Marrying My Ex-Wife's Mortal Enemy (GL) - Chapter 21

After hanging up on Chu Li, Jing Yu looked up just as Jiang Shan walked in to report.

“Miss Dou got into an argument with Liu Xinxing during the dinner last night,” Jiang said. “It started because Liu asked her to help Director Zhao.”

Jing Yu nodded, signaling she understood. “Start gathering evidence of Zhao Xi’s affair and his asset transfers. Don’t let him catch on.”

Jiang Shan blinked in surprise, then quickly nodded. “Right away.”

Jing Yu had heard rumors about Zhao Xi and Liu Xinxing’s messy entanglements. But since it was consensual and private, she had no intention of getting involved.

Now, though, things were different.

Dou Huan had expressed her intention to stay at Jingtian, but if Zhao Xi decided to make trouble, who knew what kind of mess he’d stir up?

Her mother Zhao Yu was clearly fond of Dou Huan. If anything happened to her right under Jing Yu’s nose, not only would Zhao Yu be furious, but Dou Huan’s mother Zhong Yunxin might also fall out with Zhao Yu.

Yes, she admitted it—she was only meddling for the sake of her mother’s friendship.

With that thought, Jing Yu turned her focus back to work.

******

Dou Huan had just sat down to rest when Zhao Xi called from his office door, “Dou Huan, come in for a minute.”

So soon? Zhou Wei looked at her with concern—clearly worried trouble had arrived.

Dou Huan patted her on the shoulder and gave her a bright, reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”

Watching her walk away, Liu Xinxing let out a quiet snort.

She’d gone out of her way to take Zhao Xi home last night and had spent the morning whispering poison into his ear about Dou Huan.

If Dou Huan didn’t know how to show respect, then Zhao Xi could teach her a lesson—make her understand that new hires don’t get to act so high and mighty.

To make sure he wouldn’t go soft, she’d even sent him a message:

“Zhao-ge, you have to stand up for me. Don’t let her off easy.”

Zhao Xi replied simply: “Don’t worry.”

When Dou Huan walked in, Zhao Xi’s eyes lit up. He put down his phone, took a designer bag out of his drawer, and placed it on the desk.

“Last night,” he said sternly, “were you the one who spilled red wine on my bag?”

As he spoke, his eyes scanned her up and down. Today, she wore a tailored midi dress that hugged her waist and showed off her curves. He couldn’t help but imagine more.

“No,” Dou Huan said flatly, ignoring his gaze. “It was Liu Xinxing. She spun the lazy Susan too hard and sent a dish flying. It hit my wine glass, which spilled onto your bag.”

Zhao Xi stood and stepped closer to her. “Didn’t expect you to be such a smooth liar.”

“I’m just telling the truth.”

“Then let’s bring in some witnesses and see who’s telling the truth.”

He stepped outside and called in a few people. Liu Xinxing and Zhou Wei came too.

“Don’t be nervous,” Zhao Xi said. “I just want to clear something up.”

He held up the bag from the desk. “This bag got soaked in red wine last night. Can someone tell me who did it?”

Everyone glanced at one another but stayed silent.

Zhao Xi narrowed it down. “Was it Dou Huan or Liu Xinxing?”

Liu Xinxing immediately stepped in, her voice soft and aggrieved. “Director Zhao, don’t listen to Dou Huan’s nonsense. I was sitting a whole table’s width away—how could I possibly have spilled her wine onto your bag?”

She turned to the others. “Isn’t that right?”

Still, no one said a word. Zhao Xi turned to the nearest person—Yu Sijiao. “Jiaojiao, you tell me.”

“Uh…” Yu Sijiao froze, panicked. Her eyes darted between Liu Xinxing and Dou Huan. “It… it was Dou Huan.”

She knew full well it had been Liu Xinxing, but Liu was a senior and had connections. Dou Huan, a newcomer, might not even last. Siding with her meant nothing but risk. So she lied.

Dou Huan let out a cold laugh but didn’t argue.

A fence-sitter. Of course she’d sway with the wind.

Once someone picked a side, the rest followed easily. Liu Xinxing was a familiar colleague, someone who occasionally shared favors. Dou Huan was a complete unknown—soon to be a goner. Why offend Zhao Xi’s pillow partner for her?

When it came to Zhou Wei, Zhao Xi didn’t even bother asking—everyone else had already picked a side.

But Liu Xinxing wasn’t done. She pressed on, “Weiwei, what about you?”

Zhou Wei looked at Dou Huan, then at Liu Xinxing. She was clearly torn.

Liu Xinxing urged her again, “Say something, Weiwei. Director Zhao’s waiting.”

Finally, Zhou Wei took a deep breath, moved to stand beside Dou Huan, and said, “Director Zhao, your bag got wet because Liu Xinxing spun the tray too fast and knocked over Dou Huan’s wine. So I don’t think it was Dou Huan’s fault.”

Dou Huan hadn’t expected Zhou Wei to speak up for her. The way she looked ready to faint from nerves actually struck her as endearing. If the timing had been better, she might’ve laughed.

“Alright,” Zhao Xi said. “Everyone else, leave. Dou Huan, stay.”

Zhou Wei looked anxious. “Director Zhao, I’m telling the truth.”

“You can go now,” Dou Huan said, tugging her sleeve. “Wait for me outside.”

“But…”

Zhou Wei hesitated, but seeing how confident Dou Huan looked, she reluctantly followed the others out.

Zhao Xi had clearly brought them in just to pin this on Dou Huan. The more Zhou Wei thought about it, the more worried she became. She turned around, ready to go back and defend her again—but Liu Xinxing stopped her.

“Zhou Wei,” Liu sneered in a low voice, “I didn’t think you’d side with her. What—have you always hated me? Can’t stand that I’m better than you?”

“What are you talking about?” Zhou Wei frowned. “I don’t understand.”

She tried to shake Liu Xinxing off, but Liu dragged her toward the pantry. “Let go of me! What are you doing, Liu Xinxing?!”

Inside the pantry, Liu shut the door behind them and crossed her arms, smirking.

“Let me guess—Zhao Xi has a thing for Dou Huan, and you think if you suck up to her, she’ll have your back?”

“You’re insane!”

Zhou Wei gave her a look of disgust. “You think everyone’s as shameless as you?”

“What’s wrong with me?” Liu Xinxing snapped, eyeing her from head to toe. “I’m prettier, I live better, I shine brighter. You resent me because I have what you don’t.”

“Who wants your life?” Zhou Wei spat on the floor. “You think you’re so refined? All anyone sees is a homewrecker.”

Slap!

Liu Xinxing struck her across the face.

Zhou Wei stared, stunned. Tears welled up instantly. Then she lunged.

“No one’s ever hit me! No one! You b1tch!”

She grabbed Liu’s hair and yanked hard.

“Ahhh!” Liu shrieked in pain, bent over, trying to claw at Zhou Wei’s hair. The two erupted into a full-blown hair-pulling brawl.

*****

Back in the office, Zhao Xi sat on the couch. “You heard them. Everyone said you were the one who ruined my bag.”

“If you want to accuse me, you’ll always find a reason,” Dou Huan said calmly. “So what now, Director Zhao?”

“Simple. You pay for it.” He pulled a receipt from his drawer. “This bag cost two hundred thousand. It’s brand new. I’ll give you a discount—just pay fifty thousand.”

“Fifty?”

Dou Huan stared at him. You’re really underestimating me.

“What, too expensive?”

Zhao Xi stood, walked over to her, and lowered his voice. “You know I like you. I could give you a bag like this—free. See a piece of jewelry in the office you like? If the price is right, I’ll buy it for you. What do you say?”

Dou Huan smiled sweetly. “Come closer.”

Her smile was too enchanting. Zhao Xi assumed she’d caved. He opened his arms.

In that moment, she kneed him—hard—right between the legs.

“Ah!!”

Zhao Xi screamed, clutching himself and gasping. “You… you dare—?!”

“That was a warning,” she said coldly. “Next time, I won’t miss.”

With that, she walked out, leaving him groaning in pain, gripping the desk with one hand and his leg with the other.

Dou Huan… you just wait!

As she stepped out, she saw a crowd gathered outside the pantry. Zhou Wei was nowhere in sight.

She walked over. “What’s going on?”

“Zhou Wei and Liu Xinxing are fighting!”

Dou Huan squeezed to the front and tried to push the door open, but it wouldn’t budge. She turned around and asked, “Can one of the guys come help me break the door down? I’ll pay for the replacement.”

With her saying that, the male coworkers stepped up. One of them threw his shoulder against the door, and with a loud thud, it finally flew open.

Dou Huan was the first to enter. Inside, she saw Zhou Wei and Liu Xinxing locked in a scuffle, hair tousled like they’d just fought a flock of chickens.

The sudden rush of people into the room made both women freeze. When they looked up and saw the entire office staring at them in shock, they quickly let go of each other.

“Weiwei-jie, are you okay?”

Dou Huan stepped up and gently brushed Zhou Wei’s hair back. “Did she hurt you?”

“Huanhuan…”

Gone was Zhou Wei’s earlier boldness—she collapsed into Dou Huan’s arms, crying. “She slapped me. No one’s ever slapped me before. Not even my parents would raise a hand to me… wuwuwu…”

“Just wait,” Dou Huan hugged her and patted her back, then turned to glare coldly at Liu Xinxing, whose expression was equally sour. “One day, I’ll make sure she pays for what she did today.”

“Heh.” Liu Xinxing scoffed, unwilling to back down. She smoothed her hair and leaned in as she walked past. “Who do you think you are?”

Dou Huan stared her down with such blatant disgust that Liu Xinxing got goosebumps and backed off quickly, shoving through the crowd to leave.

After helping Zhou Wei tidy her hair, Dou Huan said, “If she slapped you, you should’ve slapped her right back. What’s the point of pulling her hair?”

“I was afraid she’d block me, and hair’s easier to grab.”

Dou Huan chuckled helplessly and leaned in to whisper, “I just kicked Zhao Xi.”

“You—! You what!?” Zhou Wei was so shocked she didn’t even know what to say. “You’re so bold!”

“When you’re dealing with bullies, if you act weak, they’ll walk all over you,” Dou Huan said calmly. “I’ve given them more than enough face. They’re the ones who didn’t know when to stop.”

“If it were me, I’d never dare.” Zhou Wei looked at her with admiration. “You’re really fearless—like a newborn calf that doesn’t fear the tiger.”

Dou Huan smiled. “Maybe I am.”

Just then, someone with sharp eyes spotted a flower delivery guy outside. “Whoa! Someone’s getting flowers again!”

Everyone instinctively looked toward Liu Xinxing. Knowing she had just fought with Zhou Wei and probably needed cheering up, someone flattered her, “Who else could it be? It must be our beautiful Xinxing!”

“So jealous.”

“I wish someone would send me flowers too…”

Zhou Wei gritted her teeth, furious, and slammed her head down on her desk.

“If you want flowers, I’ll bring you some another day.”

“No need,” Zhou Wei snapped, still fuming. “Liu Xinxing’s right—I just can’t stand seeing her happy.”

Meanwhile, Liu Xinxing, basking in the attention, stood up gracefully and walked to the door, smiling at the delivery guy. “Thanks, I’ll take them.”

“Are you Ms. Dou Huan?”

The flower guy scratched his head in confusion. “Sorry, I couldn’t read the character earlier. I was just about to ask.”

As soon as he said that, the people who’d been flattering Liu Xinxing quietly slinked away in embarrassment.

Liu Xinxing’s outstretched hand froze midair, and her smile stiffened. Her face flushed as if it were on fire. She forced a smile. “I’ll bring them to her.”

“No need.” Dou Huan walked up and took the flowers from her. “I don’t want them tainted by your hands.”

Liu Xinxing stood rooted to the spot, fists clenched, teeth grinding.

“Who sent them?” Zhou Wei beamed, almost as if she were the one getting flowers. “They’re huge—and so pretty!”

Dou Huan glanced at the card, smiled faintly, and said, “They’re yours now.”

She casually tore up the card and tossed it in the trash.

If Zhou Wei hadn’t liked the flowers so much, she would’ve thrown the whole bouquet out. What was Chu Li even thinking, sending her flowers out of nowhere?

Still, the memory of Liu Xinxing’s awkward expression gave her some satisfaction.

Back in her office, Chu Li was in a foul mood. She’d nearly exploded earlier that morning because of Jing Yu. Just thinking about Jing Yu’s words—“I think Dou Huan’s great. I’m going to keep her”—made her bl00d boil.

Now that Dou Huan was divorced, who knew how many people were eyeing her. Chu Li couldn’t sit still. She needed to do something—anything.

So she immediately had Qin Zhen order a bouquet and deliver it to Dou Huan.

All day, she’d been waiting anxiously for news. As soon as her phone rang, she picked up immediately. “Did she accept the flowers?”

“Yes, President Chu,” Qin Zhen replied respectfully. “Ms. Dou received them.”

“She did?” Chu Li’s voice perked up, but disbelief crept in. “Did she say anything?”

“The delivery guy dropped them off and left right away. I’m not sure if she said anything.”

“Alright. Send another one tomorrow.”

The thought that Dou Huan had accepted her flowers made Chu Li want to call her right then and there to ask if she liked them. But she stopped herself—coming on too strong might make Dou Huan uncomfortable. Instead, she decided to hold back, to think of something else she could do for her.

Her gaze fell on the calendar. August 20th. Dou Huan’s birthday was just around the corner.

The memory of that birthday night—the one she regretted the most—flashed in her mind, and she couldn’t help but slap herself across the face.

In the past, they’d always celebrated Dou Huan’s birthday together. Even when Chu Li was busy, Dou Huan would wait up late just to have dinner, cut the cake, blow out candles, and make a wish with her.

Thinking back, Chu Li exhaled deeply. This time, it was her turn to give.

******

Lately, Dou Huan had been extremely busy.

After kicking Zhao Xi, he made her go to the factory every day under the pretense of “learning about jewelry.”

August’s heat was brutal—once you stepped out of the air conditioning, the air was suffocating. Zhao Xi deliberately sent her back and forth between the office and the factory all day, leaving her hot and exhausted.

When the workday ended and everyone else had left, Dou Huan collapsed at her desk and sent a message to Jing Yu: “When are you getting off work?”

“Still a while.”

Dou Huan didn’t hesitate to head to Jing Yu’s office to wait. She was so tired that the moment she sank into the sofa, she drifted off.

Jing Yu, who was reviewing product development notes, frowned when she saw Dou Huan passed out on the couch. She walked over and adjusted the AC slightly higher. Her gaze dropped to Dou Huan’s shoes, now covered in dust—her whole appearance was disheveled, like she’d been hauling bricks.

She stepped outside and asked Jiang Shan, “What’s Dou Huan been up to lately?”

Jiang Shan, meticulous as ever, pulled out a little notebook and gave a full rundown of Dou Huan’s schedule.

“You knew I was going to ask?”

“I just happened to keep track,” Jiang Shan replied with a polite smile.

“If Zhao Xi likes the factory so much,” Jing Yu said, “send him on a business trip to Zhuzhou tomorrow.”

Jiang Shan smiled and nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

Dou Huan woke up groggy, rubbing her eyes. “You’re still not done with work? I’m starving.”

Her stomach growled in agreement.

Jing Yu shut her laptop and stood up. “Let’s get dinner.”

In the elevator, Jing Yu said, “Give your car keys to Assistant Jiang.”

“Huh? Why?” Dou Huan blinked.

“I’m afraid you’re too tired to drive—you might cause a wreck.”

Dou Huan snorted but handed over the keys.

She noticed they weren’t heading toward Jing Yu’s home. “Where are we going so late?”

“You said you were hungry, didn’t you?”

And just like that, her stomach started growling again. Dou Huan rubbed it sheepishly. “Oh. What are we eating?”

“You decide.”

“Let’s get barbecue!”

“Barbecue?”

“There’s a great place I know.”

They followed Dou Huan’s directions and Jiang Shan drove them near C University. She found a parking spot, and Dou Huan practically leapt out of the car, dragging the others toward the restaurant.

The food street outside C University was famous—cheap, delicious, and packed with students.

Jing Yu followed Dou Huan through a bumpy, uneven alleyway and soon reached a smoky BBQ joint. It was packed—mostly with college students—loud and lively.

Dou Huan grabbed a table, then went up to place the order.

“Do you want beer?”

Jing Yu shook her head. Jiang Shan smiled, “I’m driving, so no thanks.”

Dou Huan grabbed two ice-cold beers for herself and popped them open. It felt just like her college days again—nights out with friends, grilled skewers, laughter, and cold beer.

Her tolerance had always been low. She usually drank one beer, then focused on eating while dragging drunk friends back home.

“You seem really familiar with this place,” Jing Yu observed. “Did you come here often?”

“All the time during college,” Dou Huan looked around nostalgically. “I know every corner here. Want milk tea? There’s a great place nearby.”

“I’ll come with you,” Jing Yu said. “Jiang Shan can hold our table.”

As they walked, Jing Yu’s heel twisted on the uneven pavement, and she nearly fell. Dou Huan caught her just in time. “You okay?”

Jing Yu moved her ankle and nodded. “I’m fine.”

Dou Huan chuckled, “Miss Jing, I take it you’ve never really hung out in places like this?”

“Not never,” Jing Yu steadied herself. “Just rarely.”

“Have you even had BBQ before?”

“No. It’s not hygienic.”

At the milk tea shop, the line was long. Jing Yu asked, “Do we really have to wait?”

“Yeah, it moves fast.”

They queued behind a playful couple. The guy tried dodging the girl’s teasing, and in the process, nearly bumped into Dou Huan—Jing Yu instinctively pulled her into her arms.

Before Dou Huan could react, Jing Yu said coldly to the guy, “Watch where you’re going.”

“Sorry! My bad!” the guy apologized, while the girl giggled behind him.

“You cold?” Jing Yu asked, puzzled.

Dou Huan just laughed—and then she spotted a candied hawthorn stand. “I want one! You wait here.”

She dashed off. Under the streetlight, her figure lit up like a scene from a dream. Jing Yu watched her, lost in the moment.

There she was—grinning, waving a stick of candied hawthorn—and suddenly Jing Yu’s world fell quiet, as if nothing else existed.

Her heart skipped a beat, just like it had years ago when little Dou Huan used to tug her hand and say, “Jing-jiejie, let’s go play!”

“Jing Yu! Do you want one?”

Dou Huan thought she hadn’t heard, so she shouted again, “Jing Yu!”

Snapped back to reality, Jing Yu stared at her yelling from across the street—still beautiful, though not exactly ladylike.

She waved dismissively, pretending not to know her.

Dou Huan thought that meant no, so she just bought one. She took a bite as she walked back. “It’s so good. Can’t believe you didn’t want one.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You waved like this,” Dou Huan mimicked her. “That’s basically a no.”

Noticing Jing Yu staring at the candy, Dou Huan teased, “You want some?”

Jing Yu leaned away. “No.”

“You totally do.”

“I don’t.”

“Oh come on, one bite won’t kill you.”

Dou Huan moved the candy closer to her lips. Jing Yu hesitated… then took a bite.

Dou Huan grinned. “You say no, but your body says yes.”

Jing Yu: “…”