Rose Thorn

Chapter 3 · Undercurrent

Lin Wanqing stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows on Gu Group's penthouse, tapping the document in her hand. This was her first "business collaboration case" as "Mrs. Gu"—Gu's jewelry brand aimed to acquire "Wanqing Design Studio", founded by her late father.

"Miss Lin, Mr. Gu said you can sign directly," assistant Xia Xia inserted a pen into the sandalwood holder. "These are the terms drafted by Gu's legal team—all clauses favor you."

Lin Wanqing studied the agreement's last page: "Gu Group assumes all studio debts and pays 3 million yuan as 'brand inheritance fee'." Her finger paused over the signature line, recalling three days ago in the hospital when Lin Zhengxiong had clutched her hand: "Wanqing, my proudest moment was when your jewelry won an international award."

"Xia Xia," she suddenly said, "bring me the studio's account books."

The assistant hesitated but handed over a manila envelope. Lin Wanqing flipped it open—page one stapled an IOU for 5 million yuan, mortgaged against Lin Zhengxiong's private property.

"This is..."

"Last Wednesday, someone with Mr. Gu's authorization handled the paperwork," Xia Xia whispered. "They said it was to help your father, but the funds ended up in Miss Su's account."

Lin Wanqing's pupils constricted. Su Manni? Just yesterday, she'd posted a "loving photo" with Shen Yanzhi, caption: "With the right person, even air tastes sweet."

At 3 PM, the Gu Jewelry design department conference room hung thick with smoke. Lin Wanqing, in a beige suit, sat at the head, studio design drafts splayed before her. Chief designer Lao Zhou pushed his glasses: "Miss Lin, these sketches..."

"Lao Zhou, twenty years in design—you know 'inspiration' outweighs 'rules'." She flipped to a daisy brooch she'd drawn in high school. "Take this: replace gold foil with crushed diamonds. Costs drop 30%, luster increases 40%."

Silence fell. Lao Zhou's fingers traced the blueprint: "This... is your 18-year-old work?"

"Right." She withdrew another sheet. "And this 'Thorns & Roses' series: black diamond centerpiece, vine ring setting with thorns—" She looked up at the door. "Why the visit today, Mr. Gu?"

Gu Chengyan leaned on the doorframe, suit pants speckled with paint. He held the Sunflowers and Roses painting from last night's auction.

"Checking on my Mrs. Gu," he hung the painting. "We'll attend many events together."

Lin Wanqing's ears heated. She noticed a fresh scratch on his left hand, like a sharp object had sliced it.

"Aren't you at the office today?" she deflected.

"Handled a problem." He stepped beside her, leaning over the designs. "The thorn vines are too rigid. Adjust like this—" His fingers brushed the back of her hand. "Like the marks you clawed into my studio wall three years ago?"

She jerked her hand back. That stormy night, she'd chased him with a palette knife, slashing his arm. He hadn't dodged, only laughed: "This is called 'bond by pain', Miss Lin."

"Miss Lin, Mr. Shen is here," the assistant interrupted.

Shen Yanzhi entered in a sapphire suit, followed by Su Manni, wearing a new necklace with a pigeon blood ruby pendant—identical to the "Blood Rose" stolen from Lin Wanqing's studio.

"Wanqing," Shen Yanzhi's voice trembled. "I heard you're selling the studio?"

She stood: "Are you here to discuss the acquisition or reminisce?"

"To warn you." His gaze flitted to Gu Chengyan. "Some people approach you only to exploit you."

Gu Chengyan pulled a photo from his inner pocket, slamming it on the table. The image showed Shen Yanzhi and Su Manni in a hotel room, her hand on his chest, dated "three days ago".

"What does this mean, Mr. Gu?" Su Manni flushed.

"Nothing." Gu Chengyan loosened his tie. "Just a reminder: don't treat others' sincerity as chess pieces."

Lin Wanqing's phone vibrated. A hospital message: "Lin Zhengxiong's surgery moved to 8 AM tomorrow. Please arrive on time." She looked up as Gu Chengyan stared at her black diamond ring, eyes unreadable.

That night, Gu Manor blazed with light. Lin Wanqing stood outside the second-floor studio, peering through the ajar door at Gu Chengyan's back as he painted.

"Three years ago, why didn't you tell me you were drawing me?" She pushed in.

His hand stilled. The canvas showed a girl in a white dress, sunflower field—exactly as in memory.

"Because you said, 'Gu Chengyan's paintings hold only interests'." He turned, face streaked with wet paint. "I thought you'd never see that rose was you."

She approached, finding a note pasted to the frame: her high school design notes: "Black diamonds mean tenacity, thorns mean protection, roses mean..." The rest was erased, faint traces remaining.

"Mean what?" she whispered.

His thumb brushed her teardrop mole: "That I want to reach you, but fear hurting you."

Her heart skipped. Recalling his auction words and how he'd shielded her from Su Manni, she realized—this man who always spoke of "contracts" and "interests" might have already lost his heart.

"Gu Chengyan." She stood on tiptoe, kissing the corner of his mouth. "What if I don't want to end the contract early?"

His Adam's apple bobbed. He cupped her nape, kissing her urgently. Moonlight poured in, falling on their intertwined hands, the black diamond ring catching light—just like the "Exclusive to Lin Wanqing" he'd written on her sketchpad at 18.