After Faking My Death, My Iceberg Ex-Wife Went Crazy for Me - Chapter 22

Late at night, in a luxurious KTV private room, a karaoke machine played a sentimental ballad on repeat. The singing woman’s voice was tearful and plaintive, and the eerie blue light cast an unnerving silence over the room.

On the wine-red sofa, Shang Mi’er tossed her long hair back and glared down at the girl slumped before her, her eyes filled with disdain.

“Give me your phone.”

“……”

“I’m not asking. Last time. The phone. Now.”

The girl bit her lip and, with trembling hands, handed over her phone.

Shang Mi’er used a tissue to pinch the phone as if it were something filthy, then slid the screen open with the tip of her finger.

No password. She effortlessly navigated to the inbox. The sent folder contained only one number, filled with MMS messages.

One message per day, starting from the day she returned to China.

Each photo was meticulously staged, designed to evoke suggestive interpretations.

Shang Mi’er was particularly pleased with the one taken the day after her return:

On the balcony, the gentle breeze billowed the sheer curtains. Ye Ling’s hand rested on Shang Mi’er’s waist, creating the illusion of an intimate embrace.

Even if Ye Ling pushed her away the next moment, what did it matter?

Only this moment had been captured.

Shang Mi’er’s perfume clung to Ye Ling’s skin, and a crimson lipstick stain marked her pearl-white satin shirt.

She had deliberately chosen a long-lasting perfume and a cheap, indelible lip stain.

No woman would remain calm upon seeing her partner return with such marks.

Ye Ling, ever rational, perfect, and powerful, loathed noise and conflict. Geng Xiaoxiao’s outbursts were precisely what she wanted.

Geng Xiaoxiao, from a modest background, had received an education completely different from Ye Ling’s. Her only real advantage was Ye Yunzhen.

But everyone knew Ye Ling was no obedient daughter who listened to her mother. Ye Yunzhen’s attempts to manipulate her would only backfire.

This marriage was a minefield; a single spark could detonate it.

Shang Mi’er casually set a massive fire and waited for the explosion.

She made no attempt to conceal her actions, nor did she fear Ye Ling’s discovery. In fact, she welcomed it. Ye Ling would finally see who truly aligned with her interests—the person best suited for her.

Besides, Ye Ling was rightfully hers.

At the banquet a year ago, if Geng Xiaoxiao hadn’t suddenly appeared and stolen Ye Ling away, it would have been Shang Mi’er who took her home, who married her.

A year’s delay meant nothing. Without comparison, how could superiority be proven?

Yet Shang Mi’er waited a day, then two.

Nothing happened.

“How pathetic…”

Her diamond-studded press-on nails slid across the screen, quickly scrolling to the bottom.

Shang Mi’er looked up, her gaze impatient as she regarded the person before her—her nominal cousin.

“Geng Xiaoxiao hasn’t contacted you?”

“No,” Shang Yafan shook her head.

Shang Mi’er narrowed her eyes, her long nails lifting Yafan’s chin, the tips nearly piercing her skin. “You didn’t contact Geng Xiaoxiao through other means and tell her something, did you?”

“No, no,” Shang Yafan shrank back, but dared not evade. “I swear to heaven I didn’t. Maybe… maybe Geng Xiaoxiao is just too vain to cause trouble with Ye Ling. Yes, that must be it.”

“…That’s not wrong.”

Shang Mi’er seemed satisfied with the answer, gracefully withdrawing her hand.

Shang Yafan had barely exhaled in relief when a backhanded slap struck her across the face.

The sharp nail grazed beneath her eye, leaving a thin, shallow cut that didn’t sting at first.

“How dare a lowly bastard like you call A-Ling by her name?” Shang Mi’er watched her with a smile, her eyes radiating cold malice.

Shang Yafan covered her face, mumbling apologetically as she assumed her most submissive posture. “I’m sorry…”

Knock, knock—

A waiter’s voice sounded through the door: “Good evening, madam. I’m here with your fruit platter. Is now a convenient time?”

“Fruit platter? Come in.”

Shang Mi’er called out, kicking Shang Yafan’s arm. “What’s with sitting on the floor? If word gets out, people will think I’m abusing you.”

Shang Yafan dared not argue, dragging her numb legs to her feet and perching on the edge of the sofa.

A server entered with a fruit platter. The two women exchanged a glance before deliberately looking away.

Shang Mi’er didn’t notice this subtle exchange; she never paid attention to the actions of “ants.”

As the fruit platter was placed down, Shang Mi’er glanced at the server and said, “I don’t recall ordering a fruit platter.”

“That’s correct,” the server replied, neither servile nor arrogant. “As a valued client, the manager specifically instructed us to send this to you. We hope you enjoy your time here.”

With a slight nod, she withdrew.

The door closed again. Shang Yafan hesitated before asking in a small voice, “Sister, Miss Shang, can I have my phone back?”

“What’s the rush?” Shang Mi’er continued scrolling through her phone, a cold smile playing on her lips. “Hidden apps, huh? You’re quite the clever one.”

“I… I didn’t,” Shang Yafan stammered, twisting the hem of her dress, her expression utterly flustered. “Please, Sister, I swear I didn’t tell Mom anything. I just wanted to keep it as a memento…”

“A memento? Did the Shang Family mistreat you?”

“I wouldn’t dare…”

“I thought so.”

Shang Mi’er scoffed, then flicked her wrist. With a splash, the phone landed in the wine bucket. The light in Shang Yafan’s eyes dimmed.

“Don’t let me catch you doing this again, or you’ll face the consequences. And you’re not worthy of calling me ‘Sister.'”

“…Understood, Miss Shang.” Shang Yafan retrieved her phone, dripping with foul-smelling wine.

“I’ll go clean up,” she said.

The bathroom was so brightly lit it made Shang Yafan dizzy. She silently rinsed her arm, the sticky liquor clinging stubbornly. She scrubbed repeatedly until her fingertips turned white.

“Yafan…”

Hearing the voice, Shang Yafan slowly lifted her gaze, a reassuring smile tugging at her lips.

She mouthed, “Shh—don’t speak.”

It wasn’t time yet. They were like mice huddled in the shadows, clinging to each other for warmth. Until they had accumulated enough strength, stepping into the light together would only lead to their capture.

The waitress looked on the verge of tears, but she swallowed them down and moved to the adjacent sink to wash her hands.

The water gurgled softly as she left as quietly as she had arrived.

On the edge of the pristine white porcelain sink lay a small stack of tissues, as if they had always been there.

Shang Yafan pulled one out, and a brown adhesive bandage fell from within.

She stared at her reflection, touching the wound on her face. The dampness from her fingertips blurred the dried bl00d, distorting her beautiful features into something almost grotesque.

This is beyond what a bandage can fix, she thought with a sigh. What a waste.

Tucking the bandage into her pocket, Shang Yafan pulled out the next tissue. Unfolding it, she found two lines of black ink:

As expected, two suspicious individuals arrived. I followed your instructions and placed them in the adjacent private room. But they don’t look like good people, Yafan. Don’t do anything foolish.

Foolish?

Shang Yafan crumpled the note under the running water and flushed it down the drain.

The most foolish thing she had ever done was believing Shang Yangheng harbored even a shred of paternal affection for her. Following his orders, she had infiltrated the Shang Family—a dragon’s lair, a tiger’s den—through deceit and subterfuge.

If she had already gone that far, what was left that she couldn’t do?

After all, things couldn’t possibly get any worse.

Back in the private room, Shang Yafan glanced sideways at the adjacent room.

The door was ajar, revealing a pitch-black interior devoid of any sound, as if no one were inside.

She hadn’t expected that a casual move she’d made a week ago would bring her such a pleasant surprise.

A faint smile curved her lips as she resumed walking, her expression transforming into her usual demure and harmless demeanor.

Beautiful yet timid, she resembled a dodder vine—a parasitic plant born to cling to others, easily trampled by anyone.

“Sister, Miss Shang,” she said, unable to shake off the habit, her tone carrying the natural affection of a younger sister for her elder.

Shang Mi’er pushed open the room door and stood in the doorway. “I just remembered Sister Chen messaged me this afternoon. She said President Ye hasn’t been at the office these past few days. Apparently, he’s gone to Hai City.”

“Hai City? Why would he postpone the Huagong collaboration just to go there?” Shang Mi’er frowned.

“I don’t know…”

Caught off guard by the question, Shang Yafan instinctively retorted. Seeing a flicker of impatience on Shang Mi’er’s face, she quickly added, “Didn’t you say President Ye and Geng Xiaoxiao met at the Yuexin Club in Hai City? I checked Geng Xiaoxiao’s flight information, and she’s flying to Hai City tomorrow too.”

Shang Mi’er’s expression turned icy. “Are you suggesting they’re going to Hai City to reminisce about the past?”

“No…” Shang Yafan didn’t dare continue.

“Buy a ticket. We’re going to Hai City.” Shang Mi’er abruptly stood up, her shoulder bumping against Yafan as she stormed out. “I want to see what they’re up to!”

Shang Yafan stumbled, hurrying after her. “But Uncle’s bodyguards are still outside. They won’t let you leave.”

“You have the nerve to say that? If you hadn’t dragged Xue Jiqing into this mess, I wouldn’t be under house arrest in the first place!”

Shang Mi’er stopped, turning to glare at her impatiently. “Just figure out a way to shake them off. Do I have to teach you everything?”

“No… I understand.” Shang Yafan lowered her head.

After the two women left, some noise came from the adjacent private room.

“Did you hear that? Hai City, Yuexin Club. Quick, find out how to get there.”

“…Got it, bro. The tickets aren’t cheap. Are we really going?”

“What do you think? We’ve come this far. If we don’t go, who’s going to pay when the debt collectors come knocking? You or me? Want to keep your fingers?”

“But…”

“But what? Stop being such a wimp.”

“I’m just a little scared.”

“What a coward! Think about it—we just want money. They’re loaded. Once we get our hands on it, they’ll have no choice but to pay. After that, we’ll flee the country, release the hostage, and hop through a few more countries. Who’ll ever find us?”

“What if we don’t get caught?”

“Stop with the negative talk!”

“How is that negative? They’re always surrounded by bodyguards, especially that Ye woman. We can’t even get close…”

“That’s why we switched surveillance! Didn’t you hear what they said earlier? They’re planning to ditch their bodyguards. What does that tell you? Even fate is on our side!”

“Don’t you think it’s too convenient? And I swear, that person who just walked past the door looked familiar…”

“Tch, familiar? I bet you just lose your head whenever you see a woman.”

“I don’t!”

“Alright, alright, fine, you don’t. Why are you getting so worked up? Even if you did, so what? When we’re rich, I’ll get you any woman you want.”

“……”

“Stop worrying. Even if we fail—if we can’t take a hostage or get the money—at worst, it’ll be attempted crimes! A few years in prison, and we’ll still be heroes when we get out. But if we succeed, we’ll be set for life!”

“I’m still a little uneasy…”

“Fine, fine, I know you’re a coward. You couldn’t even kill a fish when we were kids. I met some brothers in prison, and if it weren’t for you borrowing money to bail me out, I wouldn’t have even bothered with you.”

Footsteps echoed twice. “Think carefully. Once I walk out this door, there’s no turning back. Are you in or out?”

“……I’m in!”