After Faking My Death, My Iceberg Ex-Wife Went Crazy for Me - Chapter 19

Xiao Miao remained silent until the recording session ended.

Chen Ruhong, still busy with other matters, instructed them to return to the office first. On the subway, Xiao Miao repeatedly looked up as if about to speak, but hesitated each time. Finally, during a transfer, she asked, “Xiaoxiao, what kind of person do you think President Ye is?”

Geng Xiaoxiao didn’t answer immediately. Memories flashed through her mind like frames of a film. In the dead of night, she had dissected herself countless times, and in doing so, had analyzed Ye Ling just as many times.

“Aloof, powerful, and…” Geng Xiaoxiao paused, “almost ruthlessly rational.”

Xiao Miao stared at her, surprised.

“What’s wrong?” Geng Xiaoxiao asked.

Xiao Miao shook her head. “Nothing. I just thought you’d say something else, like ‘beautiful’ or something.”

“You can tell that with just one look,” Geng Xiaoxiao replied with a smile.

Indeed, it was difficult for anyone meeting Ye Ling for the first time not to be captivated by her appearance and aura.

She was like a winter icicle shimmering in the sunlight—only close contact revealed its sharp edges and bone-chilling coldness.

As the subway pulled into the station, the two women boarded and found empty seats.

After a moment’s hesitation, Xiao Miao said earnestly, “Xiaoxiao, I don’t think you’re any less capable than the others. In my eyes, you’re far better.”

“Why the sudden praise?” Geng Xiaoxiao teased, though her heart ached.

Ye Ling’s unusual behavior that morning had indeed caught Xiao Miao’s attention.

Wanting to preempt any further speculation, Geng Xiaoxiao blurted out, “I’m planning to resign next month.”

“Resign?!” Xiao Miao jumped in surprise. “But we’re about to get our full-time positions next month! Are you switching jobs?”

“Not switching jobs,” Geng Xiaoxiao shook her head. “I want to study abroad for my master’s degree.”

“Have you applied to schools yet?” Xiao Miao’s attention was immediately diverted. “Which country are you thinking of going to?”

Geng Xiaoxiao recited the lie she had already prepared: “Somewhere in Europe or North America. After resigning, I’ll have over a month to work part-time, travel, and get settled.”

“Sounds amazing!” Xiao Miao’s eyes lit up. “You’re making me want to go too! After I get my year-end bonus next year, I’ll come visit you!”

“All the white rice you can eat.”

Geng Xiaoxiao winked. After a few more jokes, the two subway stops passed quickly.

The subway station was only a few hundred meters from Mo Yuan Technology. Since it was nearly midnight, they decided to grab dinner first before walking back.

Mo Yuan Technology was located in a business district, surrounded by towering office buildings. During lunchtime, the area bustled with activity as crowds dispersed into the small restaurants below.

But today, the usual flow of people had strangely converged on a single spot—right in front of Mo Yuan Technology’s building.

“What’s going on? Why are there so many people downstairs?”

Xiao Miao stood on tiptoe, peering over the crowd.

“I don’t know…”

At the outer edge of the crowd, someone held up their phone high. Geng Xiaoxiao, struck by inspiration, opened her social media app and typed “Mo Yuan Technology” into the search bar.

She filtered the results by “most recent.” After the page refreshed, a series of similar photos and videos popped up.

Geng Xiaoxiao clicked on the first one. The shaky screen revealed a tear-streaked face.

We’re just honest people. We’ve never done anything to harm anyone…

Yes, I asked for a higher demolition compensation because of my wife and child’s illnesses. But if they didn’t want to pay, we could have negotiated! Why… why did they call the police?

My poor child was only eight years old… just eight! He died alone in the hospital, without even seeing his father one last time!

The man, missing a pinky finger, covered his face and wept until his voice cracked.

My wife is gone too… You’ve all left me behind. How am I supposed to live now?

The camera panned down to show two black-and-white portraits at the man’s feet: one large, one small. The young, vibrant faces made it hard to associate them with death, and all the easier to evoke sympathy from passersby.

The comments section was overwhelmingly filled with condemnation and abuse.

Xiao Miao said worriedly, “I think I heard about a stubborn holdout in the suburbs who’s been delaying a land deal. Could that be him?”

“It probably is,” Geng Xiaoxiao replied, turning off the video and squinting at the gray car parked nearby. “And I think he’s the one who almost hit me yesterday.”

“No way!” Xiao Miao exclaimed. “His wife and child died yesterday! Is that why the police summoned him? Xiaoxiao, did you report the incident that day?”

Geng Xiaoxiao shook her head, a fleeting suspicion crossing her mind before she quickly dismissed it.

“He was driving so recklessly, he might have caused another accident.”

“If that’s true, then he’s just trying to scam people,” Xiao Miao muttered angrily. “Xiaoxiao, fix your hair to cover your face—don’t let him recognize you. Let’s go inside first.”

“No need for that,” Geng Xiaoxiao said, putting away her phone and lifting her chin slightly. “The authorities are here.”

As she spoke, a sleek black vintage SUV pulled up to the curb, followed by a police car.

Two officers stepped out. One of them grabbed a megaphone and shouted, “Disperse! There’s nothing to see here. Anyone still lingering will be taken back for questioning.”

At this, the crowd scattered like startled birds, though many continued to peek from a distance.

The man’s figure emerged, his face buried in his hands as he collapsed to the ground, rolling around and wailing.

Officer Liu, walking behind, frowned and sized him up before calling out his name, “Li Du, what’s this commotion? Still itching for another stint in jail?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Li Du scrambled to his feet. “Officer Liu! What brings you here?”

“I should be asking you that,” Officer Liu sneered. “So, what’s your game this time?”

“I haven’t done anything wrong,” Li Du said, feigning tears. “It’s just… my wife and child are gone, and I can’t swallow this bitterness.”

Officer Liu, well aware of Li Du’s history, scoffed. “Spare me the act. You gambled away the money meant to save your child’s life. What bitterness could you possibly be talking about?”

“But I…” Li Du spotted Meng Lianqiu and immediately pointed at her, shouting, “If she hadn’t reported me for fleeing the scene of the accident, I wouldn’t have been summoned and missed my child’s last moments!”

“Enough. This is all your own doing,” Officer Liu said, his patience wearing thin. “You know the drill. Come with us.”

Li Du’s face darkened as he lowered his head in sullen compliance.

Li DuN cooperated reasonably well during his interrogation at the police station.

After the statement was taken, Officer Liu asked to speak with Ye Ling privately.

“He’s confessed everything,” Officer Liu explained. “He’s just bitter about the deaths of his wife and child and was trying to extort some money. Technically, his actions could be considered disturbing the peace, but there’s human compassion beyond the law. He’s just lost his family; we should at least let him arrange their funerals.”

Knowing Ye Ling’s influential background, Officer Liu was reluctant to offend her. He braced himself and said, “Since no significant damage was caused, how about we issue a verbal warning and a fine? Would that be acceptable to you?”

The lawyer beside them objected, “Officer Liu, Li Du’s actions have severely impacted my client’s company…”

“Lawyer Zhao, that’s enough,” Ye Ling interrupted, raising her hand. “We’ll proceed as the officer suggests.”

Officer Liu sighed in relief. “Thank you for your cooperation.”

“You’re welcome,” Ye Ling replied. “However, I have one more question for you.”

“Please ask,” Officer Liu said.

Ye Ling tapped the table lightly. “I’d like to know who bailed Li Du out of jail recently.”

Officer Liu paused to recall. “I wasn’t directly involved in that case, but I heard it was a relative from his hometown—a cousin, I think.”

“I understand,” Ye Ling said, rising and extending her right hand. “Thank you for your time today.”

“No problem, it’s my duty to serve the people,” Officer Liu replied with a smile as he shook her hand. “Alright, that’s all for today. I’ll escort you out.”

“President Ye,” Meng Lianqiu said, waiting outside the interrogation room. Seeing Ye Ling emerge, she immediately stepped forward to report, “The public relations department has issued a response statement, and we’re contacting platforms to take down the relevant videos.”

Ye Ling instructed, “Next month is the launch of our new product line. We can’t let this affect sales.”

“Understood,” Meng Lianqiu replied.

Meanwhile, Li Du was also being released, looking dejected as an officer lectured him.

“I’ve said all I need to say. You’re still on bail. If you mess up again, you won’t even be able to burn paper money for your wife and kids next year.”

Li Du forced a smile. “I was just blinded by greed. I’ll definitely turn over a new leaf! There won’t be a next time!”

Ye Ling glanced at him briefly before quickly looking away.

“Investigate who Li Du has been in contact with these past few days,” she ordered.

“Understood,” Meng Lianqiu replied.

“A-Ling, what happened? Are you alright?”

Ye Ling’s brow furrowed as she heard the voice the moment she entered the lobby. Seeing the woman trailing behind Shang Mi’er, she ultimately refrained from reacting.

“General Manager Zhang, what brings you here?”

“Mi’er was so worried, I came with her to check on things,” General Manager Zhang said with a jovial smile. “Nothing too serious, I hope?”

“Just some troublemakers. It’s all been resolved,” Ye Ling replied.

“Good to hear. President Ye, I heard you and Mi’er are getting engaged next month?”

Ye Ling glanced at Shang Mi’er, her gaze darkening. “Nothing’s been confirmed yet.”

General Manager Zhang’s expression soured. “Haven’t set a date yet? You should decide soon—our Mi’er is quite sought after, you know.”

Ye Ling’s frown deepened.

“Oh, Auntie, don’t worry about it,” Shang Mi’er interjected, taking the woman’s arm and guiding her toward the exit. “Look around—is this really the place to discuss wedding plans?”

“What’s wrong with talking about it here?”

Shang Mi’er coaxed the woman outside. Meng Lianqiu stepped forward and said to Ye Ling, “President Ye, the car is ready. Back to the office?”

Ye Ling shook her head and gave an address.

“You can go too,” the officer waved his hand. “Just don’t do anything like this again. Live a good life!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Li Du glanced outside. “Officer, who was that woman earlier? She was wearing all designer brands!”

“What’s it to you how many designer brands she has?” the officer snapped, his face hardening. “Don’t get any ideas. She’s from Xiu Huan Hotel and close to Ye Ling. We can’t afford to mess with people like that.”

“I’m not getting any ideas, just asking, just curious. Well, Officer, I’ll head back now.”

Li Du waved and left. As he walked out the door, he stared wistfully at the newly vacated parking spot by the curb, the stump of his severed pinky throbbing faintly.

“So what if she was born with a silver spoon? What’s so special about that…”