’t laugh,” Gu Jihuan said, giving Lu Shinian a helpless glare. “I’ve seen plenty of the ugliness of human nature too.”

 

“Alright, I understand. Take care of yourself,” Lu Shinian nodded earnestly. “You’re the victim here. Please accept this money.”

 

“I don’t want it,” Gu Jihuan refused firmly, zipping up the leather bag again. “You’re the one who was wronged. I can’t take this money.”

 

Lu Shinian hadn’t expected Gu Jihuan to refuse. “But aren’t you short on funds?”

 

“Money should be earned with your own hands,” Gu Jihuan declared righteously. “Otherwise, it’s ill-gotten gains.”

 

Lu Shinian fell silent for a moment before asking slowly, “Do you… not like it?”

 

Lu Shinian’s practical principle was to provide whatever was lacking. This 500,000 yuan was deliberately given to Gu Jihuan, but she hadn’t expected Gu Jihuan to refuse.

 

“No, no, that’s not what I meant,” Gu Jihuan quickly clarified, sensing Lu Shinian’s misunderstanding.

 

Feeling the atmosphere growing tense, Gu Jihuan playfully joked, “It’s terrifying! Even someone as bold as me is intimidated by this much money.”

 

With the convenience of bank cards and mobile payments, Gu Jihuan had never actually seen such a large sum of cash stacked together.

 

Her eyes reflected the warm sunlight, her smile radiant, and her lashes fluttered gently. The playful laughter made her look particularly radiant.

 

Lu Shinian chuckled softly, playing along with her joke. “If you’re scared by this, I wouldn’t call you bold.”

 

“I really am bold! Otherwise, how would I dare to casually flirt with people at bars?” Gu Jihuan added hastily, “Not just anyone, though. I only pick the ones I like—the pretty ones, the handsome ones…”

 

Gu Jihuan’s words were meant as a compliment to Lu Shinian, but to Lu Shinian’s ears, they took on a different meaning.

 

“You… like me?” The last word was so faint it was almost inaudible.

 

Lu Shinian found it strange too. She was usually decisive and resolute, yet she felt strangely hesitant around Gu Jihuan.

 

She cherished the sense of freedom she felt when chatting with Gu Jihuan, and she loved the radiant smile that seemed to light up her surroundings…

 

Yet, somewhere along the way, she had developed an inexplicable fear of losing her.

 

She dared not reveal her identity as a member of the Lu Family, nor could she bring herself to openly confess her feelings.

 

Before Lu Shinian could finish speaking, Gu Jihuan’s phone rang, the ringtone piercing the quiet steakhouse.

 

Gu Jihuan quickly answered the call, her voice hurried. “Hello, Xiao Tang, what’s wrong?”

 

“Okay, okay, I understand. I’m on my way now, right away.”

 

“I’m so sorry, something urgent came up. I have to go,” Gu Jihuan said, hanging up with a rushed tone. “I’ll make it up to you next time, I promise.”

 

The emergency room blazed with bright lights. Outside, family members knelt on the floor, weeping uncontrollably, while drops of fresh bl00d dripped onto the ground.

 

Gu Jihuan’s heart sank slightly. An acute traumatic injury involving the heart—she couldn’t tell how severe the situation was.

 

Tang Menghua approached her proactively. “The patient is a construction worker who fell while patrolling the site at night. A steel rebar pierced his left chest cavity. The problem is that his coworkers, lacking medical knowledge, pulled the rebar straight out. By the time he arrived, he was already unconscious. After administering vasopressors and fluids, his consciousness gradually returned.”

 

“Removing the rebar caused massive bleeding, leading to acute traumatic cardiac tamponade. My diagnosis is that we need to perform a thoracotomy to relieve the tamponade,” Tang Menghua said, her voice wavering slightly before adding, “If we can’t stop the bleeding and relieve the tamponade, he’s in critical condition.”

 

“Your diagnosis is correct,” Gu Jihuan affirmed with a nod. “Don’t hesitate to speak up. I’ve actually noticed recently that you have a real talent for surgery.”

 

“Really?” Tang Menghua’s eyes lit up, instantly filled with renewed energy. “I’ll go prepare for surgery now.”

 

Lu Shinian stared at the money on the table, paused for a moment, and then made a phone call.

 

Moments later, the driver entered, picked up the leather briefcase from the table, and said, “President Lu, the car is parked right outside.”

 

“Mm.” Lu Shinian stood up and said slowly, “Brother Zhong, I don’t want Grandma to know I came here today.”

 

“Yes, President Lu,” Zhong Tian nodded, glancing at Lu Shinian’s expression out of the corner of his eye.

 

Zhong Tian had only become Lu Shinian’s driver two days ago. Having worked for wealthy clients before, he knew what to say and what to keep to himself.

 

Still, he couldn’t quite gauge his new boss’s temperament. Lu Shinian had seemed cheerful when they arrived, but now his expression was unreadable.

 

They had come for a meal, but left before the food even arrived, ending the visit on a sour note. He must be displeased.

 

Thinking this, Zhong Tian unconsciously slowed his breathing. This new boss didn’t seem like someone with a good temper; it was best to tread carefully.

 

It was already night, and the main road remained bustling with traffic, red taillights converging into rivers of light.

 

Lu Shinian lowered his gaze and sent a message to Lu Yuqiong: She didn’t take my money.

 

What money? What didn’t she take? Lu Yuqiong clearly didn’t understand what Lu Shinian was talking about.

 

Lu Shinian remained silent for a long time before replying, Her.

 

It wasn’t that Lu Shinian was being deliberately mysterious; after spending so much time together, he genuinely didn’t know her name.

 

Fortunately, Lu Yuqiong and Lu Shinian shared a childhood bond, instantly understanding his meaning.

 

Lu Yuqiong, who was working overtime in her office, nearly screamed aloud. She quickly dialed Lu Shinian’s number.

 

“Who? Who are you talking about? Your little girlfriend?”

 

Lu Shinian’s ears rang from her loud voice. He held the phone away from his ear and said slowly, “Not exactly. We’re not that close yet.”

 

Always the gossip, Lu Yuqiong seized the opportunity. “What’s this about money? Let me give you some advice.”

 

“She needed money, I offered it, she refused. It’s that simple,” Lu Shinian said flatly.

 

“How did you offer it?” Lu Yuqiong probed.

 

“Cash,” Lu Shinian replied after a moment’s thought. “Five hundred thousand in cash.”

 

Lu Yuqiong: “……”

 

A moment of silence fell over the phone line. Lu Shinian asked, “Hello? Is the signal bad?”

 

“No,” Lu Yuqiong replied, taking a deep breath. “I just never imagined anyone would give money like that. Wouldn’t it scare people to death?”

 

Lu Shinian paused before slowly saying, “But… she did say she liked me.”

 

He couldn’t help but recall Gu Jihuan’s words: I don’t flirt randomly. I only pick the ones I like—the pretty ones, the attractive ones…

 

It must be… liking, right?

 

Zhong Tian, who was driving, tightened his grip on the steering wheel and pressed his lips together, suppressing a smile.

 

It wasn’t that he couldn’t help it; it was genuinely amusing. He had always thought his boss was an aloof, domineering CEO, only to discover she was just a young woman trapped by her emotions.

 

This stark contrast exceeded his decades of experience as a driver for the wealthy.