Marrying My Ex-Wife's Mortal Enemy (GL) - Chapter 22

The two of them returned to the BBQ place with milk tea in hand, just in time for their skewers to arrive. Dou Huan pulled Jing Yu to sit down and placed a cup of milk tea in front of Jiang Shan.

“I forgot to ask what flavor you liked, so I just picked strawberry,” she said.

“Thanks,” Jiang Shan replied. “Good call—I actually like strawberry.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Looking at the two large platters of grilled skewers, Dou Huan eagerly picked up a grilled chicken wing and gave it a sniff. “Smells amazing.”

She held the wing out to Jing Yu. “Try this one. It’s really good.”

But after their earlier exchange, Jing Yu politely declined without hesitation. “Thanks, but I’m good.”

Dou Huan didn’t push it. The aroma was too tempting—she couldn’t help taking a bite herself. That familiar taste, that familiar feeling—it was pure joy.

Watching her enjoy it so much, Jing Yu eventually reached for a skewer of grilled cauliflower. She eyed the various seasonings clinging to it and the slightly charred bamboo stick it was skewered on. It took a fair amount of mental preparation before she finally took a tiny bite.

To her surprise, it actually tasted pretty good.

Dou Huan noticed the way Jing Yu’s attitude shifted—from reluctant to gradually getting into it. She asked with a smile, “Miss Jing, have you seriously never eaten this kind of food before?”

“Not really,” Jing Yu replied, looking at the grilled ribs in front of her. “I used to think it was unhygienic. But if so many people eat it, I guess trying it once in a while won’t kill me.”

She spoke calmly and then took a bite of the rib straight off the skewer, discarding the rest afterward.

“You’re so wasteful,” Dou Huan said to Jiang Shan. “Look at her—she throws out more than she eats.”

Jiang Shan simply smiled and didn’t comment.

Jing Yu explained, “There’s still food stuck on the skewer.”

“You can just pull it off, like this…”

Dou Huan picked up a rib skewer and demonstrated.

Jing Yu wrinkled her nose. “The skewer’s covered in ash.”

“That’s just how BBQ is! The way you’re eating it takes all the fun out of it.”

Dou Huan chomped down on a rib, took a swig of beer, and looked totally satisfied.

Jing Yu glanced at her. “I honestly didn’t expect someone like you—a proper rich second-gen—to enjoy this sort of thing.”

“What’s wrong with being a rich second-gen?”

Dou Huan looked around at the clusters of college students laughing and chatting over skewers. “I just like this vibe. Eating together, drinking, chatting—it’s lively, it’s fun.”

Jing Yu had never really experienced that. She had few friends and was always looked after growing up. She hadn’t been exposed to many things, and no one ever invited her to try. It just never crossed her mind.

Thinking about it now, her life did seem a little dull in comparison—definitely not as colorful as Dou Huan’s.

Once Dou Huan started drinking, she couldn’t stop talking. She began sharing stories from her college days. Whenever something resonated with Jiang Shan, the two of them would light up, laughing and chatting like old friends. Jing Yu just sat quietly, listening—completely unable to keep up.

Technically, she and Dou Huan were only three years apart, but it felt like a generational gap. Then again, Jiang Shan was three years younger too, and she had no trouble connecting.

Jing Yu couldn’t help but think—maybe the issue was her. Her life had always been too structured. In school, it was all about studying and working out. In college, she started shadowing corporate meetings. Her only real friend had gone into the entertainment industry and was now too busy to hang out, let alone grab BBQ or stay up late binging dramas and going to concerts.

There were so many experiences Dou Huan and Jiang Shan had that Jing Yu never even came close to. It was like they’d gone to college in a completely different era.

“That guy!”

Dou Huan suddenly slapped the table, visibly excited. “I had the biggest crush on him! His dancing is insane! So good-looking!”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Jiang Shan agreed, just as animated. “Did you see that routine he did at Guotai’s mid-year gala?”

“I did! I did!”

“Aaaah!!!”

The two of them screamed in unison. “He was so hot that I nearly passed out!”

Jing Yu had to cover her ears. …Their happiness was on another level—none of it belonged to her.

On the way back, since Jiang Shan was driving, Dou Huan didn’t talk to her. But the alcohol and excitement still had her buzzing, so she turned to chat with Jing Yu instead.

“Jing-jiejie, what did you do for fun in college?”

“Read in the library. Jogged. Sat in on company meetings.”

“Oh…”

Dou Huan looked visibly disappointed.

Jing Yu glanced at her. Dou Huan gave a helpless smile and pressed on, “What about besides that? Surely there was something else?”

“Studying,” Jing Yu said flatly.

“…Sorry to bother you. I’m out.”

Dou Huan solemnly made a gesture of farewell.

Jiang Shan couldn’t help but chuckle.

A few seconds later, Dou Huan gave up on her dramatic exit and turned back. “I’m back.”

Jing Yu ignored her.

Dou Huan reached out and tugged Jing Yu’s arm. “Jing-jiejie, I’m back.”

“I know,” Jing Yu said, catching her hand and pushing it back toward her. “Stop being grabby.”

“I didn’t touch you with my feet,” Dou Huan protested, lifting a leg to show her. “They’ve been behaving the whole time.”

“Right, right,” Jing Yu said indulgently, realizing she was tipsy. “Very well-behaved.”

“Jing-jiejie~”

Dou Huan leaned back and looked at her.

“Hm?” Jing Yu turned. “Why are you staring at me?”

“You’re pretty,” Dou Huan giggled, “but not as pretty as me.”

“Mm-hmm.” Jing Yu didn’t bother arguing with a drunk. Seeing Dou Huan dozing off, she warned, “Don’t fall asleep.”

“I’m so sleepy…”

Dou Huan rolled over, clearly about to knock out.

When they arrived at Jing Yu’s place, Jiang Shan asked, “Should we drop Miss Dou off at her place?”

“No need.” Jing Yu leaned over to pat Dou Huan’s cheek. “Wake up. We’re here.”

“We are?”

Dou Huan stumbled out of the car and nearly fell. Jing Yu’s heart jumped at the sight. Disoriented, Dou Huan asked, “Where are we?”

Jing Yu sighed and took her arm. “My place. You’re crashing here tonight.”

Zhao Yu went to her parents’ house, so only Aunt Zhang was home. Jing Yu helped Dou Huan through the door and asked Aunt Zhang to prepare some hangover soup, then guided her upstairs.

In her room, just as Dou Huan was about to flop onto the bed, Jing Yu stopped her. “Shower first.”

“But my head’s spinning… I just wanna sleep.”

As she tried to throw herself into bed again, Jing Yu caught her. “If you don’t shower, you’re sleeping in the guest room.”

“Why can’t I sleep here?” Dou Huan pouted. “I wanna sleep here!”

“This is my bed.”

“I’ll just take half,” Dou Huan said, playing shameless. “Just half, okay? Pretty please, Jing-jiejie?”

“What even…” Jing Yu stared at her like she was a child, then finally gave up and let her lie down.

Fine. She’d just change the sheets tomorrow.

Once Dou Huan was asleep, Jing Yu adjusted the AC to a comfortable temperature and went to the guest room to sleep.

The next morning, Dou Huan woke up in Jing Yu’s bed. The moment she realized what had happened—that she’d thrown a drunken tantrum and insisted on sleeping there—she pulled the blanket over her head.

I’m just going to pretend I died. That was so embarrassing!

The bedroom door opened. Dou Huan tossed off the blanket and sat bolt upright.

Jing Yu stood at the door. “I thought you were still asleep. Since you’re up, go freshen up. Aunt Zhang’s made breakfast. Hurry.”

“I don’t have clothes…”

Dou Huan looked at her pitifully.

Jing Yu sighed and walked in to grab something for her. “Skirt or T-shirt?”

“A T-shirt’s easier if you’re going out,” Jing Yu said.

She rarely wore T-shirts herself, but she grabbed a white one and asked Dou Huan, “This one’s been worn—are you okay with that?”

“No problem.”

Jing Yu quickly found her a complete set of clothes, even underwear. She glanced at Dou Huan and said, “I don’t have any bras that would fit you, though.”

Dou Huan’s face turned bright red. “That’s fine! Thank you!”

She took the clothes into the bathroom, fuming in embarrassment. This is ridiculous—this can’t happen again. If I come here a few more times, Jing Yu might even start stocking bras for me. Just the thought made her flush with shame, even though it was pure speculation.

As she glanced down at her chest, she realized hers seemed a little bigger than Jing Yu’s. She couldn’t help but smirk, feeling a weird sense of pride.

After her shower, Dou Huan changed into the clean clothes. Just then, her phone rang—it was a call from her mom, Zhong Yunxin.

She picked up the call while heading downstairs. “Mom, what’s up? I’m just about to head to work.”

“It’s your birthday today, of course I had to call! I wanted to ask how you’re planning to celebrate.”

“Oh—right! I totally forgot it’s my birthday today. I haven’t thought about it.”

“Well then,” Zhong Yunxin said, “I’ll have your dad pick you up this afternoon. Let’s go out for dinner as a family, and maybe catch a movie.”

“Sounds great!”

Jing Yu overheard the phone call and only now realized it was Dou Huan’s birthday. She hadn’t prepared any kind of gift. After thinking about it briefly, she still couldn’t come up with a good idea.

Forget it, she thought. We’re not even that close. A gift or no gift—it’s all the same.

After breakfast, Dou Huan drove both of them to work, humming cheerfully along the way.

As soon as she walked into the office, she noticed everyone staring at her. Zhou Wei came rushing over with eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Huanhuan! Is someone chasing after you?”

Dou Huan laughed. “What are you talking about?”

“Then who sent you all that stuff?”

She followed Zhou Wei’s gaze and saw a massive bouquet of flowers on her desk, a two-tier cake, and a bunch of beautifully wrapped gift boxes.

From the looks of it, these were all luxury-brand items. They covered the entire desk next to Zhou Wei’s, and everyone was whispering about which rich heir might be courting Dou Huan.

There was definitely envy in the air, mixed with nosy curiosity.

Dou Huan was just as stunned. Her parents wouldn’t go this over-the-top, and her friend Qi Yue definitely wouldn’t either—she didn’t have that kind of spending power.

That left only one possibility.

She walked over and picked up the card attached to the flowers. The message was printed: “Happy Birthday, Huanhuan! Wishing you joy every day!”

One glance at the gift box logos—Tianyi Jewelry—told her exactly who it was from.

Looking at all the extravagant gifts cluttering the desk, she scowled in irritation.

She pulled out her phone and called Chu Li. The moment the line connected, she snapped, “Are you out of your mind? Who wants any of this crap? Send someone to come pick it all up—right now!”

Before Chu Li could say a word, Dou Huan hung up.

Just seeing those things reminded her of Chu Li—of all those birthdays she’d spent waiting for her, only to receive some half-hearted jewelry. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She picked up the bouquet and slammed it on the floor, stomping on it twice for good measure.

She really wanted to smash all the jewelry and cosmetics too, but this was the office—she had to restrain herself.

Swallowing her irritation, she turned to Zhou Wei. “Weiwei, do we have any big trash bags?”

“What’s going on, Huanhuan?”

Zhou Wei was confused. She had just received an avalanche of luxury gifts—why was she so furious? Even if you didn’t like the person who sent them, wasn’t this an overreaction?

Zhou Wei gazed longingly at the expensive items. “These are really pricey gifts. If you don’t like the sender, maybe just return them instead of trashing them?”

Dou Huan took a deep breath. “Then first get me a big trash bag.”

Zhou Wei brought over a huge garbage bag, and Dou Huan began chucking everything in without a second glance. Once done, she shoved the bag under the desk and pressed it down with her foot.

Then she called Qin Zhen. “Come get this stuff she sent and take it back.”

With the “garbage” finally cleared, the desk looked clean again. Dou Huan sat down and took a sip of water.

Her dramatic reaction left the entire office dumbfounded. No one could figure out why she’d lose it over such luxurious gifts.

Only Liu Xinxing looked secretly delighted to see her angry. She sneered, “Maybe she’s throwing it out before people find out it’s fake.”

Dou Huan already had a bone to pick with her. She bent down, rummaged through the trash bag, and pulled out a box. She walked right up to Liu Xinxing, opened the box, and tossed it on her desk.

“You’re a jewelry designer, aren’t you? Don’t tell me you can’t tell real from fake. Go ahead—inspect it.”

Liu Xinxing’s eyes widened at the sight of the red diamond necklace. She quickly composed herself so as not to look uncultured in front of Dou Huan. She pulled out her tools and started examining the gem.

She had seen plenty of diamonds in her time—this one was clearly authentic.

Tianyi Jewelry, a rival of Jing Tian’s company, was indeed impressive. The red diamond necklace was stunning. Both the centerpiece and the accent stones were flawless, the color vivid, and the cut perfect.

After a while, Dou Huan grew impatient. “Miss Liu, you’ve been looking forever. Don’t tell me you can’t tell if it’s real?”

Liu Xinxing had no choice but to admit it. “It’s real. So what? It was a gift. It’s not like you bought it.”

“Oh please, like everything you use is something you bought.”

Dou Huan snapped the box shut and walked away, leaving Liu Xinxing seething with frustration but helpless to respond.

Before long, Qin Zhen arrived. Dou Huan handed him the garbage bag. “Tell her to stop wasting her time. I don’t want anything from her.”

Despite her words, Qin Zhen dutifully passed along Chu Li’s message: “President Chu said she’ll be waiting for you across the street at Yunding Hotel at noon. If you don’t show up, she won’t leave.”

Dou Huan rolled her eyes. “Then tell her if she’s skipping work, don’t use me as an excuse. I’m not going. Let her wait all she wants.”

******

And just like that, she forgot all about Chu Li’s lunch plan. She ate in the company cafeteria and returned to her desk—only to find another cake sitting there.

Assuming Chu Li had sent another one, she bristled with anger and went to toss it out, only for Zhou Wei to block her.

“Come on, auntie, don’t waste another one! If you won’t eat it, let me! Or at least share it with the other ladies in the office!”

Dou Huan hesitated. It was a waste to just throw it out. She put the cake down and checked the card. It was printed too—but the signature wasn’t “Chu,” it was “Jing.”

Jing? Could it be Jing Yu?

She couldn’t help but message her: Did you send me a cake?

Jing Yu replied: Heard it was your birthday this morning. Didn’t have anything special to give, so I ordered a cake.

Thanks, Dou Huan texted back. Let me treat you to dinner sometime.

Barbecue again?

The memory of last night’s barbecue made Dou Huan chuckle. Hotpot this time.

Zhou Wei noticed her grinning at her phone and leaned over. “So it wasn’t from the same person?”

“What, you think it came from a dog?”

“Oh come on, you know that’s not what I meant!”

“Just eat your cake and stop asking questions.”

“Alright, alright.”

Zhou Wei gave up and focused on slicing the cake. It was big enough for everyone to have a piece—everyone except Liu Xinxing.

Zhou Wei wasn’t one to hold grudges, but she also wasn’t about to offer kindness where it wasn’t welcome. Besides, after the spat earlier, she had no doubt Liu Xinxing would just toss the cake anyway—why give her the satisfaction?

Sure enough, Liu Xinxing noticed everyone else was happily eating the cake while she got nothing. She fumed silently, feeling both slighted and resentful. She stomped off to the break room.

Zhou Wei watched her storm off and smirked, whispering to Dou Huan, “She’s pissed.”

“I know,” Dou Huan said with a snort. “Good. She’s not getting any.”

That single cake from Jing Yu was enough to wash away the rotten mood left by Chu Li’s extravagant “gifts.” Dou Huan went back to working on her designs and stayed busy until the end of the day.

It wasn’t until Dou Changqing called that she remembered she’d forgotten to tell Jing Yu she was going out with her parents for her birthday.

She quickly messaged her: It’s my birthday, so I’m going out to dinner with my parents. Let Assistant Jiang drive you back. I’ll bring the car keys right up.

She rushed to hand the keys to Jiang Shan, just as her dad called again to say he was already downstairs.

“Okay, I’m coming down now.”

“No rush,” he said. “Take your time. I’ll wait.”

Relieved, she relaxed a bit, took the elevator down, and saw Dou Changqing waiting by the car. She ran up and hugged him tightly. “Dad!”

Just then, Liu Xinxing stepped out of the building—and saw Dou Huan hugging a handsome man who looked quite young. He was driving a luxury car too.

Dou Huan usually dressed modestly and never looked like someone from a wealthy family. But with today’s gifts and this scene in front of her, Liu Xinxing reached her own conclusion:

She’s being kept by some older rich guy!

Hmph! And here I thought she was so high and mighty, turning her nose up at Zhao Xi. Turns out she just prefers the rich sugar daddy type.

She pulled out her phone and snapped a photo of them, along with the car’s license plate.

Dou Huan, she thought coldly, let’s see how long you can keep pretending.