Iceberg's Deep Love - Chapter 4

It was late into the night. The wind swept through the courtyard, pressing her clothes tightly against her body. Lu Shinian’s fingertips felt cold as Gu Jihuan’s gaze remained fixed on him.

It was almost comical. Even Yan Yu, her friend, had never rushed her to the hospital like this, and as a doctor herself, Gu Jihuan had never made such a fuss about her own health.

Being treated with such urgency felt strangely unfamiliar.

The last time she’d experienced this kind of frantic care was when she was a child, sick with a fever. Her mother had carried her all the way from their family compound to the hospital.

Even though her mother was also a doctor, even though it was just a fever, and even though the hospital was just a wall away, her mother had been so worried she’d broken out in a cold sweat.

The car’s aromatherapy diffuser emitted a faint woody scent. After sitting in the car for a while, Gu Jihuan finally remembered the crucial detail.

She turned to Lu Shinian and said slowly, “My allergen is γ-hydroxybutyric acid…”

Lu Shinian frowned slightly. “Is it serious? Uncle Sun, step on it. Getting to the hospital is the priority. We’ll deal with everything else later.”

“No, no, don’t worry, it’s just a mild allergic reaction,” Gu Jihuan said, scratching the red rash on her neck with some irritation. “It’s something I rarely come into contact with. It’s the main ingredient in the ‘obedience potion’ they talk about at the bar. I’m worried there might be something wrong with the drinks there.”

She continued, “My friends were drinking with me. I’m worried about their safety. Could I borrow your phone to call them?”

This bar had always been their usual hangout spot, and they’d never had any issues with the drinks before.

Gu Jihuan finally realized something was wrong. She had a high alcohol tolerance and could handle strong spirits like vodka without a problem. But this time, she’d inexplicably passed out. It wasn’t just being drunk; she’d been drugged with γ-hydroxybutyric acid. The dose must have been small, which is why she woke up so quickly.

The phone call was answered almost immediately.

Gu Jihuan sighed in relief and quickly asked, “Minmin, where are you guys?”

Jiang Min’s voice was urgent and rapid: “Gu Jihuan, you finally remembered to call me back? You’re going to drive me crazy!”

“Are you all okay after drinking?” Gu Jihuan asked urgently, ignoring Jiang Min’s complaints. “Has anyone gone missing? Or shown any abnormal reactions?”

“Missing? Abnormal reactions?” Jiang Min sounded confused. “The most abnormal thing here is you! I couldn’t find you anywhere, and now I’m stuck at the police station. The officer just said we need to go back to the bar to check the surveillance footage, and now I have to explain everything to him.”

Despite their disjointed conversation, they managed to communicate effectively enough for Gu Jihuan to confirm that everyone on Jiang Min’s side had made it home safely.

No one had experienced drowsiness or unconsciousness, and no one had gotten drunk. Only Gu Jihuan had suffered an allergic reaction.

“How could this be… I’m not allergic to anything else. I don’t have allergies…” Gu Jihuan felt relieved but remained puzzled.

Lu Shinian took the phone, his gaze briefly skimming over Gu Jihuan’s fingertips. After a moment’s pause, he said slowly, “That glass of champagne.”

Unaware of Lu Shinian’s inner thoughts, Gu Jihuan suddenly understood. “That’s it! It must have been the champagne. I shared all the other drinks with my friends. This bar is definitely suspicious. We need to report this to the police immediately…”

“No need,” Lu Shinian interrupted Gu Jihuan, taking a deep breath as his fingers tightened around his phone. “I’ll handle this and give you an explanation.”

Gu Jihuan gazed at Lu Shinian, her dark, luminous eyes slightly furrowed with confusion.

Those eyes were strikingly beautiful, stirring a faint tremor in Lu Shinian’s heart. He averted his gaze. “They were targeting me. They’ve already covered their tracks, and we have no evidence. Don’t worry, I’ll investigate thoroughly and give you a full explanation.”

The champagne bottle had remained within Lu Shinian’s sight the entire time after it was opened, meaning the tampering must have occurred before it was brought out.

Lu Shinian doubted Dai Meng was responsible, as she had nearly drunk the poisoned glass herself. That left someone else present…

Gu Jihuan’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Driver, just drop me off at the emergency entrance. My friend is waiting for me here.”

The gates of Jianghuan Hospital were now visible in the distance.

Lu Shinian paused, then said softly, “I’ll come with you.”

“No, no need,” Gu Jihuan replied, opening the car door and waving to someone outside. “It’s nothing serious. I’ve had this allergy before—some medication will clear it up.” She called out, “Minmin, over here!”

Gu Jihuan worked at Jianghuan Hospital, and Jiang Min had already arrived, so there was no need for Lu Shinian to stay.

The wind outside made Gu Jihuan shiver. She pulled her coat tighter, then realized she was wearing Lu Shinian’s jacket.

“Keep it on. It’s cold out here,” Lu Shinian said, stopping her from taking it off.

Feeling the chill, Gu Jihuan didn’t insist. She held out her hand. “Give me your phone so I can save my number. I’ll wash it and return it to you.”

She added, “You still need to tell me the investigation results. We’ll have plenty of chances to meet again.”

Jiang Min rushed to the car, her voice urgent. “I’ve already spoken to the emergency department. Hurry inside and don’t waste any time.”

Jiang Min was even more anxious than Gu Jihuan. The car door slammed shut, sealing out the wind. The phone screen’s glow illuminated Lu Shinian’s face.

Plenty of chances to meet again… Gu Jihuan’s voice seemed to echo in his ears. The faint scent of rose perfume lingered in the car.

The driver asked from the front, “President Lu, shall we return?”

“Mm, let’s go back,” Lu Shinian replied casually.

The phone screen displayed the call history, showing a recent outgoing call from an unfamiliar number.

Lu Shinian saved the number to his contacts. As he typed in the name, he realized that in all the time they’d spent together last night, he’d never asked her name.

After a moment’s thought, he entered a red rose emoji in the name field.

Red rose perfume, a faint scent of wine, dark and bright eyes, a radiant smile, a vibrant dress… she was like a fiery red rose.

Lu Shinian’s phone rang. The caller said, “Shinian, didn’t we agree I’d come find you? Why is no one home?”

“Just a minute, I’ll be right back,” Lu Shinian replied, remembering he still needed to deal with Lu Yuqiong.

Lu Yuqiong deliberately teased, “Oh, Shinian, are you regretting giving the Lost Path project to someone else? That’s why you’re avoiding me.”

“What nonsense!” Lu Shinian couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “The Lost Path project is yours. I’m counting on you to carry half of Ludi Group on your shoulders.”

“Forget it, forget it. I don’t have such grand ambitions,” Lu Yuqiong said. “I’m just someone who enjoys playing games and making small investments. Nothing too serious.” She added, “I’ll wait for you in your living room.”

“Mm-hmm,” Lu Shinian replied. He didn’t even give her the password; he simply heard the beeping of the keypad and the click of the door unlocking through the intercom.

Lu Yuqiong was a member of the Lu Family, but their bl00d ties were distant. Their kinship had grown thin over the years.

However, they had been close playmates in childhood due to their similar ages, and their bond remained strong.

Lu Yuqiong had steadily climbed the ranks at Ludi Group, starting from the bottom. Every bit of capital she now possessed was earned through her own hard work and undeniable talent.

After turning on the living room lights, Lu Yuqiong let out a soft “Hmm?” and clicked her tongue. “Why are there red high heels in your house?”

Those were Gu Jihuan’s shoes. The nanny had helped Gu Jihuan inside earlier and likely left the shoes in the entryway.

In her haste to leave, Gu Jihuan had forgotten to change out of them, leaving them behind at Lu Shinian’s place.

Lu Yuqiong’s tone was casual as she continued clicking her tongue. “You haven’t gotten a girlfriend without telling me, have you? I don’t remember you wearing red high heels.”

Lu Shinian rarely wore red, even red clothes, let alone red high heels.

Unlike the vivacious Lu Yuqiong, Lu Shinian had always been composed and disliked flashy things. His clothes and shoes were always in subdued colors.

Lu Shinian quickly cut off Lu Yuqiong’s gossip, replying calmly, “Don’t overthink it. She’s just a friend…”

“Just a friend?” Lu Yuqiong’s tone was tinged with disappointment. “I thought you’d finally let go of the past and embraced love.”

Lu Yuqiong continued, “Now that same-s3x marriage is legal, you shouldn’t dwell on what happened before.”

“Mm,” Lu Shinian murmured noncommittally, his voice flat and devoid of emotion.

Lu Shinian had known since adolescence that he was attracted to men. He felt different from others, though he couldn’t understand why. One Friday afternoon, he finally mustered the courage to confide in the school psychologist.

The psychologist, a gentle woman, smiled reassuringly and told him, “It’s okay. It’s perfectly normal. Everyone has the right to choose.”

Lu Shinian never imagined that this would be the beginning of everything. A boy in his class, eager to understand the girl he liked, stole the psychology teacher’s case records while she was away and circulated them among the students. In an instant, Lu Shinian’s secret was exposed.

Same-s3x attraction was still a rarity at the time, and same-s3x marriage was not yet publicly accepted. Overnight, Lu Shinian became an outcast.

Although Chen Yuefang quickly discovered the situation, suppressed the rumors, and sent Lu Shinian abroad to study, away from the toxic environment, the years of whispers and judgmental glances from his classmates continued to haunt him for years.

As Lu Shinian’s closest friend, Lu Yuqiong knew the truth.

She also knew that he hadn’t dated anyone in all these years, avoiding anything remotely related to romance.

Even though very few people remembered the incident now, Lu Shinian still avoided the topic like the plague.

Lu Yuqiong pursed her lips, gently biting her tongue. She wanted to stir things up—she couldn’t let Lu Shinian keep avoiding this forever…

Lu Yuqiong maintained a casual tone. “By the way, Shinian, do you know Gu Jihuan?”

“Grandma mentioned her,” Lu Shinian replied coolly. “Why?”

“Grandma gave her Lu Di’s shares as a dowry—assets worth over a hundred million! The family’s siblings have been buzzing about it.”

Lu Yuqiong continued, “Especially Lu Bei. I heard he’s been ‘accidentally’ running into Gu Jihuan quite a bit lately.”

“Those are Grandma’s assets. She can give them to whomever she pleases. We have no right to interfere.”

“That’s not what I meant…” Lu Yuqiong paused, then said slowly, “I’m just saying you could have your own ideas. Why let the good stuff go to outsiders? It would be much better if you claimed it yourself. A girl Grandma approves of must be exceptional. If you two hit it off, Grandma might be thrilled…”

“Stop right there!” Lu Shinian cut her off sharply, his head throbbing. When did Lu Yuqiong start playing matchmaker?

“If you keep talking like this, I might just hand Lost Path over to someone else.”

Lu Yuqiong pouted and said repeatedly, “Alright, alright, I get it. I won’t mention it again, okay?”

“But…” Lu Yuqiong’s tone shifted, “what do you think about me giving it a try? Who knows, she might be my destined match.”

Lu Yuqiong had a soft spot for Gu Jihuan, finding her a beautiful woman who could also serve as a romantic role model for Lu Shinian.

If you like someone, pursue them boldly—that was Lu Yuqiong’s romantic motto.

“You can try, I guess. Who knows?”

Lu Yuqiong continued, “I heard Gu Jihuan is a doctor. What do doctors even like?”

“I have no idea,” Lu Shinian replied casually, clearly not taking the matter of Gu Jihuan seriously.

In Lu Shinian’s view, Chen Yuefang could give her shares to whomever she pleased; it had nothing to do with him. He just needed to focus on his own work.

Lu Shinian’s hand pressed against the seat, and he suddenly felt a slight pain. He lifted his hand and picked up a butterfly tassel earring from the seat.

The diamond glinted under the dim light, the tassel swaying gently like a butterfly fluttering through a flower garden, its movements graceful and fluid.

Lu Yuqiong was still chattering away, “I’ve seen Gu Jihuan twice at the Lu Family banquets. She’s absolutely stunning…”

Chen Yuefang had treated Gu Jihuan like her own child, extending warm invitations. Gu Jihuan, not wanting to be impolite, had attended the banquets twice.

However, Lu Shinian hadn’t returned from abroad yet and hadn’t met her.

Lu Shinian tuned out the rest of Lu Yuqiong’s words. Beautiful? he thought. It’s always just like that red rose—alluring, but ultimately fleeting.

Doctors… In Lu Shinian’s mind, female doctors were gentle and dignified, but to him, they always lacked a certain spark. He was almost certain he wouldn’t like a female doctor, nor would he be interested in this Gu Jihuan that Lu Yuqiong was raving about.

So, Lu Shinian continued, “If you like her, go after her properly. Bring her around sometime so I can see if she’s really as beautiful as you say.”

As he spoke, Lu Shinian opened his phone’s messaging app and sent a text to the newly saved number: Is it serious? If everything’s okay, please let me know you’re safe.

Lu Shinian suddenly remembered something—her detailed knowledge of her allergens suggested she had experienced allergic reactions before. But… who would come into contact with truth serum for no reason?