Iceberg's Deep Love - Chapter 18

Lu Yuqiong clearly knew the location of Gu Jihuan’s office. The door was ajar, so she simply walked in.

She limped into the room, supported by a short female doctor who looked reluctant to be helping her. The doctor carried Lu Yuqiong’s high heels in her other hand.

Lu Yuqiong herself wore a pair of flat-soled cloth shoes, which appeared to be handmade. Embroidered on the shoes was a cute little bear’s head, a stark contrast to her otherwise elegant attire, making the whole look somewhat comical.

Following behind Lu Yuqiong was Zhong Tian, Lu Shinian’s driver, carrying several cups of coffee. After setting the coffee down, he politely withdrew from the room.

“What happened to you? You’re injured, yet you still went to get coffee?” Lu Shinian rushed over to help Lu Yuqiong sit down.

Her ankle was wrapped in a brace, but there was no cast, suggesting the injury wasn’t severe. Still, it looked concerning enough to worry him.

“It’s nothing,” Lu Yuqiong said with a pout. “The doctor said I just need to rest for a few weeks and avoid strenuous activity. It’s not a big deal.”

“Brother Zhong brought the coffee up. It wasn’t any trouble,” Lu Yuqiong said, handing a cup to Gu Jihuan. “You must be tired.”

“Thank you,” Gu Jihuan replied with a gentle smile, taking a sip.

Even with sugar added, the latte retained a subtle bitterness. Its warmth suggested it had been delivered at the perfect temperature.

Coffee was her go-to pick-me-up before surgeries. Afterward, she preferred the sugary bliss of carbonated drinks.

Still, Gu Jihuan felt a warmth in her heart at Lu Yuqiong’s effort to bring her the coffee. She cradled the cup and sipped it slowly.

Lu Yuqiong tilted her head, gazing intently at Gu Jihuan.

Today, Gu Jihuan had worn a light, professional makeup for signing the contract at Qingnan Hospital.

After several hours, her lipstick had worn off, revealing her natural lip color—a delicate pinkish-red that complemented her fair skin beautifully.

Sensing Lu Yuqiong’s gaze, Gu Jihuan instinctively touched her cheek. “Is there something on my face?”

“No,” Lu Yuqiong clicked her tongue. “I just didn’t realize Doctor Gu was so impressive. Even in scrubs, you look stunning. It makes me like you even more.”

If Gu Jihuan usually resembled a blooming rose—alluring and radiant—her professional demeanor added a cool, serious edge.

And that only made her even more captivating.

Lu Yuqiong had always been straightforward, saying exactly what was on her mind. During her previous meeting with Gu Jihuan, she had made no attempt to hide her admiration for her.

Just as the two women were engaged in a friendly conversation, Lu Shinian’s voice interrupted them. “How exactly did you get hurt? Are you sure it’s not serious?”

“Ask her,” Lu Yuqiong replied lightly, her teasing gaze shifting to Li Mingyue. “Little Potato, don’t run so fast in the hallway next time.”

“Who’s the—” Li Mingyue started to retort, “Who’s Little Potato?” but abruptly stopped herself.

After taking two deep breaths to steady her voice, Li Mingyue forced a strained smile. “I’m sorry, President Lu. I’ll be more careful next time.”

Suppressing her instinctive urge to snap back was a difficult feat, especially since she couldn’t afford to offend a shareholder.

Li Mingyue explained, “I was walking too fast in the hallway and bumped into President Lu.”

Lu Yuqiong couldn’t help but chuckle. She saw through Li Mingyue’s pretense, but the Little Potato, struggling to contain her anger, was rather endearing.

In truth, Lu Yuqiong knew Li Mingyue wasn’t entirely to blame. She had been looking down at her phone, absorbed in replying to messages, when she collided with Li Mingyue. She bore some responsibility for the incident herself.

Li Mingyue couldn’t help but feel a surge of resentment as she looked into Lu Yuqiong’s eyes. Just as I thought, she thought, pretty women are never good people.

“This…” Gu Jihuan carefully examined Li Mingyue’s name tag. “Doctor Li, could you please fetch some food from the cafeteria for us?”

They had originally planned to go out for dinner, but Lu Yuqiong had twisted her ankle and was clearly unable to move easily.

“Li Mingyue, Cardiothoracic Surgery,” Li Mingyue said, snapping to her feet. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Gu Jihuan. “Of course, Doctor Gu.”

Lu Yuqiong frowned, looking at Li Mingyue in surprise. “Little Potato, why the two-faced act?”

When facing Lu Yuqiong, Li Mingyue had worn a look of reluctance, but when looking at Gu Jihuan, she was practically vibrating with excitement, as if she wanted to pounce on him.

Li Mingyue’s excitement was genuine. She was a straightforward, academically-minded person, so meticulous that even a Virgo couldn’t find fault with her. She held Gu Jihuan in deep admiration.

Lu Shinian pondered for a moment, then said slowly, “I’ve already made a reservation at the restaurant across from the hospital.”

Before Gu Jihuan could respond, Lu Yuqiong whipped her head around. “The Italian place?”

“Mm,” Lu Shinian nodded, not quite understanding Lu Yuqiong’s excitement.

Lu Yuqiong’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Their braised veal shank is incredibly fragrant and delicious. Don’t worry about me—I can move around just fine.”

After a moment of silence, Lu Shinian slowly replied, “Alright… let’s go together.”

Gu Jihuan considered for a moment. “Qingnan Hospital’s orthopedics department should have wheelchairs. Getting one would make things easier. I’ll go ask.”

“No,” Lu Yuqiong said firmly, standing up straight. “I don’t want a wheelchair. It makes me look like a cripple.”

Li Mingyue sighed helplessly. “Doctor Gu, I told you earlier—President Lu won’t listen.”

Lu Yuqiong insisted, “I don’t need one. It’s not far to walk. The car’s right downstairs.”

With that, she began to hobble forward, her gait unsteady, radiating a tragic air of heroic defiance.

Gu Jihuan paused, wondering if this was the inexplicable stubbornness of a powerful woman.

Hesitating, she asked, “Um… given our supposed relationship… should I help you walk?”

After all, they were supposed to be pretending to be a couple. But Gu Jihuan really didn’t like physical contact with strangers.

Despite having interacted with Lu Yuqiong several times, Gu Jihuan still considered her a familiar stranger.

“No need,” Lu Yuqiong said, glancing around the room until her gaze landed on Li Mingyue. With a mischievous smile, she reached out. “Little Potato, come help me.”

“Me?” Li Mingyue pointed at herself, muttering reluctantly, “I’m in a hurry to eat too.”

“There’s plenty of food for you,” Lu Yuqiong said, wrapping an arm around Li Mingyue’s shoulder with a sly grin. “Your height is perfect for a walking stick.”

Lu Yuqiong, already 1.76 meters tall, towered over Li Mingyue by a full head, even without her heels. She looked down at Li Mingyue with a smug, amused expression.

Li Mingyue was furious but dared not speak up. It wasn’t about kowtowing to the powerful; Vice President Yu had warned her that if these two Presidents Lu weren’t satisfied, her chances of joining Gu Jihuan’s medical team would be ruined. For now, she had to swallow her pride and endure.

What was supposed to be a meal for two had suddenly turned into a gathering of four.

Lu Yuqiong insisted on walking herself, but her pace was slow, a reminder of her injury.

Lu Shinian and Gu Jihuan weren’t in a hurry, walking slowly side-by-side behind Lu Yuqiong.

After a moment of contemplation, Lu Shinian couldn’t resist asking, “Given your relationship… what exactly is it?”

“Oh, that?” Gu Jihuan replied casually. “She asked me to pretend to be her girlfriend to test Grandma’s attitude toward same-s3x relationships. That’s pretty much it. And… maybe we could also be considered friends?”

At this point, Gu Jihuan paused, then said with a hint of regret, “Oh no, did I just spill the beans?”

Acting wasn’t Gu Jihuan’s forte, and lying was even less so. She’d never done anything like this before.

Moreover, she seemed to instinctively lower her guard around Lu Shinian, blurting things out without thinking.

“It’s fine. I can pretend I didn’t hear anything,” Lu Shinian said mildly, his steps light as he continued forward.

Gu Jihuan blinked, wondering if it was her imagination, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that Lu Shinian had been in a surprisingly good mood when he said that.

Gu Jihuan hurried after Lu Shinian, lowering her voice. “Hey, you absolutely can’t let on. We still need to put on a show of deep affection for Grandma with Sister Qiong later.”

“Then…” Lu Shinian paused thoughtfully before turning to Gu Jihuan. “You’ll have to do me a favor.”

“What kind of favor?” Gu Jihuan asked, her expression suddenly serious and earnest. She deliberately paused for dramatic effect, then declared in an exaggeratedly resolute tone, “As long as you don’t give us away and keep my secret safe, I’ll face any challenge—whether it’s climbing mountains of knives or plunging into seas of fire—without hesitation!”

No sooner had the words left her lips than Gu Jihuan burst into laughter at her own theatrical performance. “President Lu, I’m sorry! Even I think I’m being too dramatic.”

The wind ruffled the strands of hair framing Gu Jihuan’s face, scattering her long, curly brown locks. A few strands clung to her cheeks as she laughed, her eyes sparkling like they held a galaxy of stars.

Lu Shinian’s gaze paused momentarily. Gu Jihuan was truly a fascinating person. In the hospital, she had been composed and reassuring, radiating a sense of security. Yet outside the operating room, she was remarkably vibrant and full of life.

Her face was full of expressive emotions, and she laughed freely, her bright eyes sparkling with boundless vitality, like a rose unfolding layer by layer, its fragrant petals drawing all eyes to her.

As Lu Shinian watched Gu Jihuan, Gu Jihuan was also watching him, noticing the brown beauty mark beneath his lower eyelid and the faint air of detachment around him. Yet, at that moment, there seemed to be a hidden smile deep within his eyes.

Though Gu Jihuan’s words carried a teasing tone, they also reflected his genuine thoughts. Having accepted Lu Yuqiong’s commission, he couldn’t afford to fail. He needed to find a way to rectify his earlier slip of the tongue.

Lu Shinian lowered his lashes slightly, a fleeting unnatural expression flickering across his eyes before he slowly replied, “You don’t officially start until next week. You still have a few days off. I’d like you to accompany me to the M Country Heart Center.”

“Ah? Are you sick, or is it a family member with a heart condition?” Gu Jihuan’s smile vanished instantly. She scrutinized Lu Shinian, noting his healthy complexion, which showed no signs of illness.

“No,” Lu Shinian said, shaking her head. She didn’t want to hide anything from Gu Jihuan, so she explained directly, “My return to China to take over Ludi Group hasn’t gone smoothly. I made a bet with the board of directors: I need to significantly improve Qingnan Hospital’s revenue to truly take control of Ludi Group. Right now, Qingnan Hospital’s strongest department is Cardiothoracic Surgery. But to make it world-class, our current resources aren’t enough. I spoke with Professor Yelisa on the phone yesterday, and she’s interested in discussing this in person.”

“Professor Yelisa?” Gu Jihuan blinked, then clicked her tongue in admiration. “Impressive! You’ve not only secured Professor Li but also Professor Yelisa? President Lu, you’re truly remarkable.”

Gu Jihuan was a rising star in Jiang City, but her youth meant she lacked international recognition. Professor Yelisa, on the other hand, was a renowned figure at the M Country Heart Center, its most prestigious physician and Gu Jihuan’s longest-serving mentor during her time there.

Lu Shinian’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she pressed her lips together, saying softly, “It’s not quite that impressive. The M Country Heart Center has only agreed to grant Professor Yelisa an honorary professorship, not a permanent position.”

Her tone seemed slightly unnatural. Gu Jihuan turned to study Lu Shinian for a moment before bursting into laughter. She leaned closer and whispered, “President Lu, are you really that easily embarrassed?”

He seemed flustered by just a few compliments. This icy CEO’s skin appeared even thinner than she’d imagined.

Lu Shinian blinked and said calmly, “Was I?”

“Just now,” Gu Jihuan replied with a mischievous smile, leaning in to whisper in his ear, “Don’t worry, I’m the only one who saw it. I won’t tell Sister Qiong.”

Her warm breath brushed against his ear, her soft voice tinged with amusement. So close, he could almost feel the warmth of her body.

Lu Shinian paused slightly before changing the subject. “Vice President Yu mentioned you’re her most prized disciple and that you get along well. Would you be willing to come with me and help me pull some strings?”

Gu Jihuan considered this for a moment. “I don’t think I’m needed, am I?”

For such a major collaboration between Qingnan Hospital and the M Country Heart Center, the two parties must have already reached an agreement. Her so-called “connections” were practically worthless.

Lu Shinian didn’t answer Gu Jihuan’s question directly. He merely raised an eyebrow slightly and said slowly, “What? Do you feel you’ve disgraced your teacher and dare not face him now?”

“How could that be?” Gu Jihuan’s eyes sparkled with confidence. “I’m his prized student. What reason would I have to avoid him?”

“However,” Gu Jihuan’s tone suddenly turned serious, “there’s one thing I need to confirm.”

“What is it?”

Gu Jihuan stated earnestly, “I can agree to this, but the round-trip airfare to M Country and all accommodation expenses must be reimbursed.”

“Just that?” Lu Shinian seemed surprised.

“Just that.” Gu Jihuan emphasized the importance of reimbursement for airfare and lodging. She was genuinely broke and couldn’t possibly afford it herself.

Gu Jihuan shot Lu Shinian a slightly resentful glance. As the wealthiest man in Jiang City, he probably didn’t understand what reimbursement for airfare and lodging meant to someone struggling financially.

Lu Shinian chuckled softly. “All airfare and hotel expenses will be covered. You can even take a two-day vacation by the sea. Does that sound sincere enough?”

“Deal.” Gu Jihuan didn’t hesitate to seize the opportunity to fleece the capitalist.

After agreeing, Gu Jihuan suddenly remembered, “Is Sister Qiong coming too? Her foot needs rest. The journey might be too strenuous for her.”

Lu Shinian frowned slightly and said calmly, “Sister Qiong has no connection to Ludi Group’s medical division. She’s here to accompany me on an inspection of Qingnan Hospital. She won’t be coming again in the future, nor will she be joining us on our trip to M Country.”