After Faking My Death, My Iceberg Ex-Wife Went Crazy for Me - Chapter 46

The climbing gym was bustling with activity, making it difficult to discuss private matters.

Lan Xiao asked Meng Lianqiu and Ye Ling to wait at the water bar outside while she changed her shoes in the locker room.

After tidying up, she adjusted her ear cartilage piercing in the mirror, checking for any signs of it coming loose.

As she washed her hands and prepared to leave, she was startled by a wolf whistle as she opened the door.

Lan Xiao looked up in surprise at the person leaning casually against the wall. “What are you doing here?”

“Just wanted to make sure you’re okay,” Pu Mengyu said, straightening up. “You were meeting Ye Ling’s secretary or assistant or whatever, and who knows how many people they might bring? I finished my work early and figured I had time to swing by. Want some company?”

Lan Xiao nodded, her heart warming. “This place is practically my territory. Nothing’s going to happen.”

“You never know. It’s always better to have someone with you,” Pu Mengyu said, following her outside. Her peripheral vision caught something, and she leaned closer to examine it. “You’ve got your ear cartilage piercing showing again? Didn’t you complain about it always falling out?”

“I found it while packing yesterday. It felt wasteful to just throw it away since I still had a few pairs left, so I figured I might as well use them up.”

Lan Xiao touched her ear. “I switched to a stronger eyelash adhesive. It won’t come off unless I deliberately pull it off.”

Having been out in the world for a few years, Lan Xiao had experimented with different styles under the influence of those around her. The ear cuff was one such attempt, but she never got a real piercing due to her fear of pain.

“Alright,” Pu Mengyu said, withdrawing her gaze. “I saw Ye Ling when I came in. She was with someone I didn’t recognize. Have you met her yet?”

“Yeah, they were here earlier. I had to change, so I told them to wait at the water bar.”

Lan Xiao explained briefly, “Meng Lianqiu—the woman with Ye Ling—gave me a strange look the moment she saw me. I’m guessing I look quite a bit like that Geng Xiaoxiao.”

“I figured,” Pu Mengyu murmured. “If the boss is crazy, at least the assistant should be normal. If you didn’t resemble her, they’d just meet you once and that would be the end of it. Tsk, it’s not even your zodiac year, yet you’re still having bad luck.”

Lan Xiao chuckled, but remained silent.

Pu Mengyu continued, “I brushed past them on my way in. Ye Ling didn’t see me, but guess what I overheard?”

“What?” Lan Xiao asked.

“They were discussing whether you’re Geng Xiaoxiao, that Meng… Meng what was her name again?”

“Lianqiu. Meng Lianqiu.”

“Which characters?”

“The ‘Lian’ from ‘connection’ and the ‘Qiu’ from ‘autumn’,” Lan Xiao replied, her voice pausing as she narrowed her eyes dangerously. “I saw her name on the official website. Meng Yu, you don’t suspect me too, do you?”

“Just a tiny bit,” Pu Mengyu said, pressing her thumb and forefinger almost together to emphasize how small the suspicion was.

Although Pu Mengyu suspected Ye Ling might be mentally unstable, even someone with mental illness couldn’t be symptomatic every moment. Seeing Ye Ling’s unwavering conviction, Pu Mengyu couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt.

According to Ye Ling’s account, Geng Xiaoxiao had disappeared three years ago, around the same time Lan Xiao came to study abroad.

Moreover, in those three years, while Lan Xiao returned to China annually, she rarely spoke to her family or friends back home, and she tended to avoid discussing her personal life.

The international student community was full of all sorts of eccentric characters. Pu Mengyu had even once speculated that Lan Xiao might be a “seed of hope” sent abroad by her family after they were caught in a political purge.

Because of this suspicion, Pu Mengyu had initially kept her distance from Lan Xiao. It was only after spending more time with her and realizing she didn’t fit the profile that she finally lowered her guard.

However, Lan Xiao’s family and past remained a mystery. Pu Mengyu wasn’t one to pry into others’ private affairs; if Lan Xiao didn’t offer information, she wouldn’t press for it, occasionally even covering for her when others brought it up.

Now, with Ye Ling suddenly appearing, Pu Mengyu found it a bit strange if she followed Ye Ling’s logic.

“But I still trust you completely!”

Regardless, lying about something like this would be too easily exposed, wouldn’t it?

Changing the subject, Pu Mengyu continued, “Meng Lianqiu asked Ye Ling why she was so certain you were Geng Xiaoxiao. Guess how Ye Ling replied?”

“Hmm…” Lan Xiao pondered for a moment. “Intuition?”

“No, no, no.” Pu Mengyu shook her finger, then clasped her hands together in a gesture of mock piety.

“She said, ‘I made a wish to the sea god, offering a sacrifice in hopes He would grant me the chance to see Xiaoxiao again.'”

“‘When I opened my eyes, I saw her.'”

Pu Mengyu lowered her hands and commented, “Romantic, truly romantic, but also completely absurd. Besides, Ye Ling fell into a swimming pool that day—what does that have to do with the sea?”

“Who knows?” Lan Xiao replied vaguely, her brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

The sea.

Could it be what she was thinking?

The phrase Pu Mengyu had “artistically embellished” actually had a second half.

Ye Ling lacked the confidence to voice that second half.

Even now, she still felt certain she wouldn’t mistake Xiaoxiao.

But no one believed her anymore, including herself.

The misidentification three years ago had shattered Ye Ling’s confidence.

Even when she saw clearly this time, even when her heart felt certain, her voice betrayed a hint of doubt whenever she spoke of it to others.

She said in as casual a tone as possible, “Eyes, nose, ears—these features rarely change significantly in three years without surgery. You’ve noticed it too, right?”

Meng Lianqiu nodded. “Yes, she does resemble Miss Geng very closely.”

Compared to the person in her memories, they were practically identical.

Yet, for some reason, Meng Lianqiu subconsciously felt they were two different people.

Perhaps sensing her hesitation, Ye Ling didn’t press the topic further.

Instead, she glanced at the folded wheelchair beside them and nudged it with her hand. “Let’s put the wheelchair back in the trunk. Could you grab my cane while you’re at it?”

“Of course.”

Their seats were just a few steps from the water bar entrance. The folded wheelchair posed no obstruction, but Ye Ling had grown quite adept with her crutches, so Meng Lianqiu assumed she simply wanted to switch mobility aids and didn’t ask further.

As Meng Lianqiu returned from stowing the wheelchair, two figures emerged from the climbing gym. She raised her hand to signal her location.

Lan Xiao was accompanied by a slightly shorter girl whose gaze held both curiosity and wariness.

Recalling the information from her investigation, Meng Lianqiu guessed this must be Lan Xiao’s roommate, Pu Mengyu.

Sure enough, as Lan Xiao approached, she introduced her companion: “This is my friend, Pu Mengyu. Hope you don’t mind an extra person?”

“Not at all,” Ye Ling replied. Only then did she realize she was the uninvited guest herself, and quickly added, “Sorry, I was feeling cooped up in the hotel and came out with Lianqiu for some fresh air. If you’d rather I wait outside, I can.”

As Ye Ling reached for her crutches leaning against the wall, the crutches slipped sideways on the polished floor. Losing her balance, she began to fall in the direction of the sliding crutches.

A pair of steady hands caught her, allowing her to regain her seat. Her chin tucked down, lips pressed together, and fluttering eyelashes gave her an unexpectedly vulnerable air.

“Sorry, I’m still not very good with this crutch.”

“No problem,” Pu Mengyu said, clapping her hands cheerfully. “You’re pretty light. I could even carry you out if you want.”

“…?”

Ye Ling’s pupils flickered. She looked up at Pu Mengyu, who stood before her, flashing a toothy grin, then glanced at Lan Xiao, who had settled into a seat diagonally across from her, and finally turned to Meng Lianqiu.

The latter lowered her head and took a sip of coffee, avoiding Ye Ling’s gaze.

Seeing Pu Mengyu still waiting, Ye Ling suppressed the urge to grind her teeth and reached for the crutch again. “Thank you.”

Pu Mengyu smiled brightly. “You’re welcome. Let’s go.”

With that, she extended her hand toward Ye Ling.

Ye Ling: “……”

In the awkward silence, Lan Xiao finally broke the tension. “Come on, then. I don’t mind. Mengyu, come sit over here.”

“Sure thing!”

Pu Mengyu promptly took the seat opposite Ye Ling. Meng Lianqiu quickly summoned a waiter to take their orders.

With a third party acting as a buffer, Ye Ling felt the awkwardness in her heart ease slightly.

Lan Xiao had indeed helped Ye Ling when she stumbled, but Pu Mengyu had quickly stepped in, making it clear she didn’t want them to have any further contact.

Judging by Lan Xiao’s attitude, she probably felt the same way.

No wonder they took away the wheelchair—they were afraid of being kicked out…

Meng Lianqiu’s heart fluttered. She took another sip of coffee to calm herself.

She genuinely hadn’t expected Ye Ling’s pursuit—or rather, her “attempt to reconcile”—to be so… vastly different from what she’d imagined.

Suppressing the chaotic thoughts swirling in her mind, Meng Lianqiu finished placing her order. Drawing on her professional composure, she handed Lan Xiao her business card and identification.

“If you’re available recently, would returning to China in three days work for you?”

“Yes,” Lan Xiao replied, glancing at the documents before pushing them back, keeping only the business card.

Meng Lianqiu pulled out her phone and tried again. “Shall we add each other on WeChat? It would make communication easier after you return.”

“No need.”

This time, Lan Xiao refused. She took out her phone, dialed the number on the business card, and hung up after hearing the ringtone.

“Phone calls and texts will suffice. I doubt our communication will be frequent enough to warrant WeChat.”

Meng Lianqiu was speechless.

Lan Xiao’s rejection was even more severe than she’d anticipated.

Without pressing further, Meng Lianqiu shifted her approach. “We apologize for the inconvenience. We’ll cover all expenses, including your plane ticket, accommodation, and meals after you return. Please don’t hesitate to make any other requests; we’ll do our best to accommodate them.”

“There’s no need,” Lan Xiao said, her expression cold. “I’ll handle the flight myself. Just send me the specific details. As for other requests, I have only one.”

She glanced at Ye Ling, and Meng Lianqiu followed her gaze, a foreboding feeling flashing through her heart.

“President Ye,” Lan Xiao said, her eyes fixed on Ye Ling, each word deliberate, “please remember your promise.”

“…I will.”

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. In the VIP waiting lounge, Ye Ling sat with a thermos cup before her, her gaze frequently darting toward the entrance.

Moments later, Meng Lianqiu returned. Ye Ling immediately stood up, but the person she longed to see wasn’t behind her.

Ye Ling’s eyes dimmed. “Xiaoxiao didn’t want to come?”

Meng Lianqiu shook her head.

“What about upgrading her ticket? Did she refuse that too?”

“Not exactly a refusal,” Meng Lianqiu replied cautiously, realizing she couldn’t soften the truth. “Miss Lan originally purchased a first-class ticket. She’s waiting outside because she doesn’t want to run into us.”

“……”

Ye Ling remained silent, her fingers unconsciously picking at her nails. The short nails quickly drew bl00d.

Meng Lianqiu’s eyelid twitched. “President Ye!” she exclaimed, stopping her.

Ye Ling looked up, her expression confused, as if she hadn’t realized what she was doing.

Afraid of drawing further attention, Meng Lianqiu refrained from mentioning Ye Ling’s behavior directly. Instead, she tried to distract her.

She casually pulled out a tube of hand cream and offered it. “Since you’re giving Miss Lan a gift, a little fragrance might make it even better.”

“You’re right,” Ye Ling said, glancing down at her hands. Her expression stiffened almost imperceptibly. “Xiaoxiao has a very sensitive nose. I’ll go wash my hands.”

“Of course.”

Meng Lianqiu watched her retreating figure, a flicker of concern in her eyes.

After watching Meng Lianqiu leave, Lan Xiao put on a hat to conceal her distinctive hair color.

She played on her phone for a while. When the boarding announcement sounded, she waited a bit longer, making sure she had spaced herself out from Ye Ling and the others, before getting up to head to the gate.

Having lingered so long, Lan Xiao was among the last to board.

The seat next to hers was already occupied by a woman who had fallen asleep as soon as she sat down. An eye mask covered most of her face, revealing only a sharp jawline and thin lips painted with bright red lipstick.

Lan Xiao couldn’t shake the feeling that the woman looked familiar. She glanced at her several times, but before she could place where she might have seen her before, a fresh citrus scent suddenly filled the air.

Lan Xiao turned her gaze to see a slender, pale hand holding a black-strapped thermos. The fingernails were tucked into the palm, and the hand exuded a faint fragrance of citrus-scented hand cream.

“Xiaoxiao.”

Hearing the familiar nickname, Lan Xiao followed the hand upward, her eyes flicking over a small mole on the person’s face.

Ye Ling’s lips barely curved, as if she were trying to smile but her nervousness had frozen the expression into a slightly cold, strained look.

“This is brown sugar and motherwort tea. Aunt Zhang used to make it for you. Your period is coming soon, right? Drinking this will help ease the discomfort in a few days.”

She extended the thermos toward Lan Xiao, who lowered her head, her gaze fixed on Ye Ling’s fingernails.

As she handed over the thermos, Lan Xiao inevitably revealed her fingernails. Their once-smooth curves were now jagged and uneven, as if they had been bitten.

Noticing her gaze, the hand trembled slightly, then awkwardly concealed the nails, leaving only the attractive back of the hand visible.

Lan Xiao exhaled softly. “I’m sorry, President Ye, but you must be mistaken. My period isn’t due for a while, and I don’t have cramps.”

“Right,” Ye Ling said, a bitter smile tugging at her lips as she withdrew her hand. “It’s been three years. I’m still stuck in the past.”

Lan Xiao didn’t know what to say and remained silent.

In the seat to their right, a woman feigning sleep frowned slightly, lifting her eye mask to glance over.

When she saw Lan Xiao, her lips curled into a smirk. She casually pulled down the eye mask, lowered the partition, and in the next instant, her arm snaked over.

Caught off guard and losing her balance, Lan Xiao instinctively tried to pull away. But the woman was clearly familiar with her reactions. Not only did she prevent Lan Xiao from escaping, but she also drew them closer together.

Realizing what was happening, Lan Xiao’s movements slowed.

The woman chuckled softly, resting her chin precisely on the crown of Lan Xiao’s head.

Ye Ling’s expression darkened further. “Let her go.”

“I won’t~”

The woman’s voice was languid as she glanced at the thermos. “Such a cliché tactic. I stopped using these when I was sixteen.”

“This ‘President Ye,’ right? You need to update your moves~”