After Faking My Death, My Iceberg Ex-Wife Went Crazy for Me - Chapter 44

Around ten o’clock, embassy staff arrived to pick up Ye Ling.

As Pu Mengyu watched the embassy car drive away, she still felt a lingering sense of unease.

“I wonder if Ye Ling will pull another midnight surprise tonight?”

“Don’t worry, I made it clear to her.”

Lan Xiao yawned. Last night, she had to communicate with the embassy, monitor the situation back home, and occasionally check if Ye Ling’s fever had returned. She barely slept at all.

Now that things had temporarily settled down, she just wanted to go home and catch up on sleep.

“Oh, right,” Lan Xiao said as they waited for the elevator, “Wendy’s clothes are washed. Could you drop them off for me when you have time?”

Pu Mengyu pouted. “Why don’t you go yourself?”

Lan Xiao replied honestly, “She probably doesn’t want to see me. It’d be awkward.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

Despite her words, Pu Mengyu didn’t actually refuse the task. She had been planning to contact Wendy about her research project anyway, so it was just a convenient side trip.

“But are you really going back to China with Ye Ling?”

The mention of this made Pu Mengyu anxious. “Everyone online says those wealthy families are a mess. Ye Ling doesn’t exactly seem like a bad person, but… I just feel like there’s something off about her.”

Pu Mengyu pressed her temples, her expression unreadable.

When Lan Xiao wasn’t around, Ye Ling, though seemingly aloof, remained calm and gentle, her words polite and her demeanor measured. She even granted reasonable requests, like teaching them how to style their hair with hairpins (a chopstick alternative).

But the moment Lan Xiao appeared, Ye Ling transformed completely.

Her gaze followed Lan Xiao relentlessly, and her insistence that Lan Xiao was someone else was one thing. But what truly defied reason was last night—chasing after her despite a high fever and injured foot. It was behavior no sane person would exhibit.

Pu Mengyu couldn’t fathom where Ye Ling drew such tenacity. She wondered if the fever had clouded her mind, or if this was simply her true nature.

Pu Mengyu leaned toward the latter, her voice heavy with concern. “If Ye Ling’s hysteria doesn’t improve, and you go back with her, how will you escape once you’re on her turf?”

“Don’t worry,” Lan Xiao reassured vaguely, unable to reveal the full truth. “Returning home is just that—returning home. Besides, what choice do I have? No one could endure Ye Ling’s relentless obsession forever.”

“True…”

Pu Mengyu was already at her breaking point. She had discovered Ye Ling twice now, and if it happened again, she feared she’d be driven to a nervous breakdown.

As they spoke, the elevator reached their floor. Lan Xiao unlocked the door, greeted Pu Mengyu, and returned to her room to catch up on sleep.

Lying on the bed, Lan Xiao closed her eyes and traced a circle around her eyebrows and eyes with her index finger, relaxing as she pondered her plans for the next few days.

Ye Ling’s leg injury was severe, requiring at least a few days of rest. This meant Lan Xiao likely had three or four days of free time.

Fortunately, her school matters had been resolved. She would need to request a long leave from her part-time job and make time to visit.

As for the domestic situation, the first wave of arrivals would likely be familiar faces. She wondered how Xiao Jiu planned to “patch things up.”

Would it directly alter their memories or perceptions?

Lan Xiao had already witnessed Xiao Jiu’s extraordinary abilities. Pu Mengyu, after being influenced, had forgotten her search for news about Mo Yuan Technology. Otherwise, Lan Xiao would have been exposed first.

In this regard, Xiao Jiu’s capabilities seemed superior to Xiao Ba’s, though he was unreliable and prone to feigning deafness.

Finally,

Her unexpected early return home meant she couldn’t afford to give Ye Ling any leverage. But what about Grandma…?

“Aaaaaaaah!”

Everything had completely deviated from her original plan!

Lan Xiao kicked her legs in frustration and performed a set of military-style punches and kicks on the bed.

On the other side, during her conversations with embassy staff, Ye Ling noticed that not a single person asked her how she had “entered the country.”

They seemed to automatically fill in the missing information and casually helped her replace her “lost” passport.

Since this benefited her own plans, Ye Ling didn’t press the issue, even though she remained suspicious. She had a feeling that even if she did ask, she wouldn’t get a straight answer.

Back at the embassy, staff asked if she wanted to go to the hospital for a medical check-up first or contact China. Considering the time difference, Ye Ling chose the latter.

It was evening in China. When the video call connected, she saw five or six heads crowded around a bright LED panel in what appeared to be Yuexin’s conference room.

At the front were Meng Lianqiu and Xue Jiqing, flanked by several Yuexin executives. At the far edge stood a round-faced girl who glanced at the screen before stepping out of frame.

The moment was too brief for Ye Ling to get a clear look at her face. She assumed it was just another staff member and didn’t give it a second thought.

She began by apologizing for the trouble she had caused, assuring them she was safe, and exchanging a few brief words.

After exchanging most of the necessary information, Ye Ling signaled the others to leave. Once only Meng Lianqiu and Xue Jiqing remained, she took a deep breath and revealed her major discovery.

“I’ve found Xiaoxiao.”

The moment the words left her lips, both women on the computer screen visibly jolted, their eyes widening slightly.

Xue Jiqing urgently asked, “Where did you find her? How is she doing now?”

Ye Ling opened her mouth to explain her extraordinary encounter, but quickly realized she couldn’t speak.

Recognizing the issue, she switched to a different way of expressing herself. “Um… I accidentally stumbled upon some clues and decided to investigate myself. After coming here, I found Xiaoxiao.”

“She’s studying abroad here and seems to have just earned her master’s degree. She’s made many friends and even dyed her hair a slightly orange-toned pink. She’s also had her teeth straightened; her little fangs are barely visible now.”

As Ye Ling spoke, she recalled the details. “Overall, she’s changed quite a bit, but judging by her clothes and demeanor, she hasn’t suffered much hardship in the past three years.”

Xue Jiqing and Meng Lianqiu exchanged a meaningful glance, their thoughts unspoken.

Finally, Xue Jiqing, whose relationship with He Yeling was more “equal,” voiced their shared question: “If Xiaoxiao is perfectly fine, why hasn’t she contacted us in three years?”

Ye Ling paused, not answering immediately.

So much had happened that she hadn’t had time to properly consider this question.

Her initial thought was that Xiaoxiao might not be able to find them.

The scientific consensus on the existence of time travel and wormhole jumps remained uncertain, but theoretically, they were possible.

When Geng Xiaoxiao disappeared without a trace, Ye Ling had fantasized about this possibility, wondering if she might be in some parallel world.

After experiencing the instantaneous journey from Yuexin to the other side of the ocean, Ye Ling had prematurely assumed that this wasn’t her original world.

If that were the case, Xiaoxiao naturally wouldn’t be able to find them.

But that wasn’t the truth.

Therefore, Xiaoxiao’s behavior needed to be reevaluated.

Ye Ling was self-aware, and she knew how much Xiaoxiao cherished Teacher Jiang. She didn’t believe that was an act.

So, whatever had kept Xiaoxiao away for three years must have been a compelling reason.

But if this were true, why would Lan Xiao so readily agree to return home with her?

Ye Ling’s fever-addled brain throbbed from overthinking. She pressed her thumb against her temple and said, “I’m not sure. Maybe she can’t come back for some reason, and… she can’t acknowledge us?”

“What do you mean ‘can’t acknowledge us’?” Xue Jiqing asked.

Ye Ling explained, “When I met Xiaoxiao, she absolutely refused to admit she was Geng Xiaoxiao. She insisted she didn’t know me. I think there must be a reason for her behavior.”

“……”

This time, it was Xue Jiqing and Meng Lianqiu who fell silent.

Their expressions darkened. Xue Jiqing exchanged a glance with Meng Lianqiu, who quietly shifted aside and began texting the embassy for updates.

After carefully considering her words, Xue Jiqing said, “Ye Ling, I understand how you feel. You must miss Xiaoxiao terribly—and so do I, of course.

“Don’t worry. We’ve already booked flights. Lianqiu and I will be there tomorrow. Let’s talk about Xiaoxiao when we arrive.”

Ye Ling understood the implication in her words and retorted, “You don’t believe me?”

Xue Jiqing fell silent.

She desperately wanted to believe Ye Ling, but with Ye Ling’s refusal to acknowledge herself as Geng Xiaoxiao and her insistence that she didn’t know Xue Jiqing, there was no credibility whatsoever.

It was as if Ye Ling’s condition had worsened, and she was now talking to herself.

However, considering Ye Ling’s fragile state, Xue Jiqing couldn’t voice these doubts. Instead, she had to play along.

“I do believe you,” Xue Jiqing said after a two-second pause, forcing herself to explain, “Based on what you’ve said, Xiaoxiao might be resisting. Since she’s denying it, you shouldn’t push her too hard. Give her some space to react.”

Ye Ling pressed her lips together. “I understand.”

Looking back, she realized she had been too aggressive yesterday. No wonder Xiaoxiao wanted nothing to do with her.

From now on, she would adopt a more subtle approach. She would help Xiaoxiao with whatever she wanted to do, and if all else failed, they could get to know each other again.

But no matter what, this time, she would never let her go.

Ye Ling unconsciously gripped her right arm.

Beneath the thin shirt fabric, the slender bamboo growing from the scar pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat and bl00d flow.

Xiao, bamboo.

After ending the video call, Xue Jiqing and Meng Lianqiu exchanged a glance, each seeing their own reflection in the other’s face.

The same furrowed brows, the same unresolved worry.

“I contacted the embassy,” Meng Lianqiu said, handing over her phone. “They confirmed that President Ye has indeed been causing trouble for an international student these past few days. Pink hair, name’s Lan Xiao—that must be the person President Ye mentioned.”

Xue Jiqing quickly scanned the information and rose to summon Chen Qiao.

“This concerns Xiaoxiao,” she said. “I think you should hear this too.”

With that, Xue Jiqing pulled out the chair to Chen Qiao’s left, gesturing for her to sit, then settled into the seat to Meng Lianqiu’s right.

Forced to sit between them, Meng Lianqiu couldn’t help but feel like she was serving as a buffer zone.

It wasn’t until she received news of Ye Ling’s safety earlier that day that she noticed the strange behavior of the two women beside her.

In truth, no keen observation was needed. Xue Jiqing, who usually sported a cool biker-chick look, had completely altered her style, now wearing a high-necked, long-sleeved shirt and trousers that covered every inch of skin.

As for Chen Qiao, though Meng Lianqiu was meeting her for the first time, it was clear that her attention was entirely focused on Xue Jiqing, her eyes occasionally flashing with the wounded look of an abandoned puppy.

Moreover, Xue Jiqing reacted to any physical contact with Chen Qiao with an almost reflexive repulsion.

For Miss Xue, the “flower-picking” socialite who flitted from one romance to another, this behavior was as unnatural as the sun rising in the west.

It was hard not to be curious about what had happened between the two women.

But Meng Lianqiu’s curiosity stopped there. For an assistant, listening more and speaking less was paramount.

Showing no outward reaction, Meng Lianqiu briefly summarized Ye Ling’s situation, with Xue Jiqing adding a few details.

Chen Qiao listened intently, then feigned surprise. “So, you’re going to see if she’s Xiaoxiao?”

“That’s a secondary objective,” Meng Lianqiu replied. “Would you like to join us?”

Chen Qiao shook her head. “I have other commitments later. I won’t be able to get away.”

Meng Lianqiu nodded. “The main priority is confirming President Ye’s condition. If Lan Xiao really is Miss Geng, that would be ideal. If not…”

She hesitated, then asked, “Miss Xue, should we bring a doctor along?”

After a moment’s thought, Xue Jiqing shook her head. “Let’s get Ye Ling back first. Bringing a doctor might backfire.”

“I agree,” Meng Lianqiu said.

Seeing they had reached an agreement, Chen Qiao looked around and asked, “What kind of doctor are you talking about?”

“A psychiatrist.”

Xue Jiqing sighed. “The worst-case scenario is that Ye Ling’s delusions have worsened.”

According to the doctor, if her condition continued unchecked, schizophrenia would be inevitable.