Marrying My Ex-Wife's Mortal Enemy (GL) - Chapter 17

The next day, Dou Huan deliberately dragged her feet. She didn’t leave for the Jing household until Jing Yu called to urge her.

When she arrived, Jing Yu was already waiting outside. As soon as she saw Dou Huan, she walked over and pulled open the car door. “I’m in a hurry. Step on it.”

Dou Huan glanced at her through the rearview mirror, the corner of her mouth curling into a faint, unreadable smile. “Then you’d better hold on tight.”

With that, she slammed her foot on the gas, and the car shot forward like an arrow.

Caught off guard, Jing Yu’s head banged against the seat back—not hard enough to hurt, but enough to startle her.

She hadn’t even settled in when Dou Huan made a sharp turn, tossing her against the opposite side of the car.

“Slow down!”

Jing Yu grabbed the door handle and reached forward to slap Dou Huan on the shoulder. “Dou Huan, slow down!”

Seeing how flustered she looked, Dou Huan eased off the gas and grinned smugly. “Director Jing, you were the one who said you were in a rush. Don’t be mad at me now.”

Jing Yu smoothed down her clothes and hair, regaining her usual composure. She replied with grace, “It’s fine. I don’t blame you.”

Her gracious attitude left Dou Huan a little thrown off, so she stopped playing around and drove smoothly the rest of the way to the company.

After three days of work, Dou Huan finally completed her design sketch that very morning.

“Oh my god, Huanhuan, your hand-drawing skills are amazing! ”

Zhou Wei looked at the sketch in awe. “It’s like a real ring landed on the paper!”

Just earlier, Dou Huan had bent down to pick up a pen, and Zhou Wei had turned and caught a glimpse of the design. At first glance, she thought someone had left an actual diamond ring on the desk—only to realize it was Dou Huan’s drawing.

So detailed. So realistic.

“It’s nothing,” Dou Huan said modestly. “I learned to draw a while back.”

In her past life, her romantic endeavors hadn’t worked out well, so she’d thrown herself into studying jewelry design and craftsmanship. Drawing wasn’t difficult for her—she just took longer because she liked to be precise.

Zhou Wei silently picked up her own sketch. The comparison was brutal. What she’d once thought was decent now looked rough and amateurish.

Clutching her chest dramatically, Zhou Wei groaned, “What have I been doing all these years? This is humiliating!”

“Don’t take it so hard,” Dou Huan said with a laugh, patting her on the shoulder before heading to the break room for water.

But when she returned, her sketch was gone. At first, she didn’t think much of it—until she noticed Zhou Wei sneaking glances at her.

“What’s up?”

Zhou Wei swallowed nervously. “Don’t be mad, okay?”

“Go ahead.” Dou Huan took a sip of water, smiling. “I won’t get mad.”

“So… I was looking at your sketch earlier, and Liu Xinxing walked by and saw it. She asked who drew it because it looked so good, so I bragged about you a little.”

“And then?”

“She showed it to everyone,” Zhou Wei said, looking sheepish. “There was such a commotion that Director Zhao came out to see what was going on. He took a look at your sketch, said it was excellent, and brought it into his office. He said to tell you to come get it later.”

“Oh,” Dou Huan waved it off. “It’s just a sketch. If Director Zhao likes it, he can keep it.”

She had no intention of going to retrieve it—no need to give Zhao Xi another reason to boss her around. The less contact, the better.

Seeing that Dou Huan wasn’t upset, Zhou Wei let out a breath of relief.

“Huanhuan, why were you so calm about it?” she asked, half in disbelief. “You’re really not mad over a sketch?”

“I just didn’t want to cause you trouble,” Zhou Wei whispered, leaning closer. “Honestly, I think Director Zhao did that on purpose.”

She added in a serious tone, “Keep an eye on him. I think he might try to get closer to you. If anything feels off, call me immediately.”

Dou Huan nodded. “Got it. Thanks, Weiwei.”

Meanwhile, Zhao Xi had been waiting in his office for Dou Huan to come pick up her sketch. When she didn’t show, he messaged Liu Xinxing:

“Huanhuan’s not back yet?”

Liu Xinxing chuckled, “Can’t wait, Director?”

“Just answer the question.”

“She’s back. Talking with Zhou Wei.”

“Tell her to come to my office.”

“Again? Ugh, she’s going to start resenting me.”

“What, your new perfume not working anymore?”

“Alright, alright. You win, big boss.”

Having taken his gift earlier, Liu Xinxing had no choice but to comply. She sauntered over and tapped Dou Huan lightly on the shoulder.

“Director Zhao said there’s an issue with your design, and he wants to go over it with you.”

“That?” Dou Huan smiled. “It was just something I doodled for fun. If Director Zhao doesn’t like it, he can toss it.”

“I just deliver messages,” Liu Xinxing replied breezily. “What happens next is none of my business.”

She returned to her seat, and Dou Huan clenched her jaw.

Zhou Wei asked, “What now? Are you going to him?”

“Of course,” Dou Huan replied with a serene smile. “He’s being so persistent—if I don’t go, wouldn’t that be rude?”

“But what if he—” Zhou Wei leaned in and whispered, “What if he tries something?”

“Don’t worry,” Dou Huan reassured her, patting her arm. “He won’t.”

She knocked on Zhao Xi’s office door. When he responded, she stepped inside, putting on a polite and docile front.

“Director, you wanted to see me?”

“I looked over your sketch. It’s very good, but there are some issues,” Zhao Xi said, motioning her over. “Come here and I’ll explain.”

Dou Huan stepped forward, keeping a safe distance. Zhao Xi smiled again.

“No need to stand so far. I won’t bite. Come closer so you can see better.”

He sounded half-joking, half-sincere—like a kindly mentor.

Most interns would’ve caved at this point, moving closer just to avoid seeming rude.

But Dou Huan simply smiled and said, “My eyesight’s good. I can see just fine from here.”

“Come on,” Zhao Xi beckoned again, putting on a mock-offended smile.

She took one symbolic step forward—no more. “Here I am, Director.”

Frustrated but unable to make a move, Zhao Xi had no choice but to let it go. He started explaining her design, throwing around lofty jargon. Dou Huan didn’t bother listening.

“Got it?” he asked at the end.

“I understand,” she said, nodding.

“You can take the sketch back and make some adjustments.”

She moved to retrieve it, but he suddenly snatched it back and looked at her. “Why did you agree to be Director Jing’s driver?”

“I didn’t have much of a choice,” Dou Huan replied flatly.

Zhao Xi assumed it was due to financial hardship. “How much is she paying you?”

Right. She hadn’t actually brought up pay with Jing Yu.

“Enough,” she answered vaguely.

“How about this,” Zhao Xi said, putting the sketch on his desk, feigning sincerity. “I’ll give you fifteen thousand a month. Be my driver instead. You don’t have to pick me up—just drive me home every day.”

“Fifteen thousand a month? You must be joking.”

Dou Huan’s expression was one of exaggerated shock, though inside she scoffed. I get fifty grand in pocket money every month—your offer doesn’t even cover my splurges.

“I’m serious.”

Zhao Xi leaned into his “gentleman” act. “I don’t know why, but the moment I saw you, I thought you deserved a more glamorous life. You already work hard during the day—you’re delicate like a flower. You should be relaxing after hours. Director Jing is always working late. Waiting around for her is just a waste of your youth.”

Are you sure you want to badmouth your boss to me? Not afraid I’ll report you?

Dou Huan exhaled slowly as Director Zhao continued his “sincere” pitch. “If you drive me instead, I can take you out for dinner, maybe a movie—do something fun. Way better than waiting for her to finish work, don’t you think?”

She couldn’t take it anymore. Fighting the urge to vomit, she snatched the sketch off the desk. “Thanks for the offer, Director. I’ll think about it.”

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and bolted.

To Zhao Xi, her hasty retreat only confirmed that he’d struck a nerve. She must’ve been tempted—too shy to accept, but on the verge of giving in. He felt like he was on the brink of success, ready to reel her in with just a bit more bait.

Once out of the office, Dou Huan let out a deep breath. During lunch, she called Qi Yue and imitated Zhao Xi’s tone, retelling the whole disgusting speech.

“I can’t—I’m dying! Hahahaha!” Qi Yue was laughing uncontrollably. “He’s seriously mentally challenged, isn’t he?”

“Probably,” Dou Huan muttered. “You don’t know how badly I wanted to slap him right in the face and tell him to shut up.”

“Don’t just be mad,” Qi Yue warned. “It’s obvious he’s trying to hit on you. So what’s your plan? Still pretending to be the poor little intern?”

“What else can I do?” Dou Huan said. “I can’t exactly throw money in his face and tell him I’m way out of his league.”

“That’s so unfair,” Qi Yue said. “If it were me, I’d roast him with a few zingers, leave him reeling, then make a dramatic exit.”

“Nice idea—but I’m not leaving.”

“You actually like being Jing Yu’s driver now?”

“Not really. Just wait. Someday, they’ll all regret messing with me.”

When Dou Huan returned to the office, she found her coworkers happily chatting about dinner plans. As she walked up, Zhou Wei turned to her excitedly and announced, “All our design drafts passed! Director Zhao said we’re all going out for dinner tonight—to celebrate and to welcome you to the team!”