After Faking My Death, My Iceberg Ex-Wife Went Crazy for Me - Chapter 24

The man picked up his baseball cap, jumped into a car with a rental advertisement, and sped away.

His behavior was so strange that Meng Lianqiu instructed security to keep a closer eye on the area. She then led Geng Xiaoxiao to the third floor to rest.

Along the way, they encountered not a single person in the elevator or corridors, only the echo of their footsteps on the stone tiles.

Rumor had it that Yuexin had paid substantial compensation to guests with advance reservations to clear the premises.

Ye Ling rarely lost her composure. What was she planning?

Geng Xiaoxiao was lost in thought, unaware that Meng Lianqiu had stopped in front of a door.

“Miss Geng, this way.”

“Mm,” Geng Xiaoxiao murmured, snapping out of her reverie and following.

The key card slid into the slot with a beep, and the door swung open. A comfortable breeze from the air conditioning, carrying the salty tang of the sea, stirred the wisps of hair framing Geng Xiaoxiao’s forehead.

She looked up, her gaze drifting aimlessly until it collided with an expanse of azure blue.

A floor-to-ceiling window, clear as glass, framed the view like a living painting, faithfully presenting the captured scene to anyone who paused before it.

The horizon stretched unbroken, where sea met sky.

Wisps of cloud curling along the horizon resembled waves whipped up by the wind.

Geng Xiaoxiao suddenly remembered the travel plans she had deleted: mountain climbing, river rafting, the fanciful pursuit of the aurora borealis, and a journey to the icy depths of the Antarctic.

Among them had been one simple item: seeing the sea.

Four years ago, her first encounter with Ye Ling had occurred less than a hundred meters from the coastline, yet fate had kept them apart.

At least I’m seeing her now, she thought optimistically.

Geng Xiaoxiao gazed steadily for a long moment, her breathing slow and even. “Special Assistant Meng,” she said.

“Yes, ma’am?” Meng Lianqiu remained poised by the open door, neither moving nor interrupting her.

“Is Ye Ling still busy?”

Meng Lianqiu glanced at the time on her wristwatch. “In two hours, someone will escort you to the rooftop restaurant. Until then, please make yourself comfortable.”

Geng Xiaoxiao nodded, pulled her suitcase inside, and stood in the entryway.

After taking a few more steps, she noticed two or three rows of long clothing racks lining the hallway outside the bedroom.

“What are these?”

“President Ye arranged them,” Meng Lianqiu explained, following her. “The nighttime sea view paired with the lighting is a must-see. Feel free to choose something you like to wear. After dinner, a professional photographer will take your pictures.”

“I see.”

“There’s also a makeup artist,” Meng Lianqiu added, glancing at Geng Xiaoxiao’s bare face. Hesitantly, she asked, “Would you like me to call them over?”

“No, thank you.”

Geng Xiaoxiao lowered her head to open her small square bag and rummaged through it. “I forgot to bring it…”

She looked up at Meng Lianqiu. “Could you find me a pair of tweezers for removing my contact lenses?”

Meng Lianqiu returned with what Geng Xiaoxiao had asked for.

After thanking her, Geng Xiaoxiao took the items and, using a small mirror, skillfully removed the black contact lenses, revealing her light brown eyes with faint red veins around the edges.

Meng Lianqiu waited, but when Geng Xiaoxiao showed no sign of putting in her clear contacts or wearing her glasses, she couldn’t help but ask, “Are you not nearsighted?”

Geng Xiaoxiao shook her head. “I just like wearing colored contacts.”

She tried to return the items, but Meng Lianqiu refused, telling her to keep them before leaving the room.

After Meng Lianqiu left, Geng Xiaoxiao stared blankly at the two black contact lenses lying side by side on the tissue.

What could be the reason? she wondered. Perhaps it’s simply that her eye color can’t be changed, and even the excuse of “growing up” wouldn’t cover it up.

And “Geng Xiaoxiao” just happened to have dark eyes.

After leaving, Meng Lianqiu took a brief phone call.

“Yes, she’s arrived.”

“No rejection, she’s very calm.”

“Understood. I’ll have someone keep an eye on her and prevent Miss Geng from going upstairs for now.”

“Okay.”

Hanging up, Meng Lianqiu frowned slightly.

As a subordinate, she typically followed her superior’s orders without question. But occasionally, her own doubts would surface.

For instance, her superior’s chaotic lesbian relationships, which defied her understanding.

Objectively speaking, Shang Mi’er and Ye Ling were the most compatible match based on their circumstances.

Yet given Ye Ling’s capabilities and status, she no longer needed a strategic marriage for advancement.

Moreover, Meng Lianqiu couldn’t forget the ambiguous, intimate atmosphere she’d witnessed a year ago when she delivered room keys to Ye Ling, as instructed, and found Geng Xiaoxiao with her.

In fact, this wasn’t the first time Ye Ling had faced such situations. Once, someone had even hidden under her hotel bed and crawled onto her naked in the middle of the night.

Ye Ling’s mere presence was enough to drive some people mad, making them gamble on the impossible.

But only Geng Xiaoxiao tasted the sweetness of victory.

Who could deny that Ye Ling had indulged this?

When Meng Lianqiu later learned of their marriage, she wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

She vividly remembered their first encounter four years prior.

The girl, freshly pulled from the water, had bitten her “savior” until bl00d flowed freely, then revealed a calm, brooding gaze, like that of a wolf cub.

As the one who had met that gaze head-on, Ye Ling felt the impact even more deeply.

Perhaps from that moment on, Geng Xiaoxiao had become a “special case” in Ye Ling’s eyes.

Yet after four years of tug-of-war, their relationship seemed to have reached a dead end once again.

The humid heat of Hai City clung to Geng Xiaoxiao as she took a quick shower and casually grabbed a white dress from the rack.

At 7:50 PM, a knock came at the door. Geng Xiaoxiao followed the staff member to the elevator, which whisked them up to the fourth-floor terrace restaurant.

The western clouds still held the last sliver of twilight, casting a hazy glow over everything.

Standing at the restaurant’s entrance, Geng Xiaoxiao gazed out, her eyes widening in awe.

The place was even more beautiful than she had imagined. White gauze draped the columns, tied with colorful floral wreaths that swayed gently in the night breeze.

Each table held a warm orange Carola Rose in a slender, porcelain-white vase, its delicate fragrance filling the air.

Beyond the tables, the terrace railing cleverly used flowerbeds as its base, overflowing with blue hydrangeas that seemed to extend the sea itself.

No wonder this place was considered a proposal paradise—it certainly lived up to its reputation.

The staff member who had escorted her closed the door silently. Geng Xiaoxiao turned around, about to ask where Ye Ling was, when a tall figure appeared in the glass door, its reflective surface mirroring the dim light.

The classic black-and-white ensemble, the long hair neatly coiled into a bun, and the eyes beneath thin-rimmed glasses—they held a hint of panic as Ye Ling turned to face her.

Panic?

Geng Xiaoxiao steadied herself, deciding she must have misread the situation.

She had always known Ye Ling had mild nearsightedness but rarely saw her wearing glasses. Perhaps she hadn’t recognized her at first glance.

“This way,” Ye Ling said, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tension.

Geng Xiaoxiao followed her to the table. Unlike the others, the jade-colored vase before her held a single red rose.

The color and form were impeccable, the petals thick and slightly larger than those of ordinary roses.

Earlier, Geng Xiaoxiao had searched for “Yuexin Club” online and stumbled upon several proposal notes. Soon, her homepage began recommending articles about roses, including the very variety before her.

Carola Roses, symbolizing true love.

Two candlesticks even adorned the tea-colored table.

Ye Ling handed her the menu. Geng Xiaoxiao lowered her lashes to accept it, concealing the involuntary chill that had crept into her gaze.

At this point, it would be foolish not to guess Ye Ling’s intentions.

Did she really think a belated proposal could erase the past?

“The chef specializes in Western cuisine, which should suit your taste,” Ye Ling said.

“Is that so?” Geng Xiaoxiao closed the menu, her tone sharp but measured. “President Ye seems to know me well. Why don’t you order for me?”

“Xiaoxiao…” Ye Ling called out, her voice trailing off like a sigh.

Geng Xiaoxiao did indeed take the menu, looked up, and recited several dishes to the waiter standing nearby.

“For dessert, how about cocktail ice cream?”

Geng Xiaoxiao nodded indifferently. After the waiter retreated, the two women were left alone in their private corner of the restaurant.

A night breeze stirred as Ye Ling lifted her lemon water, hoping the tart, cool liquid would clear the tightness in her throat.

She had to admit she was nervous.

She even regretted taking Xue Jiqing’s ill-advised suggestion. After all, Xue Jiqing’s own romantic life was a tangled mess.

Yet Ye Ling knew she had been genuinely excited while arranging this evening.

Proposals, engagements, weddings, honeymoons—she would gradually fill in all the experiences Geng Xiaoxiao had missed.

So, would she say yes?

Ye Ling desperately hoped the answer was yes.

The silence stretched too long… or perhaps the dishes arrived too quickly, since they were the only diners that night.

Before either woman could break the silence, the courses had already been served one after another.

A ribeye steak, a sirloin steak, creamy mushroom pasta, French onion soup, salad, and what was said to be the chef’s signature dish: pan-seared foie gras.

All classic dishes. It was hard not to suspect Ye Ling was playing it safe.

But there was genuinely nothing Geng Xiaoxiao disliked.

Geng Xiaoxiao picked up her knife and fork, ready to cut into her steak.

“Let me,” Ye Ling said. In the next moment, her pale, jade-like fingers had already steadied the plate, drawing the ribeye steak toward herself.

Only then did Geng Xiaoxiao notice that Ye Ling had ordered an extra set of cutlery.

Realizing what Ye Ling intended, Geng Xiaoxiao reached out and, like a child snatching a toy, yanked the plate back.

Lacking Ye Ling’s refined grace, the bottom of the plate clattered against the table with a clink as she dragged it.

“I’m surprised President Ye still remembers that embarrassing incident from years ago,” Geng Xiaoxiao said, effortlessly slicing through the steak with her knife and fork.

“I’m sorry,” Ye Ling said, sensing Geng Xiaoxiao’s displeasure. “I just wanted to help you.”

“Four years ago, I needed help. But now, President Ye needn’t trouble herself,” Geng Xiaoxiao replied, her tone as flat and even as Ye Ling’s usually was.

From Geng Xiaoxiao’s evasive attitude, Ye Ling sensed a truth she refused to acknowledge.

Ye Ling couldn’t help but ask, “Does being late mean there’s no way to make up for it?”

“Of course,” Geng Xiaoxiao replied crisply, her words followed by an even deeper silence.

The silence was broken by the ringing of Ye Ling’s phone, which lay on the table. Geng Xiaoxiao glanced down and caught a fleeting glimpse of the character “商” (business).

The call was abruptly disconnected, only to ring again moments later. Geng Xiaoxiao’s gaze remained fixed, this time clearly seeing the full name.

For the fourth time, she dabbed her mouth with a napkin and asked Ye Ling, “Aren’t you going to answer? It might be something urgent.”

For the fifth time, Ye Ling stared at the flashing phone screen and murmured, “I’m sorry.”

She stepped aside and answered the call.

“Hello… A car accident?”

After a long silence, Ye Ling spoke again.

Geng Xiaoxiao watched the flickering candlelight. As she watched, a drop of white wax fell, leaving an ugly, solidified trail.

“I understand,” Ye Ling said, hanging up and returning. “I’m sorry, Xiaoxiao. Something urgent has come up. I need to leave for a bit, but I’ll be back soon. Is that okay?”

Geng Xiaoxiao looked up, the candlelight reflecting in her eyes. In Ye Ling’s eyes, she saw a tiny spark of light.

At that moment, Ye Ling’s gaze held only her, as if she would sit back down as if nothing had happened if Geng Xiaoxiao refused.

Seconds ticked by. Geng Xiaoxiao lowered her gaze, thinking, Ye Ling has apologized so many times tonight.

Before the second drop of wax fell, she murmured, “Go.”