novelraw Chapter 13 Undercurrents
Chapter 13 Undercurrents
Try?
How do I try it...?
Lu Xiran recalled Jin Qiqi's blunt and heart-fluttering suggestions, and her ears began to burn. Unconsciously, she raised a finger and gently touched her lips, then withdrew it as if burned. Her teeth unconsciously bit her lower lip, where a trace of his cool, unique touch and a hint of clean, snowy scent lingered.
Is he averse to contact with you?
--No.
It was more than just not averse to it. In the past few days, he had held her hand, embraced her firmly, and even... kissed her in front of everyone, a kiss that left no room for refusal. Her fingertips curled up, and a tingling, throbbing sensation rose in her heart.
Does he have a close male friend?
The image of Lin Chen always following Gu Yanshen flashed through her mind. Yet, there seemed to be no trace of intimacy between them that crossed any boundaries.
Were there any traces of other men in his residence?
She visited his three residences, each one so clean it was almost deserted, with only the scent of his own life. Neither men nor women could be found to be permanent residents.
"And even if he is, he's still number one. I believe you can change him! Go for it! I believe in you!"
Jin Qiqi's last words, though seemingly teasing encouragement, filled Lu Xiran with a bittersweet feeling of helplessness.
She thought, if Gu Yanshen was born disliking girls, then wouldn't any of her approaching or probing be a form of coercion? A... selfish disturbance?
He has saved her so many times and protected her for so long. If she still harbors ulterior motives and tries to "change" him, wouldn't that be repaying kindness with enmity and being too greedy?
As long as I can stay by his side, even if I'm just Mrs. Gu in name only, and be able to see him often and feel the security and protection he provides, that would already be an extra gift from fate.
Lu Xiran hugged the soft blanket, buried her burning cheeks in it, and let those chaotic thoughts swirl in her mind.
As fatigue gradually crept in, the last clear thought before my consciousness blurred was—it's alright if this is how it is.
She fell into a deep sleep amidst this bittersweet sense of security.
Gu Yanshen returned to the Gu family's old residence early the next morning.
When I stepped into the living room, all the family members who were supposed to be there were already there, and there was a silent tension in the air.
"Yan Shen, why didn't you discuss such a big matter as marriage with your family beforehand?" Gu Qishan said in a hard tone, taking the initiative to attack.
"Grandma agreed." Gu Yanshen's voice was calm, but his meaning was clear—he didn't need to report to anyone except his grandmother.
"Ha," Liu Lin scoffed, her gaze sweeping over him critically. "So this is someone else, the Lu family's unwanted daughter. She's not even as good as Su Wanqing or Lin Beibei. Gu Yanshen, someone like you, you looked down on my niece back then?"
"You've gone too far," Uncle Gu Qisheng said, adopting a concerned elder's tone. "We initially thought you were just playing around, and we didn't pry too much into who she was. But marriage is different. How long have you known her? What does she want from you? Being kicked out of the Lu family, it's hard to say she's not trying to use you to reclaim her family's assets. Have you figured all this out?"
"Yan Shen, aren't you afraid Zhi He will find out?" Uncle Gu Qiran teased.
Everyone looked at each other.
"I know how to speak deeply, as long as the children are happy," Gu Qisheng's wife, Lian Bichen, quickly interjected, but was silenced by a look from her husband.
"The wedding is set for two weeks from now." Gu Yanshen ignored the questions and looked at Liu Lin, "Mom, according to etiquette, you and Dad need to go to the Lu family to propose marriage. We can't skip the formalities."
Gu Qishan's expression darkened slightly. He knew that no one could sway Gu Yanshen's decisions.
"You dare order me around?" Liu Lin suddenly raised her voice, "You're nothing but an illegitimate child, a tool for the Gu family to make money. Do you really think you're something..."
"Liu Lin!" A voice, aged yet imposing, rang out. Bai Fang, supported by Aunt Yun, slowly approached. "He wasn't born of you, but he is the eldest grandson of the Gu family. If you're so capable, let your two sons step forward and compete with him fairly."
Liu Lin glared at Gu Yanshen, her chest heaving, but dared not utter another sound.
Gu Yanshen quickly stepped forward to help his grandmother. "Grandma, why did you get down?"
"If she won't go, I will." Bai Fang didn't even lift her eyelids, her tone indifferent and resolute. "Since someone doesn't respect the current head of the Gu family, then they don't need to be a member of the Gu family anymore."
Liu Lin's face turned deathly pale instantly. She knew that Gu Yanshen held all the real power in the Gu family business, and everyone else relied on their shares or positions to survive. Her two sons, one working in an overseas branch and the other still studying, were currently powerless to resist. And the vast family fortune beyond the shares was entirely in Bai Fang's hands. If the old lady truly rejected them, neither she nor her children could bear the consequences.
She had calculated this countless times, and it was precisely this calculation that had forced her to tolerate Gu Yanshen for so many years.
"...Mom, what are you saying?" She forced a smile, her tone softening. "Yanbo and Yanwei are also your grandsons. Qishan and I... will handle this matter properly."
Bai Fang then turned her gaze to the crowd, her voice low but clear: "This marriage was arranged by me for Yan Shen. If anyone in the Gu family has any objections, they can come and ask me directly."
After saying that, Gu Yanshen helped her back to her room.
After closing the door, Bai Fang's face showed worry. "Why was the wedding date set so hastily? Customizing the wedding dress and jewelry, and preparing for the wedding will take at least half a year. You also have a merger and acquisition project to handle, and Ranran has to deal with the Lu family's affairs."
Gu Yanshen crouched down beside the bed, took his grandmother's hand, and said in a gentler tone, "Grandma, haven't you always hoped that I would get married? Settling down soon will put your mind at ease."
Bai Fang gently stroked his hair, her eyes filled with heartache. "Yes... ever since that incident five years ago, you've always been all alone. Grandma has been hoping that someone would truly love you and take care of you."
Gu Yanshen's eyes dimmed slightly.
"Look at me, why bring up those things on such a joyous day?" Bai Fang quickly changed the subject, a genuine smile appearing on her face. "We've finally overcome all our hardships. I really like Ranran. I can tell... she has feelings for you."
Gu Yanshen felt as if something had gently bumped into his heart. Did she... really have feelings for him?
Or did she merely see him as a lifeline in her time of need? Gu Qisheng's sharp words struck at the heart of the matter. He knew better than anyone that this marriage had begun as a mutually beneficial agreement.
"You must treat her well." Bai Fang patted the back of his hand.
"I will," he replied softly.
After leaving the Gu family home, Gu Yanshen went straight to the company.
He sat down in his office, unlocked his phone, and opened WeChat. The pinned chat window was quiet; there were no new messages.
—After seeing her secretly pin him to the top of her chat list last night, he did the same thing.
Last night before bed, he hovered his finger over her profile picture, hesitated for a moment, and then clicked on it—her Moments was a microcosm of her past life: a bright smile, travel scenery, and mundane daily anecdotes.
As he scrolled through the lines, it was as if he were touching upon the vivid and lively Lu Xiran, a person he had never been a part of, across time and space.
Gu Yanshen, who is usually calm and composed, experienced insomnia for the first time.