Marrying My Ex-Wife's Mortal Enemy (GL) - Chapter 13

“A’Li…”

Tong Yi noticed Chu Li hesitate for a second and quickly followed after her, but Chu Li didn’t stop or wait.

Since the day Chu Li had called her and said they shouldn’t be friends anymore, Tong Yi hadn’t been able to reach her. Her calls went unanswered, and waiting at the office was futile—every time she went to see her, the assistant would just say she wasn’t in.

Tong Yi knew Chu Li was avoiding her. What she didn’t know was why.

It wasn’t until she noticed a large sum of money transferred into her account that she realized Chu Li had meant what she said that day.

Chu Li really wanted to cut ties.

At first, she thought Chu Li had chosen Dou Huan and abandoned her. But then Zhang Yi told her that Chu Li and Dou Huan had gotten divorced.

It was because of her. After the divorce, Chu Li regretted everything.

Tong Yi quickened her pace and gently grabbed Chu Li’s hand, only to have it lightly brushed away.

“A’Li?”

Tears welled up in Tong Yi’s eyes as she looked at Chu Li’s cold expression. “I know it’s my fault. I ruined your marriage with Miss Dou. But I never wanted things to end up like this…”

Hearing that, something in Chu Li’s heart softened. “It’s not your fault. I blame myself.”

She knew she was the one to blame—for not setting boundaries, for indulging herself, and for letting it get this far. No one else could take the fall for that.

Standing in the main lobby made it easy for others to overhear, so Chu Li took Tong Yi to her office.

“You say it’s not my fault, but you don’t even want to see me anymore.”

Now that they were alone in the office, Tong Yi’s voice trembled as tears spilled freely. “Deep down, you still hate me, don’t you? You blame me for not letting go even after knowing you were married, for wrecking your home…”

Her makeup was smudged from crying, and she looked utterly heartbroken. She took all the blame upon herself, which only made Chu Li feel guiltier.

Chu Li hesitated, then finally placed a hand on her shoulder. “It really isn’t your fault. It’s me. I let Huanhuan down… and I hurt you, too.”

“You didn’t hurt me. Being with you…” Tong Yi seemed to remember their more intimate moments and shyly wiped at her tears, “it was my choice. You didn’t need to send me that money.”

“Just keep it,” Chu Li said quietly. “It helps me feel a little less terrible.”

“A’Li…”

Tong Yi looked up at her, her tear-streaked face soft and delicate.

“Please don’t shut me out. I’ll just be your friend, I promise. I won’t cross any lines, and I’ll never appear with you in front of Miss Dou again.”

She stepped closer, gently taking Chu Li’s arm. “If you really don’t blame me, then please… don’t push me away.”

Chu Li already felt guilty about how Dou Huan and her friends had verbally attacked Tong Yi. Seeing her so hurt, so afraid of being rejected, her once resolute heart wavered again.

“We can be friends,” Chu Li finally said after a pause. “But please don’t bother Huanhuan again. She has a temper, and it’ll only upset her more if you reach out.”

“Okay,” Tong Yi nodded, her tears still shimmering as she smiled. “I’ll do whatever you say.”

Meanwhile, Dou Huan was finishing a tour of the exhibition hall with Zhou Wei. Bored, she stretched lazily.

Then suddenly she spotted Jing Yu standing not far away. Her body froze, then she quickly tried to play it cool, lowering her arms and tugging at her T-shirt.

As Jing Yu walked over, Dou Huan greeted her politely, “Hello, President Jing.”

Hearing the name, Zhou Wei immediately turned around and nervously echoed, “Hello, President Jing!”

Jing Yu noticed all of Dou Huan’s little gestures and changes in expression. She almost wanted to laugh, but instead glanced at the gemstones and asked, “So, how was it? Did you two see everything?”

Zhou Wei jumped in first, “We’ve seen most of it.”

“And what do you think of Tianyi Jewelry?”

Zhou Wei answered, “Tianyi has high standards for quality and craftsmanship. But compared to our company, I’d say some aspects still fall a bit short.”

Jing Yu gave no reaction and turned to Dou Huan. “What about you?”

“Me?”

Dou Huan didn’t want to outshine Zhou Wei in front of her, so she replied obediently, “I agree with what Weiwei-jie just said.”

“You don’t have your own opinion?”

Dou Huan looked up at her, tempted to ask, Should I have one?

Jing Yu was still watching her, clearly expecting a detailed answer. And judging by her expression, she wasn’t leaving until she got one. If Zhou Wei weren’t here, Dou Huan wouldn’t care one bit—who cares if she’s the CEO? Worst case, she’d quit!

But with Zhou Wei present, acting rebellious didn’t quite suit her image. So she took a moment to think, recalling some facts about Tianyi.

“This time, Tianyi is mainly showcasing mid-range gemstones and jade. I think they’re preparing to launch a mid-range jewelry line.”

What she said was true. This batch was indeed aimed at the mid-tier market, with a new line set to debut next month.

Jing Yu nodded slightly and asked, “How are you getting back to the office?”

Zhou Wei answered quickly, “We’re taking the subway.”

“I’m heading back too. Want a ride?”

Dou Huan glanced at Zhou Wei: “???”

She whispered, “Weiwei-jie, I drove here.”

“It’s a rare chance to ride in President Jing’s car. I may never get another one in my life!”

Zhou Wei batted her lashes at her. “Come on, come on!”

“But my car…”

Dou Huan really didn’t want to ride with Jing Yu, but Zhou Wei kept giving her pleading looks. She couldn’t say no.

Fine, she thought. I’ll come back for my car after work.

What she didn’t expect, though, was that Zhou Wei—who clearly wanted the ride—ended up in the front seat, leaving Dou Huan speechless.

Jing Yu got in and saw her still standing outside. “Not coming?”

“I brought my car,” Dou Huan said with a bright smile, waving at them. “Bye, President Jing!”

Zhou Wei stuck her head out of the window. “???”

“Weiwei-jie, you go ahead. I’ll catch up later.”

Jiang Shan glanced at Jing Yu, who said coolly, “Let’s go.”

******

It was already noon by the time Dou Huan finished lunch and returned to the office. Zhou Wei, who had been waiting for her, asked why she didn’t ride back with them—it had been so awkward alone.

“It would’ve been just as awkward for me,” Dou Huan patted her chest dramatically. “My heart was pounding. I panicked and figured it’d be safer to drive myself back before I embarrassed myself.”

Zhou Wei didn’t take it seriously and linked arms with her, asking if she’d eaten yet. Dou Huan said she’d gotten hungry on the way and stopped for noodles.

Zhou Wei said she hadn’t eaten yet, so Dou Huan went along to keep her company.

“Oh, by the way, our department head is back,” Zhou Wei whispered over lunch. “Director Zhao… he’s kind of shady. You’re really pretty, so be careful. Don’t be alone with him.”

Dou Huan immediately picked up on the implication. Though she hadn’t paid much attention before, she felt genuinely grateful and nodded, “Got it.”

That afternoon, she didn’t see Director Zhao and didn’t give it more thought.

Zhou Wei left early for an appointment, so Dou Huan used her computer to work on a design draft. She was so focused that she didn’t notice the office had emptied out by the time she was done.

As she packed up, she saw Liu Xinxing still at her desk, touching up her makeup.

“Xinxing-jie, you’re not leaving yet?” she asked.

Liu Xinxing paused and glanced at her. “I’ve still got something to do. You go ahead.”

“Alright, see you tomorrow.”

Dou Huan grabbed her bag and headed down, only to realize she’d forgotten her car keys. She went back to the office, and just as she stepped inside, a distinctly flirty voice made her freeze.

“Slow down…”

It was Liu Xinxing’s voice—usually normal, but now soft and coquettish.

Dou Huan recognized it was coming from the director’s office. She recalled what Zhou Wei had said earlier.

So… it was true.

But judging by Liu Xinxing’s tone, it wasn’t clear whether Zhao was the one making the move or if she was the initiator. Either way, the two were clearly indulging themselves in something inappropriate.

Not wanting to interrupt the lovebirds, Dou Huan moved quietly, grabbed her keys, and was ready to slip out—until her backpack scraped against a chair with a loud screech.

The sounds from the office stopped.

Her face turned bright red, and she bolted out like lightning.

“Who’s there?” Director Zhao asked.

“Probably the new girl,” Liu Xinxing answered with a sultry smile. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Is she pretty?”

“Very,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “If you like her, go for it. Just don’t come running to me anymore.”

“Isn’t that what you wanted?”

With that, Zhao pushed her onto the desk.

“Jerk,” Liu Xinxing giggled playfully.