Marrying My Ex-Wife's Mortal Enemy (GL) - Chapter 18

Dinner Gathering?

Well, if that’s the case, then she had the perfect excuse to not be Jing Yu’s driver this afternoon, didn’t she?

Just the thought of it put Dou Huan in a good mood. She turned to Zhou Wei and asked, “So, have you all decided? What’s for dinner?”

“Still up in the air,” Zhou Wei glanced at the group of coworkers still noisily debating the options, then shook her head with a helpless smile. “Look at them—some want Chinese food, some want hotpot, some say barbecue, some want grilled fish, and a few are insisting on Western. What are we supposed to do with that?”

There weren’t that many of them, but everyone’s preferences were wildly different. It was actually kind of impressive.

Dou Huan shook her head. “Let’s just wait for the higher-ups to decide. I’m fine with whatever.”

She wasn’t going for the food anyway—this was all just an excuse to ditch Jing Yu.

While the other ladies in the office were still in the middle of their discussion, Dou Huan excitedly sent the news to Jing Yu.

About five minutes later, she replied, “Leave the car.”

In the morning, she had been in a rush and had driven her own car to work. Several of her colleagues didn’t own cars yet, so if she drove to the dinner, others would definitely ask to ride with her—and she really didn’t feel like dealing with the questions.

After thinking it over, she figured it’d be simpler to just let Jing Yu drive the car home.
“Alright, wait for me. I’ll bring the keys up to you.”

When Dou Huan went upstairs, there were people in Jing Yu’s office. So she handed the keys to Jiang Shan instead.
“Our department’s going out for dinner tonight. Director Jing asked me to bring her the keys.”

“Got it, Miss Dou.”

Jiang Shan carefully took the keys and, seeing Dou Huan turn to leave, asked,
“How will you get home tonight, Miss Dou?”

“Me?” Dou Huan paused to think.
“I’ll just call a cab, or maybe ask a friend to pick me up.”

“How about this,” Jiang Shan offered, “Once your dinner’s over, give me a call. I’ll come pick you up, and then you can drive the car home. That way, you’ll have it to pick up Director Jing tomorrow morning.”

Dou Huan thought for a second. That actually sounded pretty convenient.
“Alright then. Thank you, Assistant Jiang.”

“Happy to help.”

After Dou Huan left, Jiang Shan waited until the people in Jing Yu’s office came out, then went in to report,
“I’ve arranged it with Miss Dou. I’ll pick her up after dinner.”

Jing Yu nodded.
“Good. That way she won’t come up with an excuse to slack off tomorrow.”

Sending someone just to pick her up so she couldn’t slack off?
Jiang Shan thought to herself: That doesn’t sound like the real reason.

By the time Dou Huan got back to her department, the debate over dinner had finally come to a decision. Since a manager would be joining them, Miss Lu suggested they go with something a little more formal—so Chinese food it was.

Apparently, the restaurant was pretty high-end, so no one objected.

Liu Xinxing was holding a small notebook, seemingly organizing something. As soon as Dou Huan sat down, she came over.
“Huanhuan, do you have a car?”

Dou Huan blinked and shook her head.

“Then you’ll ride with Director Zhao,” Liu Xinxing said with a sweet, gentle smile. “The office cars have already been arranged, and the only seat left is in his.”

Dou Huan turned a pitiful look toward Zhou Wei.

Zhou Wei explained, “I actually tried to sign you up with me, but Sister Lu’s car was full, so…”

“I’ll just take a cab.” Dou Huan pulled out her phone. “Send me the address.”

“What? Why waste the money?”

Liu Xinxing suddenly grabbed her arm, clearly agitated.
“You and Jiao Jiao can ride with Director Zhao—it works out perfectly.”

Since someone else was going too, insisting on taking a cab would only make her look anti-social, so Dou Huan let it go.

That afternoon, Dou Huan and Zhou Wei took a trip to the warehouse to look at materials. Time flew by while she was engrossed in all the jewelry components.

By the time they got back to the office, she had just taken a sip of water when she realized it was nearly the end of the workday.

As it got closer to clock-out time, the office grew increasingly restless. People were packing up, and the fashion-conscious ones had already started touching up their makeup.

Dou Huan, still absorbed in the inspiration sparked by the jewelry materials, grabbed a pen and paper and began sketching.

Zhou Wei, exhausted from the outing, was lying on her desk watching Dou Huan draw.

She had to admit—Dou Huan’s hands looked like they were made for drawing. Every line was precise. No mistakes, no wasted movement.

As the sketch of the bracelet slowly took shape, Zhou Wei felt a pang of envy. How does she make it look so perfect—from every angle? Once it was colored in, it would look practically real, even down to the sheen.

“Time to clock out!”

The shout pulled Zhou Wei out of her daze. She sat up quickly, “Let’s go clock out!”

While everyone else cheerfully got ready to leave, Dou Huan calmly finished her design.

Liu Xinxing came over and peeked at her paper.
“Huanhuan, it’s beautiful, but some designs are too pretty to be practical. That hollowed floral link is too delicate—no craftsman can pull that off. One little bump and it’s ruined.”

She wasn’t entirely wrong, but Dou Huan didn’t respond or explain. She simply finished the final line and exhaled.

The hollow-carved white jade bracelet she’d drawn looked exquisite—its shape, its texture, everything was luxurious. Paired with such intricate craftsmanship, the final product would be stunning.

But, just as Liu Xinxing had said, it was too delicate for everyday use. This kind of bracelet wasn’t meant for just anyone—it was meant for someone with status.

Someone like her mother, Zhong Yunxin. That was who she’d had in mind while designing it.

Soon, most of the office had cleared out—only she and Yu Sijiao remained.

Yu Sijiao looked like she was only slightly older than Dou Huan. Petite, average-looking.

She scooted closer and peeked at the design.
“Huanhuan, you’re amazing at drawing.”

Dou Huan replied modestly, “Just okay.”

Yu Sijiao glanced nervously at the director’s office and whispered,
“When’s Director Zhao coming out?”

“No idea.” Dou Huan really didn’t care when Zhao Xi planned to leave—he’d come out eventually.

Since Dou Huan was busy drawing again, Yu Sijiao pulled out her phone and started scrolling Weibo.

About ten minutes later, Zhao Xi finally emerged.

“Sorry to keep you two beauties waiting. Let’s head out.”

Yu Sijiao’s face turned bright red.
“Oh, no worries! We weren’t waiting long at all.”

Dou Huan followed behind them. Zhao Xi held the elevator door open for them like a gentleman, only stepping in after they had.

“Jiao Jiao, you joined the office last year, right?”

He was clearly trying to make small talk.

Yu Sijiao was surprised he even knew who she was. Blushing, she replied,
“Yeah, I started last September.”

Zhao Xi continued, “Got a boyfriend yet? There are a lot of great guys in the company.”

He came off friendly, like a big brother type. Most people wouldn’t peg him as a creep—more like someone charming with a lot of admirers.

Yu Sijiao smiled bashfully, “I do have a boyfriend.”

Zhao Xi then turned to Dou Huan with a smile,
“What about you, Huanhuan? Got someone?”

Ah. Now Dou Huan realized his real intentions.

To avoid him trying to set her up later, she answered quickly,
“I’m seeing someone.”

When the elevator arrived, Zhao Xi walked ahead and opened the car door, especially the passenger seat. But Dou Huan was faster.
“Jiao Jiao-jie, you sit in front. I prefer the back.”

Yu Sijiao hesitated, then smiled awkwardly and got in the front.

Zhao Xi’s smile faltered for a second but quickly returned.

Dou Huan sat in the back, intentionally choosing the seat behind Yu Sijiao to avoid being too close to Zhao Xi. But she soon noticed him watching her through the rearview mirror, which made her uncomfortable. So she subtly shifted to sit behind him instead.

Zhao Xi saw her little move and smirked.

By the time they arrived, the others were already seated. Dou Huan had asked Zhou Wei to save her a spot, but when she walked in, she saw Liu Xinxing sitting there.

She looked at Zhou Wei, who gave her a helpless shrug.

Before she could react, Yu Sijiao had already joined her own friends, leaving only two open seats—right next to each other.

Now wasn’t the time to fuss over seat swaps, especially since she wasn’t close to anyone else.

“Come on, have a seat,” Zhao Xi smiled, pulling out a chair for her.

Dou Huan reluctantly sat down.

Zhou Wei sent her a message:
“Xinxing suddenly came over and took your seat. I told her it was for you, but she insisted on sitting there.”

“She’s doing this on purpose.”
Clearly, Liu Xinxing was trying to create opportunities for Zhao Xi to get close to her. What exactly was she planning?

Some dishes were already served. After Zhao Xi arrived, he made everyone pour a glass of wine. A few declined, but he insisted with a smile.

How could anyone refuse when the director himself was so “friendly” about it?

“You should drink too.”
He held out the wine bottle to her.

Dou Huan took it herself. “Thank you, Director, I’ll pour it.”

“No need to be polite.”

He filled her glass to the brim—far more than anyone else’s.

Dou Huan looked at the glass and nearly laughed. What, he is trying to get me drunk now?

She arrived in his car. If he offered to drive her home afterward, it would seem perfectly reasonable. And as for where he sent her… well, that would be out of her control.

Looking at the glass of nearly overflowing wine, she smiled faintly.
You really think I’m that naive?

Director Zhao, don’t flatter yourself.